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[Captain Povey]

I am in process of finishing a Smit Nederland started by somebody who successfully installed the ruders and then painted them ensuring they do not work as they should. I have got one out and fixed it but the second has been glued in various places with what looks like Araldite. Is there something I can apply to soften it or do I risk burning it off with mini torch ??? Thanks Graham

[DickyD]

Where exactly is it glued Graham

[Shipmate60]

Graham,
If it is araldite epoxy cut into it, a broken hacksaw blade will do, or if you can a dremmel cutting disk.
Use a screwdriver to pry the parts apart and it should break away.
Not an easy job and you have to be careful.
Or if you can get the rudder out just leaving the stock.
Get a brass tube a good fit over it cut some teeth in the end of it and using only hand power use this to cut through the epoxy and leaves a good neat hole.
You can of course use a combination of both.

Bob

[BobF]

As you've already mentioned heat, if you could hold a soldering iron against the glue, this will also soften it.
I recently removed all the inside components from a glass fiber hull using a mini torch and soldering iron.

Bob

[Captain Povey]

Thanks Bob I will have a go with the soldering iron :)

[Captain Povey]

Hi Richard, The glue is in two places the first is on a nut that clamps the stern tube into the hull and the second place is on top of and around the arm fixed to the rudder main bar. This arm consists of an L shaped servo horn.It is all neatly tucked away and the aft deck as I have learnt that in building the model billings suggest fitting the ruders before adding the de.ck. Cheers Graham :)

[Captain Povey]

Hi Bob, I doubt there is room for a hacksaw blade but am willing to try anything and everthing. I partiularlly  like the dremmel idea as I have always wanted an excuse to buy one. Cheers Graham

[Shipmate60]

Captain Povey
If you can get to the top of the rudder stock try a soldering iron to soften the epoxy.
If you cant get to it you will have 2 choices.
Cut the top off the rudder, or cut a hole and fit a hatch in the after deck.
When you have the top part free the rudder will drop out.
Then concentrate just on the nut and the thread.
If there is a nut on the other rudder use this to clean up the thread as far down as you can.
Cut away enough epoxy to get a spanner on the nut then gently work loose.
But if you are going to replace the rudders with new parts cut it close to the hull, remove the rudder and drill out from the outside of the hull.
Sounds a lot of work, but in reality about 1/2 hour.

Bob

[Captain Povey]

Thank you Bob and all the other guys out there who came up with suggestions and support. I am glad to say I have successfully removed the rudder without any damage to the hull. It was a combination of a little heat from the soldering iron, some picking and gouging with a variety of instruments from small side cutters, long nose pliers to modeling knife. In fact it looked worse than it ws so I guess I was lucky not to have to go to drastic measures outlined. With the rudder removed and all the paint cleaned off it will now perform as it should once I remake and build in the bottom bush which seems to be missing. Once again thanks and cheers Graham. :)

[Shipmate60]

If you are really brave a big pair of pliers usually does it too.
I am aware thet I have done lots of shaft and rudder removal on model refurbs, they do get easier  :)

Bob