scratch-build thread

[scottericsonon]

just what the title says
post your experiences (good OR bad)
thoughts
questions and answers
advice etc

maybe our esteemed mod will see this and give us our own little section on the boat page lol

i just got off of the phone with my dad who has a for-real woodshop )he builds furniture as a hobby/psychosis

hes pretty fired up about scratchbuilding a boat as well

thanx to hydro junkie for pointing me in the right direction
and thanx to decoy (in advance)for the plans

hydro see if your buddy has the cowl for the 1959 U-00 Maverick

thats the one those plans are for right decoy?

scott

[scottericsonon]

a pic of the boat to get the old blood riled up lol

[BoatDoc]

got testosterone?

[decoy706]

WOW !!
That pic is GREAT and it matches my plans-Thanks

[Hydro Junkie]

Looks like the same one. This one just doesn't have the engine cowl installed like the Miss U S

[scottericsonon]

hydro

i think you might be right

ill have to do a little more research to comfirm but they do look awfully close

if thats the case im in great shape as far as glass parts go


another pic

[RCGUY76]

scratch building hu? first thing first.....MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PERFECTLY FLAT WORK SURFACE.....trust me....you dont want to find out your hull has a twist in it because your work platform has was slightly twisted...if you dont have one....I just go find a piece of dented counter top at the local hardware store....get it cheap...just make sure its flat....besided that.....second most important....TAKE YOUR TIME....make sure everything fits together smoothly....end up using a lot less bondo to fill the gaps and ALOT less sanding.....final thought....when its almost done and your getting excited to run it....dont half ass the paint job becuause you want to get it on the water.....that extra time will have people going WOW..look at that pretty boat...or in most cases with race boat....look at that pretty blurrrr
Good luck
Chris

[porschefan911]

This is a scratch built boat though its not nitro...i got no pics or mivies of my nitro yet.....its my first boat... plz be patient with the loading of the clip...its a big file....56k warning....if it doesnt work just get the software...everything and i mean everything on this boat is scratch built except the electronics

sparc01.costeffectivedev.com/rc

[Hydro Junkie]

I have to agree with RCGuy on the taking the time to finish it right and the flat building board, I use a particle board stand myself. I DO NOT agree with using Bondo. I would recommend epoxy and micro balloons instead. Bondo tends to not handle a flexing hull nearly as well as the epoxy mix, not to mention it's considerably heavier. We're talking a ROUND NOSED HYDROPLANE AND WEIGHT IS A BIG CONSIDERATION.

[Hydro Junkie]

Okay Doc, you will have to PM me your e-mail address so I can send you the pic of my toys "the old fashioned way" :D Unforfunately, the file was too large. Did you get it, Scott, and if so, do you know of a way to post it? :confused:

[scottericsonon]

did i get what hydro??

you can shrink pics in paint if theyre too big for on here

use the stretch/skew feature just punch in a number LEss than 100on each variable

like put in 50 to shrink it to 1/2 its size 75 for 3/4 and so on



*** are micro ballons?
looks like i have alot to learn lol

scott

[Hydro Junkie]

I E-mailed the pic to you to see what you could do with it. You wouldn't believe the trouble I had just getting it off the disc to send. And what do you need to know about micro balloons?

[scottericsonon]

hydro i got literally SECONDS after i posted that

i shrunk the pic for ya and ill put it up

HYDRO JUNKIES TOYS

Front Row (L to R) 1991 Miss Madison(1/8th scale), 2004 Oh Boy! Oberto( 1/6th scale)
Middle Row (L to R) 1973 Pay N' Pak(Sport 40), 1989 Miss Budweiser(1/8th Scale), 1999 Miss Madison(1/8th scale), 1973 Pay N' Pak(1/6th Scale)
Back Row (F to R) my 1990 and 1983 Trans Ams

[scottericsonon]

I E-mailed the pic to you to see what you could do with it. You wouldn't believe the trouble I had just getting it off the disc to send. And what do you need to know about micro balloons?

i need to know EVERYTHING about them lol

theyre something i have to worry about right??

i was planning on an all wood build then cover with glass/epoxy

tell me more
lol

scott

[Hydro Junkie]

Thanks Scott. Now MAYBE Boat Doc will be happy for a day or two :D

Okay , let's get to the micro balloons. It's a powdery like filler you mix with epoxy to make a paste as thick or as thin as you need/want. It's normally sold at the LHS, and if not, you can order it from SIG, among other places. It makes a shapable, sandable, waterproof filler with some holding power, unlike Bondo, which only fills and smooths rough spots. Micro balloons work best with medium speed epoxy, allowing time to mix the epoxy, add the filler and apply. I've said it before and I'm going to say it again, when building wooden hulled hydroplanes, WEST SYSTEMS IS A MUST. Hobby shop brands of epoxy just don't hold well enough to use on a hull that takes the pounding of a hydroplane, been there, done that :(
As far as glassing the hull, DON'T!!!!!!! All glassing the hull will do is add weight that will slow down your boat :eek: If you want to work with glass, build a plug and make a mold so you can have a glass hull. A properly built wood hull will last as long as a glass hull, IF it's properly maintained :)

[scottericsonon]

ok i see what your saying now

so you dont use glass at all?

just cover the hull with the epoxy/balloon mix thinly then take it down smooth right?


scott

[Hydro Junkie]

Wrong, its used to fill gaps and make fillets, normally. Use a slow set epoxy and coat the hull with it. When dry, sand smooth and paint with two different colors of primer. Sand the hull again and fill any low spots with the micro balloon mix. They will be shown by the not sanded off second coat of primer. Repeat process till hull has little or no top primer left, then finish the boat with the normal primer/color/clear system.

[BoatDoc]

looks like somebody has some work to do :D

[Hydro Junkie]

Who's that, you or me? :D

[BoatDoc]

you!!! i have some work to do myself, but ya know that army budget! i have a few winter projects lined up, so maybe my drive way will look like that once i get out. only a few more months, and then i can get a job that PAYS!

[Hydro Junkie]

And to think you didn't believe me :( There are three more hydros and a tug boat in the garage that are started, too. I just thought they would be overkill :D Or were you talking about the twin Trans Ams :confused:

[BoatDoc]

trans am's...? they don't intimidate me. i've got a mitsubishi starion that'll blow their doors off! anywho, do have any finished examples of your handy work?

[Hydro Junkie]

The closest one's right now are the two Pay N' Paks and the 1999 Miss Madison :) I need radios and skid fin assemblies to finish the two Paks, as well as a rudder bracket and rudder for the 1/6th scale Pak :( The Madison needs a radio, most of the running gear and LOTS OF FIBERGLASS. The cowl on it in the pic is actually from the 1991-94 Miss Budweiser. While the back half matches the real boat, the Budweiser cockpit doesn't fit the Madison. This means making a plug, a mold and a final assembly cockpit for the Madison, as well as a narrower engine cowl since I narrowed the boat's engine bay for a more scale look :cool:
Now that you've seen some of my work, are you ready to build one, or is it too much work and too complex for a wanna be airdale with a BFH? :D

[decoy706]

I'll take the Bud Cockpit(heh heh heh) and the plans to build one or you can sell me this one. BTW the company for the west systems is right here in town and has a small package available just for fixing up crashed hydros.tunnel hulls pickle forks and works great. The Maverick I'm building has already been covered but needs the top decking yet.
Any ideas on how to fix a Bud Tri hull with a waterlogged right connector between the 2 wings without cutting it in half. Fiberglass hull that split on the joint. Is this a "winter project"?

[BoatDoc]

geeez hydro, i was just poking fun!!! once i'm back in milwaukee and i get the workshop set up i'll let you know. i'd love to build a .67 size hydro or maybe even something with gas power. but since i'm addicted to nitromethane...it'll probably be the .67. but until i get home, i'm very limited on what i can do. i'm surprised that i can fit 5 boats and all the support gear into my place as it is...let alone trying to tackle a 48"+ racing hydro! so just keep your knickers on. and btw, just 'cuz you don't get to beat $6m aircraft with a BFH...don't be jealous :D

[scottericsonon]

Wrong, its used to fill gaps and make fillets, normally. Use a slow set epoxy and coat the hull with it. When dry, sand smooth and paint with two different colors of primer. Sand the hull again and fill any low spots with the micro balloon mix. They will be shown by the not sanded off second coat of primer. Repeat process till hull has little or no top primer left, then finish the boat with the normal primer/color/clear system.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhh like body work

i can do that!

sounds like a good excuse to buy that air file ive always wanted
scott

[scottericsonon]

hey i bought another set of plans

check it out
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5913816301&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT

hydro junkie and decoy ...you guys can definatly have copies if u want

anybody else inteested??


oh yeah i spotted these too http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5914171257&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

i MIGHT bid on them



scott

[billyp]

I Would Be Interested In A Copy,and Scott I've Been Useing West System For Years And Years On My Real Boats And Believe The Junkie When He Tells You That There's Nothing Better,there Are Also Different Thickening Agents To Make Stonger And Lighter And Easyer Sanding Joints,go To Your Local Boat Store And By The Smaller Cans Of Hardner And Resin And Also By The Minnie Pumps For Easyer Mixing,they Should Also Have The Thickeners,and Also Buy A Gallon Of Acetone For Cleanup An Thinning

[Hydro Junkie]

Thanks for the reminder Billy, as I forgot about those thickeners. Scott, just FYI, there is a web site for West Systems, though you will need to do a search for it. The building bug has really bit you, hasn't it? Maybe you had better look at the larger size can or resin, it's only a gallon, as well as the small size fast and extra slow hardeners.

Doc, I was only having a little fun too :) Besides, I'm a former NAVY AIRDALE. We did our work with A LITTLE BIT OF ROCK AND ROLL :D BTW, my birds were EA6B Prowlers, which cost over $45,000,000.00 each back then :D Addicted to nitromethane? What do you do, take it intravenously? Let me know when you want to get started, so I can help you out , too :)

Decoy, what would you use it for, and which one? neither fit the T-4 hull, which I think is the one you have. Your boat isn't a Thunderboat Reproductions hull, is it? You are definately looking at a winter project. To really fix it right, you will need to pull the deck off :(

[BoatDoc]

just rock and roll?? i work with a BFH, some punk-rock and a nasty attitude. it kind of applies to my boats too :D and by the way...the navy aviators just can't compete with army aviation! we may not have the big jets, but we still rule the sky! he he he

[Hydro Junkie]

I wasn't talking music on a concrete flightline. I was talking 70 feet above the ocean on a pitching flight deck. And how do army pilots rule the sky? Marines fly F18's, Cobra's and Harriers. The Navy flies F-14's, F-18's, EA-6B's, S-3 Vikings, E-2C Hawkeys, H-2 Sea Kings and H-60 Black Hawks, and that's just from the carriers. The Air Force flies F-15's, F-16's, B-1's, B-2's, F117's, A-10's, and B-52's. I haven't even gotten to the support aircraft yet. What does the army have to compare to that? Show me something the army flies that can lock on to six targets at once, fire six missiles, and have better than an 80% kill rate, and that was back in the early 70's.

[billyp]

Ha Junkie If Your Looking To Clean Up Your Shop A Little I Could Take One Of Those "almost Done's" From You. I'm Looking For A Good .40 To .90 Project For The Winter,oh Btw If Any Of You Guy's Have A Piston And Sleeve For A K&b .45 Inboard #9181 I Sure Could Use One

[decoy706]

My Bud that needs the repair is the MRP Fiberglass one others I have/2 Pro Boat boat anchors/2 MRP 1/12 ABS Buds(1 in box)/3 MRP Pringles(2 in box)/1 MRP scale? hydro the ugly one in Circus paint/2 wooden that I hope to finish someday/Dumas Miller I just bought before thinking DUH! and 2 MRP Tunnel hulls and 2 MRP Cats for when the water is rough/1 Pay & pak the small one and the large one painted in Red Atlas Van lines both Dumas. I think thats all but I'm on a Thriftway II hunt as I have a line on the plans I think from the builders son. Time will tell. What plans did you use for the Bud in the pic and how did you make the cowling? :p

[Hydro Junkie]

Got the plans from Roger Newton and bought the cowlings from the same person I contacted about the cowling for Scott's boat. Are you refering to Ron Jones SR? His father Ted designed the Slo-Mo's, Thriftway's, and Thriftway 2, amoung others. I also know Ron redesigned the Thriftway 2 for someone not too long ago. This guy is building it in 1 ft to 1 ft scale.

[decoy706]

It's the 1957 U 62 Thriftway Too that was built by Les Staudacher here in Mich designed by Ted Jones in Seattle.
Do you have a cowling list you might be able to share or should we just send you the one needed.
I want to build a 1/8 scale instead of the Circus Circus Canard I'm working on as it will end up on the shelf-guess it is banned from racing. Then I'll have an excuse to come out west for the races....

[Hydro Junkie]

Which cowling are you looking for and where did you hear the four point Circus Circus was banned?

[scottericsonon]

i found wests website
theyre on my list of must buy stuff

were really looking forward to getting started


planning on one 1/8 for me to stuff a zen into (nothin like overkill!) and a 1/12 or 1/16 for the kids to run an 8 turn and a 5-10 cell pack (depending on which kid is running it at the current time)

what do you guys recommend for wood?
i was thinking 1/4 for framing and bulkheads and 1/16 for skin
probably birch inside and mahagony for the skin

decoy did u get those plans out yet?
PM me with your snail addy and i shoot you a cope of the Slo-mo plans when i get them

Billy ill need your snail addy too if u want a set

anybody know of any books i can put my hands on to help with this project? i love learning new things and try to do ALL the research i can before starting on something

guess thats why i dont have a pretty red 1/12 Ms.Bud sitting on the shelf (sorry decoy)
i looked long and hard at those and was REAL close to buying one till i did some research

scott

[Hydro Junkie]

Hey Scott,
Let me give you a little advice on materials. 1/4 inch ply should be used only for the transoms and as doublers for engine mounts and skid fin brackets. 1/8th inch should be used for sponson transoms where a skid fin is not mounted and the sponson edge frames(the one that gives the boat its round nose). It can also be used for the air traps where more strength is needed(usually on the modern turbine hulls), and for doubling the bottom for mounting the strut or the sponson transom for the skid fin. The skid fin doubler is only needed if the sponson transoms are made of 1/8th inch plyand only if a lighter hull is the plan. 1/16th is used for EVERYTHING else. ALL PLY SHOULD BE AIRCRAFT GRADE BIRCH. If you can find three ply mahogany, go ahead and try it. My concern is it wont be flexible enough to follow the compound curves the hull design employs. Usually, boats are built using aircraft ply with either 1/32nd or (preferably) 1/64th mahogany VENEER laminated on after the hull is completely skinned. Also, using heavier ply than I have listed will give the same result as a glass coated hull, AN OVERWEIGHT SLUG! I would recommend against putting mahogany on the bottom of the hull or sponsons, as they were aluminum sheeted on the real boat. Aren't you sorry you asked for suggestions? :D

[scottericsonon]

nope not at all sorry i asked :D

onlt way im gonna learn

if u havent noticed by now i like to do ALOT of research lol

i was reading an EXCELLENT article on unlimiteds written in 1973 and youre right most of them used aluminum on the bottom here check it out i think you guy will enjoy it http://www.lesliefield.com/other%5Fhistory/roostertails_unlimited_introduction.htm

i think it might be too much weight tho for a model boat....im not that scale lol

what would you recommend skinning the lower hull with?

scott

[Micho523]

I would be intrested in a copy if you didnt mind!

[Hydro Junkie]

Same thing as the top, epoxy, primer, paint and clearcoat. On the full sized boats, the bottoms are wood, just like the top. The only difference is anywhere water can erode the hull was given a 1/16th to 1/8th aluminum "shield". Since aluminum was only screwed to the bottom, a damaged piece was just removed and replaced as needed.

[scottericsonon]

found some nice hobby type wood here http://www.woodnshop.com/hardwood/Birch_Plywoodr.htm?source=overture&OVRAW=birch%20plywood&OVKEY=birch%20plywood&OVMTC=standard

some nice looking veneers
http://www.oakwoodveneer.com/

scott

[scottericsonon]

hey hydro

why ply wood do you recommend? and wheres good to get it?

i looked at the home depot and they thought i was out of my mind when i asked about 1/16 ply lol


scott

[Hydro Junkie]

The LHS, or you can order it from Sig, if I remember right. I'm kinda lucky out here. I've got a place called B&D International that sells 60" square sheets of ply, with cost varying by thickness. I WOULD NOT use ply from a home center or lumber yard. It's normally more porus and not as strong as the aircraft grade ply. Also, on the 1/8th and 1/4, you want to get the 5 PLY PLYWOOD. It's stronger and more dense than the lumber yard ply.

[scottericsonon]

bah!!!!
the plans i got off of ebay are far from being the greatest

i think im gonna buy roger newtons tomorow when i get paid

anybody bought from him b4??

thanx scott

[Hydro Junkie]

Now then, lets talk about STUPID QUESTIONS :D I have bought plans for the 1973 Pay N' Pak, a color sheet for the 1980 Dr Toyota/Miss Madison, 1986 Budweiser turbine, 1989 Budweiser turbine, 1977 Atlas Van Lines, and color sheets for the 1991 Miss Madison and both versions of the 1992 Kellogg's Frosted Flakes :) The quality of the plans is, IMHO, above average, the paper fairly heavy and with good service( but I might be biassed since I have known Roger for close to 20 years). When you order from Roger, you will have to be patient, as he can take up to six weeks to get your order to you. Being the crew chief on the full size U-25 hasn't helped either. Let me throw out a few words of caution to the unexperienced scratch builder(and this includes you , Scott). Roger tends to use generic sponsons on his turbine hull plans, so they WILL NOT match the real boat :( If you want to go that far, I hope you have access to the real thing. Also, for those building the newer turbines with the nonsymetrical hulls, plan on taking some time with the forward most frame in the right sponson. Roger tried to cut corners when he drew the frame, so you have to modify it to make it fit right :( Beyond that, I haven't had any problems working from his plans. One other note, HE DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY KIND OF INSTRUCTIONS. Let me know if there is anything else anyone wants to know ;)

[scottericsonon]

ok ok ok i agree
that WAS a stupid question

but u answered my main one hydro lol
i knew his website said 6wks turn around time was just checking up on that


no turbines here so no worries in regards to that

i dont need no stinkeen instructions!!!!! lol

isnt that what i have YOU for hydro???? jk/jk/jk ( i really DO appreciate all your help on this)

hey how close r u to the hydro muesuem out there? i know uve photod some real boats
or is that a once in a great while thing??


i need pics of the U-27 Slo-Mo-Shun IV thats the final decision on what boat im building i have a handful but more would be nice so i can get all the detail down


thanx scott

[scottericsonon]

THIS is the boat im looking for pics of

scott

[scottericsonon]

i thought u guys appreciate this

just plain facinating

http://www.lesliefield.com/Default.htm

scott

[Hydro Junkie]

Depends on the day of the week as to how far away I am ;) Distance wise, about 50 miles, though during the week it can seem like a hundred :eek: Now I'm going to through a curve at you. The Slo Mo IV isn't in the Hydroplane and Race Boat Museum. It's in the Museum of History and Industry, located just off the campus of the University of Washington. I'll have to do a little checking on how to get there, as last time I was there I was still in ELEMENTARY SCHOOL :( The Slo Mo V, however, IS at the HARM :) The only differences between the two are the V has one seat instead of two, has a rear fairing for the cockpit, is 6" wider and has a yellow cowling instead of red. Would you want pics of that boat too? :D BTW, what happened to the Maverick :confused: You do realize the Slo Mo's are MAHOGANY covered hulls don't you?

[scottericsonon]

yessir i DO know that

IN FACT thats the main reason i chose that particular boat

i mean its got a GREAT history <world record and all that>but that mahogany hull just sets it off

so much cooler than most of the other boats (IMHO)

the maverick is still in the works however on a MUCH smaller scale (maybe 1/16)electric powered for the kiddos to run

i appreciate the effort but id mainly be interested in pics of IV (U-27) well and the maverick of course


thanx scott

[Hydro Junkie]

Just wanted to make sure you know what you're getting yourself in to :eek: As for the Maverick, go with 1/10th scale electric. The larger boat can handle more power(as the kid(s)get better), is easier to see and build, but most importantly, IT DRAWS MORE ATTENTION :D I just thought of something else. If you get tired of the electric drive, IT IS BIG ENOUGH FOR A .15 TO .21(It's beginning to look alot like NITRO :D ). Sorry, couldn't resist that one :o What do you think?

[scottericsonon]

1-10 on the maverick would be a nice size too about 36"x14.4 or there abouts

regular 540 sized motor power that ok?


how would you recommend doing the hull on Slo-mo?

i was thinking of doing all of it except mahogany do the 2 color primer thing getting EVERYTHING nice and level THEN laying mahogany EDGE veneer (its 1"strips so it will look like planking)over that

sound like an idea?? than probably a super thin coat of epoxy just enough to seal the veneer

i got the ebay plans theyre in some oddball scale between 10th and 11th LOL

builds a 36" boat REAL boat is 336"
i THINK theyre 10th scale plans for some other boat
theres no boat name anywhere on tha plans

oh well i ordered the slo-mo IV plans off of roger so its a waiting game now

scott

[scottericsonon]

another pic for your enjoyment

[Hydro Junkie]

A real Beauty, isn't she? Too bad Detroit hated her. Ready for a history lesson? Check out the grain of the skin on the side. Notice how it runs DIAGONAL! The plywood(yes, I said plywood) was specially made for the Slo Mo's, with the grain running diagonal instead of lengthwise. This was due to the original deck separating while it was running. Many things were tried, but only changing the skin worked. The chrome stripe down the side(below the name) was a second modification to the boat. After seeing the V outcorner the IV, the team determined the difference in turning ability was due to the V being a little wider and the V's bevelled nontrips. As the IV's design wouldn't let the bevel be removed, it was added to the outside of the hull. This one change put the two Slo Mo's on such even footing that the drivers actually had a competition between them, for bragging rights :cool:
Sorry about going on and on and........................ Most of the guys use a 1/32nd or 1/64th veneer. I don't see why your edge tape wouldn't work, AS LONG AS IT'S BUTTED UP TIGHT to the preceeding piece. I wouldn't worry about going too perfect on the deck, either. These boats were FAR FROM PERFECT when it came to finishing them. The skin SHOULD NOT look planked. Instead, the grain should run diagonally forward from the center of the boat. I'll have to get some pics on this one ;)

[scottericsonon]

well heres the stuff i was thinking of http://www.oakwoodveneer.com/prices/prices_edge_glued.html

you think a SOLID sheet would look more scale??

i was thinking the strips would be easier to lay and to more realisticly replicate the diagonal plywood on the sides as well

diagonally forward on the deck?? so like this /\???? or like this \/???? assuming youre looking from the front of the boat

i remember reading PART of tha before....wasnt the IV actually FASTER in the sraights then the V?

scott

[Hydro Junkie]

When I was involved in rebuilding the V, the outboard end of the grain was forward of the inboard or center end when we finished. I'll have to look at the IV to let you know for sure on it :confused: As for which one was faster, one of the guys I worked with during the V rebuild actually was on the 1951-54(or was it 55, can't remember exactly) pit crew for the V. He told many stories about some of the things that happenned between the boats and crews in the Slo Mo's heydays. One of the stories was about an early race, with the IV and V running 1 and 2. The V was inside the IV holding lane 1. As he told the story, the V would round the corner almost twice as fast as the IV, seemingly with an unsurmountable lead. As the boats ran up the backstretch, he could see the IV's Roostertail gaining on the V all the way down the straghtaway. The boats were dead even going into the corner, just to repeat the sequence throughout the race. Being many years ago, don't remember who he said won :(
The story was repeated two decades later, with the Pay N' Pak and Miss Budweiser doing the same on Lake Washington, with the Pak just holding off the Bud for the win. What most people don't know is the Budweiser from that race was the Pride of Pay N' Pak just a year or two prior, making it Pak against former Pak. Isn't it nice how history repeats itself :D

[Hydro Junkie]

Okay Scott, any word on the Slo Mo plans yet? I'm ready to start teaching, unless you want to get into Boatdocs and my little shoot out.

[BoatDoc]

shoot out?? i'm thinking SMACK DOWN!!!! mmmm...34.2" miss atlas with an ops .45, i'm so gonna whoop ya hydro!

[Hydro Junkie]

The only smack is coming from you. Now pipe down like a good little ? and keep the smack off the site :D

[BoatDoc]

hydro...do you have any good color pics of the '77 atlas? i'd like to try and get the paint job right. this is one of those projects that i'll dump a little extra time into. all the smack is the result of not being able to use my hammer. stupid shoulder had to get ripped up :mad: i wish i could start building right now, but by the time the plans would get here, i'd be packing to go back to milwaukee.

[Hydro Junkie]

I don't, but you might find some of a finished model at www.rcunlimiteds.org. Check out the Our Boats section, there should be something

[scottericsonon]

DAMN "COMPOOPERS"!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sorry ive been MIA thing crashed i dunno what the "F" happened but i lost EVERYTHING!

120gigs of music games and ummmmmmmm errrrrrrr "adult"material

just now getting going again

id show u some pics of the new baby but i havent installed my USB drivers yet or my camera

XBLADE lighted case

3.06gig P4 (800FSB)

gigabite mobo with 6 channel surround

my old gforce video card

gig of 3200 DDR
7!!!! case fans

2 120 gig WD hds

XP professional

im gonna try to rebuild the old rig for the kids

i think the HD up and died in it

ok back to boats

nothing going on yet on that front
still waiting for my plans from newton

got the shovel from ebay it IS a dumas
gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

i think were going to paint it and have the little woman put clock guts in it and hang it on the wal

scott

[Hydro Junkie]

NO NO NO, IT'S STILL A BOAT(?), even if it is a Dumas. It would be a good playtoy for the kids at the lake, if it really floats. Not much going on on this front either. Lack of cash has REALLY SLOWED ME DOWN. Hopefully, I'll get the cash to get the parts I need over the next few weeks so I can go start buying the radio gear that's been holding me up. Did you want me to put a burr under Newton's saddle to see if I can hurry him up?

[scottericsonon]

hydro if you want to you could but no need to go out of your way to do it

kinda cash strapped at the moment anyhow

im not going to tell u what i spent building the new computer but it was more thana full paycheck lol

scott\

[Hydro Junkie]

I know the feeling. I had my 20 year old Pentax Super Program repaired and overhauled a while back. Cost me as much as buying a new body. Worse still, had to buy a new lens, since the cheap one I had wouldn't focus any more. Can we say $325.00 combined. The camera may be old, but with the new lens, it takes FANTASTIC PICS. From what I've seen, it takes better pics than some of the high dollar digitals out there :) Gee, the $325 would have just about bought a Futaba 9CAP I want :D

[Hydro Junkie]

Hey Scott, You've Got Mail, but then come to think about it, so does Boatdoc

[scottericsonon]

yup yup yup

got it
thanx

[Hydro Junkie]

HEY SCOTT, how about an update? What's happening with the Mighty Mo?

[abx131]

HJ here is an idea, why not sell acouple of partial hulls down on your list to finish some of the ones at the top of your list??? Are you ever going to finish all eight??? You know once you finish one you will be too busy tweeking it to work on the others.

[abx131]

Hey Scott, I have discovered a local woodworker's stor in my area and I saw that stuff you were looking at. It is made for reskinning cabinets and It is most likely too heavy. The veneer is thick and the glue is also thick. You also have to use an iron to apply it which could prove difficult on curved surfaces.

[scottericsonon]

no updates on ANYTHING

still havent gotten the plans from rodger

oh well the point is moot as right now im rebuilding the engine in my bronco and dont have any money anyhow lol

scott

[Hydro Junkie]

Rebuilding an engine, building a computer, you haven't had the best of luck these past few months have you Scott. Not to worry, Once plans are "in hand", the minor problems (I. E. engine rebuilds) will just fall to the wayside and become AFTER BOAT projects. Isn't that how it works? :D

[scottericsonon]

Hydro

the bronco was a freebie
i mean literally it was GIVEN to me with a blown up engine

guy that gave it to me bought new bearings and engine gasket kit and a new clutch BEFORE he pulled the engine

pulled it to find out skirt on number 3 piston had a chunk missing

he was like "look man im tired of putting money imn this thing..... u want it ? u can HAVE IT.....along with the new parts"

SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

81 Bronco 4 speed with the creeper low 4WD 300CI straight 6

so i set to ripping the engine apart intake valve is hanging open on cyl #3

valve is bent guide and seat are AFU

but otherwise engine looks REAL good

cylinders are all within spec no scratches on the walls or anything

so im surfing around on Ebay find a COMPLETE set of brand new pistons and rings
3 days left opening bid is 25 bucks no bids so far

SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 51 dollars +15 for shipping

past weekend im helping my buddy Gary (he owns the local junkyard i usually go in and give him a hand on sat AMs pulling parts pays cash lol)

im telling him about this and he has a head that i "can HAVE if i pull it"

pull the valve cover and the top of the head looks IMMACULATE!!!!!!!!

i pull it off and it just looks GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

start looking it over and notice an unusual mark on all the rockers

turns out its a federal mogul mark

replacement rockers..................... new valves etc////........REBUILT HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

im TRYING to get it going by the end of this month im still waiting for my cam from summit

then some stuff has to go to the machine shop befor i can futz with it

im currently driving a little hot wheels car (94 laser) but im a truck guy from WAY back

so anyhow the bronco has been GOOD luck so far

scott

[BoatDoc]

hey scott--when you're done, i've got an '87 starion that needs some engine work done :D but really, that sounds like a fun project, it's been a while since i've really jumped into a car like that. i kinda miss that stuff.

[Hydro Junkie]

Okay, I stand corrected, on the truck anyway :D

[abx131]

wow HJ I cant believe I slid that one past you with out a reply?? You had better look back through this one. I though I would surely have you firing back.

[Hydro Junkie]

I just figured you were giving me a hard time and let it go. Besides, if I really want to sell one, all I have to do is say "Decoy, I got a Bud for sale. Are you interested?" and it would be sold.

[abx131]

Dont do that to Decoy, Teasing isn't fun.

[Hydro Junkie]

Who's teasing? Just making an observation, that's all.

[decoy706]

As Rodney would have said "I don't get no respect"
Bidding on another Bud now -one of these days I'll get the one I really want and then it's "Westward Ho"

[Hydro Junkie]

So what's stopping you from "Westward Ho" now? If you win the boat, it can be mailed to the West Coast as easy as anywhere else. And what do you mean No Respect? If I decide to sell one of the partially completed boats, you would be one of the first one's I'd offer one to.

[decoy706]

As the proud ? owner of 7 Bud's -3 Pringles-1 Atlas even if it's painted wrong-1 Pay & Pak-7 unbuilt Dumas various kits -1 Circus Cunard 1/8 scale and 4 Electric Thunders including 3 round noses and 3 hydros in the building stages I still ain't got the one I want and can't travel west as all the money is tied up but come next fall starting with Tri-Cities Hmmmmm we'll see

[scottericsonon]

HJ

got ur email ill have to check on that

do me a favor and TRY to start using the MSN addy ok guy?

thx
scott

[Hydro Junkie]

Sorry about that, started punching in the address and when the rest popped up on the screen, I just used what popped up. I'll see about deleting the other address.

[Hydro Junkie]

Hey Boatdoc,
You wanted pics of the 1977 Atlas, will really good shots of the 1982 Atlas do? Both boats are painted almost identically, though there are some differences around the cockpit (due to it being a slightly different shape), on the front half of the cowling and the placement of the Atlas Van Lines on the deck(it's further forward on the 77 hull as it doesn't have the blowhole between the canard and ramwing). One thing I'm not sure about is the front of the ramwing on the 82 boat. On the 77 hull, the dark blue stripe runs acoss the front of the ramwing, while I think it just wraps under the hull on the 82. I'll have to do more checking on that one. In the meantime, the address is www.thunderboats.org. There are some great pics of the 1980 Budweiser as well, for the Bud fans out there. This will get you to the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum website. Once there, click on NEWS, then MORE PHOTOS in the Seattle Spectacle box. That will get you to over 100 pics from the Seafair race. Have fun looking through them :)

[scottericsonon]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

EXCELLENT link HJ........................

good thing im on hi speed now

lol

scott

[Hydro Junkie]

So, what part did you like best? BTW, I'm planning on going down to the Hydro Museum this morning. Do you want pics of anything Scott? How bout you Boatdoc? I know better than to ask Decoy :D

[BoatDoc]

hj-you should know better than to ask if anyone wants pics. shoot 'em and post 'em!!

[Hydro Junkie]

I was talking something specific Boatdoc

[Hydro Junkie]

I found out four things today at the Hydroplane Museum:
1) The 77 Atlas is in worse shape than I thought :( Part of the right sponson is actually missing, the paint's fading and peeling and the wing, tails and cowling are now on the 82 Atlas(after molds were made from them)
2) The Hurricane IV is on the board as the next to be rebuilt :) It's got holes in the deck and is a real mess :(
3) It's not possible to get shots inside the Museum without a flash, though I did try :(
4) No news has come from the Budweiser shop on the fate of the team :(
I did take some pics of the 77 Atlas for you Boatdoc, but they wont be much to look at, it's in that bad of shape. The Hurricane might surprise some of you in it's hull shape, even though it has a tarp over the engine bay and hole. Got a shot of a limited boat outside the building too, for those that like their boats a little smaller. I'll post all of these when I finish off the roll of film in the camera :)

[scottericsonon]

hey i finally got my plans for the slo mo from roger

they look REALLY nice

hydro
whos good for wood and stuff?

i had all that crap searched out and lost it in my old computer

scott

[Hydro Junkie]

I would look at Sig Manufacturing at www.sigmfg.com. Option two is if you have a small airport with an ultralight or experimental club, see if they can steer you towards a supplier of larger sheets of aircraft grade ply. Option three is the dreaded LHS. BTW, did you ever get any West Systems epoxy?

[scottericsonon]

hydro

hadnt really picked up ANYTHING for the boat yet

ive looked at the WEST stuff and am 99% sure thats what im going to use

still working on this damn bronco lol
so my time and funds are somewhat tied up

plus im supposed to build my Dad AND my little sister new computers

realistically im PROBABLY not going to be able to get started on her till tgiving as much as id like to before then

scott

[scottericsonon]

hey i was looking at wood for the slo mo

u guys might want to look at Balsa USA for wood

SIG...............1/16X12X48 3ply AIRCRAFT GRADE BIRCH......16.25per(im going to need about 10 sheets for my hull as near as i can figure)

SIG ..........1/8X12X48 5 ply aircraft grade birch...................22.79per

]
BALSA USA...............1/16X12X48 3ply AIRCRAFT GRADE BIRCH......7.04 PER !!!!!!

BALSA USA ..........1/8X12X48 5 ply aircraft grade birch...................11.70 PER!!!!


BIG difference.................

on MY boat ill save WELL over 100bucks in wood just from ordering it from a different place

scott

[Hydro Junkie]

If you can save a $ or $$, I say go for it

[scottericsonon]

hey hydro...............

looking at my plans today

ive got the extry cash to start ordering wood

shes going to be 1/8th scale

im thinking ONE 12X48X1/4"

TWO 12X48X1/8"

and TEN 12X48X1/16"

sound about right????

any quick tips before i dive in??

scott

[Hydro Junkie]

Don't think you will need 10 of the 1/16th ply sheets, probably more like six would work. It's always good to have extra on hand for later projects and repairs though :) I would order some 1/4" square spuce stock 48" long. I would recommend at least 10 of them, along with several 1/4 by 1/8th spruce stock the same length. It bends easier in some areas than the 1/4" stock will. As for tips, be sure to preplan everything before cutting and glueing. By laying out several frames on a sheet of ply, one trip to the saw will mean several frames and less wasted wood :cool: Also, be sure to have a building jig to keep every thing square. I use a simple one made from 1/2" particle board 48" long, cut to the tunnel width with 2X2s screwed to the bottom. Using the scrap particle board for legs, it works well for building. One MUST DO is be sure the right sponson transom and the stern transon are parallel. Having them not parallel will affect handling and speed considerably :( Any other questions before you start? :D