Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: Tug-Kenny RIP on October 18, 2011, 11:22:33 am
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Here is my build of the tug kit Lady Wooes.
I purchased the kit from Ebay and it was one of the original kits sold my Mobile Marine Models in 1996 for £69.90, complete with serial number embossed into the hull.
I did, however, pay a bit more for it. %) It contained 'part one' of the kit which is the basic drawings and Hull, and contains a pile of plywood sheets and wooden bars. Also included was the Template pack for cutting our said wood sheets.
It is possible to buy further kits for this model to include the fittings etc. but I am plodding on with scratch building as much as I can at the moment.
The hull is one of the best production hulls I've seen and is fully riveted and quite flawless and needed no work on it so we started off by measuring and drilling the Propeller shaft holes and to ensure they lined up we used templates each end.
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We then cut out the slots for the deck drains and portholes and glue the side stringers to support the deck.
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There was a lot of glueing of pieces of plywood as shown below so I won't show any more clamping type pictures. :}
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Next we made the 'Barn door' rudder and some supports for the props which stuck out quite a bit and needed them for sure.
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The engine room top was cut from the templates pack and all the pieces went together very well.
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As we had a spare fibreglass cabin, this was tried for size. Unfortunately it was the wrong width so we had to follow the drawings and build our own.
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As it was a nice sunny warm day we decided to spray the Hull. First we used Red Oxide spray paint from Halfords and then a lovely brightish red was applied. Later this re-done in a more discrete red %))
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The middle cabin was constructed from plastic instead of the recommended plywood because I'm known for building heavy ships. %) and I wanted to keep the weight down.
You can see the old fibre cabin has been worked on in the hope that it 'might do'
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We then constructed the rudder cover roof and sprayed the engine room roof in a matching brown.
The funnel was a purchased item which was made from fibreglass and had a nice riveted effect. This was sprayed black.
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The decking was added to the newly sprayed hull and cut in half to allow fitting in, underneath the curving inward hull walls. The front 1st cabin was rebuilt from plywood and placed into position for a general effect.
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You will notice the strips of riveted plastic that I've added. These are made from thin strips of 0.7mm plastic which have been semi punched through to simulate rivet heads. I have made a bucket full of these and added them all around the cabins.
I've fitted brass wires across the windows and sprayed the middle of the funnel red.
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Further work was done on the cabins. I've given the windows their 'eyebrows' :}
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The wheelhouse was then attempted. I say that because it was first done in plastic and proved to be very fragile so we opted for the plywood version.
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As the grain of the wood was bad we then built another roof. %)
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Placed into position and imitation doors manufactured.
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The battery box was cut from plywood and curved pieces added to fit into the hull.
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The twin motors were then bedded in and connected to the Prop shafts. I am using Marks Model Bits new design couplers which are flexible enough to cover any 'out of line bearings'
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Notice the little box. That is so the 2.4 gH receiver is high enough to receive transmissions in the choppy seas.
Anyway, it was now time to take her out in the sunshine for a photo shoot. :o
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The little doors were then fitted and the glazing of the cabin windows fitted. Not a mark on the glass !! This was because I used double sided sticky tape and the walls were flat and large enough to accommodate it.
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We have made a towing winch for the rear and sprayed the deck with Red Oxide paint.
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The flashy doors have been fitted. O0 ........... and my spelling corrected. %)
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Next it was time for the bulwarks. Out with the MacDonalds coffee stirring sticks and cut them to a taper. (good wood source here !)
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As I have a goodly supply of these sticks I thought I'd have a go at planking with them. (never mind the extra weight eh !!)
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It was now time for the masts. These were made from 15mm wooden rods and cut 4 inches over length. The end of the wood was clamped into an electric drill fitted in the vice. On slow speed the wobble was easily held with sand paper and away we went. (it does get hot !)
A taper was sanded and the excess length was trimmed to fit the boat. Here's a dry run assembly as we have to fit the lights and wiring.
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We have sourced two lifeboats as life is too short to make them. (as they said on the Titanic)
More coffee sticks were used in the planking of the for deck. Their short length was handy as it was a long deck and joins could be made to look just like the real thing. When glued in with superglue they are almost impossible to shift, as I found out when one moved and re-stuck itself.
These were then sanded down and I'm very pleased with the effect.
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You may have noticed the new white curved rail in front of the cabins. The old one had a join in the centre and I couldn't get it to join parallel without major structures behind it. This took a lot of plastic to run all around the floor, but worth it in the end.
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Wife out shopping ..................... off to the bathroom for a float test. :}
She floats lovely. Well above the water line so tests were made as to the total weight left to me. This turns out to be 4 lead acid batteries so plenty of extras can be added with no worries. :-))
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Moving on, we started on the 'little bits'. The air vents were extended and painted and the anchor winch parts (thank you Caldercraft!) were painted separately ready for assembly.
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The Hull was then re-sprayed in a deeper colour red and left to dry before adding another coat of Black silk paint to the upper section. I would have like a silk red but they don't make them. %)
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Now it was time to think about the curved towing rails. I've fitted these to other boats and always had a problem with the structural integrity (like that word) so this is how I did it.
I cut a piece of 5 ply into the shape of the curve required. This was nailed to the bench and a piece of plastic R.S.J (rolled steel joist) was placed at one end and clipped against the curved wood with a nail. I applied a 'Hot air gun' to the plastic and gently heated the plastic whilst pulling the length around the curve. This worked a treat.
When applied to the boat, there is minimal contact with the inside edge so an extra straight piece was welded on the ends of the curves.
Apart from affixing the stands to the bottom of the lifeboats, this is where I'm up to at the moment.
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I had a bit of spare time during the paint drying process so I've knocked up a trailer. I've made it so that All my boats stands will fit inside for transport to the lake. {-)
Ken
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Blimey Ken when did you start this one? she is looking really good. :-)) :-))
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Hi Tugmad,
Started on August 1st and kept it under wraps as I started off slowly between Hospital visits. They have now released me to go my merry way so I'm making hay. :}
Glad you like her. I believe she is one of the prettiest tugs for her day and should look a treat when the topworks go on. Lots of plans about the fittings and I'm really looking forward to completing her.
Ken
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Well the plastic R.S.J's didn't work out. When fitted to the boat under pressure they torqued and twisted so I thought I'd make some out of two layers of plywood.
But as you see it snapped . mmmph!!
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Moving on, I liked the idea of two materials for strength so I cut a plastic window sill to the correct width and heated two for the jig. They bent lovely and were glued together and left overnight.
The next day they were tested on the position of fitting and worked a treat.
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I then made some lifeboat davits and planked the lifeboats.
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The guide rails for the tow wire were then painted black and epoxied into the boat.
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Very nice Ken, whats next ?
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Where is the Build Overseer you usually have Ken?
Ned
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Cheers Dicky. Not quite finished yet but feeling good about her. :} The next one in line is the Gry Maritha. I bought some blue paint in readiness but I'm sure there's going to more to it than that.
I think the build overseer is asleep Ned. :D
ken
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I put up the 'Show Sheet' on the bench and have taken some pictures of the her. Must say they look better than the real thing.
Tomorrow it's time for the railings and wiring the mast.
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Some more close ups.
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I usually put more pictures up at once but the computer is taking it's time today.
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Last one for today shows the R.D.F on the bridge. Made from aluminium tube for the legs and copper wire above.
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I have a question for you nautical types out there.
Here is a picture from Martin's camera taken at one of the shows. It is of the Bridge roof. I need to know what the 4 circular objects are please. There are further ones situated on the engine room house. i was going to use necklace beads to simulate them, but wondered if they are vents of some kind. %)
ken
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Hi Ken they are mushroom type vents, on the real ones thr rounded cap on top screws up and down and either opens or closes the vent. Geo ok2
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Ah! I see the two cones. Thanks George. I'll put two sizes of half balls together.
Cheers :-)) :-))
Ken
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Impressive build there, Kenny, :-))
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Thank you. I'm enjoying this even though I'm doing everything three times.
What I'm doing now is when I have to scratch build a part, I make several and paint a production line. You never know when they will come in handy. %)
cheers
ken
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>>:-( <*< ...I hope that that is not Mrs Kennys best Sunday table cloth you are using as a shadow board covering Ken.......as I see a few overspray blotches of RED paint <:( :o ....Derek
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I'm hoping to wash it with trichloroethane later. I hope she doesn't notice. :}
Nice to hear from you Derek. Going to try for a sail tomorrow. Might take some pics.
ken
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Anyone know the colours of the three vertical lights on the main mast please. ?
ken
Ps ....
I've found out from Brian Young's post in 2007 (yes I'm thorough ) that all Tug mast lights are White
Thank you Brian. :-)) A mine of information.
ken
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Today I've been busy fitting the supports for the upper Bridge house. I've cut the handrail to go around the front wind break. Twice as it turned out because it didn't hold very well on the thin plastic. I had to fit a wooden bar on the inside edge to make the support wide enough to support it.
I then made some more riveted strips and glue them in position.
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Now I'll have to paint it white to cover the sticky finger glue marks. %)
I then made two rung type ladders and glued them together. The lifeboat rope fittings were then put into place and some oars found that did the job, so were painted white.
As an aside, I ended up with super glue all over my finger tips and tried the Wife's nail varnish remover. Not a success, so filed down my fingers to clear the stuff !! Any suggestions please.
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Kenny,
You can buy superglue release agent.
It is good, but degreases your skin very very too.
Bob
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Ah!! I thought there might be something Bob. I managed to get a lot on my skin this time and it spoils my Piano playing.
What happened was that the bridge supports are hollow square tubes. When I super glued the top section and turned them to fit vertically, it all ran down the tube straight onto my hand. <:(
Go on start the name calling :}
ken
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Play a guitar finger style
Half an hour and it's gone
Ned
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We piano playing types have softer fingers. {-)
ken
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The ladders have been painted (why did I choose black ?) and fitted. Might have to change the colour.
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The portholes have been fitted.
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Finally for today I've made a little Fire hose hose box and found some tiny letters to stick on. probably not the correct font, but looks great anyway. :}
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Lovely work there Kenny - and I really like that brown paint you have used; what is it?
Norseman
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Hi Norseman
The Brown paint was Triumph Russett Brown.
I shown my recommended best white for boats and that is Vauxhall Glacier white. This shows the best white because there can so may shades. Some can make the boat quite drab.
Hope this helps. I'm off to repaint those ladders a light brown. Couldn't sleep for worrying about them. :}
Ken
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I've been busy fitting the railings and the tiny pieces like air vents. Thank you 'Mastermind game' for the correct shaped mushroom tops. :}
I've rigged the lifeboats and had nowhere to rig the ropes so I've made some cruciform bollards and waiting for the paint to dry.
The masts have been wired up and the lights fitted. Now glued into the boat and ready to connect. The light show is next blog. O0 16 lamps so far and coming along nicely. Oh, and I've put on her name . I think we're nearly there. :-))
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The Launch
Well it was off to the lake today as the weather was great. She tested out wonderful and the power was quite remarkable.
She sits quite high at the moment because I still need another 12 volt battery and smoke machine, with it's water, to bring her down a bit more.
I took some movies and joined them up for my 'You Tube' film which I then spent the afternoon making.
Lady Wooes .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFvVpzmg8hk
Here's the final 'stills'
Thank you for following this build for tomorrow we start the "Gry Maritha"
ken
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Great video Ken,lovely build,
Thanks for sharing.
Mark
P.S what is the soundtrack for the first part of the vid,very calming
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Thank you Mr Crafty.
The music is 'Meditation' and I think it's by 'Thais' and is a modern take. I'm not sure where my collection came from. (I'm sure You Tube will let me know for any copyright issues.) I'm working on the theory of out of date music.
ken
ps you could tape it from the film before they rap my knuckles.
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You are correct Ken it is meditation by thias,just checked on you tube.
But cannot find the correct copy you have.
How do i copy from your soundtrack.
Sorry to sound stupiid,dont use youtube,only to watch.
Now i would never of thought i would listen to an opera piece,how wrong can i be.
Mark
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It's 5 megs on my machine so I can't send it to you. My only suggestion is to use a sound recording device with microphones. Either tape or disk.
It is possible to save a You Tube film but this is beyond me as well.
regards
ken
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Thank you anyway Sir,
Its a pleasure to watch your builds,and the way you present it on the net,with appropriate music.
Regards
Mark
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Cheers kind Sir. You will have noticed my Avatar is Keyboardken. Years of mending Organs and keyboards. :}
ken
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Hey Kenny
Re 5 meg so can't send - don't send - use Dropbox
http://www.dropbox.com/ O0
Regards Norseman
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That's a new one on me. What a good idea. Always wanted a site like this.
Will look into it.
cheers
Ken
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Hey Kenny
It downloads easy and I have used it to pick up hull plans (real ones) from a guy in America. He put the stuff in the box and just sent me a link to it - I took them out the box - simples O0. I haven't tried putting stuff in yet but I am going to try that for Carl (that's Carlmt on here I think) soon.
Norseman
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Thank you Mr Crafty.
The music is 'Meditation' and I think it's by 'Thais' and is a modern take. I'm not sure where my collection came from. (I'm sure You Tube will let me know for any copyright issues.) I'm working on the theory of out of date music.
ken
ps you could tape it from the film before they rap my knuckles.
Hi,
Its Meditation from the Opera Thais by the composer Massenet.
Right enough it is a lovely piece of Music, seeing as Kenny likes his Organs, I have Reg Dixon playing it, along with others, Von Suppes Poet and Peasant Overture on the Blackpool Wurlitzer.
Peter.
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Music was my first love. :}
ken
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Just opened a dropbox account,should make sending big files easy now
Mark
Sharon was my first love LOL
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Did the finishing touches to the Lady today. The rigging is complete along with scattering ropes all over the place.
Had a nice clean up of the bench and all ready for boat number 20. %)
Ken
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Well done Ken she looks great whats the next build :-))/
regards John B
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Hi Ken
Very nice work and a joy to look at.
You have twenty?
Made twenty?
Or both the above?
And ........... which is your favorite then?
Regards Dave
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Well done Ken, you inspire me to pick up the pace & finish # 1. The tug looks really well done thanks for sharing.Mick B.
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Excellent work Ken. :-))
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Wow !. :embarrassed:
Thank you everyone. I enjoyed this build and I hope it shows. All together she took 3 months to build and the total costs came to £510. A very nice boat to sail and not as heavy as most of mine usually are. :}
She is boat 19, and boat 20 is the Gry Maritha, a cargo ferry to the Scilly Isles. She's been waiting in her box for 4 years, so it's time to get started.
I do not have all of my boats as I have sold off 5 of them (at half price ?) to make room in the workshop. Titanic has been shelved for a while and needs a lot more work done, but I was getting squinty eyes, working on the deck stuff. (little people are only 3/8th's inch high!)
Thank you again for all your interest. I'll be back. (now who said that?) ok2
cheers
Ken
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Hi Kenny,
Just wanted to say I really enjoyed the build and she looks absolutely wonderful.
Also I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who uses coffee stirrers as building materials. I have a great supply of Costa and Starbucks ones, (the Costa ones are wider but more supple) and have put them to very good use for planking and small fabrication's.
The only two options are to either pocket a handful each time you go, or try and chat up the pretty girl behind the counter and secure a large bag of them ;) the second way is more fun, the things we'll do to keep building costs down eh? ;)
Anyway, keep up the good work and I look forward to reading your next build.
Alex
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Thanks Alex. Here's to wooden sticks. :} Yes, they do add to the effect as they are quite realistic when sanded smooth across their tops. I shall be doing this again, methinks.
Cheers
Ken