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Author Topic: A techie challenge....  (Read 14821 times)

U-33

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A techie challenge....
« on: August 25, 2014, 03:06:09 pm »

Right chaps, here's a question for you:


I'm building an r/c swan for a bit of fun, I intend to fit the radio/motor/battery/etc in a small watertight box attached to the underside of the swan's body, with the prop shaft glued into the box. The whole box will be removable as one unit, including the shaft (which will be shorter than shown in the pictures, so it won't be able to whip about)


So far, so good...until I come to installing the rudder. The whole thing will need fitting externally, as in the pictures...so, any ideas as to how I should go about that?

(reason for all this is that I don't want to cut into the body of the swan, I want to keep it all in one piece)


Over to you..

Rich
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Netleyned

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2014, 03:22:54 pm »

You need to fit the steering assembly on a platform
stuck to the hull.
When you fit the W/T box you can hook the rods from the
servo to the arms on the rudder.

Ned
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U-33

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2014, 03:59:03 pm »

You need to fit the steering assembly on a platform stuck to the hull.


Enlighten me on the platform, Ned..if you please.


Rich
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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2014, 04:10:36 pm »

Just a fairly thick bit of abs stood proud of the swan base.
Clamp the rudder tube through it.
Cut the rudder post to fit and attatch the arm.
Make sure the prop is angled to sit in front of the
rudder blade.
Cant do a diagram as Im on my phone.

Ned
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U-33

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2014, 07:00:03 pm »

Think I've worked it out, Ned...a U shaped bracket screwed and glued to the base with the rudder fitted through it.


Rich
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NFMike

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2014, 09:48:13 pm »

I would have a thickish piece of plastic sheet covering most of the flat area under the swan and 'clipped' to it. Then mount all the hardware and WTC onto that using glue and/or c/sk screws from the back (top in fact). The whole thing is then dismountable without disturbing any connections. Some longitudinal ribs might be needed to stiffen it depending on how stiff the plastic was.

U-33

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2014, 10:18:11 pm »

Now that's an interesting idea, fella...I've bought an OtterBox to mount all the electronics, radio, battery,  etc into, and I'm thinking a 2-3mm styrene floor under the box might be needed to strengthen and support it. I've just worked out the rudder mount, built most of it...I 'll take some pics tomorrow.


Rich
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U-33

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2014, 11:46:23 am »

This is a quickly knocked up rudder mount...much to my surprise, it seems to work quite well. I'll screw and glue it to the swan's base in a bit when the glue has dried hard.


Rich
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Netleyned

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2014, 12:06:05 pm »

Thats just what I was trying to describe :-))

 :-)) Rich

Ned
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U-33

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2014, 01:10:54 pm »

Great minds thinking alike, Ned...I hooked into yours using my long distance telepathy skills. Aided and abetted by a pint of the Guinness, naturally...  %)


It works so well, I may just use this one...I was going to build another 'posher/tidier' one, but if it works...why alter it?

Rich
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U-33

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #10 on: August 26, 2014, 01:52:37 pm »

Well, it's fitted and working...a good splodge of thick cyano and two self tapping screws, and it seems to be nicely secured. Once the OtterBox arrives, I can get the radio gear installed, then we shall see what happens.


Rich
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U-33

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2014, 11:17:29 am »

Another techie question...what sort of adhesive do I use on this perishin' swan?
I glued (and screwed) the rudder support to the base with thick cyano, then went around the edges with clear aquarium sealant. It's been drying overnight, went to check it this morning, and the cyano hasn't really held properly, and the silicone just peels off. Epoxy doesn't seem to hold either, it just peels off like the silicone does.


Any ideas, chaps?


Rich
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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #12 on: August 27, 2014, 11:26:47 am »

Hi Rich,
you need to find out what plastic was used to make the swan.
If its one of the plastics I think it is, then your options will be limited, maybe to plastic welding, but depends on the plastic used.
Once you know that, your options will be clear.
cheers
vnkiwi
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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #13 on: August 27, 2014, 11:27:58 am »

One of our members has the same swan.
If he is at the lake thisaft I will pick his brains Rich.
Ned.
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U-33

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #14 on: August 27, 2014, 11:32:01 am »

VNK...it's a sort of shiny, slippery, polysomething (technical term)


Ned..that would be great, I'd appreciate that...thanks mate.


Rich
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jarvo

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #15 on: August 27, 2014, 11:36:44 am »

Hi Rich


Several possibilities, what type of plastic is the swan made of? what sort of paint is on it?.


Try sanding the surface smooth down to the base plastic, test glue piece, see if it sticks!!!


Some plastics have a greasy finish use a solvent to clean it, possibly acetone will do.


Another possibility is to mount all the components to a base then screw the base to the swan


Regards


Mark
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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #16 on: August 27, 2014, 11:50:34 am »

Rich,
the swan has a moulded in symbol on the borrom, a number inside a triangle, but can't make out the number from the photos.
This will tell you the plastic used.
If its a polypropaline or similar, there ain't a lot will stick.
Then your options are probably what Mark suggested, ie mount everything on a plate and screw this to the swan.
cheers
vnkiwi :-))
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U-33

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #17 on: August 27, 2014, 12:09:32 pm »

Mark, it's not painted, only the legs and the beak are, so I guess it's moulded from a white plastic. I did try cleaning it when I first got it, but it made no difference. I've tried sanding it to roughen up the surface, but whatever the stuff is, it doesn't sand very well at all.

Maybe the idea of a separate base is going to be the way to go...a decent piece of 3mm styrene screwed to the base, then the OtterBox screwed to that.


***************************************************************************

VNK...you must have very good eyesight, I can't see a number stamped on it anywhere?


Rich
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NFMike

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #18 on: August 27, 2014, 12:55:34 pm »

Maybe the idea of a separate base is going to be the way to go...a decent piece of 3mm styrene screwed to the base, then the OtterBox screwed to that.
Told ya!  <*<
Glueing will be iffy. If the bottom of the swan is fairly thick I would use 3 or 4 large (fat not long) self-tappers with a clearance hole through the base-plate. That probably wouldn't leak if the screws are a good fit, but for extra security I'd probably do a trial fit and if it's all OK take it off, apply a bead of silicone sealant around each hole on both sides of the base and then reassemble, making sure the screws go into the thread they cut before. The sealant should then seal between the screw head and base and the base an bottom of the swan.

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #19 on: August 27, 2014, 01:53:02 pm »

Rick


Another thought, using your underwater sealed box, you are going to need some serious ballast, also don't use 2.4mhz as it won't work underwater


Mark
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jarvo

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #20 on: August 27, 2014, 01:59:20 pm »

Rick


Had another look at the underside of your swan.


Why not cut around the inner edge, leaving about 1/2 inch flange, insert all the batteries radio etc, then cut a styrene plate to cover the flange with self tappers and silicone to seal?


Mark
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U-33

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #21 on: August 27, 2014, 02:20:23 pm »

Right, I've cut a piece of 3mm Lexan to fit, you can see in the pictures just how un-level the base is, but that's what I have to work with, so that's what I've got.


The OtterBox will be attached to the Lexan sheet (not sure how yet, I'll worry about that when I get there) I'm going to drill half a dozen holes through the Lexan and into the base, apply a good layer of silicone sealant, then screw the whole lot together. With firmly crossed fingers, a dose of luck and a following wind, it might stick.


Now...ballast. The swan I looked at in the video I posted doesn't appear to have any ballast, or none that I can see, so that's another ''worry about it when I get there'' job.


The reason for all this...I'm trying my hardest to avoid cutting into the bird, I've done a couple of ducks which I've cut into the backs, and the resulting joins have always looked awful, they never fit any sense again, hence the fitting of the watertight box underneath.


Oh, and fear not...I'll not be using 2.4gHz radio, I have a Graupner 40mHz radio which was earmarked for my Robbe U-47, I'll be using that.


Rich
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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #22 on: August 27, 2014, 02:45:24 pm »

I find a glue gun sticks that plastic very well. The only other things that will work is silcone rubber adhesive or a cyano with a special plastics primer. I'd use the glue gun though, as the joint will be very resistant to impact becuase hot glue is fairly flexible.
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U-33

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #23 on: August 27, 2014, 02:51:14 pm »

Another case for purchasing a hot glue gun, Andy...I'll go take a look round eBay and see what I can find.


Meanwhile..here's the lexan base marked out for drilling.


Rich

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Re: A techie challenge....
« Reply #24 on: August 27, 2014, 03:49:44 pm »

My mate used Sticks like Sh*t and Araldite after a good
roughening with a scriber.

Ned
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