Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Model Boating => Topic started by: jaymac on September 16, 2017, 08:12:43 pm

Title: AirBoat Cage
Post by: jaymac on September 16, 2017, 08:12:43 pm: Got me an Airboat on fleabay and need to make up a Prop cage. Anyone made one of other than metal as not a solderer is there some kind of plastic type rod/tube one could use .It'll be about 10''high 10''wide
Thanks
Jay
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: jarvo on September 16, 2017, 09:13:37 pm: Hi Jay, try the Hobbyking website, they do spares for their airboat

Mark
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: jaymac on September 16, 2017, 10:57:24 pm: ''Thanks Mark but the swamp dawg only has a 5.5'' prop this one has a 9'' and is a much bigger boat
Jay
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: Klunk on September 17, 2017, 08:32:41 am: On my hover craft i have used buckets as an outside fence an also sweet tub containers (haribo). Then use wire mesh attached to the front to stop fingers going in.
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: mrlownotes on September 17, 2017, 02:34:50 pm: Jag at Palaform does inexpensive lightweight alloy mesh sheets for his Hovercraft

http://shop.modelhovercraft.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=60_68&product_id=174

Worth a call to check sizes and availability.
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: jaymac on September 17, 2017, 04:39:55 pm: Thanks but don't want mesh it will just be bars I need to make a 2 Tall Arches with bars joining not too concerned about front entry at the moment that mesh might do for that
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: Hellboy Paul on September 17, 2017, 04:57:29 pm: How about cutting & modifying the bottom of one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OUTDOOR-Heavy-Duty-Squirrel-Proof-Fat-Snax-Hanging-Wild-BIRD-FEEDER-W-Wire-CAGE-/112514491656?epid=0&hash=item1a3262e508:g:EgYAAOSwxxVZiKET (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OUTDOOR-Heavy-Duty-Squirrel-Proof-Fat-Snax-Hanging-Wild-BIRD-FEEDER-W-Wire-CAGE-/112514491656?epid=0&hash=item1a3262e508:g:EgYAAOSwxxVZiKET)
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: jaymac on September 17, 2017, 06:46:08 pm: Bit too rich for me I'm afraid
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: Hellboy Paul on September 17, 2017, 06:48:29 pm: You can most probably find one cheaper, i'm not going to do all the searching for you...
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: jaymac on September 17, 2017, 10:26:52 pm: Never asked you to my op was if there was a material that did not require soldering sorry if I took up some of your time
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: grasshopper on September 17, 2017, 10:42:05 pm: Plastic rod of a suitable diameter, bamboo or rattan strip.....have you looked at places like B&Q in their strip materials box?

If it's not a scale model could you use a section of a plastic bucket/pot and make a duct?
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: jaymac on September 18, 2017, 05:39:03 am: Thanks have already made one with bamboo spars but the 2 arches have made out of ply which coupled with a large motor pylon and rudder have a bit of a Sail effect. Reluctant to make a duct hoping to make it all in rod might have to bite the bullet and try soldering
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: surfs up on September 18, 2017, 09:15:34 am: Have a look at EMA models lots of plastic connection. http://www.ema-models.co.uk.
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: david48 on September 18, 2017, 12:44:42 pm: This fan guard you want it will have to work as a real one I assume as well as looking ok so I would think metal would be best ,maybe plastic will not be strong enough if it lets go.
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: tigertiger on September 18, 2017, 04:34:53 pm: If you know anyone with a 3D printer, that is a possibility. As is cannibalising a 9in desk fan from a boot sale.
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: john44 on September 18, 2017, 05:45:19 pm: Jamaic, I have made cages out of 3mm brass tube bent over a former, buiscuit tin etc
cross bars ends filed with a small round file assembly held together with garden wire
ends joining the hoops fluxed as you go along.
You will need a blowtorch you will never do it with a soldering iron.
You can always file off the excess solder after, use bulldog crocodile clips as heat sinks
if needed. Hope this helps.

John
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: tobyker on September 20, 2017, 08:01:28 pm: I laminated mine from two thicknesses of thin ply over a wooden former. Seems quite strong enough with a 9" prop on a small brushless motor.
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: jaymac on September 20, 2017, 10:15:00 pm: Thanks for all the input guys going to have a go with some brass tube and solder should be interesting as I hate solder
Jay
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: david48 on September 21, 2017, 09:38:13 am: Tube might not be the best choice as it might kink when you form the curve ,if the radius is not too tight , solid drawn wire might be a better choice ,did you see your PM .
David
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: jaymac on September 21, 2017, 11:16:51 am: Sorry meant Tube David intending to make the upright from one size and the curve from the next down and slip it into it least thats the plan :}
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: johnv on September 21, 2017, 10:22:57 pm: Hi you can use a cage from a old 12 volt car dashboard fan
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: Onetenor on October 06, 2017, 02:47:43 am: Plastic rod is available from Arts/Hobby supplies shops .It can be joined with plastic weld or my fave PLASTIC MAGIC look on these links https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=plastic+rods+and+connectors&oq=Plastic+rod&aqs=chrome.4.69i57j0l5.17109j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: malcolmfrary on October 06, 2017, 09:01:29 am: Wandering through Lidl yesterday, in one of the middle aisles, I saw a cake cooling rack. Wire, circular, about 10" diameter. Might be a start.
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: jaymac on October 06, 2017, 09:22:28 am: Thanks John and Malcolm I made one from Brass tube and Mesh
Title: Re: AirBoat Cage
Post by: Onetenor on October 06, 2017, 03:09:03 pm: OK well done got any pics? Bear the plastic rods in mind for future reference.Just Google "Plastic Rods"