Model Boat Mayhem
Masterclasses => 1915 steam drifter build => Topic started by: boatmadman on November 14, 2006, 08:56:54 pm
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Any one interested in a build of a 1915 steam drifter? If so, I will be happy to post pics and comments
Ian
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I started with the idea of a steam drifter Jeannie Mcintosh built in Buckie 1915. Of course, even after lots of searching, no plans were found. So, I used these lines from a book, and intend to get as close as I can with the one b/w photo I have!
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Next, was given a boiler by a retired coppersmith, it failed its first hydrostatic test, but is ok after I repaired it.
The engine, a twin wobbler from stuart turner.
From parts to finished in 6 weeks!
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started on the boat next, took 3 attempts in old ply to get the keel right before cutting from clear pine, fitted the frames and started planking in cedar.
having trouble getting some of the curves, but with perseverence..........
(Thats my 1:1 home build in the background!)
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getting on with the planking now. The hull shape is showing quite nicely!
Note the extensive use of the best clamping system around - masking tape!
I knew there must be a better use for an ironing board! ;D
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And now we approach the easy(?) part of the planking, cutting and shaping to fill the holes!
Cant wait for the next part...filling and sanding and filling and sanding.......
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Hi all,
Some more progress, I have finished the planking, need to attack with the orbital sander now.
I have also steamed the boiler for the first time tonight, had a few leaks around fittings to start with, but soon sorted those out, got it to 50 psi!
Ian
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Hi All,
Had a good day with the orbital sander and P38 filler.
As you can see, I have also rough cut and fitted the stern blocks from balsa, overseen by my own little gremlin! I dropped a peice of sand paper.... she was off into the garden with it..never did see it again ???
Ian
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Ever had a day when nothing goes right? Its been that day for me >:( - been trying to make rudder fittings - solder in wrong places - melted brass! I gave up and had a beer, try again tomorrow!
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Given up on the brass fittings for now, got the stern more or less shaped out now. Lots more sanding next!
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hmmm - must remember to shape the bottom of that stem! :D
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Hi,
Well, I removed the build shadows, wonder if I have enough room inside!
Found my first mistake though, i only built to the deckline, should have gone right up to the top of the bulwarks.
I will just have to add more planking now. Wont take long - these things happen!
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Thanks for the comments Andy.
This is scaled at about 1:24 and gives a hull length of 48"
Thats the extra planking on! Gonna sit down with coffee and photos now, to try and work out dimensions of wheel house, engine casing etc.
Ian
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And here we have tonights limited efforts!
The boiler and engine in the boat to determine positioning and to work out how to mount them.
Also, showing how I mark out a curve on a deck beam to get the correct (?) curvature on the deck.
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Hi All,
Got a bit done today, put the deck lining on for the stern, with rudder tube fitted.
Also started planking in the stern rail, hope this will work out ok!
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Hi all,
Well, got a little done this week, finished off the stern rail and dry fitted deck beams.
Also did more filling and sanding, think the hull is about ready for epoxy now.
Made up some card deck housings to try and get an idea of the size and proportions - dont think I got it right yet!
Ian
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Hi,
Got bored with working on the hull, so did a bit of superstructure for a change!
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Well, I have caught the epoxy pox! I put first coat on the hull and its pooled and rippled like a severe case of cellulite!
Out with the wet and dry!!
Ian
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Here we are again,
I got the poxy epoxy sorted out, lots of sanding down to remove it all, then, I was able to put another coat on while at work on nights. This time it went on just right. The secret is temperature! I had been using it too cool. The boiler room at work was about 25deg and it went on really well.
Next, a quick rub down and red primer sprayed on.
Then marked the waterline and painted the topsides in satin black, but, oops, the waterline sagged midships! Damn!
Rubbed off the waterline with wet/dry, re painted the red primer and drew a new waterline using a laser pointer on a flat surface- -see pic.
next, re paint the topsides, more pics to come when the paint is dry.
Ian
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Hi,
Got the topsides painted, and the graphics on, just needs a coat of varnish now!
Ian
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Evening all,
Spent a couple of days just trying to sort little things out like the hatch opening, the wheelhouse rear and identifying what I need to order.
Anyway, here we have Jeannie with her deck linings cut and laid loosely in place. I have to wait for some hardware to arrive before glueing these down.
I have made an 'executive decision' on this build.
I have realised that the boat, and the steam plant are best treated as 2 separate projects, hence. I will initially power the boat with an electric motor, and then when its finished - if they ever are - convert to steam when the steam plant is right.
I ran the engine last week, - it leaks ! and so needs more work.
Anyway, here are a couple of pics
ian
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Hi,
I have a leak on the mating face between one cylinder and the standard. I am hoping it will improve with running in, as when I stripped it down I could see an area where there had been no face/face contact.
Here's hoping anyway!
ian
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Hi,
Here is the latest. I bought an electronize kit, built it up and woo hoo it works! ;D
Glued down the deck lining and made up the electrics control board - still to fit some charging sockets yet though. The idea is to be able to charge the battery without having to remove it from the boat.
Ian
PS. Prop by Sitek props, its real nice!
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Have been able to make a start on the deck planking this weekend while all the tourists are spending 4 days in their cars!
;D
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Hi,
Thats the decking done and rubbed down, just needs a seal coat next.
Ian
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Hi,
Had a good few hours at it, here is what to show for it:
I made a former for the funnel and rolled 1/64 ply onto it, help together with masking tape until it dried, (swimbo thought it was a toilet roll!!)
Took ages to work out how to do the chain steering, but it works great, thanks to bogstandard for his diag of the pulleys.
Made the mast foot from brass sheet, and thats all for now folks!
Ian
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And here we have the fruits of today's labour - some panelling on the superstructure, and the frame tops in place.
(timberheads I think they are called?)
Ian
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Thats great Davie thanks.
Just have to work out how to get that grained effect now, bet the better half knows!
Had a quick look at the new pics earlier, some great pics there.
Any help on deck layout would be greatly appreciated.
Ian
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Davie,
Thanks for that, I bought a capstan just like that from scoonie a couple months ago - along wih some other bits and bobs.
Ian
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Davie,
Thanks for that. I have got the steering yoke above deck with chains to a servo which will be under the rear accomodation. They will operate the steering. See pic further up this page.
I had a lucky guess there, I have made a steering column and wheel and run the chains vertically down through the deck of the wheelhouse ;D
I also now have pipes available to fit along the bottom of the superstructure when its painted, i just need to cap off the forward ends where they turn into the wheelhouse.
Ian
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At last got to doing some more on the drifter.
Here we have pics of some of the mast and boom fittings - awaiting paint.
Also, I have been experiimenting on some test peices to work out how to get a wood grained effect - I think its acceptable, Comments anyone?
Ian
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The grain effect is spot on Ian just the same as the boats get done now and would have looked 80 years ago !!
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I have been doing some more small stuff tonight, made the nav lights and backing boards.
I have also roughed out hinges for the doors and engine case vents, here they are lined up ready for a dip in citric acid!
Ian
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Hi,
Ok, back from holiday and now thinking about lighting again.
Not being the star gazing variety of ancient mariner I need help!
I have the port and starboard lights figured out - easy even for me, an all round white at the front and a 180deg astern.
Now, I guess these are running lights, the question is, what standing lights should she carry? I have 2 deck lights on the way, but I dont know about other lighting.
I am hoping to switch standing lights on and off through a switcher linked to throttle.
Ian
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Back again,
Well, I spent the day today making a new mast foot, much better than the first effort I think. Then I started chucking some paint around. I used Tamiya masking tape for the first time today - now that IS the dog's conkers!
Ian
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Well, more time on Jeannie, got some rigging done, hinges fitted and a few little bits and peices made, installed the motor again after varnishing the hull, all was going swimmingly until....................DISASTER! :(
I fumbled the wheelhouse, instinvtively tried to catch it and broke some of the window frames!!! Dont know if its repairable yet or if its a new build job, I walked away from it!
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No worries Peter.
Maybe a little more detail on how I did the graining:
First I painted the panels in matt yellow, allowed that to dry for a couple of days. Then used tamiya masking tape for the borders and painted the rectangle in brown, whilst wet, I used a combination of the sharpened rubber and the butchered nit comb to remove lines of brown, hence creating the grained effect.
Its actually quite easy once you have had a practise and worked out a way that suits you.
Ian
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Well, I managed to repair the wheelhouse - it took ages to find some of the small peices that broke off! Anyway, its as good as new now phew!
I spent tonight making some single blocks - see pics.
Ian
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Hi,
Been busy with work at the moment so havent done much, just a few little bits.
Here we have the portholes glazed and fitted - they were glazed by dropping a little clear epoxy into the turned porthole.
The wheelhouse is glazed with clear acetate.
The forward mast is rigged and the funnel has its graphics on!
All items are dry fitted at the moment, thats why some have got a lean on - its NOT me working on it after drinking malt! (although thats not a bad idea!) ;D
Ian
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Here we are with the wheelhouse assembled, lights on and interior fittings in place.
Ian
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here we are again with some updates after holidays and broken computers!
Jeannie has been ballasted, more fittings made and fitted, electronics fitted and working, lights fitted and working! ;D
Ian
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And more
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last lot:
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ah right, well, as you can see from the pics, I have used my hatch for the electronics, so no opening hatch with nets draped over!
Maybe I will have to make a modified hatch, with net rollers and have a lump of netting lying on the hatch top so it looks as though its laying into the hatch.
Ian
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heading for sea trials on Sunday if all stays fair. O0
Will post pics.
Ian
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Well, sea trials went very well, didnt get long on the water though - the subbies wanted the frequencies! (pics of subs in sub section)
Ian
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Back again having done some fittings for Jeannie.
1. Dinghy now has oars, and a barrel on the poop
2.Net buoys made from expanded polystyren balls, with a loop of black cable glued in. ist attempt at glue - cyno - ball melted, used pva ok! 1st attempt at paint - used spray, cam up like a golf ball with a rash! used humbrol enamels.
3.Lifebelt graphics done on ms word and printed onto waterslide paper. lifebelt mounts made of styrene.
4. Another barrel, bucket and home made ladder.
5.Coal sacks
6.Grabrail on wheelhouse front.
Tarpaulin clamp around the for'ard hatch
Ian
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Jeannie has now had a re powering, she runs on 24v now, runs much better. O0
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Here we have, for those interested, the wiring diag for Jeannie.
Ian
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Please post your questions and comments here:
Q & A - Boatman's - 1915 steam drifter build (http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11054.0)
(Please don't post here, they will be moved.)