Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => GRP & Epoxy => Topic started by: meechingman on November 18, 2007, 09:34:46 pm

Title: Reinforcing inside an ABS hull
Post by: meechingman on November 18, 2007, 09:34:46 pm

I'm slowly working through a long list of things to do on my Smit Nederland restoration.

If i run the motors up to full speed quickly, there's a lot of initial vibration, most of it seems to be where the support struts join the prop tubes to the hull. There's nothing loose, but there is a bit of 'flex' in the hull at that point. I was thinking about reinforcing the inside of the ABS hull around the mounting points for the struts.

What would be best. A few layers of plastic card epoxied in place, one at a time. A bit of fibreglassing?

Any thoughts?

Andy

PS. The props/shafts seem to be true and balanced as they run sweetly and vibration free once they're going. And I'm going to get some ESC's with 'soft start' and good low speed control. I'd just like to do a belt and braces job and cover all the bases.

Title: Re: Reinforcing inside an ABS hull
Post by: wingertaz on November 18, 2007, 10:05:17 pm

Hi,
    On mine I cut some 3/16 marine ply on glued them in place using Stablit Express. Reduced vibration and made it run much quieter.

Gary

Title: Re: Reinforcing inside an ABS hull
Post by: andygh on November 23, 2007, 01:41:46 pm

Car body filler such as P38?

Title: Re: Reinforcing inside an ABS hull
Post by: Martin (Admin) on November 23, 2007, 03:36:02 pm

Not sure that P38 sticks to ABS or Styrene very well...  :-\

The easy option is Platicard (or the like) glued down with superglue but be careful you don't distort the hull shape.
The proper solution is to make up a proper mounting base and / or bullheads using plywood cut to fit the hull contors and glue down with your favorite ABS epoxy.

I can post some photos up of a good one I saw a couple of years ago if you want.

Martin.

Title: Re: Reinforcing inside an ABS hull
Post by: banjo on November 23, 2007, 03:38:16 pm

YES PLEASE
Martin

and what epoxy would you favour for an old Nederland hull?

(see my cannon ball shortage posting)

Title: Re: Reinforcing inside an ABS hull
Post by: Shipmate60 on November 23, 2007, 05:34:24 pm

And also support the inner side of the propshaft well as close to the end as possible.
The styrene hull will flex under load, but if you support the shafts as much as possible at both ends and where they pass through the hull all will be fine.

Bob

Title: Re: Reinforcing inside an ABS hull
Post by: Martin (Admin) on November 23, 2007, 06:04:19 pm

Here you go.......  Smit Nederland   (http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/Gallery/Smit_Nederland/index.htm)

Title: Re: Reinforcing inside an ABS hull
Post by: andygh on November 24, 2007, 11:40:47 am

Quote

Not sure that P38 sticks to ABS or Styrene very well... 

I shall have to take a look at some of my old models to check that, can't say I've ever had a problem though :-\. You could try Milliput as an alternative, that definitely sticks to plastic O0

Title: Re: Reinforcing inside an ABS hull
Post by: DickyD on November 24, 2007, 11:58:04 am

Quote from: banjo on November 23, 2007, 03:38:16 pm

YES PLEASE
Martin

and what epoxy would you favour for an old Nederland hull?

(see my cannon ball shortage posting)

I use Z-Poxy Epoxy Resin, either 5 minute or 30 minute.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=23719

 O0

Title: Re: Reinforcing inside an ABS hull
Post by: banjo on November 24, 2007, 12:36:45 pm

DickyD

 O0