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π Mabel river launch
1 year ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Hi Gary
Sat and thought about the question I asked is it because there is always one piston over the steam port
Regards Mick
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π Mabel river launch
1 year ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Hi Gary
Thanks for the comments what a brilliant idea in the back of my mind i new multiples could be fitted but had completely forgot about it. I would have to look into how multiples fit together but it would be a cheap and easy way to improve performance. Being new to steam can I ask why a second engine would make it self starting
Regards Mick
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π Newbbie on reflection
1 year ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Hi thanks for the replyβs from Dave and Newby7 firstly Iβve found model marine steam on Amazon and will be sending for that. Appreciate Daveβs comments and they are spot on I havenβt divulged my working back ground I did a time served mechanical epprentiship and worked building amongst other things power presses, servo hydraulic testing machines my last job was building ships Davits although working in the fitting shop machine tools were always on hand to deal with alterations or making tooling to do a job just need to think in miniature. I think you are right Dave next project will be something with an electric motor and radio control as this is my weakness
Regards Mick
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π Newbbie on reflection
1 year ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Hi all now having 99.9 finished my first project itβs time for reflection. Iβve really enjoyed the scratch build but have probably ended up with an unusable boat without modifications witch was a case of my own inexperience. Not sure where to go next good quality steam plants are expensive and require big investment buying a lathe, Miller, and tooling requires an even bigger investment but the equipment is there to make what you want. So a question for steam buffs out there are there plans available to make a steam engine from scratch or do people use castings such Stuart models. I may build a kit next complete with radio control to learn more about that side of things. Sorry for rabbiting on a bit let you know witch way I go
Regards Mick
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π Mabel river launch
1 year ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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π Mabel river launch
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Couldnβt resist a mock up of the build so far. Fired up the boiler for the first time it was a bit feeble to start with but got better as it went on Iβll fire it again in the garage then connect to the prop shaft and run them in together
Mick
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π Mabel river launch
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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A bit of advice needed please Iβm spraying the hull this coming week do I need to varnish on top of the paint. If so I have some yacht varnish from household use would this be any good
Mick
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π Mabel river launch
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Thanks for the photos por did you build it from plans and did you build the engine and boiler. As for Mabel havenβt been able to do a lot
, glued a couple of bearers to the heat shield to mount the unit to. I didnβt like the window holes in the cabin so set about making window frames
Mick
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π Mabel river launch
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Found the fantail pictures looks good
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π Mabel river launch
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Hi thanks for the words of encouragement much needed at times Iβve been making the rear cabin found this a bit fiddly also altered the drawing slightly to make it sturdier it does have a rock to it when in place partly the cabin and I think the hull is higher one side to the other might have to fudge it a bit.question for pressonreguardless do you have any photos of your fantail steam launch I would very much like to see them
Regards to all Mick
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π Mabel river launch
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Hi all and thanks to Gary for the reply Itβs good to know where Iβm going wrong and how to put it right Iβm eager to learn Iβll look into lubricators. I intend to run the engine on the bench a few times to familiarise myself with it so will need to keep it well lubricated. Iβve stained and varnished the deck today Iβm pleased with the results onward and upwards
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π Mabel river launch
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Hi
Iβve painted the inside of the hull and then fitted the ply deck held in place with the Tesco shopping order as you an see weβve had snow overnight. I then had a panic that maybe I should have used some varnish of some sort any thoughts on that would be welcome I can get to most of the inside with the deck on if needed. Another point would I need to do any sealing after paint on the outside of the hull.
Mick
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π Mabel river launch
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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π Mabel river launch
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Hi everyone being new to the hobby I have picked an easy build to start although apparently very old plans as you can see from the photo the basic hull is nearly there just got to shape the stern as you can see Iβm having to work between the dining room table and the garage at the minute Itβs all been quite straight forward up to now but itβs quite apparent I need a whole new tool kit Iβve bought a few items but tried to use existing tools until Iβm convinced this is the new hobby for me. Iβve received the steam plant as stated on the drawing from Tony Green itβs a bit Mamodish but thatβs fine itβs a good and easy introduction. I realise I wonβt be able to sail her on a model club pond in itβs current state but Iβll Finnish it to the drawing for now and maybe review it in the future. Thatβs all the rambling for now
Mick
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π Newbbie needing advice
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Hi I will attempt to set up a build blog in the next few days, busy week ahead so there wonβt be much progress
Mick
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π Newbbie needing advice
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Hi wasnβt impressed with the model shop myself young lad was more interested in his phone but being the nearest it will be useful when I know what Iβm talking about. While Iβm posting to thank people for answers Iβll ask my next question for way in the future. For finishing the boat the drawing says sanding sealer on all balsa wood stain on ply all finished with Humbrol hot fuel proofed is this still relevant as I know the drawing is donkeys yearβs old
Thanks mick
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π Newbbie needing advice
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Right then woods arrived and have started cutting it was my intention to use evo stik wood glue as I have some from household use I did buy some superglue from the model shop and was told itβs good on wood. Whatβs the preferred method in the modelling world to glue balsa and ply.
Many thanks Mick
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π Newbbie needing advice
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Thanks Gary more info for the memory bank
Mick
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π Newbbie needing advice
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Hi everyone Iβve been looking at some very intricate steam engines on YouTube so the first of my stupid questions what dose a condenser do am I right in thinking the exhaust steam is collected in the condenser but what happens to it after that
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π Newbbie needing advice
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Thanks Dave for the information on reflection I think I might be trying to run before I can walk but itβs information stored in the memory bank. Just to let people know tony green did phone back and it was very helpful talking to him better than navigating his website he was familiar with the Mabel plans he has fixed me up with engine, boiler, propellor, propellor shaft and coupling. Waiting for wood now and then can get started
Thanks everyone more questions will follow
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π Newbbie needing advice
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Thanks everyone for the quick response very helpful comments. I think I will go down the tony green route as this is what the designer intended for the boat and dimensions measure out pretty much spot on. Iβve phoned tony green because I wanted information on prop shaft but no reply is he good at returning calls. If in future I wanted to make my own steam engine and boiler from drawing whereβs the best place to get drawings I have a engineering background but not knowledge enough in the model world to make things up would much rather follow plans. How would I go about getting the boiler tested. a lot more questions will follow Iβm sure
Thanks Mick
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π Newbbie needing advice
2 years ago by
π¬π§ Tomo (

Master Seaman)
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Hi I am totally new to model boats I have recently purchased plans for a river launch called Mabel the wood side of things looks perfect for a beginner but Iβm a bit stumped with outline of the steam plant the drawing says unit steam engine and unit boiler No2 canβt find anything on the internet for these items. Steam power is what I would like to get into any information would be great
Thanks Mick
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