Blogs

Missouri Update

Posted Sat, 03/06/2010 - 14:31 by Charles

So, I was able to get my hands on some plastic sealant (similar to tool-dip) today and re-sealed the interior and internal mount points on Missouri. This should prevent the cat from smelling residue of previous marking. Also, I'm working up a carrier/storage box similar to what Gniesenau had. That way, I can safely store the boat without worying about the cat once again getting access and "marking" the boat as his. Once this all dries, I'll resume working on the electrical refit.

ARGH

Posted Sat, 03/06/2010 - 04:22 by William

Nothing done on the boat...speed controler just sitting there...Had other things to do.  My computer got a virus and the software to remove it completely messed up my registery file to the point that I had to reinstall everything (tonight just installed the basics).  I did upgrade to Windows 7 so it is going slower as I learn it's quirks (and turn off the anoying anti-idiot stuff built into it).  It will probably be a few days of this because of work.   Hopefully Sunday (finally a day off), I can get the system back the way I want it...

Speed Control - Check

Posted Thu, 03/04/2010 - 23:34 by William

Ok check off the Speed controler, Fed Ex just delivered it today.  It's bigger than my old one but much thinner.  Of course KGV has plenty of room so that is just a side note and not a problem.  Now to find the time...........

Quick Test Firing

Posted Tue, 03/02/2010 - 19:56 by Brian

DSCN0973.JPGI took a little time to mess around with the barrel bends again. I somewhat accidentally discovered that the PVC glue bonds strong enough to press fit barrels and risers into the barrel bends. This will eliminate two of the metal parts I had planned to use. I also did some test fires through the barrel bends. Everything worked great except the guns seemed to be firing a little soft. I will probably have to wait until the weekend to investigate more.

Armored Harbor

Posted Tue, 03/02/2010 - 15:02 by Drew

I've been thinking building some sort of armored harbor for Huntington to park in when she's not needed and I think I may finally have a viable design.  This involves modifying a styrofoam cooler by cutting off one end and cutting a hole in the bottom.  Then I can toss this in the water upside down.  Hopefully it will float and might require some balasting to make it float level since one end was cut off.  Either way it would hopefully provide some protection from stray rounds damaging the club's rescue boat.  I hope to go shopping for foam ice chests in the next we

Servos

Posted Tue, 03/02/2010 - 14:48 by Drew

I've noticed that many people in the club seem to be unaware of a lot of the sweet new available out there.  Some of these are:

Micro:  Hitec HS-65 - plastic (HB) or metal gears (MG) -- small strong and fairly quick

Mini: TS-35 (Tower Hobbies)  At $20 this thing can't be beat for strength or speed.  I however haven't heard any anecdotal experience about this servo.

Made Test Risers

Posted Mon, 03/01/2010 - 21:42 by Brian

DSCN0971.JPGI took a little time tonight to knock out some test risers for the Barrel Bends I roughed out yesterday. I am trying to get enough together to test fire some rounds through them by the end of the week. I was really surprised to find that even with the risers loosely fit in they held the barrel bends in alignment very well - even without being bolted in place!!!

Ordered New ESC for KGV

Posted Mon, 03/01/2010 - 17:54 by William

Those at the last meet remember the unique speed control I was using (since KGV was built, wow) finally blew out (fortunately not horifically) and I was running with my LSTs speed control.  Well I finally broke down and bought a Pro boat Marine (waterproff) speed controler.  I should get it in about a week.  I also bought some plastic PVC sections to redo/relocate the firing control servo mount.  I am going to basically redo a lot of the internals (espically the wiring) in KGV to take advantage of the new technology that is out now (as opposed to when KGV was built,

Lumpy

Posted Mon, 03/01/2010 - 09:42 by Tom

What is Lumpy's rudder made out of????

Sanding had very litle effect on it.

Had to use a grinder!

It looks like that rock hard, gray epoxy!

Once I had flattend the port side, I found that it still came no where near to having the ruddered centered on the screw.  (Prop for you non naval types)  Found out the the rudder post hole is on an angle.

Pressed the rudder post tube out of the hull and filled the hole with a dowl rod and wood filler.

Started Making Barrel Bend

Posted Sun, 02/28/2010 - 18:40 by Brian

DSCN0959.JPGI am not going to post many details as I don't know if this is going to work or not. However, I did make some progress making the machined barrel bends today. Plus the PVC glue does seem to be be at least as strong as the PVC itself. So this might just work. If it does then it should trim amost two inches off of the height of Nassau's barrels. I am hoping to install them at scale height. Here are a few random pictures from today.