Another look at a WWII Gato Class Submarine

[Anuci]

I simply discarded the excess plastic. Yes, the deck sections were reinforced with strips of styrene plastic. Not sure if you are able to see them in these pics. They are white in color. Once you click onto the photo, continue to click onto the pic to enhance further. Al,

[pjdog]

Gato decking

Thanks. That's what I was thinking I should do but being a greenhorn I thought I should ask. If the info out there why not. Thanks again. Now I got some work I can do today.

Jack:D

[pjdog]

Gato flood/vents

AL:

When you drilled the bottom of the hull for flood vents, what did you use for a pattern. Just a best guess or is that something scale to the Gato?

Thanks Jack

[Anuci]

Much of everything that you will need can be conveniently purchased thru Caswell incl the vent pattern that may be used to scribe out the designated vents. Check out the gato accessories, you may want to get the set of builders DVD's as well. Very informative step by step instruction guide. Al,

[toppack]

It is important to get a Lot of fairly large holes in bottom of hull. The important thing is to get them in symetrical, parallel rows with a consistant hole size and shape.
If you try to make the holes an oval shape, like I think most of the originals were, it will take forever to get them looking good, so I recommend drilling Round holes. They're difficult enough. :rolleyes:
And very few people will know the difference. ;)

[pjdog]

flood vents holes

Thanks, Al and Rick for the info. I was concerned that I would drill flood vent holes and then later place ballast weight over the holes.

Jack:)

[toppack]

Yeah, the ballast-weights should only be located directly over keel (in center of hull), then the holes are drilled each side of weights. A few smaller holes directly in center for drain holes is okay, if there are pockets between and at ends of lead-bars, but not really needed for proper operation. Those would be drilled after installing the weights, tho.

Remember you can Not use a High-speed drill motor, it will melt the plastic and make a big Mess, with Oversized holes. Start with smaller drill bits and work up with hand drills and files. Plastic don't like power-tools.

[pjdog]

dremel tools

I found out early in the sub build that my model 285 dremel was totally a waste. It just made hot plastic. I got a lipo battery powered dremel model 800 that's great. Runs super slow, no melted plastic. It's really sweet.

jack

[toppack]

Model 800 huh! I may have to locate one those. :)

Only problem is making the large holes, as needed in bottom of hull, I don't think there's drill-bits that large for a dremel. (1/8" is the Max I think) Maybe grinder-stone type bits would work tho.
I ended up using a hand-drill to drill the final size, working up from small power-drill bits. Went fairly fast and easy that way and definitely more accurate by starting small.
There are a Lot of holes tho, just take your time and 'Someday it will all be Over'. :D

[shamrock]

vent holes

hi pj pretty much did mine the same way started with small hole with dremel. switched over to cordless drill with 1/4 inch bit .than used grinder type bit to enlarge holes had to add more holes after first test run . could not get rid of water fast enough out of hull.will take pics of hole pattern and place in album

[pjdog]

vent hole for Gato

Shamrock:

I've been using a model 800 dremel with a very slow speed setting. It doesn't melt plastic. I've also been using my Ryobi 1/4'' 14.4v drill for bigger jobs. It's also battery driven. Runs super slow and does not melt pastic. I'm pretty much stopped on the Gato until the budget catches up so I can get the Gato S/D with the disc for the build. This Caswell stuff is pure quality isn't it. I was really impressed with the type VII S/D. How do they get all that stuffed into the little cylinder? I'm looking forward to this thursday for another Caswell order that should include the balance of my type VII stuff. I just went ahead and made my own fittings kit for the type VII. Not the quality of a Caswell kit but it will do for the first sub. I'll use Caswell fittings on the next type VII/41.

Jack

[shamrock]

hi pj yes the caswell stuff is great it was a gift from the sub gods .found site by accident have been loyal fan ever since.love the way they stand behind every thing they sell true american way .been trying to add pics to album with no luck.will try to attach them here

[shamrock]

looks like no luck on pics

[Kazzer]

looks like no luck on pics

Anyone else having problems with pics? This should be straightforward. I did have some permissions set wrong, but I think I've fixed that.

[pjdog]

pictures

Kirt:

What does the processor (Forum picture processor) say after you attempt to load a picture? I've not been having any problems.

Jack