Thanks, Hovey! Very helpful. The local Lowes doesn't stock the S20 stuff. According to their website, Home Depot only has the S10 stuff. I'll have to call the local hardware store tomorrow to see if they carry it. Are there any alternative brands in case they don't?
I picked up some generic stuff (or some brand they only had available) self-leveling from home depot the other day to try out. Put a tube in the front of my boat and it looks like it's working pretty good. Have to look at the name once I get down to the shop tomorrow. Thin layers was what I started with so hopefully that works wonders.
Going to the local hardware store to see what they got. If the have anything that is self-leveling, I'm going to get it. Will one tube be enough for this ship?
My luck, the local hardware store had the Loctite S20. Got two tubes of that. Do you guys have any recommendations on how to seal the tube after it's been opened. I want to fill one rib to see what it does before I fill in everything, but I'll need to seal the tube while it cures.
as i recall, i left it in the gun and wrapped a piece of saran wrap around the tip and rubber-banded it. Pretty much the same as I would for a caulk tube.
Thanks, Nick. I put it into two rib spaces tonight. So in three days I'll probably be putting it in the whole ship.
First pour last night was a disaster. Take a look at it. I guess I'll have to put another layer over that when it's cured and hope it turns out better. Anyway, I decided to fill in two more ribs on the opposite side. You'll notice that there are actually three ribs filled in. That's what happens when somebody pumps too fast. After that I was getting a little sealer happy, and filled in the whole front of the ship. Hoping it all cures nice, otherwise I'm going to have to use my teeth to get it out.
I believe there was a Mythbusters episode on how to get cement out of a cement truck once it had solidified. Might be useful to visit that, and to see about renting a jackhammer.
Kerry, if I remember correctly that ended in one of their larger explosions. Not sure what happened to that first section but the later shots are typical of my results. Looks like some serious air bubbles came up?
Well looks like you need to cut a smaller hole next time and maybe get some time in on a caulk gun before using those tubes. I would have just filled the pockets and let it fill up to the wood or at least that is how I have been doing it. There is always next time and learning is key to anything. Remember if it starts coming out to fast pull back on the handle for the plug to relieve pressure on the contents inside the tube.
Thanks for the comments. I believe what happened is that I was using the tip of the tube to push the sealer into the corners. When doing that I think it got lots of air entrapped underneath it which caused air bubbles to rise while it was curing, causing what is seen in the photos. I've gotten most of the forward section of the hull filled, but the stern is untouched. I'm waiting to get my pump before I put the sealer in the stern because I think I need to make some modifications before it will fit.
Last night was occupied by marking the barbettes and building a servo holder. (Plus adding a much needed French accessory) So here is the overall ship. You can see the drive motor plus the battery in its approximate position. Also you can kind of see the servo holder in the stern. ( the twine taped on the bow was used to find the center of the ship for the barbettes) Here is the first pouring of sealer. It's not as bad looking as it looked before. I think I'm going to put a thin layer over top of it to get a cleaner look. Here is one of the rudders I made out of 1/8" ply. The spar varnish really brought out the grain. During the photoshoot, the French crew decided they didn't like the flag. Heh, go figure..... Here is the servo box I made for the steerage servo. Those metal pins coming up are the ends of the cotter pin used for a strut. Here is an internal view. Yes, I know everything doesn't quite line up, but I'm keeping close to my motto, "Functionality IS King" Servo sits pretty nice in there. Ok, so getting on to what this post is about. The barbettes. I'm soon going to be ordering a Co2 bottle and regulator plus two guns from BC. Is there anything I should know before I order? Enjoy,
Have you decided if you're going w/ bow guns, stern guns, or one each? I would recommend straight mags (as opposed to coil) and pay the extra for stainless steel barrels. Nothing spoils your fun quicker than a bb hit denting your brass gun barrel & making the gun inoperable.
I"m going with dual sterns. I was planning on getting the straight mags. Thanks for reminding me though. Instead of getting the SS barrels, don't some people put clear tubing over the brass ones to protect them from hits?
They do. I did w/ my first ship. Tubing ended just before end of barrel so safety pin could be inserted. I think it was my 2nd battle a bb hit the very end of the barrel, bending it inward enough to end that guns functionality. I've used the SS barrels ever since
I put armor on the barrels, and use stainless barrels. Even the stainless can get dented and stop your fire.
Good choice on duel stern guns. I lost a Stainless barrel last battle due to not having armored that one barrel. A single BB impact caused the gun to stop firing completely. I do like SS barrels as they tend to shoot more consistently than the looser tolerance brass barrels. Just armor whatever you go with.
