Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Other Technical Questions... => Topic started by: turner on February 05, 2008, 01:05:14 pm

Title: Electric Toothbrushes !
Post by: turner on February 05, 2008, 01:05:14 pm
Yes this is about model boats

Has anyone utilised the bottom end of an electric toothbrush as the propulsion in a bow/stern thruster?

Have now got both bow and stern thruster tubes in Burutu and whilst designing the power unit - thought to myself that might work

Imagined taking the bristle bit off and replacing with a two blade prop

Will it work?

David
Title: Re: Electric Toothbrushes !
Post by: Bunkerbarge on February 05, 2008, 01:14:42 pm
As far as I know most electric toothbrushes oscilate rather than rotate so the shaft output would not be suitable.

You would have to take it apart to get to the motor and use the output of that before the gearbox.
Title: Re: Electric Toothbrushes !
Post by: catengineman on February 05, 2008, 03:42:34 pm
I had a similar idea and set to work dertroying the tooth brush (as said the shaft only oscilates)

I hope you have better luck than me I seem to have destroyed the workings before I managed to get a working possibility

R,
Title: Re: Electric Toothbrushes !
Post by: andygh on February 05, 2008, 11:32:08 pm
Alternatively what about one of those coffee frothing whisk jobbies?
Title: Re: Electric Toothbrushes !
Post by: RickF on February 06, 2008, 12:49:51 am
When my old toothbrush (Braun Oral B) packed up, I dismantled it - of course! The oscillating mechanism is driven by a small, rotating motor. Unfortunately it was knackered, so couldn't be used, but it is definitely a normal motor. There are some cheap brushes available in "discount" stores for a couple of quid which might be worth investigating.

Rick
Title: Re: Electric Toothbrushes !
Post by: kenthompson on February 06, 2008, 11:01:08 pm
I dismantled the head on my toothbrush, stuck a small piece of ply in its place, and hay presto,,, a paint stirrer...and it works too... Ken