Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Springer Tugs => Topic started by: dave parker on January 06, 2020, 08:38:39 am
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Hi all
I am currently designing my first Springer, hopefully the first of a few.
Could anyone please go through the 'real basics' of how you actual build yours?
Right back to how you cut the wood, how you shape/sand the wood, how you fix together ie glue/screw/nails, how you make sure both sides are exactly the same size, how you hold them while the glue dries.
I am talking proper basics here O0
I have a band saw, I have a sanding machine, am considering getting a scroll saw if it will help.
Or, alternatively, if anyone has a link to any build logs that might help!
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Hi Dave, if you open the home page on mayhem, scroll down to springer tug
you will find all the info you need.
Hope this helps
John
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Thanks
Have had a look and cant find where you mean?!?! %%
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Here you go Dave:-
https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/board,95.0.html
Regards,
Ray.
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... and this is the main page referred to above :-
https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php
... then just scroll down to the dry dock section :-))
Regards,
Ray.
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Ah ok yes that is where I have posted this questions
Can anyone help?
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Another link with 11000 posts on how to build a Springer.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?522762-Springer-Class-R-c-Boats (https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?522762-Springer-Class-R-c-Boats)
There are so many ways depending on what materials & tools you have available. I would guess that of the x thousand Springers built there are a equal number of different construction methods. Even the sides of Springers have ranged fro 1/8th lightply to 3/4 solid timber and even steel plate via Ikea shelves & goodness only knows what else. On any topic you will find 50 ways to deal with it which can be overwhelming. Much better if you tell us exactly what you intend to do before you do it and ask for help avoiding a disaster if we see one.
Having tools is one thing but knowing how to use them, and being able to do so, quite another.
Do you have expertise in using your bandsaw & sander - which might be sheet, random orbital, detail, file, disk, belt, thickness or bobbin?
Do you have lots of clamps of various sizes?
Try this for a starter:
file:///C:/Users/eaves/AppData/Local/Temp/buildingspringer-1.pdf
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There is a time lapse video of one being built on YouTube.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7DI1exv2TgE
There are a few in our club, including mine. Not a single power tool used for any of them, no model boat could be simpler or quicker to build for the fun they give.
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Am hoping so
Starting simple
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To answer your original questions (and accepting that, as Tug Fanatic says, there are 1001 ways to do this), this is how I did mine, almost entirely from stuff I already had. Sorry, no photos as I didn't take any!
The sides were from 6mm ply. I made sure the straight edge (deck line) was really straight then cut the shape out on my bandsaw. I then fixed the two sides together with double sided tape and used my drum sander to sand down to the pencil line, giving two identical sides. The bow and transom were 1/2" thick solid timber, glued and screwed in place, giving an empty, Springer-shaped box. The bottom I made from 1/8" thick 1/2" wide balsa planks fitted across the hull, not lengthwise, glued with superglue. As I said, just stuff I had to hand. This was then covered with glass cloth and epoxy as I didn't think the balsa would take the rough and tumble a boat like this is likely to get. Then the rudder and motor get fitted. Then a 1/4" square piece around the inside to take a 1/16" ply deck. Your access through the deck will depend on where your drive and electric bits are positioned, and the size and shape of your superstructure. Not sure how much more detail you want at this stage?
Enjoy your build.
Greg
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Thanks very much for they Greg
Exactly the kind of answer I was hoping for
I had my idea of how to do it but wanted to have it confirmed by someone who knows more about this than I do
:-))