Topic: Craigs Severn in the shipyard (Read 38667 times)

craggle · « **on:** December 31, 2015, 12:04:55 pm »

Well, I've finally done it.

After many years of watching peoples lifeboat builds I have taken the plunge and got myself a rather large, 1:12th Severn kit from Adrian at Speedline models.

He did a great job getting it to me before Christmas seeing as I only contacted him at the beginning of December and to say I'm impressed with the kit is an understatement. The parts are very nicely made, and look very solid. Fibreglass hull and cabin is cleanly moulded and the brass etchings are very nicely done.

Only thing I seem to be missing on the supplied checklist is the DVD with the images, and plans etc. on it. I've sent an email to Adrian so hopefully that will be sent onto me soon enough.

This won't be a quick build but I'll keep this thread up to date if people are interested in the build and I'm sure I'll be here asking lots of questions about batteries, motors, sound units, etc.

Happy new year all, hope the building and sailing goes to plan for everyone.

Craig.

BFSMP · « **Reply #1 on:** December 31, 2015, 01:09:32 pm »

My goodness me. That looks very complicated.

And I am worried about starting a smaller Rother class kit.

Best of luck, and a happy new year.

Jim.

timbo · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2015, 11:10:02 pm »

Got mind about 4 months ago, you are going to need plenty of space to build it, just about got the hull something like after a lot of head scratching.

ElliotRNLI · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2016, 03:00:55 am »

Looks very nice Craig!

I wanted the speedline Severn before I started my 1/25th one, however it was just too expensive.
Are you going to do a full build forum on here?

Regards,
Elliot

craggle · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2016, 10:55:49 am »

Hi Elliot

So long as people are interested I'll keep this thread up to date with photos of progress.
Not going to be a fast build though, I fear it may take many months, probably many years but I'll keep the build updates going.

Craig.

timbo · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2016, 11:00:27 am »

Keep up the thread Craig, it will be interesting to see how it goes, due to renovation work on the house I have had to stop on my build and pack it away.

craggle · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2016, 11:10:44 am »

Will do
I've spent the last few years re-building my house so this is a small reward to myself for getting it all done.

Hope all goes well with your renovation work, can take a lot longer than planned though but hope you get back to the boat soon

Craig.

Canterbury Coxswain · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2016, 11:15:12 am »

Craig, you're going to enjoy that build - just remember what Phil Warren [surface matchbox wood fleet builder] said, "It's a hobby, build to your standard and at your speed, otherwise it becomes a chore". Wise words - most of us have at least ten 'projects' on the go and still start more!! That said, I enjoy the building side most. We really do want you to do a 'build by stages' log, it gives some of us ideas of how to do things we didn't think of, inspires others and even gives us a 'kick up the rear' to go out into the workshop and get on with a part of one of our 'projects'. Reminds me, I might even start a 'Build' page for my little 1/72nd Airfix Severn class lifeboat conversion to radio control using twin shafts.........it will be the 'Little and Large Show'!!
Seriously, as I've said elsewhere, 17-09 is in the middle of an epic Severn Class [Dover] lifeboat rebuild and both he and I are here to help and answer questions where we can; we'll definitely know someone with an answer if we don't have it. Now, just sit back and look at the kit, make a list of things to do and research, put it into orderly plan and make a gentle start - enjoy it to the full! Oh, and remember to get a local gymnasium New Year membership to build up those muscles!
Kim

Netleyned · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2016, 11:40:31 am »

Like to see a build of the 1/72 Severn.
What size are the shafts and rudders?
Are you using the Deans electronics?

Ned

Canterbury Coxswain · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2016, 12:03:23 pm »

Ned,
Now I can blame two people for what I am about to do, you and Craig!
I am about to start [my first!] a build page for the 1/72nd Severn - me and IT / computers do not always see eye to eye, so be warned dear readers..........
As to your questions the shafts and propellers are by Simon at PropShop and you will see, when I get to that point, I have cut the 1.95mm shafts and the outer casings [3.95mm] down - props are handed and four bladed. No, I am not using the Deans set-up, but a concoction of my own from Hobby King, brushed motors and a forward only [this might be changed] ESC, powered by a single cell LiPo 3.7v battery - I just hope it works!!. I hope this has wetted your appetite!
Kim

Canterbury Coxswain · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2016, 12:06:49 pm »

Ned,
Your question and my reply has just made me a Full Mayhemer!! So have a drink on me and if we ever meet, remind me, and I'll refund the cost of the pint [or whatever]! Therefore, my build page will now have a significance of an 'anniversary'. Many thanks.

Kim

Big Ada · « **Reply #11 on:** January 03, 2016, 04:23:32 pm »

Dear CC, What prey tell are you going to call your Build Log ?.
The Single cell Lipo ( are these the ones like I had from you ? ) did not have enough oomph to light my Kite with LEDs, maybe couple 2 Together.

See you Wednesday?.

Len.

Canterbury Coxswain · « **Reply #12 on:** January 03, 2016, 04:30:08 pm »

Len,
Yes same LiPo, but on my bench tests they are fine with the motors I'm using and I cannot even stop them with my fingers pinching the spur gear on the shaft. I'll bring it to Wednesday's MBA-D meeting. My boat build is up and running as 'Severn in the Workshop - a 1/72nd build and R/C conversion'. I've used them on my small LED and other demo boards and had no problem - bring them or a demo on Wednesday. I have plenty more - are they charged correctly?
Thanks for interest.
Kim

Delboy1958 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2016, 07:34:41 am »

Hi Craig
Nice to see you have finally got your Severn look forward to seeing the pictures mate.

Regards

Derek

craggle · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2016, 09:27:58 pm »

Hi Derek

I haven't started it just yet but planning various things and measuring lots of things carefully.

Will update with photos soon as I start building.

Hopefully see you soon for the final SuperNemo build.

Craig.

Robin smith · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2016, 09:39:24 pm »

Enjoy building its a fantastic model to build I enjoyed building mine it took me some 14 months. Lots of help from people on this site far more experienced than I. I think I made a fantastic job of it if I dare say so. Only problem I had was with dummy bolt heads which Speedline could not supply. I outsourced cost me a fortune but looked great. I had a 4 wheel trolley for it. Think only problem I had was with the drive shaft UJ once I went over to flexi couplings and filed flats on shafts it did everything as it should. Once I have built and admired it, sailed it round the lake looking like the real thing the problem came to me like a lot of oldies face??? Getting in and out of the water without doing your back in because it's a big, bulky and very heavy. All those instructions you see with HSE manual handling go out of the window. Apart from my trolley I was lucky I had a large box trailer to take it round. I sold my Seven last year. 😂😂

craggle · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2016, 10:11:20 am »

Well, First bit of progress made.

I was informed by another member of the forum to measure the steps in the hull moulding as they may not be in the same position as shown on the RNLI plans. After a few measurements I concluded the steps are indeed set back too far but the sloping side of the hull next to the steps also didn't look right to me. After more measuring and making templates from the docking plan and side profile drawing, I decided to trim a bit of fibreglass off both sides.
I measured from the back corner of the hull to where the top of the step in the hull should be and added a line on the deck. With a 45° template offered up to this it blends into the radius part very well and (I think) looks a lot more like the drawing and photos I have seen.

Anyway, Out with the sanding drum on the Dremmel and job done. I have now filled the hole and added glass mat and resin to the reverse side so just need to sand that down again. Next will be making blocks to move the steps forward a bit to match the drawing.

I was also made aware of the rudder size in the kit and they are indeed smaller than shown on the drawings so I'm currently working on a plan to make new ones of those. Watch this space....

Craig.

craggle · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2016, 10:14:07 am »

And in case anyone is wondering the second line drawn on the deck is where the first step should be.

Craig.

17-09 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 23, 2016, 06:12:45 pm »

Craig,
The steps do need moving forward and from memory it is about 1 inch, I have been searching for my notes that I took with the exact measurements but cannot find them at the moment. When they are moved forward, everything else lines up. Look at the photo's on Kim's CD, I,m sure there are photos of the inside of the steps on it. The fairlead on the top edge also sits correctly on solid deck as well, and does not form a hazard on the steps. reshaping the curve is also required as mentioned.

17-09

craggle · « **Reply #19 on:** January 24, 2016, 09:20:29 pm »

Hi 17-09

Thanks for confirming I'm on the right path with the steps and the slope on the hull sides. I will check through the images again and double check my measurements on the plan as I made the steps about 16mm out of position measuring from the back corner of the deck.

Popped to the local model shop yesterday and got some brass rod and tube so I've been working on new rudders today, think i'm getting there but will keep my plan a secret until it works! Local model shop isn't far from the Shoreham lifeboat either so dropped in there for a few goodies from the shop.

Really need to make a boat stand as well, doesn't seem to stand up on it's own very well!

Craig.

craggle · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2016, 09:46:09 pm »

A tiny bit more progress and as I'm happy with it, I'll reveal what I've been up to..

As noted above the rudders supplied were a bit undersize so I decided to make some new ones. Yes, I could have simply machined new ones from plastic or acrylic sheet but thought I'd go bit of a different route.

First thing was to make a 3D CAD model of the rudder and get this onto paper at the correct size. Luckily the CAD system I use at work makes short work of this and I was able to extract the surface profile so I could cut it out of sheet. The top and bottom aerofoil shapes were cut from 2mm thick plasticard and the side surface was cut from 0.25mm sheet. Bit of superglue saw this curved around the top and bottom profiles to make a hollow and very weak, rudder. This was then filled with resin through a drilled hole and filled and sanded until I was happy with the shape.

Once filled sanded etc I painted it and sanded it wet with 2000 grit paper to make it silky smooth. You can see the size of the kit rudder against my drawing here.

Place this in a plastic pot and pour liquid RTV all around it. After a few days I cut the plastic pot off the outside and gave the rudder a wiggle and extracted it. Not the rudder post support I made from Lego blocks and stuck to the surface of the mould with more RTV.

Now you get the idea where I'm heading with this. Made a couple of brass rudder posts, 4mm diameter with a brass tab soldered to the side and inserted this into the mould using the Lego support system.

Now mix some casting resin and pour into the mould to get a perfect rudder. :)

Repeat for two perfect rudders.

That casting resin is amazing stuff. Goes in like water but sets perfectly in about 5 minutes so you have to be quick! Very impressed with it. Obviously I have the mould now so if any other Severn builders fancy a pair of rudders give me a shout and I'll see what I can sort out.

Craig.

Canterbury Coxswain · « **Reply #21 on:** February 03, 2016, 12:23:23 am »

Craig,
That is superb. So encouraging to see others questioning, researching, trying new techniques and succeeding - a good final product. Carry on like this and you are going to have some model - and fun along the way too. Like the offer to others too!
Keep up the good work.
Kim

Delboy1958 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 03, 2016, 07:30:40 am »

Hi Craig
Nice rudders looks like good progress.

Derek

del7317 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 03, 2016, 08:23:23 am »

Looking good Craig keep up the good work .
Regards Derek

craggle · « **Reply #24 on:** February 09, 2016, 01:35:03 pm »

Quick question...

As I'm sure we are all aware the Severn has two, fairly big rudders sitting behind two fairly big props.

Will, what I call, a standard size servo be up to the job of moving both of them in the water under speed or should a beefier servo be used?

I have four, Futaba FP-S148 servo's that came with my radio gear which have never been used and thought I best check before fitting it and finding out it's not up to the job.

Cheers

Craig.

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