Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Springer Tugs => Topic started by: Mad_Mike on June 08, 2012, 02:13:31 am

Title: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Mad_Mike on June 08, 2012, 02:13:31 am: thought id build a small boat and not tries a springer yet so heres what ive im on with. a 9.5cm by 4cm beam springer tug.

(http://s16.postimage.org/d0ejyrcr5/SDC16137.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/d0ejyrcr5/)

got a pager motor, coupling and 0.75mm propshaft ready to go in

(http://s15.postimage.org/jr1ieruwn/SDC16135.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/jr1ieruwn/)

:-))
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Norseman on June 08, 2012, 02:25:13 am: Neat idea Mike

Dave
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: longshanks on June 08, 2012, 07:48:26 am: Nice one !

Might be an idea for my grandchildren - could get a couple of those in the bath ok2
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Andyn on June 08, 2012, 09:32:55 am: Damn, you beat me to it... I was gonna make the quarter scale springer to go with my third...

Fifth scale anyone? %)
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Subculture on June 08, 2012, 10:29:11 am: Very cute. Pager motor might be a bit high revving unless you run a really small prop. Would be fine if you gear down about 3:1, or consider a larger motor like an 8mm pager motor or N20 style motor.

If you have an old knackered 9 gram micro servo, they usually have motors very suitable for this sort of project.
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Mad_Mike on June 08, 2012, 10:59:02 am: Quote from: Subculture on June 08, 2012, 10:29:11 am
Very cute. Pager motor might be a bit high revving unless you run a really small prop. Would be fine if you gear down about 3:1, or consider a larger motor like an 8mm pager motor or N20 style motor.

If you have an old knackered 9 gram micro servo, they usually have motors very suitable for this sort of project.

Im using an old knackered 9g servo as the speed controller. the motor from it was a little larger with flat sides but had a very short shaft and a brass gear i couldnt get off, i tried prying it off and it was pulling the shaft threw the motor. Ill stick with the faster motor and use a smaller prop seemed to work for the toys. you should see the size of the prop and motors for those little outboard motor boat tots on ebay:

(http://s15.postimage.org/ncaw08jhz/SDC16139.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ncaw08jhz/)
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Subculture on June 08, 2012, 01:08:37 pm: You would need to make a puller to get the gear off. These motors used to be really easy to get from indoor flight specialists, but with the move to brushless power, they're getting harder to source now.
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Mad_Mike on June 09, 2012, 04:48:20 pm: ive soldered the esc and steering servo onto the receiver to save space. Ive also expoxied and fitted the mechanical gubbins.
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Mad_Mike on June 09, 2012, 04:49:39 pm: ive used peice of wire sheath for the prop hub and installed the steering mechanism
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Mad_Mike on June 09, 2012, 04:51:13 pm: ive made the prop blades out of plastic card, as you can see its a pretty tight squeeze
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Mad_Mike on June 09, 2012, 04:52:36 pm: anyway heres what im at so far. heres a youtube link to the test tank run:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH6vDHPpVOE&feature=plcp
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: boatmadman on June 09, 2012, 06:32:57 pm: Well done, I love it!

Great bath time toy.

Ian
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Netleyned on June 09, 2012, 07:44:45 pm: Mike thats brill
Don't lose it on the lake behind Morrys

Ned
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Mad_Mike on June 09, 2012, 08:01:58 pm: thanks lads. ill keep you posted.
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: gwa84the2nd on June 09, 2012, 11:29:29 pm: thats exelent :-))
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Mad_Mike on June 10, 2012, 02:42:59 am: ok then today ive started on the wheel house, i attached some push knees and cut out some windows. Ive used see threw plastic from the recycling bin for the glass. The wheel house floor is at waist level roughly so all interior fittings will be cut in half. like the helm for example. Ive also fitted some throttle levers.
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Mad_Mike on June 11, 2012, 10:21:40 am: i think im about finished now, ive painted the boat up and added some fittings. I think it needs something else. Maybe a hawser on the back
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Mad_Mike on June 11, 2012, 11:39:18 am: its posted it 3 times!!! kept on timing out!!

ive also added some more features on the dash board like red knobs for the throttle leavers and dials, pretty hard to see though on photo. It sits a little forward to in the water too {:-{ nay mind
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on June 11, 2012, 11:56:04 am: I've removed the duplicate postings Sir.

These occur because you are pressing refresh (or similar)

When you get timed out , like the rest of us, it's best to shut down mayhem and restart it again. It may take half an hour before you see your posting, but believe me, it will appear eventually. Just carry on browsing. (Could make a 'Carry on' film about that) %)

Cheers

ken
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Subculture on June 11, 2012, 02:24:55 pm: Looks nice. PErhaps you could add some railing and portholes round the lower superstructure, maybe paint the funnel a different colour?
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Netleyned on June 11, 2012, 03:45:39 pm: Defo bring the bow up a bit.
Springers tend to put the bows
under.
My full size springer sits an inch lower aft
at rest, levels out at half throttle and puts
her bows under with any more power
Springer were made to push so you dont really
need a towing hawser

Ned
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Mad_Mike on June 11, 2012, 04:08:27 pm: thanks ken for fixing that for me.

i will add some portholes think. not sure about the railings im not sure how to fit the railings without making a mess {:-{. do you think they should be all the way round subculture? the only other colours ive got are browm, pt boat green or matt red, itl probably be red most likely.

the bows are a bit low but i cant think what to add to the back to bring some weight to it. Most of the weight is at the front from the rc bits and had to be there so they would fit in the hull, but it does need ballasting some how. maybe a winch or a crane?
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Mad_Mike on June 15, 2012, 11:29:23 am: Ive changed some features on my springer and added a brass winch at the back as ballast. The water line is a lot better now. Got some footage here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAlqyL3tqg4&feature=plcp
Title: Re: micro springer project or at least a pretty small one
Post by: Norseman on June 15, 2012, 12:23:14 pm: That's really neat Mike ..... how about a name, and maybe a little logo on the funnel?
Registered in Bath? {-)

Dave