Since we are not meeting weekly, I thought I would share couple of my on-going projects. Normally I like to work on my projects in secret and only reveal them when complete. These extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, so let the de-classification begin. These are not all combat projects, but I hope you enjoy them.
First, the new toy/tool. In February I bought a 45 watt laser cutter with a 20"x12" bed. I've been learning how to use it and building accessories like hold-downs. The first item cut. My first new kit design, the liberty ship. I've always been unhappy with the liberty ship plans I posted in the resource section. The plans were done early in my design experience and were not as good as my later kits. Now I can offer a kit that assembles much easier.
Here's a project I finished yesterday. After over 4 years of using a trashcan liner taped over the top to keep the heat in, I finally built a top for my 3D printer. Now I need to replace the cardboard door. I'm out of acrylic so that may take a while.
This the year for the overhaul of my Tugster rescue tug. Some of the work planned: - Clean up and repaint - Replace ESCs - Rework rudder linkage - Upgrade lights - Replace siren - Add new capability Top ready for new paint Top in primer. My new paint arrives in the mail on April 17th. The base of its new capability is mocked up on the stern. The bottom in its present state. The paint is in a very rough and dirty. New "tires" have been laser cut and are ready for installation. Now I can get rid of the cheesy pipe insulation.
The BIG project. A 48" Dumas PT boat. This has been languishing in my shop for over two years, so first I hung up the plans for motivation. Next I cleaned up and sanded the hull. The hull was also trimmed along the gunwale to its final shape.
I mocked up the lettering for the side of Tugster today. Hopefully the weather will be nice enough this weekend to start painting. The camo pattern was from the material I'm using for the mask and was not intentional. It does look very interesting though and kinda matches the military purpose of the boat.
I remember this tug from way back. What do you need to make electronic sounds As I remember you had a police siren
I had an electronic siren, a Velman kit I think, but I fried it last year. So I'm going to fully digital sound with a DFPlayer Mini sound module, about $4ea. You put the sound clip of what ever you want to hear on a micro SD card. The sound module has a built in amplifier but I opted to add a 2 watt amplifier.
It is based on the Springer - the kit is made by Zipp Kits: https://zippkits.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=498
There's a video of that tug positioning a foam PE to be destroyed. Lol. So yeah I remember this tug. Haha.
It was a good day for painting today. The top of the Tugster is done and the bottom is ready for primer.
One of my problems is that I'm easily distracted by new projects and it really impacts my on-going projects. So last week I was browsing the HNSA.org site for battleship plans and I found a new plan for the ARS-5, USS Diver, a salvage ship. At 18" in 144 scale it's pretty small, but it not only has twin props, it has twin rudders. Now my favorite convoy ship to run is the Golo. It's a small French cargo vessel with twin props and a single rudder. Because it is so small, the class 1 rudder is huge in comparison to the boat and it turns on a dime. The thought of a ship with even more rudder area got me excited. So I've spent my evenings for the last week drawing up the Diver. The Diver compared to the Golo. The main compartment is about the same size and I'll end up using the same motor mount, pump, and battery mount that I use in the Golo. The stern of the Diver has less vertical area, so I designed a geared rudder system to fit. At least it all fits on the CAD drawing. The Diver needs to come in at around 2 lbs. The Golo is 2.5 lbs, but it also has almost 8 oz of ballast in it.
Seems to me these both would be the correct size to 3d print the hulls with windows already cut out. I really need to learn to use CAD. Lol.
I will be 3D printing a lot of the parts for this ship, including the bow and stern hard area. You could print the ribs, but for me it was easier to cut out of wood.
Didn't you recently acquire a Lazer cutter? Or was it a CNC router? I have too many friends doing similar projects. Lol.
Matter of fact I have the STL files you made for the Golo just not the wood parts. I am not opposed to cutting them out, I am however opposed to ordering plywood in full sheets as the delivery is killer and the closest place to get decent wood to me is Memphis TN or Dallas tx. Both are around 4.5 hrs one way. So printed frame parts are just more cost and time effective for me personally. Cost of living in the country. Lol.
