Topic: Homemade Lifebuoy (Read 7587 times)

U-33 · « **on:** February 03, 2012, 03:23:45 pm »

Has anybody had a go at making their own Lifebuoys -they are so expensive?
A few ideas would be most helpful.
Thanks,
PeteG

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2012, 05:25:04 pm »

What scale are you looking for?

Rottweiler · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:06:37 pm »

if you are using 1/12th or 1/16th scale,then curtain ploe rings are as good as anything.just need sanding down to give them a bit more shape.as they are mostly mdf these days,dont forget to use primer paint before top coat! I use fine strips of the refletive material from hi-vis coats to give the effect on the lifebelt/buoy.
Mick

nhp651 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:24:34 pm »

and if you want them at 1`:48/1:50 scale..suck some polo mints till the writing has gone and then let them dry and varnish them.........serious...and if they go wrong, you get the pleasure of sucking some more.

Norseman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2012, 10:30:08 pm »

I only looked in because I thought it was a recipe for soap

Dave

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2012, 10:33:06 pm »

Quote

and if you want them at 1`:48/1:50 scale..suck some polo mints till the writing has gone and then let them dry and varnish them.........serious...and if they go wrong, you get the pleasure of sucking some more.

As first published by Dave Abbott.

Colin

nhp651 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2012, 11:11:44 pm »

it certainly was Colin, and I've used it a few times over the years..............plus they taste good,

irishcarguy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2012, 08:18:13 am »

Hi Neil I hope you did not pick them off your workshop floor after you dropped them, OH silly me you would be long gone if you had done such a thing, LOL, Mick B.

U-33 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2012, 09:07:02 am »

Hi to all !,
I have a feeling I might have asked a silly question here!

However those replies were lively and funny and
I even got one suggestion that I never thought of quite ingenious, which I might try if I can find rings of suitable dia. Thanks Mick.

Actual size of lifebuoys I need most commonly, is 30-33mm dia , not sure of scale perhaps 1/24?

As for soap recipe dah!................
Thanks
Peteg

John W E · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2012, 09:19:26 am »

Hi there

4 scribbles here – to help complete the build:

• The first one is how I construct lifebelts – first of all we require some 1/64 ply cut in a circle of the same outside diameter that you wish your lifebelt to be. You must then cut 2 circles from the appropriate thickness balsa wood – of the same diameter as you wish your lifebelts to be. The centre of these 2 pieces of balsa wood are removed; giving you a slightly thicker ring than you require for your lifebelt. The next procedure is to glue the balsa wood either side of the 1/64 plywood circle. Please note at this stage you do not cut the centre of the plywood out there is a small hole drilled through the centre; to facilitate the fitting of a nut and bolt to make a mandrel up. This mandrel along with your assembled lifebelt is assembled into the chuck of a drill or, if you are lucky enough, into the chuck of a lathe. The first procedure (as in A) is to square up and true up the outside diameter of the lifebelt with either a file or some sandpaper – as in number scribble A.

The next procedure is to form the actual shape of the lifebelt; as in scribble B. Once we have finished the first side, we remove the assembly from the mandrel, turn it round – refix back on the mandrel and replace into drill/lathe and produce the mirrored shape of the opposite side.

When happy with the shape and the lifebelt is sanded smooth; we leave it on the mandrel and give the lifebelt several coats of sanding sealer; rubbing down lightly between coats.

Whilst it is still on the mandrel you can give it a coating of paint – that is what I did.
When it is dry; remove the centre of the lifebelt; with a sharp scalpel and dress up the inner edge with a fine piece of emery or sand paper

Hi there

aye
john

U-33 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2012, 09:36:36 am »

Hello John,
That is without doubt the definitive method for lifebelt making! (For me at least)

I will be giving that method a try shortly - many thanks.

Pete

rathikrishna · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2012, 03:11:43 pm »

Friends its too easy to make life rings for our crafts..for 1:28, 1:35, and 1:26th scaled rings we can simply use the rubber O rings used in a sewing machine bobbin winder..can paint it in to any colour..and for tiny crafts can use NCV ( needle control valve) O rings, or MCV ( main control valve) O rings , these valves are used in high pressure L P G applications, to control gas flow, will be easy and in scale..

rathikrishna · « **Reply #12 on:** February 04, 2012, 03:31:15 pm »

its all very easy to piant and detail..

dave301bounty · « **Reply #13 on:** February 04, 2012, 04:12:45 pm »

hoops that are used in curtain rails .

Rottweiler · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2012, 04:58:50 pm »

dave, I suggested that earlier? (>) (>) (>)
Mick

dave301bounty · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2012, 06:17:24 pm »

ooops great minds think alike.

U-33 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 05, 2012, 10:17:24 am »

Thanks Krishna - another innovative method!

They do look good. I will now be looking out for 'O'Rings.
Graupner lifebelts cost nearly £4 each on Ebay when you factor in postage.

PeteG.

John W E · « **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2012, 10:45:14 am »

Peteg hi there

If you have look on the 'traders' board' on this forum - have a look at Macs Mouldings. I am sure he does resin lifebelts 1/24th scale and they are a bit cheaper than some others (I think they may be about £1.40 ish). Good quality though, I have purchased a lot from them.

The only problemo with using 'O' rings is getting the thickness right, plus the paint it chips off dead easy - I have tried that method meself.

aye

John e
bluebird http://www.macsmouldings.co.uk/page7.php?category=9&view=productListPage&postPage=2

rathikrishna · « **Reply #18 on:** February 05, 2012, 03:51:25 pm »

Blue bird..its true..its so easy to chip out the paint from an O ring..but spray a base coat white PU paint on it at first then red..then you cant remove it easily once..because the PU material grabs in rubber with a violent chemical reaction...cool..

Brani 56 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 07, 2012, 04:45:30 pm »

Hi U33
I made mine from MDF.
I did use a lathe but as the material is relatively soft
You could use an electric drill plus work with a half round file and abrasive paper.
Guess it mainly depends on the scale you are building to.
Best of luck
Brani 56

U-33 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 07, 2012, 05:44:09 pm »

'scuse me...but this topic isn't mine? I'm not PeteG...and mods about sort this out for us? Most peculiar...

Rich

Norseman · « **Reply #21 on:** July 07, 2012, 08:10:03 pm »

Hey Rich

Some poor guy called mkenzig has been landed with 1500 posts of mine pre meltdown. My avatar appears next to my posts but his name remains. You probably have all Pete G's pre meltdown posts.

Look higher up this thread and you will see me as mkenzig

Dave

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Author Topic: Homemade Lifebuoy (Read 7587 times)

nhp651

nhp651

rathikrishna

rathikrishna

dave301bounty

dave301bounty

rathikrishna