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    Forum
    Proximity (Hall effect) sensor wiring
    Hi all, a friend is building a
    submarine
    and wants to turn it on remotely with a proximity switch and magnet, he needs to know where to wire it in... I thought it should be into the positive wire from the battery - am I right? Thanks in advance, Eric
    5 years ago by EricMB
    Forum
    Motor Anti-
    submarine
    Boat MA/SB
    My latest project, a 1/24 scale MA/SB is currently taking shape. The vessel is based upon the 63ft BPBCo launch and I understand some had planked decks. There is nothing I like better than planking a deck but I can find no reference to MA/SBs having anything other than metal decks. My recommended reference book is Caostal Craft History Vol.2 which only tells me that planked decks were usually varnished whilst metal decks were usually painted grey. Can anyone assist please? Steve
    5 years ago by cormorant
    Forum
    Mclaren Clockwork
    submarine
    s U50
    "... I dare say that with the necessary computer skills it probably would be easier,however it would be quite difficult for me to hold cardboard templates against a monitor screen. The whole ethos of what I do is somewhat Luddite in nature,to use basic tools,free materials and as little technology as possible...." I'm not sure where the cardboard template comes in? if you want to put it into a computer you use a scanner - if you want to take it out you use a printer. They are usually the same machine... I'm not dissimilar to a Luddite - the KK EeZeBilt sites are all about making things from raw materials and using household detritus to create fittings. But computers are just another tool - and can be as basic as you like. I still lament the passing of DOS, because I felt that you should understand how tools work before you use them, and Windows made it impossible to know where all the bits were going... One advantage of computing technology is communication. You are illustrating this at the moment. All I was thinking was that your skills, experience and work could reach a much wider group of people. There are, for instance, kids in Australia building EeZeBilts because the data to do so is on the web: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAHJbJieV0o
    5 years ago by DodgyGeezer
    Forum
    Mclaren Clockwork
    submarine
    s U50
    Ahoy Mateys, U50 under construction. its got twin contra rotating props. I made the chassis for the gearbox and motor from an old gas fire that some kind person dumped at the end of my street.I don't mind anything metal but I can do without the mattresses! Cheers.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    Mclaren Clockwork
    submarine
    s U50
    Well said sir, I wholeheartedly agree, I always try to use free stuff or at least recycle into my models. I only wish I had your talent so that I could do away with the technology I use, especially when it keeps failing because the world expects the latest updates which causes my old tech to fail. Still no excuse, I just don't have your superb skill set. Keep it up shipmate. Cheers Colin.
    5 years ago by Colin H
    Forum
    Mclaren Clockwork
    submarine
    s U50
    I dare say that with the necessary computer skills it probably would be easier,however it would be quite difficult for me to hold cardboard templates against a monitor screen. The whole ethos of what I do is somewhat Luddite in nature,to use basic tools,free materials and as little technology as possible. As we spiral towards a total reliability on technology and computers I want to demonstrate what can be achieved with basic inexpensive stuff that most people throw away. Am I living in the past? dreaming of days when things were simpler? absolutely,I exhibited at Makers Fair in Newcastle in 2018, of over 300 other stalls there was only a hand full of us that actually made anything, everything else was technology based and made in China. Cheers.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    Mclaren Clockwork
    submarine
    s U50
    "..yes, drawings are much easier to work with as opposed to cad.." I can't see that. I haven't got the draftsmanship skill to create the drawings we see in the pictures - but I could easily reproduce them with a CAD package (though it would take a bit of time!). And the nice thing about the CAD drawing is that it is infinitely reproducible, and easy to publish on the Web, so that the information in the drawings I make are not lost when I disappear. Have you thought of publishing your plans on a web site? I'm sure that a lot of people would be interested, and there are so few resources for would-be tinsmiths available....
    5 years ago by DodgyGeezer
    Forum
    Mclaren Clockwork
    submarine
    s U50
    yes, drawings are much easier to work with as opposed to cad they are not formal engineering drawings in the traditional sense but more like a" Kiel Kraft plans" type shorthand showing all the bits on one page.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    Mclaren Clockwork
    submarine
    s U50
    I always enjoy your clockwork
    submarine
    projects, they are so different from the usual surface boats constructed from wood most often seen. Do you also prepare your own working drawings?
    5 years ago by ukengineman
    Forum
    U49 Mclaren Clockwork
    submarine
    s.
    Martin, Your Subs are very nice, beautiful workmanship! Your skill at tin work is inspiring. Joe
    5 years ago by Joe727
    Forum
    U49 Mclaren Clockwork
    submarine
    s.
    Ahoy Mateys,17 inch, U49 has a 3 plate hull made from an old Panettone tin,it has two ballast tanks and a powerful single spring clockwork motor. The diving planes are a through hull type and quite large because its bit of a lump to dynamic dive, to assist diving it has 350g of lead trim in the bilge.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U49 Mclaren Clockwork
    submarine
    s.
    Hi Colin, Thank you,very much appreciated. As for tinsmithery its not something iv'e ever been trained to do but for my sins I was an RN stoker many years ago. Cheers Neil.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U49 Mclaren Clockwork
    submarine
    s.
    Any chance of clockwork torpedoes as well, no seriously I think your modelling skills are some of the best I have ever seen. We're you ever a tinsmith, keep up the good work. Cheers Colin.
    5 years ago by Colin H
    Forum
    Motor Anti-
    submarine
    Boat MA/SB
    Thanks for your advice gentlemen. I have finished the deck and it doesn't look too bad. Before painting, however, it will need careful preparation. Whilst searching the internet for help, I came across this tutorial which some of you may find helpful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkmeoYKYctw Cheers Steve
    5 years ago by cormorant
    Forum
    Motor Anti-
    submarine
    Boat MA/SB
    B&Q tester pots are a bit bigger and they mix to match. in fact i think they are called Match Pots.πŸ‘
    5 years ago by onetenor
    Forum
    Motor Anti-
    submarine
    Boat MA/SB
    Steve, That is the right colour. For a model that size consider just buying three or four tinlets. For my Fairmile D I needed much more, so had it mixed up at a local paint store once I got a tinlet and painted the colour on a test board. if you have it mixed you end up with at least 500ml. This colour photo shows the deck on a Fairmile D.
    5 years ago by reilly4
    Forum
    Motor Anti-
    submarine
    Boat MA/SB
    I have established that the decks on these vessels were planked and usually painted RN Dark Grey Blue B15. Whilst I can source this paint in small amounts, typically 17ml, I am unable to find it in larger amounts. The boat is 82cm long x 22cm beam. Can anyone help please? Thank you Steve
    5 years ago by cormorant
    Forum
    U49 mclaren clockwork
    submarine
    s.
    The soldered edge along the keel is originally the outer edge of the elipse,after rolling out the dents whilst its still a bowl,I place it upside down on a flat surface and mark all the high spots and gradually trim down untill it sits perfectly flat. Then carefully cut the thing in half,this flat outer edge becomes the keel and the cut edge becomes the gunwale.The keel edge is simply bent using flat pliers to give two flat mating surfaces,after soldering any overlaps are filed away. it sounds complicated but its quite easy to do hope this gives you an idea.Cheers Neil.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U49 mclaren clockwork
    submarine
    s.
    Ahoy Mateys, Just a little insight into constructing tin hulls from scratch.Having spent the outrageous sum of 50p for the tin from a charity shop carefully de-construct,flatten and mark out the template. Cut out the elipse then work on a sandbag untill its sufficiently hollowed.Roll and smooth out the planishing marks then cut the bowl right down the center.Reverse the two pieces then solder together. All done by hand and takes a couple of hours Cheers Neil. mclaren clockwork
    submarine
    s.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U49 mclaren clockwork
    submarine
    s.
    How do you keep the edges straight to . Butt or lap joint mate and solder.
    5 years ago by onetenor
    Forum
    U49 mclaren clockwork
    submarine
    s.
    No mate,just an old brass caster off an old sofa. its fitted to a file handle, then you just roll the tin on a rubber mat on the bench it takes a bit of pressure initially but once you're away its easy after practice. No special tools involved and its disgustingly cheap to do! Cheers Neil
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U49 mclaren clockwork
    submarine
    s.
    Do you use an English wheel to roll out the planishing marks. Cheers Marky
    5 years ago by marky
    Event
    Military Boat Day
    Bournville MBC Military Boat Day. Bournville MBC invite all RC Military Boat Skippers to join in their annual Military Boat day. Informal sailing and general chit chat about everything RC Military Boat, from
    submarine
    s , Battleships to fleet Tankers. If it has a Military connection we want to see it. Free to enter Light Refreshments Free Parking Disabled Access Contact Rob Fowler 07714517445
    5 years ago by Aquaflite
    Event
    submarine
    Day
    Bournville MBC
    submarine
    Day. Bournville MBC invite all RC
    submarine
    rs to join in their bi annual
    submarine
    day. Informal sailing and general chit chat about everything RC
    submarine
    s. Free to enter Light Refreshments Free Parking Disabled Access Contact Rob Fowler 07714517445
    5 years ago by Aquaflite
    Forum
    U48 Tinplate Clockwork Diving
    submarine
    Martin, This is beautiful work and I look forward to looking at your website. I have only minimal experience at metal work, but want to try more. Joe
    5 years ago by Joe727
    Forum
    U48 Tinplate Clockwork Diving
    submarine
    Ahoy Mateys, U48,this ones taken me ages due to a brief hiatus brought on by a touch of black death I caught. Anyway another bin salvaged effort made entirely from scrap tin and alarm clocks. No ballast tank in this one,the smaller boats don't need them and dynamic dive on planes alone,or just surface run. Cheers Neil www.mclarenclockwork
    submarine
    s.com
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U48 Tinplate Clockwork Diving
    submarine
    Mactin, I had a look at your web site, very impressive work and with only minimal tools. regards Michael
    5 years ago by mturpin013
    Forum
    define a model boat
    Aha!! Think I'll have to fit one of my
    submarine
    s with a catcher net John! 😁😁 Mesh so that anything under 1€ drops through Keep pouring the cash folks πŸ˜‰
    5 years ago by RNinMunich
    Media
    U-181 Type IX D2
    Shadowing of U-181 from the subcam on HMS Triumph at the Naracoorte swimming lake. There are other videos and detail photos of these
    submarine
    s previously posted on this site.
    5 years ago by reilly4
    Forum
    MK5 14'' Skimmer Tinplate Clockwork Battleship
    Ahoy Mateys, Definitely not a
    submarine
    , been raiding my recycling bin again with this one. Its an idea I had to mimic a riveted hull the tin plates are dotted with a hand awl prior to soldering I think its sort of worked??? Cheers Neil mclaren clockwork
    submarine
    s.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    MK5 14'' Skimmer Tinplate Clockwork Battleship
    Hi Doug, There's a youtube vid under tinplate
    submarine
    s I did a while ago its U19 and U33, its hardly Ridley Scott but you get the idea I'd like to do a better one but I need someone that knows a lot more about doing this sort of thing to give me a lift editing and the like. cheers Neil.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    B-25. 11'' Bing 1918 Tin
    submarine
    Restoration
    Hi alan, the only pic I could find of the boat was this, there are no planes on the rudder of fwd? so either they've been broken off or they were never there? I know they did make just surface runners. Neil.
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    B-25. 11'' Bing 1918 Tin
    submarine
    Restoration
    Ahoy Mateys, 1918 Bing tinplate clockwork
    submarine
    restoration. Only got the hull, no motor,superstructure or rudder so all that had to be made plus hole filling and dent removing its been an interesting project,much easier building my own from scratch! I'd say it was 70% original and that's good enough for me. Cheers. www.mclarenclockwork
    submarine
    s.com
    5 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    B-25. 11'' Bing 1918 Tin
    submarine
    Restoration
    Hilary Kay from the Antiques Roadshow would enjoy your restored Bing sub! I don't see any dive planes, was it intended to be able to submerge? Alan
    5 years ago by ukengineman
    Forum
    Landing Ship Tanks (WW2)
    I have a hankering to build an LST and although I could probably build a reasonable representation from photos, I would like to get hold of some plans. There seem to be plans available for the smaller landing craft like LCTs and LCMs but nothing for LSTs, the only ocean going landing craft of WW2. Over a thousand were built, all in the USA, despite being a British conception, only 113 were actually built for the Royal Navy. They were 328 ft long with 50 ft beam and were fitted with ballast tanks, similar to
    submarine
    types to enable them to run well up onto a beach to unload their cargo of tanks and other vehicles. They only needed 3ft6ins water under the bow to beach. Doors opened and a ramp came down. Really they were the forerunners of the RoRo ferry. My interest in building one is because my late father, a Lieutenant Commander, RNR, captained LST 368. all through the North Africa, Sicily and Italian campaigns. Would be pleased to hear if anyone can help me locate plans. Cheers, Nerys.
    5 years ago by Nerys
    Forum
    Landing Ship Tanks (WW2)
    Hi Nerys, I think that was only scratching the surface. I found that lot in about 10 to 15 minutes. But then I've been used to trawling the WWW for specific info for as long as it's been possible. Gave me the 'Edge' I needed in my job. Don't want these skills to rust in retirement, and I never could resist a challenge anyway. πŸ˜‰ Plus I was moved by your story and found it worth following up. If I can help again please let me know. Know just what you mean about too many projects πŸ€” My Danish fish cutter restoration and conversion from static to RC has got bogged down until I solve the problem of getting the drive right down next to the keel, my PTB restoration and conversion to Kennedy's PT109 is shelved for the duration, re-shafting / re-propping Graf Spee and HMS Belfast, upgrading my Southampton tug are gathering dustπŸ€” Materials gathered for 1/350 Plastic Magic conversions of KGV (thanks Colin) and PoW battleships, HMS Hood, HMS Ark Royal, T45 Daring class (witnessed the building of the lead ship! Stitching the modules together was fascinating😊), USS Enterprise CVN65, RMS Titanic, etc etc!!! kits for a 1/96 HMS Manxman and a 1/100 Akula 2
    submarine
    are lurking in the cellar as well. Not to mention the 1/24 De Havilland Mosquito as a memorial to my Dad. Whichever ship you decide to do for your Pa if I can help in any way I'd be very happy to. Maybe you can decipher from his personal records which ship was closest to his sailor's heart!? I'd love and be honoured to be able to see some of your Dad's drawings and cartoons. Bon chance with your current projects, All the best, Doug 😎
    5 years ago by RNinMunich
    Forum
    U47 Tinplate clockwork
    submarine
    Indeed, the whole history of tinplate toys mirrors the last 100 years, Bassett originally used the German stuff but after ww1 it all went anti jerry that's how Hornby,Triang and Meccano all got going and now we don't make anything, hats off to Mamod though,they're still plugging away. cheers Neil
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U47 Tinplate clockwork
    submarine
    Ahoy mateys, U47 11" tinplate clockwork diving
    submarine
    as usual made from landfill (despite what the government says about recycling!?). Anyway, the last pics Iv'e posted are of a Bing Werke 1920s
    submarine
    Iv'e acquired which I'm going to restore, the problem is identifying the original model. I think its B-25,so if anyone can shed any light it would be very much appreciated. Thanks Neil. www.mclarenclockwork
    submarine
    s.com
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U47 Tinplate clockwork
    submarine
    You're right it is!πŸ‘ Might have known you'd know the museum πŸ˜‰ Maybe others were interested. I found the Bassett-Lowe connection interesting. Cheers, Doug 😎
    6 years ago by RNinMunich
    Forum
    U47 Tinplate clockwork
    submarine
    Hi Doug, Been onto the freinsheim museum, they thought the conning tower was not original but an American collector of Bing thought it was original and sent me this pic from a book. If you look at B-25 the tower is very similar? cheers Neil
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U47 Tinplate clockwork
    submarine
    Looks like it might have been part of one of their Flying Boats! Lots of their old goodies to see in the Bing Museum. https://www.wikiwand.com/de/Historisches_Spielzeugmuseum_Freinsheim http://www.spielzeugmuseum-freinsheim.de/english/index.html Sadly Bing was a victim of the 30s crash and the company was broken up. BTW: they used to do a lot of contract model railway work for Bassett-Lowe! 16mm track gauge, which became the HO/OO standard. The loco in the pic is a 'Real Steamer' πŸ˜‰ Cheers, Doug 😎
    6 years ago by RNinMunich
    Forum
    U46 Tin Clockwork
    submarine
    Very nice work, good to see some real engineering
    6 years ago by mturpin013
    Forum
    U46 Tin Clockwork
    submarine
    Ahoy Mateys, U46, 7 inches long, 2 plate hull, screw cap tinplate clockwork diving
    submarine
    . The fin on this was made from an old brass light fitting. Its mental in the water and impossible to steer in a straight line but hilarious to watch. Smallest spring motor iv'e ever built and as usual made from the contents of the light green wheelie bin. cheers MacTin.
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    U46 Tin Clockwork
    submarine
    Simply masterful, more Mactin Magic πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘ Would love a video of the 'mental' cruise 😁
    6 years ago by RNinMunich
    Forum
    U46 Tin Clockwork
    submarine
    Mind blowing stuff, and people think modelling is easy. Great work MacTin. Let's have more of your marvellous creations. Cheers Colin.
    6 years ago by Colin H
    Forum
    Nomenclature...
    Hi John, think somehow you've got the wrong end of the stick!πŸ€” All BECs are Battery Eliminator Circuits of one sort or another. The objective is to eliminate the separate receiver battery, sometimes necessary purely to save weight and/or space in small models. If you do that then the RX power must come from the main drive battery, which then has to supply all RX functions; servos, switched lights etc etc. Personally, if the boat / ship can carry it, I prefer to use drive batteries for just that and use separate battery for the RX and special functions. Some of which, like smokers for instance can be current gobblers. Cheers, Doug 😎 PS if you ever find a way of eliminating all batteries and still get the RX to work and the boat to move PATENT IT QUICK!! 😁 Cheers, Doug 😎 Hmmm! Maybe a raft towed behind with an array of hi-current solar panels!? 😁😁 Years ago in my work in NAVAL COMMS systems I once suggested to a shipbuilder, who was complaining about the number of antennas needed, to put some of them on a raft behind the ship πŸ˜‰ Now they are doing just that with antenna buoys from submerged
    submarine
    s! No credits πŸ€” ... SIGH πŸ˜‰
    6 years ago by RNinMunich
    Forum
    Taycol Supemarine Resurrection
    Hi Boaty, The Taycols have fascinated me as well, ever since I dug the Target out of the Sea Scout my Dad built in the early sixties. I blogged my renovation of that and the conversion to run with a modern RC system and presumably that, and the converter boards I built for Martin (Westquay), is what triggered Colin to ask me to have a look at his Supermarine. How could I resist!? πŸ˜‰ The 'smell of something electrical' is the ozone gas caused by the prolific sparking of the Taycol metal to metal brush / commutator combination. The other source of Ozone is on the coast wherever there is a strong surf! I agree, a nostalgic smell, which unfortunately disappears when the converter board is attached to make it run with a standard brushed ESC. The diode bridge kills almost all the sparks. 'Almost' so the usual suppression capacitors are still recommended. 0.1Β΅F across the brush terminals, 0.047Β΅F from each terminal to the motor can, or frame in this case. Earth to prop shaft tube as well if possible. The motor may not disturb the on-board electronics of your own boat, if using 2.4Gig, but could still affect anyone nearby using 27 or 40Megs. The power density of spark transmitters (e.g. unsuppressed E-motors, peaks in the upper HF bands and diminishes to almost zilch in the UHF bands. I.e. approx 30 MHz upwards. Like me and other
    submarine
    rs for instance; 2.4Gig is useless for subs cos it don't go underwater. Cheers, Doug 😎 But here! BTW Boaty: where are the pics of your Avanti? Harbour posts without pics are pretty dead πŸ€” Cheers, Doug 😎
    6 years ago by RNinMunich
    Forum
    U45 Tinplate Diving Clockwork
    submarine
    Absolutely amazing work, wish I could have the skills to do it, I was once a prototype engineer but most of my work was done with the help of machinery, keep it up matey. Cheers Colin.
    6 years ago by Colin H
    Forum
    U45 Tinplate Diving Clockwork
    submarine
    Ahoy Mateys, U45 11" long made from an old aerosol can,the donor clock for the motor was an old Westclox made in Scotland in the 60s, got it from Todmorden flea market for Β£2.00! This recycling lark can get expensive! mclaren clockwork
    submarine
    s Cheers mactin.
    6 years ago by mactin
    Forum
    Old Futaba servo wiring...
    Stand easy CPO 😁 Neat gadgetπŸ‘ But I wanted a broadband device so I could also use it for some vintage 27 and 40MHz gear which I still use for my
    submarine
    s, or just out of nostalgia. They still work so why chuck 'em out? is also good for checking the microwave oven. I let the Web do the 'running about'πŸ˜‰ In the meantime I found the little handheld analyser in the pic, covers 15 to 2700MHz. Cost a tad more than 10 bucks thoughπŸ€” Greetings from 'Up Over', Doug 😎
    6 years ago by RNinMunich


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