Growing The RC Submarine Hobby

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  • Monahan Steam Models
    Captain
    • Apr 2020
    • 755

    #16
    ^^^^ THIS ^^^^

    ED gets it and nails it! Well said Sir!

    Comment

    • trout
      Admiral
      • Jul 2011
      • 3545

      #17
      Bingo. It is not a youth issue.I am seeing a lot of people wanting to make a sub. Most will not do it, but if we play the odds, we will grow our hobby. I love the great suggestions some are coming up with - sure most of it has been done before, but let them discover. We have to make sure, as Ed said, that we promote the enjoyment and awe and cause division. As small as we are we cannot afford division. Some have strong opinions, but the proof is running in the water before them. Did their way work great. Did the other persons sub run well? great. Both are right. The fellowship we have pond side is a draw in itself! The subs are a bonus and the selfish part. I love my subs. I would rather not hear the what we should have done, but what we can do, no what we WILL do. Ed is right rehashing the same thing does not help. What we need to do is focus on what we can/will do. So, what suggestions do you have to move forward?
      My first suggestion is run your sub. Get out there and practice/refine your sub to run well. Share your joy and passion with positive attitude. We are a small group, so each person has a huge impact to the hobby.
      If you can cut, drill, saw, hit things and swear a lot, you're well on the way to building a working model sub.

      Comment

      • rwtdiver
        Vice Admiral
        • Feb 2019
        • 1768

        #18
        "SUB Ed"

        You hit the nail right on the head! Lets do the best we can to promote this hobby at every turn! But do not loose sight of why WE are in it. If people see it and show an interest, they will come!

        Nice right up, and well stated Ed!!!

        Rob
        "Firemen can stand the heat"

        Comment

        • biggsgolf
          Captain
          • Jan 2020
          • 720

          #19
          After some thought and reading these posts I have somewhat changed my view on what might help grow the hobby:
          1. Local exposure & availabilty to share knowledge
          2. Flood YouTube & Social Media with videos & Photos, perhaps using #rcsubmarines
          3. Develop and sell an introductory Sub Kit for under $500 without a TX, RX & Charger but provide them separately. This kit should require basic assembly including installing a
          TX, RX, Battery, Foam, Weights to Trim, Grease for Bulkhead Seals, RG-178 Coax for 2.4Ghz option.
          4. Carry on & enjoy what we do

          Comment

          • Subculture
            Admiral
            • Feb 2009
            • 2119

            #20
            I'm sure you realise this, but you can go on Thingiverse and download STL's at least two full model submarine kits which include the wtc parts for completely nothing, and they look excellent.

            Add on $150 for a cheap 3d printer, that leaves $350 for electronics and materials, easy. Some links, and there are more on there and elsewhere.

            This is the HULL for the 3d Printable Subnautica Cyclops I designed and built! The Sub is approximately 654mm in length. The whole vehicle has to be printed in separate parts which you will want to minimize support material used to reduce print time. Total print time is approximately 100hrs with variability based on printer and infill. This model is each section of the wet hull and the necessary. You will need one of every STL part on the list The sub also will require a 3.5 inch water tight cylinder which I have plans for linked below: Files:LINK TBD Water Tight Cylinder Assembly:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKDwGNWA61Y&lc=UgzMRD_zn0l84W66PWV4AaABAg Assembly of the submarine hull is outlined here: LINK TBD Most parts can be purchased on amazon. Additionally you will need a minimum of a 30 AMP drone ESC and a 2204 low KV motor. I used 2300kv but the lower the better. The tail is made to fit a 2200 size brushless drone motor. The sub Hull must be weighted in the keel with weights to properly sink the boat for diving. It takes about 1.9kg of lead or about 4lbs total lead weight to reach this. The structure becomes very heavy and needs reinforcement to withstand the weight. All parts need an epoxy coating in XTC-3d to withstand long term use in water and the strengthen them for the load of lead weight the sub carries. The epoxy coat also ensures the PLA has no issues while sitting in the sun and seals the hull against the ingress of water. THREE COATS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Segments of Hull are assembled using these melt in inserts. M4 socket head screws are used to assemble the segments. Inserts:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0784VYCYY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Screw set:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HVTRNG9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Paint and primer can be added to sure up the seal and add flair to the sub too! PARTS! Dome:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DNV7BGQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Weights:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079J4THNZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Remote Startup:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01COTC7C8/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 BEC:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008ZNWOYY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 O-Rings:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FMUXIC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Hull Tube:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B11QJGV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Pump:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IUVHB8E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Ballast Tanks:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PPFLKRD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Glues and stuff:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CWRTX13/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0166FFFD4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0166FFFS4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZFUPC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 XTC-3D:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PFXK4JY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Bulkhead connectors:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006O8NX6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Conformal Coat: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009H1AMG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


            This is a design for a metric watertight arcrylic cylinder (90/84 mm) which fits the Cyclops R/C Submarine https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4560120 by Robert Cook. Modifications Additionaly to the two O-Rings on each cap it is possible to add a third (90mm diameter) O-Ring to the front end of the cylinder. The inner rings will be mounted on two M4 threaded rodd and attached to ONE of the two endcaps. So you can remove the whole interior at once. A water ingress sensor ring (WIS) was added. It is designed to work with the RC-DiveMaster controller https://github.com/jenshackel/RC-DiveMaster An endcap for the syringe piston has been added. This ensures improved reliability of the end-switch.


            Water Tight Cylinder Assembly:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKDwGNWA61Y&lc=UgzMRD_zn0l84W66PWV4AaABAg Assembly of the submarine hull is outlined here:https://youtu.be/FO-YKcTwEQQ Most parts can be purchased on amazon. Additionally you will need a minimum of a 30 AMP drone ESC and a 2204 low KV motor. I used 2300kv but the lower the better. The tail is made to fit a 2200 size brushless drone motor. The sub Hull must be weighted in the keel with weights to properly sink the boat for diving. It takes about 1.9kg of lead or about 4lbs total lead weight to reach this. The structure becomes very heavy and needs reinforcement to withstand the weight. All parts need an epoxy coating in XTC-3d to withstand long term use in water and the strengthen them for the load of lead weight the sub carries. The epoxy coat also ensures the PLA has no issues while sitting in the sun and seals the hull against the ingress of water. THREE COATS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Segments of Hull are assembled using these melt in inserts. M4 socket head screws are used to assemble the segments. Inserts:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0784VYCYY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Screw set:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HVTRNG9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Paint and primer can be added to sure up the seal and add flair to the sub too! Remote Startup:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01COTC7C8/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 BEC:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008ZNWOYY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 O-Rings:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FMUXIC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Hull Tube:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B11QJGV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Pump:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IUVHB8E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Ballast Tanks:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PPFLKRD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Glues and stuff:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CWRTX13/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0166FFFD4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0166FFFS4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZFUPC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 XTC-3D:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PFXK4JY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Bulkhead connectors:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006O8NX6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Conformal Coat: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009H1AMG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


            Misc Notes This is a 100cc 38mm size Stl file to create syringe ballast going into a 1/72 scale. Only challenge those who can make it, the video is on my YouTube channel, and if it helps, please subscribe. https://youtu.be/c8mHPHYcWGk http://www.youtube.com/c/LaLaRC if it helps, please subscribe to my YouTube Channel Commercial use is prohibited and unauthorized distribution is prohibited. Please put my YouTube link when you post the finished product on your blog. You can modify the STL and use it personally in your own style. But I just cleaned up the syringe ballast. The rest of the files are too many. It's hard to organize. material Skipping basic tools such as soldering 4mm Long Bolt 3mm Geard Motor (12mmx10mm) The diameter of the 100cc syringe is out-dia 38mm Normal size servo control board Slide variable resistance 60mm 10k ohms Resistance 1 to 3 k ohms General Small Resistance 4mm hex nut Silicon, ex>ke-45 Instant glue Hose (Refer to YouTube) Two flange bearings F604ZZ Please refer to my production machine and YouTube video for more details.


            Update 2021-05-15: Added a solid one piece model of the Mystic upon request. Update: Added a DSRV-2 Avalon version, to print it use the stl's for section 2 and 3 upper parts tagged with "DSRV-2 Avalon". A Mystic class deep-submergence rescue vehicle in scale 1/30 intended for radio control. Designed with ease of printing in mind, along with a high attention to details. Over 1000 individual rivets and bolts! Included stls for both DSRV-1 Mystic and DSRV-2 Avalon. This models is a wet hull design, ie the outer shell is flooded when submerged. The electronics are to be located inside a watertight compartment, a WTC, which usually is a plastic pipe with endcaps. No support needed except for the propeller, the parts are oriented correctly in the stl files for optimal print direction. Specs: Roughly 60 hours of print time and 450g filament. Total length of the hull is 495mm Prop shaft: 1/8" (3mm) Fits 2-2.5" WTC Stand included. Instruction: 1.Print all the parts, but only either Mystic or Avalon section 2 and 3 upper. -Print 8x of the "Rescue hatch support" and 2x "Stand" -Print 2x WTC craddles, either 2" or 2,5" depending on what size of WTC you intend to use. -Use support for the propeller -You might need to trim off excessive plastic along the corners of the section 2 & 3 parts, so that the lower and upper hull halves close properly. This is important for the lock to work properly. -Depending on the tolerance of you printer, the prop shroud might need some help to get moving freely. I used a 3mm drill bit inserted where the prop shaft otherwise should be, and carefully moved the shroud forth and back to grind off irregularities on the ball-link. -The "Rescue hatch support" might have to be trimmed in length, as it's intentionally slightly too long to compensate for tolerances during printing and assembly. 2.Connect servo linkage to prop shroud To facilitate installation, connect linkages to the prop shroud before gluing the shroud section to the stern section. 3.Glue the parts together -Cut 1,75mm filament in ~8mm long bits and insert in the holes as guide pins for aligning the hull sections. 4.The open the lock holding the upper hull in place, gently insert a piece of 1.75mm filament, or any other >2mm object, through the hole at the center of the hull. Don't push too hard as this might break the lock!









            With regards to age. It takes time to hone skills, I didn't get a submarine until I was in my twenties, but I'd been modelmaking since I was knee high. My Dad used to give me some ropey tasks, like a tin of bent up rusty old nails to straighten out. This achieved two things, he got some (mostly) straight nails, and I learnt dexterity with a hammer.

            I'll wager most here were getting similar instruction, but that is not the case for many now, and that is part of the problem. You may stimulate some interest, but you may be simply playing the role of entertainer.

            I was interested in subs in my early teens, but I had one radio set, which was only two channels which limits things a bit, plus I was conscious of the fact many model submariners had floods, and I didn't have enough confidence in my building chops to risk my one radio set. So I stuck to boats and cars. It took me until I was 21 before I was earning some serious wedge. Once I finished my apprenticeship my pay quadrupled and I was holding folding. It was a bit later before I got my boat.


            Comment

            • gantu
              Commander
              • Apr 2009
              • 360

              #21
              Nice starter kit https://www.tauchrobotershop.de/bausatz-tiburoncito/
              Regards Gantu

              Comment

              • biggsgolf
                Captain
                • Jan 2020
                • 720

                #22
                So much talk about kids as a target group….. personally I don’t think they are the ones to target. Retirees looking for something to do and people 25 and up who have income to spend imo are the most likely to enter this Hobby. As far as cheap Subs on Thingsverse, this sector is more about Authentic Scale Submarines!

                Comment

                • QuarterMaster
                  Rear Admiral
                  • Sep 2015
                  • 1194

                  #23

                  SO I commented on the WHO.....

                  Now it's the focused HOW.

                  We really want to reach them? I mean really?

                  One word....(mentioned several times already) YOUTUBE. (it’s 2021)

                  Most EVERY person I know of has a GMAIL (Google account) which gets you a YouTube account.

                  Most EVERY person I know of has a Smart Phone, which gets you Video.

                  Putting the two together is so very easy. To make a video and post it instantly to your channels is easy. You don't need to be a Videographer to catch 5 minutes of someone launching/running a boat. You just have to be there.

                  Why doesn't 50%, much less 10%, of RC Sub owners do this? You know the ones that want people to come play?

                  It's easy, and fun.

                  Dave has a channel David Merriman (229 Subscribers)

                  I have a channel (two actually) ESMM Undersea Warfare Group: Kraken Division (220 Subscribers)

                  Hey....lookit THIS guy!! RCSubGuy (33.6k followers! Must be a guru!!) But we can’t count him obviously since he already has the interested party.

                  SO what does this mean? By promoting (YouTube helps with this) using Tags such as RC Sub, RC Submarine, Submarine, Warship, Submarine simulator, Navy, boat (not all these tags focus on RC Sub and that’s a GOOD thing as they’ll draw moore searches) and cross linking, YOU promote our hobby.


                  Now I'm currently courting this guy, Sub Brief. Started viewing him since he's an online gamer (right now you're rolling your eyes!) that helped me Learn “Cold Waters”, a submarine simulation game. Now you may ask why that’s important? Kids play games! (The very audience you CLAIM to want). Well I got some bad news for you Sunshine, not all of them are kids. Online gaming is big $$. You can in essence say a gamer has a lot more to do with us than say a football fan. The nerdiness I spoke of earlier? After all , that sleek 1:96 scale SKIPJACK you’re tooling around the pool with is a simulation of a real submarine...duh.


                  I’ll give you 77.9K reasons to seek him out and show him what we do. HIS followers alone. Imagine if HE does a livestream from Cohutta for his followers? Ooooohhhhh myyyyyyy (ala Takei).


                  I made a mistake earlier, we only have 21 members at the local club, and 1 is building a sub. So that's 1/21 (0.04761). This means on the high side, a guy like Aaron from Sub Brief may bring us at tad over 3700 people who may be very interested. Having spoken already with Prez SC, I plan on reaching out to him after the next issue of the SCR. BTW, I believe he lives in Florida Bob.


                  Now, what’s the point?


                  Think outside the box now that you’re done complaining you can’t keep up with a 17yo regarding technology. Spend some time on a weekend trolling YouTube modeling sites, Military sites, Gamers and reach out to these people. I am.


                  Setup your own Youtube Channel, “Your Name” RC Sub Channel. If all you post is 5 minute clips from a local run and added all those crazy search tags (10 minutes of your life), you’ve done 10 minutes of work we didn’t have before. Force multiply it by 10 swab’s reading this, that’s 100 minutes of sub viewing out there doing on the web what iot does best: Searched, found, and seen.


                  Stop saying we should and go DO! Put your money where your mouth is.


                  Like I said in the last post about wanting the build, you have to want to do it. Same with recruitment, don’t just give lip service and expect someone else to do it while you sit back feeling good about it.


                  One last thing. Retention, that needs equal if not more focus. That goes hand in hand with evolving, keeping it fresh.


                  That’s why Bob, Tom and myself are in Triage attempting life support on a stagnant club.
                  v/r "Sub" Ed

                  Silent Service "Cold War" Veteran (The good years!)
                  NEVER underestimate the power of a Sailor who served aboard a submarine.
                  USS ULYSSES S GRANT-USS SHARK-USS NAUTILUS-USS KEY WEST-USS BLUEBACK-USS PATRICK HENRY-K432-U25-SSRN SEAVIEW-PROTEUS-NAUTILUS

                  Comment

                  • JHapprich
                    Captain
                    • Oct 2017
                    • 712

                    #24


                    It all starts with some input ("The Hunt for Red October"), an engine and a sewer pipe.... i learned to use a saw and a hammer before school, and so are my kids.

                    Heads up, people, we are doing this for FUN! It's HOBBY!

                    Comment

                    • QuarterMaster
                      Rear Admiral
                      • Sep 2015
                      • 1194

                      #25
                      Originally posted by biggsgolf
                      As far as cheap Subs on Subs on Thingsverse, this sector is more about Authentic Scale Submarines!
                      This is what I meant about absolutes, "who" said "what" sector is more about "Authentic Scale Sub"?

                      Who decides that?

                      Define what you mean by "Authentic Scale Sub". 1/32 Scale GATO? 1:300 scale SEAQUEST? 1:48 NAUTILUS?

                      This is what spins a newcomer/lurkers head.

                      Let them decide what's right for them. Keep opinions out of it. My "opinion" here is to not necessarily coddle them, but don't define what is right for them, let them decide.

                      You have your opinion...fine. I have mine....fine. I respect yours, you respect mine.

                      For example, I loathe piston boats, but I sure won't as heck tell someone who wants to try them they're wasting their time. The piston guys think probably think gas boats are stupid...cool. I think Russian boats are downright fugly, Bob loves them, I dig it...it floats his boat. I'm in love with 2.4Ghz, people hate it, and have personally told me by boat is not a real sub in their head...countless times. I think they're jerks....opinions. How many newcomers who lurk back off seeing this argument? Especially seeing a 2.4Ghz radio is less than $150 USD and probably twice as much for a low freq. Radio. Hey..it's not a true sub...goodbye.

                      Seriously not flaming, here, just asking that if we want people, we must be flexible to the point of being fluid...IF you want attraction, be attractive.
                      I really don't care personally, really really don't...that's my opinion.

                      After all, do you want new people? Remember they come in all types.
                      v/r "Sub" Ed

                      Silent Service "Cold War" Veteran (The good years!)
                      NEVER underestimate the power of a Sailor who served aboard a submarine.
                      USS ULYSSES S GRANT-USS SHARK-USS NAUTILUS-USS KEY WEST-USS BLUEBACK-USS PATRICK HENRY-K432-U25-SSRN SEAVIEW-PROTEUS-NAUTILUS

                      Comment

                      • trout
                        Admiral
                        • Jul 2011
                        • 3545

                        #26
                        I too have a youtube....whopping 152 subscribers. https://www.youtube.com/user/tchalfant
                        If you can cut, drill, saw, hit things and swear a lot, you're well on the way to building a working model sub.

                        Comment

                        • Subculture
                          Admiral
                          • Feb 2009
                          • 2119

                          #27
                          I thought this would have been a perfect opportunity to outline the strategy and plans for the next three years of the freshly elected SC executives. All three present on this thread. Is it a big secret?

                          Comment

                          • QuarterMaster
                            Rear Admiral
                            • Sep 2015
                            • 1194

                            #28
                            Originally posted by trout
                            I too have a youtube....whopping 152 subscribers. https://www.youtube.com/user/tchalfant
                            No problemo...

                            I didn't know you had one, now I do.

                            Let's take this opportunity to experiment with prompting them Tom, even as a friendly competition (one with cooperation) to see who get to 500 first. Though SCLI's numbers may be ahead of yours in numbers, but not by much ans you have a FB page.

                            Are you CONSTANTLY posting the new links among all your social media outlets? Have you reached out to cooperate with other YouTubers? I will link your Channel on mine and vice versa, will Bob's channel subscribe to ours and vice-versa?

                            Let the computers do the work.
                            v/r "Sub" Ed

                            Silent Service "Cold War" Veteran (The good years!)
                            NEVER underestimate the power of a Sailor who served aboard a submarine.
                            USS ULYSSES S GRANT-USS SHARK-USS NAUTILUS-USS KEY WEST-USS BLUEBACK-USS PATRICK HENRY-K432-U25-SSRN SEAVIEW-PROTEUS-NAUTILUS

                            Comment

                            • QuarterMaster
                              Rear Admiral
                              • Sep 2015
                              • 1194

                              #29
                              Originally posted by Subculture
                              I thought this would have been a perfect opportunity to outline the strategy and plans for the next three years of the freshly elected SC executives. All three present on this thread. Is it a big secret?
                              I don't think so....

                              Not sure how Bob wishes to separate Church and state, aka Business and pleasure. I'm sure 99.999999% of us don't give a "Amy Schumer's" ass about it.
                              v/r "Sub" Ed

                              Silent Service "Cold War" Veteran (The good years!)
                              NEVER underestimate the power of a Sailor who served aboard a submarine.
                              USS ULYSSES S GRANT-USS SHARK-USS NAUTILUS-USS KEY WEST-USS BLUEBACK-USS PATRICK HENRY-K432-U25-SSRN SEAVIEW-PROTEUS-NAUTILUS

                              Comment

                              • Bob Gato
                                Captain
                                • Feb 2019
                                • 826

                                #30
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