Toy Tugboat Refit [Archive]

graphixman

Apr 20, 2008, 07:48 PM

Well there have been many postings of the refit of the 24" Dickie Tug-Harbor-workboat, but I found this new one at my local Tugboat place, and after much searching, found no one had posted anything on it. YIPPEE! first on the block.

Why bother reworking a toy tug?...Well, why the heck not...a lot of this hobby is fun and learning, and I like both of those! :cool:

Well this is another Dickie Harbor tug. But it is 10" shorter, and with differing superstructures, and lines on the hull. Cool, Well lets look at what we have here, and what kind of trouble I can make for myself.

:)

The cutesie stickers were removed from the hull, and superstructures, then I used the product "Goof Off" to remove the residue from the stickers. Worked great, however I found out do not use it over clear parts, as it will craze them. OOPS.

Also Note to everyone. As great as "Goof Off" is on removing sticker residue, not only will it craze clear parts, but will stay in the plastic to enough of an extent that it will interfere with paint adhesion. Unknown at the time, but will work around it.

Stripped down to it's bare essentials. Now I'm off to do the rework.

graphixman

Apr 20, 2008, 07:55 PM

Last night was paint and glue night at Charlie Eaton's cavernous shop ( joy ) Charlie allowed me to repaint his black overspray spray-painted stool red and green. From his African Queen project none the less. Just to get it ready for Christmastime.

Krylon fusion Maroon and Hunter green. The green didn't want to play nice with the residue from the goof off, alcohol ( denatured, not Budweiser ) cured that issue. Looks better already. I tell you that Fusion spraypaint is great!

Then painted the upper deck gunwales same as the upper part of the hull.

der kapitan

Apr 20, 2008, 08:24 PM

Actually Graphixman, that hull doesn't look like a bad shape to work with. :)

Your paintwork is pretty good, by the way---. :D

charlie eaton

Apr 20, 2008, 08:55 PM

Actually Graphixman, that hull doesn't look like a bad shape to work with. :)

Your paintwork is pretty good, by the way---. :D

That's only because he stole some white trim tape from me!! lol

graphixman

Apr 20, 2008, 10:44 PM

That's only because he stole some white trim tape from me!! lol

Yeah and I had to use it fast before Sam stole it from my hands :)

graphixman

Apr 20, 2008, 10:50 PM

Painting for tonight included the gunwales and decking as well as installing the kort nozzle servo control arm.

charlie eaton

Apr 20, 2008, 11:13 PM

hee,hee,hee,hee

graphixman

Apr 20, 2008, 11:15 PM

Oh that's a good'n! Just where did you snag that pic? :D

Aerominded

Apr 21, 2008, 12:46 AM

hee,hee,hee,hee

:) :) :)

der kapitan

Apr 21, 2008, 12:53 AM

Hee hee, I LOVE it when the chops get buisted---. :D

Speaking of which Aero, It'll be about two weeks before I meet you in the flesh---. :)

Life has it's rewards---. ;)

rlboats2003

Apr 21, 2008, 07:25 AM

der kapitan

Apr 21, 2008, 08:08 AM

Rich, don't you have enough tug projects already?

charlie eaton

Apr 21, 2008, 09:47 AM

Ok it is aroun 14" long - Where did you find it - It sure looks close to the new Moran Tractor tugs (Karen Moran) in hull style - Kind of interesting like I don't have enough toys to play with, but it would be interesting to see on and if the proce were right pick one up.

Thanks,
Rich

I can answer that one. He got it at ''Tug Alley'' in Portsmouth N.H. It's a great little shop,everything in it is tugboats. They may be on line.check it out. They have books,prints,hats,shirts,suncatcher,pins,MODELS,to ys, all tugboats.

OK,OK,I FORGOT THE ''BOAT'' PART IN TUGBOATALLEY''

graphixman

Apr 21, 2008, 05:23 PM

Hey Rich, yes as Charlie said I got it in Portsmouth, NH at a store called Tugboat Alley http://www.tugboatalley.com I just checked their web site and they are out of stock.

However I saw them also advertised on Amazon in stock http://www.amazon.com/Dickie-R-C-Radio-Control/dp/B00091V9TQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1208812833&sr=1-5

Also here is the same hull, but in a cool fireboat configuration from Tower Hobbies also in stock http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXRPG1&P=ML

:cool:

rlboats2003

Apr 22, 2008, 08:06 AM

Tugboat Alley

I haven't been there since they moved to there new location - Do they still have Tugboat Too. I remember in the old store there was a nice Brooklyn in the corner - even bought a couple of kits in there the 1/48 Moran Tug and the small Hoga. When we went to Maine, we always stopped at Tugboat Alley. By the way do you guys get down to Wentworth by the Sea - on our firist trip it was a run down old building - but you could tell it was once a wealthy resort in a different time. Our second trip in 2004 it was Purchased by a Hotel Chain and completely restored. Needless to say we had all the pictures of the first trip and took a ton of pictures the second trip but the best was a guy in a restored 1955 Cady convertable stops at the enterance and all the bell hops in traditional garb come out with the luggage and he drives away way - I shot a roll of film just on the drive in the loading and drive away, with the building as a backdrop.

Well a little of the subject - but thanks for the tugboat information. Tugboat Alley is a great place to visit.

Point of interest - Following the Surrender of Germany in ww2 the Largest group of operational u-boats surrendered to allied forces off of Portsmonth NH and were brought into the harbor.

Happy modeling,
Rich

charlie eaton

Apr 22, 2008, 10:28 AM

Rich, He has a one to one tug that he just put back in the water. The shop is still great just to visit but you'll buy something before you leave it's that kind of place. Everything you see you just gotta have!
Yup,Wentworth is still very impressive and was a great save. It does very well from the number of boats at the marina and the traffic in and out. They changed the marina building,it no longer looks like a steam ship.
You get up this way again let me and Fred know,We'll get together.

They had a battery of 16'' disappearing guns on the southern point (Odiorne Point) at the mouth of the river. They fired one gun (pointed out to sea of course) and the concussion blew out all the windows in the hotel and for a mile or two around.

rlboats2003

Apr 22, 2008, 11:16 AM

For the last year and half I was in the Boston area on company business for at least a week at a time. Granted, I was in Canton to the south - I was just to shy to ask about visiting you guys. I want to spend a weekend up there in the future while on company business - I want to get over to Fall River and see the PT boats at a min - have a friend at work (in the canton facility) who knows some one that works in the pt area so that I could get on board and below. Been asked to move to Mass if I am interested but it is nice sailing in fresh water - Most people think the great lakes as lakes but Ontario is like sailing from Boston to Boothbay if you go end to end and it is still a days sail to Toronto, Canada going across very well used shipping lanes.

So much for that, I went to Amazon and bought the last one they had this morning - Der Kaptian was right - I have to many tugboat projects going at once - have to start finishing them one at a time.

Happy Modeling,
Rich

charlie eaton

Apr 23, 2008, 02:55 PM

You see what he did!!!!!!! It looks blue but is hunter green.

graphixman

Apr 23, 2008, 06:00 PM

Yeah Yeah Yeah.....I also Spy some wonderful shades of silver, white, and black tucked into there as well :p Hey if'n you want Charlie, I can come down and make it a solid coat of Hunter Green to snazzy it up a little. :D

MILLERTIME

Apr 24, 2008, 01:59 AM

I fixed it Charlie.

charlie eaton

Apr 24, 2008, 09:20 AM

Thank you kind Sir, you are a gentleman which is more than I can say about some guy that shows up and paints my stools and picks on my poor innocent little kitty cat.

graphixman

Apr 24, 2008, 06:28 PM

:p :p :p

Yeah pick is right...PICK his claws out of my shirt as I walk by the stairwell. And you PICKING his claws and teefus out of your hand... :D

Aerominded

Apr 24, 2008, 06:48 PM

Hee hee, sounds like a nice kitty! :)

charlie eaton

Apr 24, 2008, 08:47 PM

So what about the widdu bitty tuggy thing??? And don't steal my laughin cat!!!!!!!!

graphixman

Apr 25, 2008, 07:17 AM

:p

Well been a busy week at the Air-E-O-Port, but did a couple things to it. Found out the kort nozzle servo arm won't work due to not enough clearance between it and the deck. ( thats the problem with being so widdu bitty ) So had to figgure out an alternative, and I did.

I used the original kort control arm which I knew would fit, and shortened the former spring holder, and then attatched a smaller control arm to it. The fulcrum point isn't exactly where I wanted it, but it seems to work just as well. Also attatched a shelf in the forward bow for the rx and speed control.

Hopefully my mini servo will come in today's mail and try it out.

graphixman

Apr 25, 2008, 11:39 AM

YIPPEE! New Aquacraft mini servo came in today. Looks like it will work fine.

graphixman

Apr 25, 2008, 10:16 PM

Electronics, servo, and servo to kort nozzle control rod installed. I worked the throttle, and steering through it's range of operation. So far it looks like it'll work.

:)

If all goes well, I should be able to test float it in Lewis Lagoon by finish of the weekend.

graphixman

Apr 27, 2008, 12:25 AM

Tonights mission was just adding some detailing to the deck, painting and installing a better lifeboat, basically odds and ends.

I also fixed the crazed clear windows from the goof off, using an old plastic modelers trick. Sanding the glass with progressivly finer grit sandpaper, then a coat of Future floor polish. All good as new. :)

Tomorrow after some projects on the house, I'll try and work on the fire monitor, and see if I can wrap up this refit.

Aerominded

Apr 27, 2008, 02:05 PM

Looking good, Graphixman! If you can get good access to the wheelhouse, you might want to paint the interior a light gray or brown so that the windows will "pop" a little more. :)

graphixman

Apr 27, 2008, 03:31 PM

Thanks Areo, yes I have good access to the wheelhouse since it's all still screw fitted.

I used small craft store magnets to secure the superstructures to the deck when closed. That works pretty good. The front of the structures slip into a notch, and the rear just...pops...into place with the magnet grasping to a steel screw placed into the deck.

Did some fiddling around with it today in between house projects, and here is a photo or two. Still undecided about the fire monitor right now. May just paint it and put it back on top with no other good ideas of what to do with the open post on top of the wheelhouse. :confused:

charlie eaton

Apr 27, 2008, 04:29 PM

I'd cut that yellow tube off,make up a radar antenna and forget the monitor. Use it on another boat. Add a mast with 3 white verticle towing lights etc.

Bilge_Snipe

Apr 27, 2008, 05:32 PM

I commend you graphixman on your skill and ingenuity in turning a toy boat into a nice looking water craft. Today at our local boat clubs pond and new fellow showed up with a toy tug boat he had purchased in downtown Los Angeles and had done exactly what you have done. I showed such an intrest in his fine craftsmenship that he let me take it for a spin around the pond. It was allot of fun piloting the boat as it ran smooth as silk. Take care and good sailing to you. :)

graphixman

Apr 27, 2008, 07:23 PM

Thank you Bilge for the kind words, and Welcome to R/C groups! Hope to see your name and projects here in the future.

:)

graphixman

Apr 27, 2008, 07:26 PM

I'd cut that yellow tube off,make up a radar antenna and forget the monitor. Add a mast with 3 white verticle towing lights etc.

Charlie, you are correct as (most) always. :p That's a good idea. I'll get the X-acto saw out, remove the post, and fill it with white Squadron putty, and go from there.

Bilge_Snipe

Apr 27, 2008, 10:47 PM

Your very welcome graphixman, I'm a newbie when it comes to these floating things you guys call boats and ships. I hope someday, I may be able to add some information or help as you and others have done, to those coming up through the ranks. Fair weather and good sailing to you. :)

graphixman

May 01, 2008, 07:59 PM

Well I guess this project is pretty much complete! Sawed off the tasteless yellow post for the quasi-firemonitor, filled the hole and painted it. Looks pretty good I think. All that's left is to see how she sits in the water, add ballast if needed and go have fun!

charlie eaton

May 01, 2008, 10:20 PM

~~~~~~~By George I Think He's Got It!!!!!!~~~~~~~~~~~~

HoaRC

May 06, 2008, 10:29 PM

All that's left is to see how she sits in the water, add ballast if needed and go have fun!

Graphixman, post a picture of the maiden voyage!

graphixman

May 08, 2008, 08:34 PM

I will indeed. Lets see... I'm heading down to Charlie Eaton's tomorrow, I may make the hull wet, have to see though on how the weather holds out.

:cool:

Kmot

May 08, 2008, 10:56 PM

http://static.rcgroups.com/forums/attachments/1/5/6/7/1/3/t1826950-137-thumb-DSC00878.jpghttp://static.rcgroups.com/forums/attachments/1/5/6/7/1/3/t1845509-199-thumb-DSC00910.jpg

Wow! What a difference! Well done. :)

HoaRC

May 08, 2008, 11:08 PM

charlie eaton

May 09, 2008, 02:32 PM

Well he showed up today but it started raining and he didn't want to get it wet!!!! HEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEE!!!!!!!!
Actually seeing it ''in person'' is far more impressive than the pictures, Fred did one fine job of turning a ''toy'' into something to be proud of.

HoaRC

May 09, 2008, 04:47 PM

graphixman

May 09, 2008, 07:34 PM

Thanks guys, it was actually a fun project. Now Charlie... You need to post project photos of that sweet looking Midwest fireboat in building progress. :)

Aerominded

May 09, 2008, 08:32 PM

Well he showed up today but it started raining and he didn't want to get it wet!!!! HEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEE!!!!!!!!

What??? it's a boat!!! :p ;)

graphixman

May 09, 2008, 09:21 PM

What??? it's a boat!!! :p ;)

Ahh pay him no mind, that's just Charlie's imagination saying that. Just one of the many voices in his head. :p Perhaps from the coffee induced methane that escaped, and nearly caused an elderly lady in the antique store to faint. :D

Actually after we got back from breakfast, and hitting up the local shops, I had to get back to the home station and treat the Mrs. to a birthday dinner.

It was only a coincidence that it was starting to rain.

Aerominded

May 09, 2008, 09:46 PM

Hee hee, other than the methane part, ;) sounds like a good day even if the boats did not get wet from below and above! :D

graphixman

May 09, 2008, 10:00 PM

Hee hee, other than the methane part, ;) sounds like a good day even if the boats did not get wet from below and above! :D

Oh Yes, always...

As you probably already know Aero, any day you get to mess around in a hobby shop (especially one with the elbow room like Charlie's) it is a good day.

Ahhhh paint, glue, and resin. Ain't no perfume gonna beat that! :cool:

charlie eaton

May 10, 2008, 10:03 AM

Oh Yes, always...

As you probably already know Aero, any day you get to mess around in a hobby shop (especially one with the elbow room like Charlie's) it is a good day.

Ahhhh paint, glue, and resin. Ain't no perfume gonna beat that! :cool:

He just comes down to visit with ''Sam'' and it wasn't the old lady that choked.

charlie eaton

May 10, 2008, 10:05 AM

Too bad it's going to rain this weekend. I was planning on going to the Charles River Storrow Lagoon. :(

You get up our way let us know and bring a boat.

graphixman

May 10, 2008, 12:04 PM

He just comes down to visit with ''Sam'' and it wasn't the old lady that choked.

Not true about Sam, but right about the old lady... I was gagging like an old lady, and looking for oxygen. I thought Al-Keda was attacking Newburyport yesterday! :p