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Author Topic: Pusher tug - New build  (Read 5817 times)

Faraday's Cage

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Pusher tug - New build
« on: November 10, 2007, 01:09:52 pm »

Just a few photos of my latest project, a 1/32nd semi-scratch built Pusher Tug.

Hull is fibreglass obtained from Mobile Marine Models along with the plans.
All upperworks and deck are made from 3mm liteply or 1mm ply.
Drive motors are 555 motors from Model Motors Direct
(tried some swiss motors first but got hot after a couple of minutes running in test tank).
30mm Kort props and steerable knozzles.
Couplings from Deans Marine.

More to follow soon. O0
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Arrow5

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2007, 01:32:56 pm »

A sort-of  pro Super-Super  Springer, I like it. What are the dimensions ?
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Faraday's Cage

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2007, 02:20:08 pm »

Dimensions are 22 x 9 inches.   Main difference with the Springer is the flat bottom rather than the Springer bulge.

Its on the Mobile Marine Models site as the "Gerhard" although I'm still thinking of a name for my model.

The model will have a movable bridge which will raise and lower on command.
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towboatjoe

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2007, 04:40:00 am »

Looks like it'll make a nice retract. That's what they call towboats with pilot houses that raise and lower to clear bridges.
Keep us abreast of how the build goes especially photos.

If you want any detailing info on towboats, visit my site at http://www.towboatjoe.com
if you'd like some pictures of retracts, my email is towboat@windstream.net
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Faraday's Cage

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #4 on: November 11, 2007, 06:51:10 pm »

Hi towboatjoe,

Thanks for pointing me to your excellent site. Loads of information. O0

I'll post some more photos as the build progresses.

Terry.
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towboatjoe

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #5 on: November 11, 2007, 07:56:04 pm »

You're welcome. Always try to help out when it comes to river work boats.
Here's a good pic of a retract showinf the retractable radars and antennae.
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Faraday's Cage

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #6 on: November 25, 2007, 08:45:51 pm »

As you can see, the build is progressing nicely.  O0

All paint used for the hull is Halfords spray paint.
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KitS

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #7 on: December 02, 2007, 07:43:05 pm »

That's a very interesting build.

Funnily enough I'm doing almost exactly the same, after starting off with a disastrous scratchbuilt styrene hull that warped like crazy. I came to the conclusion that the Gerhard hull was a much better starting point than anything I could do, and so it proved.

Do I gather you've dispensed with rudders totally and are just using the Korts to steer? Mine is the same but I'm using a mixer to provide differential port and starboard throttle as well. Maybe a bit of overkill but as her main purpose in life will be as a rescue vessel every little helps!  :)

Regards
Kit
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Regards
Kit

Faraday's Cage

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #8 on: December 02, 2007, 08:25:32 pm »

Hi Kit,

You're correct, no rudders but the steerable korts should be more than adequate.  I too have a mixer. Will be interesting to see how the model performs once its ready for on the water trials.

You mention rescue craft.  I was thinking of making a second top for my pusher with a large winch and a fishing reel for rescue purposes and maybe a device for dropping buoys and weights for steering courses.  For that reason I've built all the gizmos (Sound unit, amp, speakers) into the main cabin.

Terry.
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KitS

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #9 on: December 03, 2007, 12:05:43 am »

Magic stuff, I like the idea of the separate top for rescue purposes.  :)

I did a bath test with my hull, with both props, motors and shafts, but no Korts or rudders. At 30% throttle she would turn in her own length using just the mixers, but wasn't very stable in yaw, and she pumped large quantities of the bath water onto the floor.......  :-\

Regards
Kit
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Regards
Kit

Stavros

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #10 on: December 03, 2007, 05:25:50 pm »

Well at least you got the carpet cleaned for nought O0

Stavros
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KitS

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #11 on: December 03, 2007, 06:44:18 pm »

Stavros,

Hehehe, very true, but I'm not sure it was worth the ear bashing I got from 'She Who Must Be Obeyed' after the event!

Next time I'll keep the water level down and lean in further..........  :)
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Regards
Kit

funtimefrankie

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #12 on: December 03, 2007, 07:17:51 pm »

This is what you need to keep the peace...
Just some melamine and silicone sealant, and perhaps a plug hole to drain it...
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KitS

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #13 on: December 04, 2007, 08:11:13 am »

From the size of the garage in the backgorund, that's one SERIOUSLY sized test tank!  O0

Sadly I don't have the space outside to make one like that, it could be flotation tests will take place at the lake in future.

Regards
Kit
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Regards
Kit

funtimefrankie

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #14 on: December 04, 2007, 09:11:17 am »

No, it's four foot long 9 inches wide and 6 deep, roughly
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wideawake

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #15 on: December 04, 2007, 09:41:13 am »

Ah - the joys of the wide angle lens!  My day job sometimes has me working in a TV news studio.   Visitors are always surprised at how small it is compared with the impression given on TV!

Guy
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Faraday's Cage

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #16 on: January 31, 2008, 07:24:41 pm »

The build is progressing nicely now. Top photo is of the radar motor and gearbox which I've fitted inside the wheelhouse. The bridge raises and lowers so this was the simplest method I could come up with.  A few railings to fit and finish off the stacks and wait for some decent weather.  O0
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Faraday's Cage

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #17 on: February 10, 2008, 03:29:47 pm »

First sea trials took place this morning. Very pleased with the result. 
Motors - 2 x 555's running on 8.4v 3700mah NiMhpacks, 2 x mtroniks viper marine 15 esc.
Auxillaries (lights, radar, sound board, and wheelhouse lift) - 12v 2400mah NiMh pack with voltage regs for radar and lights.

Just a few more detailed items to fit before finishing the project and moving on to something else.    O0

FC
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6705russell

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #18 on: February 10, 2008, 06:57:03 pm »

Well done Terry,  a well built boat and looks the part on the water  O0

Russ
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KitS

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #19 on: February 17, 2008, 10:03:35 am »

Now that I like, Looks superb!

What mechanism did you use to raise and lower the bridge structure please?

With two 555s, can you get her on the plane? Seems awful powerful for a push tug, but then some of those barges are monsters! :)
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Regards
Kit

Faraday's Cage

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #20 on: February 17, 2008, 10:49:55 am »

The mech for raising the cabin uses a heavy duty servo lying flat under the superstructure and pushing an arm up and down (2nd photo).  I built a module (1st photo) using a PIC (Programmable Integrated Circuit) that is directly connected to the servo (no radio involved). Remotely operating a microswitch first of all starts an orange beacon flashing, then the servo starts to move (very slowly, controlled by the software in the PIC) to a predetermined position then stops, then the beacon stops flashing.  Reverse order for the lowering function. There's also an overide switch (top left of photo) fitted so I can automate this operation at shows with an interval of 1 minute between each operation.

The boat wont plane as its flat bottomed and at full speed looks a little too fast but should be ideal when "pushing" a load.  Due to the shape of the hull and getting it down to the waterline, the all up weight is 4.3kgs. No lead ballast used - all batteries.

FC

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KitS

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #21 on: February 17, 2008, 09:34:31 pm »

Very impressive, thanks very much.

I'm not sure I'm up to that level of automation myself, and I was thinking of using a servo, without the feedback pot, connected to a screw thread and a couple of micro-switches ro stop it.

I like the idea of the flashing light too, that's class, well done.  :)
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Regards
Kit

Faraday's Cage

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Re: Pusher tug - New build
« Reply #22 on: February 18, 2008, 08:19:10 am »

KitS,

Your idea should work fine. I've used a similar method in the past on other models but using a motor and gearbox set up.

FC.
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