Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Detail Work, Rigging, Fittings, Figures Etc. => Topic started by: Drkomen86 on June 11, 2010, 11:16:53 am

Title: How do I build a person with movable arms
Post by: Drkomen86 on June 11, 2010, 11:16:53 am
A friend asked me how to build a scale person to drive his Thai Long Tail boat, the man would need to be 150mm tall and have moving joints.
any ideas??
Ii did find plans a while ago of how to build them from balsa but as with everything now I need them I can't find them.

Chris
Title: Re: How do I build a person with movable arms
Post by: Circlip on June 11, 2010, 11:31:56 am
At that scale the joints, although ball and socket is preferable, could be made from a string of nylon monofilament. Main problem though is clothing and getting a material flexible enough to cover the figure and look natural.

   Simple really int it??

  Regards  Ian.
Title: Re: How do I build a person with movable arms
Post by: Drkomen86 on June 11, 2010, 01:11:27 pm
nope  {:-{ hehe
I was thinking of cutting up a small action figure and making his joints more flexible, not sure tho.
Title: Re: How do I build a person with movable arms
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on June 11, 2010, 08:54:01 pm
the man would need to be 150mm tall and have moving joints.
any ideas??

Chris

Hi Chris

This is the exact size of the figures from the ' Starship Enterprise'  found in the cheap shops at around £3. I have some and they come out at 6 inches tall. They have moving limbs and a swivel body as well.

Hope this saves you some work

Ken

 
Title: Re: How do I build a person with movable arms
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on June 11, 2010, 09:21:19 pm
Maybe something like this....

You will just have to work it to a sculling motion.

Sculling was discussed here...
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=421729

 8)

Title: Re: How do I build a person with movable arms
Post by: tigertiger on June 12, 2010, 02:43:20 am
Moveable arms is easy if the figure is clothed. Because what I am suggesting is simple but ugly.

On each side of the joint fix a loop or wire. The one loop should be passed through the other before gluing into the socket.
You need to cut out a section of the arm to make up for the extra length provided by the loops.

The figure would then be a passive part of the steering mechanism. It would be the boats tiller that is active, merely dragging the arm of the skipper.
But placing the figure and articulating the upper body to move with the till is more complex geometry and needs a bit more thought.
Title: Re: How do I build a person with movable arms
Post by: triumphjon on June 12, 2010, 06:57:47 pm
try the cheap shops , we have one , poundland ( national chain store )  ive bought several 6" high figures as crew . saves trying to make your own !
Title: Re: How do I build a person with movable arms
Post by: Drkomen86 on June 12, 2010, 09:27:26 pm
Yer we have Poundland over in the UK, I did think about that just not sure if I could make it move correctly.

Also does any body know where I can get a scale plastic car engine, around 50mm. needs to look like the one below.

(http://s2.postimage.org/83ZBi.jpg) (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Ts83ZBi)
Title: Re: How do I build a person with movable arms
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on June 13, 2010, 10:46:28 pm
Here I thought you were building a sculling boat.... {-)

There's this...  %)
http://www.rc4wdstore.com/2/product_info.php?products_id=907


And then these...  :-)

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0095p?FVPROFIL=W&FVSEARCH=revell+engine&search=Go

http://www.megahobby.com/1948fordflatheadv-8engine1-6lindberghawk.aspx
http://www.megahobby.com/426hemienginebyhawkmodels.aspx

Somewhere the RC car guys have a model of an engine that fits over the motor can but is affordable...

 :-)

Title: Re: How do I build a person with movable arms
Post by: Prophet on July 28, 2010, 08:41:47 pm
try this for men that move .. well row..... maybe give u some inspiration it did to me when i read this right now my sons action mans just got the chop ... i hope hes got life insurance,....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkMZ8fljexY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkMZ8fljexY)