Nautilus Drydocks - Yesterday's work

[RCSubGuy]

Yesterday's work!


Not much in the way of photos, but lots done yesterday! The morning was taken up putting together a wooden bar that we'd ordered back in December. We are renovating our outdoor patio area and we'd been waiting on the mail-order bar forever. Turned out to be pretty cheap construction, but it was also inexpensive and easy to put together. Word to the wise... don't order from www.johnsbars.com!.

Work on the control boxes for XXI! Got all of the wiring completed for control of the bow thrusters, installed the linkage outputs for the four forward servos, installed the magnetic mount for the rear control box, created the wire harness for the bow thrusters and vent solenoids.



Logan and I also got a lot of work done on the Batsub. New cylinder mounting brackets installed, linkages connected, and we decided we're going to outfit it with a complete LED lighting system as well!

[Subculture]

For ABS Just need a heated bed (most printers have them), a reasonable hot end to cope with the higher temps and encase the whole thing in a box to keep temperatures constant . A cardboard box with a plastic window works well enough. Doesn't smell as nice as PLA though.

I have a Creality Ender 2, which I think is now out of production, but you can get an ender 3, which is every bit as good and gives you a bit more bed space. Good value machine IMO, you'll have to spend a LOT more to get a better machine for FDM.

[RCSubGuy]

It will help, but even epoxy tends to soften up in high heat.

To be honest, there is no substitute for a solid, fiberglass hull. That said, I the reason I am going down the path of making these files is to hook people into the hobby at a cheaper price point. Once they have the taste, they can invest in a more traditionally manufactured hull that will last decades.

My next 3D file will be USS Nautilus, SSN 571 in 1/72 scale. I've got the files done and I'm currently printing the prototype in ABS plastic. No worries about heat, and the details are turning out really well so far. I realize that most people don't have printers capable of ABS printing. Most cheap ones out there will only be PLA and similar. Like everything else in this hobby, you pay to play. If you go the 3D route, you need to invest in something that will be able to print in durable material. ABS is a great choice.

Yesterday's work!:

Spent the morning with Logan packing up orders, including that monster 35th scale Disney Nautilus, which sold within an hour of listing it up! Packing consisted of reinforcement of all protruding appendages with 1" thick styrofoam board, then 3" of 1/2" bubble wrap, a glued double cardboard box, and expanding foam packs to hold it all in place.



Some work on the Batsub! Swapped out the pair of LiPo's for a single larger cell contained in the cylinder versus outside it as is the usual case with the older D&E design. It's completely self-contained now. Linkages cleaned up a bit, existing bulkhead expanded to accommodate a 3.5" versus the original 3" cylinder., bulkhead re-adhered to the hull, and new support brackets fabricated and on the printer.



The rest of the day was spent on the XXI. The forward module is about 90% done now. I just need to install the servo headers to connect the boxes so that they can talk to one another. Other than that, they're getting close to ready for install. Here is the forward box sitting in place about where it will be installed in the model:




I finished printing out one of Oto Gerza's spectacular 48th scale German Type XXI models. The photoetch is on it's way to me. I'm astounded at the degree of engineering that he put into the kit. It really is outstanding. Hull access is via a transverse break forward and aft, so you slip your cylinder in from the front or back. It's set up for a 3.5" cylinder. I'll play with this in my free time (chuckle). This print is in PLA, but I'm thinking of re-printing in ABS so it's bulletproof before I put all that gorgeous photoetch on it.



Here is the rear motor module of the big XXI. The motor shafts form the rear holddown mechanism. Installation will be exceptionally easy, and you'll have complete access to the interior without having to remove the box, too!




Bow thrusters are mounted, too! I used a pair of stainless steel brackets epoxies to the hull. I'm hoping these 1100gph bilge pumps will turn this beast well!

[george]

A question for Bob reg. the melted sub hull.
Bob do you think in your video of the Astute assembly, you recommended a coating of epoxy covering the Astute hull and painting the interior. Do you think that should be enough to prevent such outdoor heat damage? What about the appendages?

[RCSubGuy]

No, a gentleman by the name of Randy. I don't know that Dwayne's CAD skills are up to that level (though I could be wrong!).

Yesterday didn't see a lot of building getting done, but there was a lot of other work going on. I sold the big Nautilus within minutes of listing it for sale on my site and sending my newsletter out. If you haven't subscribed to my newsletter, it's a monthly summary of what I did over the previous 30 days, upcoming products, announcements, etc. If you haven't signed up, I recommend it!

Most of my time was spent cleaning my home shop. Over the years, my parts bins got polluted and filled with all sorts of miscellaneous stuff n' things. It's amazing what I found when I was digging through all of the bins, drawers and shelves. There is definitely something cathartic about cleaning and organizing. Walking into the garage now is deeply satisfying! Sometimes you just need to take a break from the work and let the simple act of organizing something rest your brain.



Logan got the base coat of paint onto the Batsub. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, this boat started life as a Holland 6 hull that David Merriman won at a SubCommittee raffle eons ago. He converted it to something fun, great-performing and fun to drive. It ended up in storage for years until he gifted me the model a few months ago. Once we got it here, my son, Logan, fell in love with it and I put him in charge of the entire refurbishment, including sourcing, setting up and installing a new cylinder, cleaning up the linkages, and putting a new paint job on her.

We're getting close now. Hopefully within a few weeks she will be wet!



During cleaning, I stumbled on a whole box of brand new hobby knives that I got from Don ages ago. It's time to find them a good home. From now until they're gone, every order shipped receives a free hobby knife!



As part of my deal to take on Matt Thor's products, I ended up with beautiful CAD files for the 571 Nautilus. I have the blank hull master in 72nd scale, but as I now cad the 3D files, I will be making this my next 3D file offering, rendered in 1/96 scale. It shouldn't take long to flesh out with drain holes, limber holes, etc. I think it will be a really slick model when it's all done! I'm excited!

[Rick Teskey]

Who was the Canadian? Dwayne?

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

A lot done with few photos to show for it!


Lots of progress on the forward command module for the XXI. I played around with using a smaller gearpump for the periscopes, but it was designed for 6V and while it pumped as well as the big one on 12V, it was screaming and I don't like the long-term reliability forecast for it. That said, I'll stick with the big, oversized pump. The good thing about that is that the new owner could potentially plumb in other features that could be hydraulically actuated at the same time as the periscopes with plenty of flow to spare.



Today's tragedy (that David will no doubt secretly or not so secretly revel in). I was working on the new LA 3D printed prototype, doing some filling, sanding and priming. I wet-sand most of my work now, so I was working outside. I laid on some filler primer and then got a call from my former employer regarding a project that I'm working on for them. I had to drop my stuff and head inside for just shy of an hour.

When I got back, the entire hull was, for lack of a better term, melted. The upper hull, having been printed at a thickness of 2.5mm, was flattened, having spread about 2" from where it was supposed to be. The lower hull is thicker at 4mm thickness, but still warped along the entire length.

Could it be salvaged? Eh, maybe, but it would take a couple of hours of heating, bracing, cooling, heating and re-bracing, and it might never get back to proper shape. Taking my licks, I busted it back into it's component sections and threw it in the recycle bin. This will give me the chance to modify the files to make assembly easier, stronger, and incorporate the bulkheads for mounting the cylinder, too.

As a reminder, this file was created in conjunction with a gentleman up in Canada. He did the lion's share of the design, and I tweaked the files for better RC application. Hoping to nail this down and offer the files in the coming weeks.



Other than that, a few orders shipped and a big shipment of cardboard boxes on a pallet received, unpacked and put into stock.

https://youtu.be/EaDzkyplitE

David
Buggy Whip Maker

[RCSubGuy]

A lot done with few photos to show for it!


Lots of progress on the forward command module for the XXI. I played around with using a smaller gearpump for the periscopes, but it was designed for 6V and while it pumped as well as the big one on 12V, it was screaming and I don't like the long-term reliability forecast for it. That said, I'll stick with the big, oversized pump. The good thing about that is that the new owner could potentially plumb in other features that could be hydraulically actuated at the same time as the periscopes with plenty of flow to spare.



Today's tragedy (that David will no doubt secretly or not so secretly revel in). I was working on the new LA 3D printed prototype, doing some filling, sanding and priming. I wet-sand most of my work now, so I was working outside. I laid on some filler primer and then got a call from my former employer regarding a project that I'm working on for them. I had to drop my stuff and head inside for just shy of an hour.

When I got back, the entire hull was, for lack of a better term, melted. The upper hull, having been printed at a thickness of 2.5mm, was flattened, having spread about 2" from where it was supposed to be. The lower hull is thicker at 4mm thickness, but still warped along the entire length.

Could it be salvaged? Eh, maybe, but it would take a couple of hours of heating, bracing, cooling, heating and re-bracing, and it might never get back to proper shape. Taking my licks, I busted it back into it's component sections and threw it in the recycle bin. This will give me the chance to modify the files to make assembly easier, stronger, and incorporate the bulkheads for mounting the cylinder, too.

As a reminder, this file was created in conjunction with a gentleman up in Canada. He did the lion's share of the design, and I tweaked the files for better RC application. Hoping to nail this down and offer the files in the coming weeks.



Other than that, a few orders shipped and a big shipment of cardboard boxes on a pallet received, unpacked and put into stock.

[RCSubGuy]

So, mostly housekeeping yesterday.

Picked, packed and shipped three starter kits and two small orders. I've started revising the website to reflect the new products and pricing. I also had a two-hour meeting with a customer for consult work throwing back to my previous employment.

No pictures, but rest assured, it was a full day.

[george]

Never mind picture #1 you working on a six pack. How about a kegger?

[SteveNeill]

Bob so glad to see them there. No matter how many times I ship boats I always sweat it!

[RCSubGuy]

Yesterday's work:


It's a pre-Easter miracle! After talking through the lost shipment of cylinders with FedEx for about half an hour, they reviewed the GPS logs of the driver and determined that he dropped the boxes two doors down. That neighbor is down here only seasonally, so no one has been home there for weeks. While I was on the phone, I walked over and.. sure enough... there was the missing box! HUGE sigh of relief.

I also wanted to acknowledge David M's massive generosity in offering to work with me in case the box was never found. Having to absorb that kind of loss would have been a huge blow to my business.



More work on the XXI!: I completed most of the work on the rear drive module and moved on to the forward compartment. This one will house the geared water pump for hydraulically actuating the periscopes, an ESC to control that, an HP15 switch to control the bow thrusters, and four servos, one each for: retracting planes, bow planes, torp doors and torp launch. I may link the torp doors and retracting planes to operate from one servo, freeing up one for future expansion. That means that the torp doors will open when the planes extend, which is basically what you'd want anyway. We'll see how I feel when I start hooking up linkages.

All four servos are running linear conversions.



I also worked on installing the bow thrusters in the XXI. I'd originally envisioned using my own bow thruster design. In testing, however, I couldn't replicate the efficiency and performance of out-of-the box Rule bilge pumps. Stupid me should have thought of that earlier. In this setup, each thruster works to push the boat in one direction, blowing through a stainless steel mesh. They're forward enough that they'll get a great turning moment about the length of the model. To save channels, I'll likely rig these up with rudders. Because I'm using the HP15 switch, they won't come on until rudder hits about 50% throw, whether the boat is moving forward or not.



I also had time to fabricate and install the emergency gas backup system. This will be plumbed into the pressure equalization channel, so it will be manually controllable and also automatically triggered by the onboard BLM.



New boats!

I ended up trading Steve for his gorgeous 35th scale Nautilus and an old 32nd Parallel Type VII. They were shipped freight on a massive wooden pallet and they arrived yesterday from California. I enlisted the help of my son, Logan, to unpack and demolish the pallet. Nothing like prying at a massive wooden pallet with a claw hammer in 90 degree heat to help build character!



The boats are really unique and I'm very happy with them. The Nautilus is built from the now out-of-production Custom Replicas 66" kit. This one had a really interesting story in that it started as a commissioned build for Steve years and years ago. I shipped him the kit and it arrived with twin dually truck tire tracks directly down the center of it. UPS paid for a new kit, but Steve worked model magic on the damaged hull and brought it back to glorious life once again, building it into his personal boat.

This one has full LED lighting and all of the Gen 3 upgrades, including the photoetched brass deck and upgraded wheelhouse. It was originally built for an OTW cylinder, but I am loving the MSS modular box idea so much that I'm thinking I'll slate that for this boat if and when someone commissions me to build it for them.



The second boat started as a standard 32 Parallel hull and then Steve added his own tower. Lots of extra details added such as weld lines.

It was built using the old school dry hull methodology. Basically there were three compartments. While it's possible that it could have been resuscitated and re-launched using the original guts, I decided that the boat deserved better. Within 30 minutes, I had it completed gutted and ready for installation of a new, modern cylinder. Due to the hull access, I'm thinking a 3" tube for the motors and servos and a 4" diameter tank would be ideal.



Both of these boats will eventually find their way onto my site to be offered for sale. Stand by for more details once I get them listed!

Today will see some consult work for my former employer. Not sub-stuff, so likely no update there. I'm also picking and packing orders that these lost SubDrivers go with. Not glamorous, but necessary to keep you customers happy!


Bob

[Subculture]

Never seen figures for how many members voted in the SC elections.

I don't know anything about any misappropriation of funds, but have had experience of it happening in another society I used to belong to. It's a very difficult thing to prove usually, as most positions rely to some extent on a degree of trust. In the case I remember funds obtained via raffles, tea money etc. was pocketed by a section leader and used as a personal piggy bank for fags and booze, and because it was all cash in hand with no receipts, there was no paper trail.

He also drained a club account to just a few pounds- enough to prevent the account being closed and alerting suspicion. That money was paid back, but by other club members who were related to the individual concerned, and only on condition that the club chairman didn't go to the police about the matter. Caused quite a row at the time.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

With regards to the SC, I haven't been a memebr for about three years now. I think my last post over on their forum was to challenge why they needed the best part of twenty thousand dollars in the bank when the costs of running the group were very low with electronic publication, and that there appeared to be no clear strategy how to use these funds for the benefit of the hobby.

I was rebuked by claiming I just wanted my cut by the President at the time, Matt Thor. At that point I decided I'd had enough.

Two of the main problems with the SC are- it's boring, and it's closed off. The AMS made the same mistakes years ago and destroyed itself.

To pile on to what Andy said.

Any social group (associations, groups, forums, fraternities, unruly mob, whatever-you-want-to-call-them) that ignores its charter/mandate -- the reason the group formed in the first place -- soon devolves into a pack of like-minded 'good old boy's' who are too secure in their positions; good old boy's who are made uncomfortable by those who promote useful argument, change, and new ideas. They secure their position through 'elections'. The power of incumbency is considerable. The gloves must come off. You enter this contest disadvantaged.

Now, for some unsolicited campaign advice to Bob and Ed: to win the SC President and vice President positions, reach out to the only active non-executive office holding modelers of the SC -- there are about ten of them. Pitch those guys; mobilize them to reach out and persuade their SC associates; get them to do your foot-work. Your platform will be a simple one: Advancement of the Craft; secure use of regional bodies of water (holding ponds, Mall water displays, community pools, private club pools, government facilities (escape training, tow tanks, recreational lakes and pools); aggressively present the activities of the SC to local, national, and international media outlets (generate a SC media hand-book); and dropping the pay-wall at the SC forum.

One more thing -- and I'll take the arrows for mentioning this: there has been theft of funds over there at the SC. Play on that! Ask the pointed question: where has the money gone since the beginning of the SC? It's gone to more than publishing houses and the USPS. Look under this rock and expose all the critters hiding in the dirt. Do this and you will either destroy the SC or save it.

If you're going to play …PLAY!

David

[Subculture]

With regards to the SC, I haven't been a memebr for about three years now. I think my last post over on their forum was to challenge why they needed the best part of twenty thousand dollars in the bank when the costs of running the group were very low with electronic publication, and that there appeared to be no clear strategy how to use these funds for the benefit of the hobby.

I was rebuked by claiming I just wanted my cut by the President at the time. At that point I decided I'd had enough.

Two of the main problems with the SC are- it's boring, and it's closed off. The AMS made the same mistakes years ago and destroyed itself.