|||
Not Registered
Go AD FREE & get your membership medal
BRONZE
Less Ads
SILVER
GOLD
Ad Free
Cancel
Anytime
Β£2.50
Β£4.50
Β£6.50
Subscribe
Go AD FREE & get your membership medal
BRONZE
Less Ads
SILVER
GOLD
Ad Free
For A Whole Year!
Β£25
Β£45
Β£65
Donate
You Will Be Helping Towards:

  • Domain Fees
  • Security Certificates
  • iOS & Android App Fees
  • Website Hosting
  • Fast Servers
  • Data Backups
  • Upkeep & Maintenance
  • Administration Costs

    Without your support the website wouldn't be what it is today.

    Please consider donating towards these fees to help keep us afloat.

    Read more

    All donations are securely managed through PayPal.

    Many thanks for your kind support
  • Join Us On Social Media!
    Download The App!

    Login To
    Remove Ads
    Login To
    Remove Ads

    Model Boats Website
    Model Boats Website
    Home
    Forum
    Build Blogs
    Media Gallery
    Boat Clubs & Lakes
    Events
    Boat Harbour
    How-To Articles
    Plans & Docs
    Useful Links
    Registered
    3rd Jun 2012
    Last Online
    10th Apr 2022
    lesfac
    Member Stats
    Stats
    Member No.#1813
    RegisteredπŸ“…3rd Jun 2012
    Last OnlineπŸ“…10th Apr 2022
    CityπŸ“Torfaen
    CountryπŸ‡¬πŸ‡§United Kingdom
    Gender♂️Male
    AgeπŸ‘ΆNot Provided
    PostsπŸ’¬58
    FollowersπŸ“£0
    Likes ReceivedπŸ‘44

    πŸ’¬ Send Private Message
    πŸ’΅ Gift a Membership
    Members Following
    Follow lesfac
    lesfac hasn't any followers yet
    0 Followers
    Recent Activity
    No recent activity
    Petty Officer 1st Class
    Ranks Points
    Fleet Admiral 10,000
    Admiral 8,000
    Vice Admiral 6,000
    Rear Admiral 5,000
    Commodore 4,000
    Captain 3,000
    Commander 2,500
    Lieutenant Commander 2,000
    Lieutenant 1,600
    Sub-Lieutenant 1,200
    Midshipman 900
    Warrant Officer 600
    Chief Petty Officer 1st Class 450
    Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class 300
    Petty Officer 1st Class 200
    Petty Officer 2nd Class 150
    Master Seaman 100
    Leading Seaman 50
    Able Seaman 20
    Recruit 0
    60 Points Away From Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class!
    Points
    ActivityWorthAwarded
    πŸ‘ Likes (rcv'd)144
    πŸ’¬ Forum272
    ✍️ Comments224
    ✏️ Blog40
    πŸ“· Photos40
    πŸŽ₯ Videos1090
    πŸ“ Place80
    🚀 Harbour80
    πŸ“ Guestbook100
    😊 Avatar1010
    240 Total Points
    United Kingdom
    Signature
    This user has not added a signature
    Recent Posts
    πŸ“ Precedent k d perkasa
    2 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 30 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    Here's a link to a YouTube video of my Perkasa.



    Login To
    Remove Ads

    πŸ“ Precedent k d perkasa
    2 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 32 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    Madwelshman
    I've sent the documents by PM and email. (Belt and Braces).
    Ive also sent some instructions for a different plastic kit that shows good detail. (This by email)

    Ive done the same for Merlin2

    Les

    πŸ“ Precedent k d perkasa
    2 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 50 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    Hi Brian, On checking I found I somehow sent the PM to myself. So Ive tried a PM again as I think some files are too big for email. Let me know if you get them now. Ive sent them to your email aswell now.
    Les

    πŸ“ Precedent k d perkasa
    2 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 50 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    Ok. Ill try on your email but some of the files might be too big.
    Les

    πŸ“ Precedent k d perkasa
    2 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 61 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    Hi Brian, I managed to find the booklet, Plan and Parts Plan from the kit and I have sent them to you in a PM. Hope you are able to open them ok.
    Les

    πŸ“ Precedent k d perkasa
    2 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 68 Views · 3 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    Hi, I built a Precedent Perkasa a few years ago. I wasnt impressed with the kit as it seemed the knife tools that cut the plywood shapes seemed to be worn out. I built the fibre glass hull version. Ive been really pleased with it as a model though.
    Im sure i kept the booklet and what other plans there were. ( Ive forgotten what there was now) I'll take a look tomorrow and let you know. I can scan it and email it to you if i find it.

    πŸ“ Model Boat crew....
    5 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 6 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    I may have not made it clear but when I say you can make figures in Make Human they only exist in the computer (not physical items). All the programs make things on screen only but between them you can end up making a file that you can load onto a 3d printer and make the physical item.
    I had a go at it and then left it . I would now have to start the learning curve again.
    (Edit)
    I just thought you probably mean physically do the sculpting. I guess with the right skills that would work. My mistake.
    Les

    πŸ“ Model Boat crew....
    5 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 6 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    I have dabbled with 3d printing characters for my 1/12 Severn Lifeboat.
    I have found some amazing free programs that really are of a professional standard.
    "Make Human" is a program that lets you make figures and you can change their size, age , gender and clothing before your eyes.
    "Blender" is a particularly impressive program that I understand has been used to make videos by professional movie makers. It does much more than handle making figures but it will let you import a figure from Make Human and put a skeleton inside it and then pose the figure as you require. It also lets you sculpt the figure just like using plastercine.
    Another excellent free program is Sculptris which lets you sculpt as with plastercine.
    While these programs are amazing, (The more so as they are free) they have huge learning curves to use them well.
    I wanted a figure dressed as a lifeboatman in his kit. I had a go and "sculpted" a naked figure by adding to his body to try and crudely replicate the baggy waterproof gear. I got a figure out of the exercise with 3d printing it but I know I haven't scratched the surface of what these programs can do. I would like to create a lifeboatman and then pose the figure I create to get differing poses.
    All these programs have many "how to" videos on Youtube.
    I am sure that if you become competent with these programs you could make highly detailed figures for 3d printing. However it's not easy initially. It would be great if someone made a rigged (with skeleton to enable posing in Blender) figure available that could be posed as required.
    Just to be clear my problem becomes more difficult because I don't want the clothed options the Make Human program will simply give me. I need to change the clothing.
    Anyway it's a big subject so I will leave it there.
    Attached is a picture of the figure I made.
    Les

    πŸ’¬ 17-28 Torbay Severn Lifeboat
    6 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 14 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    πŸ’¬ Add Comment
    Hi Pugwash1
    Thanks for your comments.
    I am no expert in motors but I think its a given that brushless motors out perform brushed motors and lipo batteries out perform lead acid and nimh batteries. Therefore if you want a model that can pick its skirts up ang go you put brushless motors with lipo batteries.
    If your model is not meant to rip around the pond then I dont know how to look at the pros and cons of brushed versus brushless or the merits of the different battery types.
    Les

    πŸ“ 17-28 Torbay Severn Lifeboat
    6 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 20 Views · 7 Likes · 7 Comments
    Flag
    πŸ’¬ Add Comment
    1/12 scale Severn lifeboat kit from Speedline. Creeping towards completion but still a bit to do. Absolutely beautiful day and venue. 2 1/2 years to get to this point but really pleased with it and enjoying sailing it immensly.

    πŸ“ South West Ship Show
    6 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 5 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    If theres a reason to rubbish it such as difficult parking or it not being very good, it would be nice to know what is being said.

    Login To
    Remove Ads

    πŸ“ Severn Lifeboat 1/12 scale
    6 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 17 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    πŸ’¬ Add Comment
    I know I just posted a vid but this was such a lovely day at a lovely venue I have to share it

    πŸ“ Severn Lifeboat 1/12 scale
    6 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 21 Views · 5 Likes · 2 Comments
    Flag
    πŸ’¬ Add Comment
    This is a Speedline kit. its been 2 1/4 years to get this far. The build slowed in the second year but now I can sail it I think it will rekindle my enthusiasm. Theres still lots of detail to add .

    πŸ“ Clamps and such
    6 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 6 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    I found scrunched up aluminium foil worked well to hold parts in place while i soldered them. The aluminium doesnt take solder readily. it would also work for gluing if you are careful not to glue the parts to the foil
    Les

    πŸ“ Sunday at Barry Boat Club
    7 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 12 Views · 3 Likes · 3 Comments
    Flag
    πŸ’¬ Add Comment
    Video of Sunday at Barry Boat Club. Camera mounted on my Perkasa

    πŸ’¬ Perkasa 49 inch
    7 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 13 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ’¬ Add Comment
    Don't know how deep it is in the middle. I think there have been a couple of drownings over the years. I take a reel of fishing line with me. My plan would be to enlist some help and take the other end of the line to the other side of the lake. Lay the line over the boat. Tie a duster to the end of the line and gently pull the line over the boat. I am thinking the wet duster would grab the boat well enough to pull it in. I haven't had to try it so I just hope it works if I need to use it.
    I also thought about getting a 5 meter fishing pole off Ebay but didn't get around to it.
    But as I said most of the time the prevailing wind is towards the more accessible bits

    πŸ’¬ Perkasa 49 inch
    7 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 13 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ’¬ Add Comment
    The breeze would blow it to the side. if you were lucky it would be to a readily accessible bit if unlucky it would involve a bit of wading.
    😊

    πŸ“ Perkasa 49 inch
    7 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 23 Views · 10 Likes · 10 Comments
    Flag
    πŸ’¬ Add Comment
    I bought an action camera from Aldi forn Β£50 and it seems to to be a bargain. Just had to try it out mounted on my Perkasa
    Les

    πŸ’¬ One Twelfth Scale Speedline Severn Lifeboat try out
    8 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 14 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ’¬ Add Comment
    Hi figtree7nts,
    The reason it can pivot pretty much in its own length is because it is fitted with a bow thruster.
    In this case it's a Raboesch model
    The two main motors are Emax BL4030 brushless motors running with Hobbyking 90 amp escs. I power these with two 5 cell lipos batteries in parallel.
    The Raboesch bow thruster has a brushed motor rated at 7.2 volts and this runs through an esc for brushed motors. (I was lucky to have one ready after I converted one of my boats to a brushless motor). I power the bow thruster with a 7.2 volts nimh battery pack again left over after going to brushless and lipo batteries.
    Les

    πŸ“ One Twelfth Scale Speedline Severn Lifeboat try out
    8 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 16 Views · 2 Likes · 3 Comments
    Flag
    πŸ’¬ Add Comment
    Having installed the running gear I just had to try it out. The boat is about half the weight it should be so ballast is something I will have to add. But lots more to do yet

    πŸ“ PERKASA ANCHOR CHAIN ARRANGEMENT
    9 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 7 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    I have just made an anchor for my 49 inch Perkasa and attached it to some chain. I have sorted fitting the anchor to the deck but I could do with some advice about the chain as I don't want to mess the deck up with a failed securing method.
    The chain is usually shown in a v shaped run on the deck. What is the best method to ensure it stays in place? I am thinking small spots of epoxy on the chain? I assume superglue is too thin for chain?
    I have found difficulty finding photos on the web of the fittings for the anchor chain. Most photos seem to crop off the detail at the very front of the boat or are too far away to see the detail.
    I have seen a lot of models where the chain just lies there and it leads me to wonder what the anchor chain and rope would run out through on the real boats. I assume (maybe wrongly) that it would be necessary for the anchor chain/rope to run out through something like a fairlead? I havnt found a photo that illustrates this.
    Any help much appreciated
    Les

    Login To
    Remove Ads

    πŸ“ Blackpool Model Boat show
    9 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 6 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    Was there any info anywhere online about what would be at this show? I did think about going but its a long way and I wanted to know about what exhibitors would be there.
    I looked but couldn't find anything

    πŸ“ Left Hand props and shafts
    9 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 5 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    Can anyone tell me?
    Is the screw thread in a left hand prop a left hand thread requiring a prop shaft with a left hand thread?

    It is obviously preferable to have normal running with the tendency to tighten the prop on the shaft rather than loosen it.

    If a model has two props is it important for them to be turning in opposite directions or doesn't it matter?

    Les

    πŸ“ brushless motor
    9 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 6 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    Hi
    I use an Emax GT4020 brushless outrunner in my 49 inch perkasa. its a single motor driving a graupner 55 mm plastic prop.
    The link below shows the boat running on a 4 cell lipo but I prefer using a 5 cell which makes it a bit faster than you see in the video.

    I think the motor comes in two Kv ratings. Mine is the 620kv.

    Using one 5000 mah 5 cell Lipo I get 40 minutes of mixed speed running including quite a lot of ripping around.



    πŸ“ Fixing an anchor to the deck
    9 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 5 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    I am gradually adding detail to my 49 inch Perkasa whilst also having great fun sailing it.
    I have just made the Danforth type anchor out of brass soldered together.
    I am wondering how people usually fix this type of thing to the deck. I am wary of glue as I don't want the anchor to drop off if the glue gives up. Also if you use so little as to be invisible it may not be secure enough.
    My idea at the moment is to solder two 1/16 pins to the anchor and drill holes in the deck to accept them.
    If I slightly bend the pins towards each other they would stay in place by spring pressure yet be able to be pulled off the deck. The downside is the holes in the deck being a route for water ingress.
    Other peoples methods would be much appreciated
    Les

    πŸ“ Choosing a lifeboat kit
    9 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 5 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    I am thinking about making my next boat a lifeboat.
    A Severn, Tamar or Trent. All appeal at 1/16 or 1/12 scale.
    I can see kits at Model Slip way and at Speed line. The speed line kits are much more expensive.
    Can anyone comment on building any of these kits and the pros and cons?
    Is it worth buying the more expensive kit?

    πŸ“ Anyone understand this?
    9 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 6 Views · 1 Like
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    No its a brushless motor.
    I cant think where the current is going if the motor isn't using it.
    Les

    πŸ“ Anyone understand this?
    9 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 5 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    I have just been out running my Perkasa happily blasting up and down the lake at full throttle for about half an hour until the battery cells went low and the ESC cut the power. As I was advised and since proved if left for a minute the battery comes back up again and I can usually tootle back to the side. I waited and sure enough got some headway but probably rushed it a little and the cells went low again and it stopped before I got it to the bank. I then found it wouldnt move after waiting and I had to wait for it to drift to the side.
    Upon investigating I found that the two 30 amp fuses in parrallel had blown. I cant understand how the fuses are ok blasting up and down but blow in a low voltage and low throttle setting.
    I replaced the fuses and everything works as it should.
    The only thing that occurs to me is if the ESC actually sinks power to prevent movement but that seems unlikely.
    The ESC is a 160 amp Aquastar

    Any ideas?
    Les

    πŸ“ What sort of glue
    9 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 5 Views · 0 Likes
    Flag
    πŸ“ Reply
    I have made 4 cleats for my Perkasa. I made them In brass and basically the bottom of them Is a 22mm x 8mm rectangle. My Inclination Is to use 2 part epoxy but I am not sure If It will bond metal to the hull permanently.
    Can anyone recommend a glue to holdΒ the brassΒ to the painted deck?
    Thanks In advance.
    Les

    πŸ“ 49 Inch Perkasa fixed after burnout
    9 years ago by πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ lesfac ( Petty Officer 1st Class)
    ✧ 14 Views · 1 Like · 3 Comments
    Flag
    πŸ’¬ Add Comment
    Following burning out the motor by fouling the prop on a polythene bread wrapper I fitted a new 160 amp speed controller and got a bargain motor from Giant Shark. it is an Emax GT4020 which cost about Β£14. I realised what a bargain it was and went back only to find Giant Shark have ceased trading. The video shows the boat running on a 4 cell Lipo, it goes a bit quicker on a 5 cell that I have. I am really sold on Lipo power as Dave said I would be. I have just ordered a 3 cell Lipo for my crash tender



    About This Website
    Terms of Service
    Privacy Policy