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[Tug-Kenny RIP]

Today I thought I would put my Xmas pressie (the Band Saw) to good use. I have started on building boat number seven,

                                         the Severn lifeboat.

I had previously bought the plans from the R.N.L.I, and had them enlarged to the scale of 1:12.  The Plywood had been bought and the workshop gas bottle had been filled so no holding me back now.

The first job was to convert the frame measurements to the sheet plywood, as I plan to make everything myself.

This was done by tacking carbon paper to the underside of the plans onto a sheet of paper. I then found a Biro pen which had run out of ink and traced through the lines from the drawing, so that they converted to the plain paper. I then cut the paper around the edges and laid the shapes onto the plywood and drew around them.

The shapes were cut out from the plywood on my new band saw just like cheese. My God, this thing is sharp.

The pictures show the progress so far. I have cut close to the lines and tomorrow will be sanding right up to the mark. I have also cut the planking strips from large sections of wood and have made about two hundred strips, as it was so easy on this machine. They are 2mm thick by 5mm wide, so should be just the job. Wait for the cries of help.

Ken

[John W E]

hi there Ken

I am going to watch your build with great interest.    I do have a some of questions first of all....

how thick is the plywood you are using?   

Is your model going to be motorised? 

What length is the final model going to be?

As far as lifeboat's go Ken, these are a mystery to me...I do know they rescue people

aye
john e
bluebird 

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

Hi John

How are you.  Happy new year and all that.  Thanks for your interest, I had to go out in the cold shed to do some measurements for you.

She measures 1500mm long by 50mm wide, so is quite a monster. I could have back trouble with all the giant models I seem to favour, eh ?   

I'm using 4mm plywood for this build throughout as I have sheets of the stuff. I had thought of a thicker keel, but will try the 4mm for now to get the shape. When all the planking is on, I expect it to become quite rigid. I can't see yet if extra frames might be needed.

It is proposed to throw everything into her as the ultimate model (we all say that at the start, don't we!!)

There will be twin motors running via all the ACTion gear I can afford. I've even commandeered the granddaughter's Barbie dolls and having them surgically transformed into beefy men. 

I was quite taken with the lifeboats I saw at the Mayhem bash, but at a price of £2000 to complete them, I would never have got away with it. I shall be costing this one as I go along, just to keep tabs on it. (watch this space, as they say!)

Ken

[riggers24]

Don't know if you have seen Johno's webpages http://www.lifeboatmodels.co.uk/ and this one http://www.philsrcmodels.co.uk/ Have a look at the severn build on phil's page as he used twin 850's per shaft.

Riggers

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

Thanks for that Riggers. I need all the help I can get.

I've started my usual Photo collection as I find all angles are needed when building 'scatch'.

cheers

Ken

[riggers24]

Have you thought to contact the forum's lifeboat nutter Gribeauval

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

We did meet once, hence the interest.

Ken

[DickyD]

Think you've got your measurements wrong Ken 1500mm[60"] by 50mm[2"]. Think it might fall over old chap.

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

Hiya Dicky.

Well, I did say I went out into the cold workshop. Must have frozen my brain

                               

                                Make that 500mm Mr Spock


Ken

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

I've been a little quiet on here lately as this part of the build is, as DickyD says,  the unseen groundwork.

My word, has there been some groundwork. The plans bear NO hints or drawings as to the actual structure underneath this wonderful craft.  The frame views shown earlier are of the actual ship, not an exact "how too" for us modellers. I have settled on 11 frames at the moment.

I have made twice as many frames as I needed because of the errors in the measurements and the lining up of all the curves in the Hull. I now have a scrap box full of wood offcuts. ( one sheet of  8 X 4  gone already.  )

Here is the final set of frames, laid on the keel to give you a flavour of her shape.

The keel has been upgraded to 8.2mm thick plywood with 24mm thick Bows and Stern, for those little crashes into the bank.    and the frames have been hollowed out. The stern is a curved affair which needed two pieces glued together over wood fillers for strength and to hold it together.

I have tapered the thick Bow to allow for the planking angle around the hull. This involved a lot of 'power sanding' with the face mask and ventilator, and a workshop vacuum down afterwards before the Mrs came back. (because of the snow and cold, the doors were shut.... very dangerous to the health    )

I have secured a temporary block to the stern to hold the shape vertical, whilst further work and measuring is to be done. I then propose to turn the whole boat upside down and lay it on a straight board to get the deck flat. This will enable me to fit side supports to the frames, before planking the hull.

[John W E]

I like the look of the build Ken, keep up the good work   

aye

john e

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

Thanks John.  I filled the rear curved section last night with wood offcuts and epoxy resin and now I can knock nails in with it .

It's too  bl***y  heavy, so now I'll just remake another one, only hollowed out.  That's why I'm sat here instead of working. It's all 'ups & downs'.  I've taken 50 hours so far to get to this stage.

ken

 

[DickyD]

Thats a fine looking job you've done there Ken.

Hope you have your wife down the gym everyday getting ready for when she has to carry it about.

[John W E]

Hi Ken this is one way to build the back end  and its just a thought 


aye
john

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

Thats a fine looking job you've done there Ken.

Hope you have your wife down the gym everyday getting ready for when she has to carry it about.

Hi Dicky.

Thank you.  I'm having a real go on this monster. Wife already in training.    


Hi John

Great minds think alike. Today I 'ribbed' a new stern section cut out,  just as you've shown.  I've left off the outer skin at the moment and glued and screwed it to the stern. I then inverted the whole frame on the bench and can join up the ribs with ease, knowing that the deck will be level from Bow to Stern.

I almost regret coming in to sleep, as I want to get on with the build. Exciting or what.    

Would you, or anyone know if the foredeck is curved slightly to drain off any water please. I would also need to know if this curve follows the side of the boat down the slope leading to the steps to access the rear deck.

Thanks for your interest.

Ken

ps
Typing so fast these days my spelling goes almost unnoticed. 

[Brian Roberts]

Hi Ken

Just had a look at my 1/12th Severn and the foredeck does slope slightly, and the same goes for the side decking.
Nothing dramatic in either case but a slope nonetheless.
You're a brave man taking this project on and I wish you all the best, what I've seen so far does you credit.
Mine took eighteen months to build and that was from a "kit"!

Brian

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

Hi Brian.

Great information. Thank you for that. I shall blend a curve to the decks now.

Here are the latest pictures which show the modified rear panel. It will be covered when the planking proceeds. I have laid the hull upside down to ensure the decks are level and today will purchase a piece of wood, big enough to accommodate it. I seem to have run out. 

I also enclose a picture of the output of my bandsaw. Cannot speak too highly of this wonderful piece of equipment.   

The last picture shows the drawings that I have to work with. Although a wonderful thing in it's own right, I feel it lacks the intimate details that we require as builders, but with your help, we shall get there in the end.

Ken

 

[Brian Roberts]

Hi Ken

I've got a couple of CD's of the Holyhead Severn showing quite a lot of detail, so if you'd like copies just say the word!

Brian

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

Hi Brian

Yes please.   PM sent.

What a guy   

Ken

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

Today we actually started putting her together.   

The frames have been glued to the Keel and I started on the side webbing, to hold them all in place.

At last we can see the shape of her coming to life.

Ken

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

I now need to know the diameter of the propellers please, as I have to get the curve of the recessed section correct.

Can anyone help please.

Ken

[johno 52-11]

Hi Ken

The props my mate Bob has on his are 75mm 4 blade  .There's lots of info about it on our website that might be of interest to you. http://www.lifeboatmodels.co.uk/severn.htm

Regards

John

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

Excellent Johno.  Thank you for the information.   

I do like the site and pictures. Unfortunately, I can't run the Videos because of my Zone alarm security. Not to worry as I shall look into it.

The prop size is very helpful and I will build around it. Can't wait to build the bow thruster. I've never seen a good one yet !! so more thinking, meethinks.

I don't know yet whether to go the fibreglass route or not. Will see how the wood looks and leaks.   

Day off today as SWMBO want to shopping. Time for the glue to wear off my finger tips.   

Ken


 

[DickyD]

I could not watch the videos either Ken as it said I needed to download plugins and then told me there were none suitable.

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

The rear panel was fitted and glued into place, and then it was on to the hull planking.

What a job this is turning out to be. There isn't a straight line on the boat. It's all curves.

I'm managing about 3 rows of planks a day because I'm using 24hour wood glue and each plank has to secured down at every bulkhead.

This is as far as I'm up to at present, so I'll be quiet from now on until it's finished.

ken