Model customs launch Douanes

[remondo]

I have decided to build the french customs launch from marine modelling international magazine as I have nothing better to do! I spent the afternoon buying balsa, marking out pieces, cutting and sticking and have the hull built. After countless times of super glueing my fingers to the boat/knife/other fingers i have a little more plating to do and I will have completed the hull. I will keep you posted on my progress, I am photographing each stage as I go along. Here are the first bunch:

==* I apologise for my possibly unorthodox building techniques, I am not a noob but not an expert! *==

[sleb]

The build looks great so far. :) :) :)

[Tug Guy]

For only building in one afternoon you are doing quite well so far. Keep up the good work! And keep the pictures coming :)

Don

[remondo]

some would say I'm rushing it, I surprised myself but I just got down to it and got it done!

[LtDoc]

If you have time to glue your fingers to the boat/knife/fingers/etc, then you probably are not rushing it too much. You know you're thinking too much when you glue your fingers to your temples...
- 'Doc

[remondo]

hahaha - thanks LtDoc!

Right. Made a mistake with the planking, plating, whatever you call it and put 0.8mm balsa on-it was far too weak! so i went out and got some 0.8mm Obechi and it's looking much better. One question thought, what do I use to cut the obechi, seeing as it's a hardwood my craft knife struggles?

[Tug Guy]

Remondo you are lucky to just be able to pop out and buy some Obechi at your local hobby store. I couldn't find it here anywhere I doubt.

Don

[remondo]

i didnt even know it existed, I was looking for ply! but its still hardwood so is a perfect substitute

[Tug Guy]

Some guys just have all the luck. :)



i didnt even know it existed, I was looking for ply! but its still hardwood so is a perfect substitute

[Boatfox]

this saw works for me...Jarmac Saw (http://www.jarmactools.com/_wsn/page2.html)
But this is the one I'd like to take for a planking test drive Byrnes Saw (http://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/tablesaw.html?id_mm=1123MM510133)

I already know...$$$$
So
#1 A hack saw with fine blade
#2 Matt Knife (full size razor knife/box cutter)
#3 Japanese back saw (very sharp DON"T SLIP)
#4 Jewelers saw...(I was never impressed)
#5 Band saw.

All kinds of ways to cut wood. Let us know what you work out. Looks good so far.

[remondo]

wow boat fox thanks - think I'll carefully use a junior hacksaw. Here is a picture of the new planking after I (gently) ripped the old balsa planking off!

[Tug Guy]

I don't think you can do better than a Jim Byrnes table saw for modleling. It may be expensive but you get what you pay for with Jim. No one has ever said anything bad about his saw. I have been using a dremel table saw for years. I can't wait until later this year when I can get one of Jim's.

Don




this saw works for me...Jarmac Saw (http://www.jarmactools.com/_wsn/page2.html)
But this is the one I'd like to take for a planking test drive Byrnes Saw (http://www.byrnesmodelmachines.com/tablesaw.html?id_mm=1123MM510133)

I already know...$$$$
So
#1 A hack saw with fine blade
#2 Matt Knife (full size razor knife/box cutter)
#3 Japanese back saw (very sharp DON"T SLIP)
#4 Jewelers saw...(I was never impressed)
#5 Band saw.

All kinds of ways to cut wood. Let us know what you work out. Looks good so far.

[Kmot]

I have an el cheapo HF 4" table saw that looks like it must be a clone of the Jarmac Model 1002.

That Byrnes saw is sure nice!

[qbxb]

If you buy a Byrnes saw you will NEVER regret the $$$ spent.
Bruce

[wingnut163]

sears has i 10" band saw for $129.00 on clear out sail.

[remondo]

been busy busy busy at work so have'nt had much chance to get building but I have finished planking the hull and am ready to apply the decking shortly. After inspecting my shoddy workmanship I will have to get going with the wood filler! oops!

[remondo]

Latest pictures, haven't done a lot, got my A-level results today! I got into uni, phew!

[Tug Guy]

It is looking good. That isn't much filler on the bow. I have seen and done much worse myself. You might have a problem with the grain showing on the wheel house using balsa. But it is looking real good so far.

Don

[remondo]

Wheelhouse frame is done! Bit more sanding done on the hull but more filling needs doing. I decided to treat my boat to a boat stand lol.

[Ghost 2501]

a touch of filler on that bow and you'll never know

[remondo]

yes-now it does look a bit bodged but be patient lol

[Tug Guy]

It just keeps looking better and better. Sometimes wetting a cloth or paper towel and holding it to a dinged area of wood will swell the wood back up and allow it to be sanded. If this worked on the bow it would mean less filler. It takes a few minutes for this to work. Unless you didn't use waterproof glue?

Don

[remondo]

Don - I have just used cyan from my local hobby shop, so I'm not sure?

Latest addition! The RIB dinghy is done except for the seat and controls.

[Tug Guy]

Are you sure you haven't built boats before? ;)

Ca glue will be ok if you don't water log the wood. Just a wet cloth or paper towel rung out so it is very moist should do the trick with Balsa.

Great looking Dinghy you have there. It sure didn't take you long to make it.

Don


Don - I have just used cyan from my local hobby shop, so I'm not sure?

Latest addition! The RIB dinghy is done except for the seat and controls.

[remondo]

Thanks Don, it took about half an hour, it's quite simple really. Well technically I have built a couple of boats before but they were a bit...what's the word...crap. I'm only 18 -plenty of time left!

[Boatfox]

Front view- I didnt anticipate the front of the wheelhouse to be so darn ugly!
Makes me want to find a large wave to push through. :D

[remondo]

Outboard motor for dinghy made

[remondo]

I finally got round to scanning in the pictures of the completed model to show you, sorry for the poor quality of the pictures, as I said, they are scanned images, I have photoshopped them to make them appear smoother.

[Tug Guy]

It is amazing how much paint transforms a model. You did a great job on this build.

Don

[remondo]

sorry for the misunderstanding, these are the pictures from the magazine of the completed model. I am still building mine! apologies Don!

[Tug Guy]

No Problem my error for sure. At least this gives you something to shoot for.




sorry for the misunderstanding, these are the pictures from the magazine of the completed model. I am still building mine! apologies Don!

[remondo]

Just got some of my internals for my latest build from Pandan (excellent shop highly recommended). Here is a picture, I still have some work to do on the hull and I need to apply sander sealer before I begin cutting the hull for the prop shafts.

[remondo]

Question - The prop shafts are 10", and will be powered by two Graupner 600E motors, could anyone recommend an ESC which will be used to power the two (preferably mtroniks) and can anyone recommend a battery pack?

Thanks - Remi

[remondo]

Just got most of the hardware now, just need an ESC, probably get it off ebay once I've fitted everything.

[jeepers1940]

Very nice build, remondo. Enjoying your progress. What are the dimensions of it?

[remondo]

Length - 28"
Width - 7.5"

I have a problem now however - I need an ESC to power 2x Graupner 600 Eco motors, someone on the forum recommended a 100A ESC, now they retail at about £200 don't they?! Anyone know a good cheap one which will run these motors?

[remondo]

I have finally installed the propshafts, bit of a mess with the epoxy but it holds! Still haven't found an ESC though!

[remondo]

This project has been sitting on my desk at home for a good few months seeing as now i am at university, I'll continue when I'm back home for xmas which will be the 15th - hope to see a lot of progress with it, I have all the running gear, paint and superstructure now so I can really get going.

[remondo]

Finally back from uni and making progress on my build already. I have sealed and primed the hull, fixed the rudder tubes, added rubbing strakes along the sides and done some finer detail and fittings on the motorhouse.

[remondo]

A few new fixings I've made. The hull is being prep'd for painting and has the first coat of undercoat applied.

[remondo]

Fittings are coming along nicely, instead of buying the fittings I have opted to make them from balsa wood and bits and pieces lying around in my junk!

[Dr. Ron]

I bought this saw a couple of yiars ago and have never regreted it. It is the cat's meow for ripping planks but a bummer to cross cut because of the fence which can only be removed with difficulty. Coupling this saw with a thickness sander will give one absolute concistency in creating planking stock. I still use my Dremel saw with a carbide blade to cut quick stock including plastics, woods, brass, and aluminum. Hope these comments are helpful.
Dr. Ron

[remondo]

I have painted the boat and connected all the internals. Had her maiden voyage yesterday and thankfully it went well, Although during bathtub tests I crashed it into the tub and a rather large hole appeared on the bow! Fixed it all up and took it to the pond...

Video 1:
http://my.videoegg.com/video/dytRoB

Video 2:
http://my.videoegg.com/video/dytRoP

[pompebled]

Nice boat Remundo!

What batteries are you using?
The 600 motors are quite 'amp-hungry' on those (relative) large subsurface props, what runtime did you achieve?

I've run a similar hull (MTB) on a single motor and had runtimes from 10-15 minutes.
I noticed the turning 'qualities' are even more severe than my boat, due to the high superstructure.
Making turns at full speed is an aquired skill...

Regards, Jan.

[Bobslr]

Hi
I have the plans for this boat and was thinking of building it for my grandson,so
I've been following your build.
You did a very nice job.Now I'm thinking I might just have to build two.
Bob

[remondo]

sorry for the late reply, I've been at uni for the past month or so. I only have two 8cell 9.6V 650mAH battery packs, running them one at a time I get just under 10 minutes which isn't bad really, I'm goin to get some new batteries soon.

Bob, this is only the second boat I've built and it was relatively easy. I found using your iniative and not completely following the magazine article helped me to develop my skills! Building the fittings yourself is a good idea as it really isn't too hard if I can do it!

[remondo]

Progress on my build as I'm back from univeristy again for xmas.

New Pics:

[Bobslr]

Talk about perfect timing,I mentioned in an earlier post that I was thinking of building this boat with my 13 year old grandson; We are going to buy the wood tomorrow.
Your boat's looking good.
Bob

[remondo]

Well I hope to see a thread showing your progress soon! I have just made an anchor and started painting my fittings, I'll post some pics shortly.