Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Yachts and Sail => Topic started by: Patrick Henry on October 28, 2011, 09:39:33 pm
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Ok, just going through my list of bits to get for my Gemini cat...
I want to change the horrible wooden framework that holds the two hulls together and supports the main mast for carbon rod...but(here comes the question)where do I get carbon rod and what sort of diameter would I need?
This is how I'm thinking of doing it....
(http://s7.postimage.org/6jqxnnefr/RC65_Adrenaline_b14.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6jqxnnefr/) (http://s7.postimage.org/eivaiptjr/RC65_Adrenaline_b6.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/eivaiptjr/)
Instead of this...
(http://s7.postimage.org/v2xkip87r/cat3.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/v2xkip87r/)
Any advice, guys?
Rich
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I have been looking at Carbon rod for another project. It looks to me as if carbon tube might be a better bet for you - it would be stiffer and might be easier to fix at the ends. It's difficult to recommend a size as there's not much in the photos to scale them by.
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Just possibly an old fishing rod may provide what you require.John.
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Sorry, my mistake...I should have written 'tube' instead of 'rod'...
Fishing rods...I tried a old rod I found, but the sections are tapered, aren't they?
Rich
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It's been suggested that alloy tube from B&Q will do the job nicely, so I'm going to try that first, I think.
Rich
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Look for a shop that specializes in selling kites.
unicorn
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try
http://www.giantcod.co.uk/carbon-fiber-tube-hollow-d60%C3%83%C2%97106050%C3%83%C2%971m-5pcs-p-403653.html (http://www.giantcod.co.uk/carbon-fiber-tube-hollow-d60%C3%83%C2%97106050%C3%83%C2%971m-5pcs-p-403653.html)
if you cast around on the GiantCod website you'll find they do 3mm and 6mm tubes and strip and rod too
Richard
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Now we're getting somewhere...thanks Richard!
I guess 6mm would be the size to go for to make up the cross spars?
Rich
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The r/c helicopter guys use a lot of carbon fibre tube and rod. look on their websites.
Try here:
http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/Category/Carbon-Fibre-Products/Carbon-Fibre-Tube.aspx
Chirs
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cheapest place for carbon tube would be a kite supplier model shops tend to ask the earth for carbon stuff.
http://www.thehighwaymen.co.uk/acatalog/Single_line_kites.html
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Thanks for all the valuable help chaps, it's much appreciated.
I think carbon tube may be the way to go, I'm told to think lightness above the waterline, weight below.
Thanks again,
Rich
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Carbon fibre will be less than a third of the weight of aluminium.
I would go for the giant cod 6mm stuff. The kite shop CR tubing looks like it is a thicker laminate- stronger but heavier.
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All done...just bought the Giant Cod 6mm stuff, more than enough there for the cross pieces and maybe even the mast as well.
Thanks everybody,
Rich
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Glad to help Rich,
Could you post some photies when you've finished ?
cos I've been thing about building a catamaran with
carbon fibre tubing to hold the hulls together
Richard
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No problem Rich...I'll take plenty of pics as I go along. It's only a cheapie of a kit, but I think with a few mods along the way we can do something with it. I chose it because it's only a small boat, it fits in my flat and my car nicely, and our local lake isn't really big enough for big boats.
Rich