Danforth Anchor Plans

[RGinCanada]

Searching the forums and some googling has left me empty-handed.

Does anyone have, or know of a source of, scale drawings for Danforth type anchors? (60lb and 45lb, in particular)

[patmat2350]

Maybe this will help? You'll need to fill in some blanks...
http://www.danforthanchors.com/ (http://www.danforthanchors.com/dpdf/310.PDF)

[RGinCanada]

Thanks, Pat, I did see that site, I was hoping for some insight into how it is "put together" where the stock, flukes, and shank come together.

[patmat2350]

Look at the PDFs linked from the page above, they have better images...

[woodybob]

Wetgoose (http://wetgoose.com/gallery/index.htm)have scale Danforths ready to go.

[RGinCanada]

woodybob:
I just like torturing myself...

Patmat:
I scribbled out these plans from squinting at the .pdfs. How close am I?

[patmat2350]

By jove, I think he's got it!

(might thicken up the shank a tad... :p )

I made a couple here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=582955
Bet yours will be nicer!

[RGinCanada]

Thanks, but if I get close to those, I'll be overjoyed.

[offshore1987]

woodybob:
I just like torturing myself...

Patmat:
I scribbled out these plans from squinting at the .pdfs. How close am I?


My dad has that one on his 1/12 fishing boat, you can buy them ready made :)

All the best

[RGinCanada]

Hi offshore,

These are for a boat that is 99.9% scratchbuilt. Buying anchors now would be taking the easy way out ;) (Hence the torturing myself comment...)

[offshore1987]

Fair anoth, good luck with it then :D

[RGinCanada]

Plans and fabrication of the three anchors is slowly progressing, now for more questions...

The anchor is supplied with a length of chain (the rode? please correct me as needed) which is then tied to the anchor line (rope). What knot or fastening method is used here?

Where on deck would the anchor line be tied?

:o Oops... Is my utter lack of boating knowledge showing??

[patmat2350]

If the anchor is stowed for only occasional use, it may have neither chain nor line attached... as in the photo above.

Knot: I as likely as not would end up using a triple-underhanded-grannie.

But in the picture at http://www.danforthanchors.com/kits.html , you can see an eye-splice around a thimble.

[Kmot]

I made this one myself. I simply filled in the order blank at Harbor Models. :D

[patmat2350]

Ahh, the automatic self-deploying anchor trick! Just bounce over one good sized wake, and awaaaay she goes!

Whether tied on to the anchor line or not, there should be some form of positive retention... usually a little clip on deck at the fluke end, and some sort of latch over the shank.

[RGinCanada]

Patmat:
Thanks, I'll try the eye splice around a thimble, unless I can get pics of what is actually used. Would the other end be tied off on the capstan, to a cleat, or to a samson post?

Kmot:
Now you're just being cruel :p . I get sorely tempted at times... but the anchor mini-project gives me a chance to learn silver soldering.

There are very few fittings available for my next big build, so I've got to accumulate a lot of the skills I'll need on this boat. I've only got nine years left to finish the big boat (Fifty things to do before I'm 50)

Casting fittings is another skill I'll need ;) so get back to posting :D

[patmat2350]

Patmat:
Thanks, I'll try the eye splice around a thimble, unless I can get pics of what is actually used. Would the other end be tied off on the capstan, to a cleat, or to a samson post?


Samson post or a bollard or bitt (if so equipped).
Not a cleat! Too weak except for a wee little boat maybe.
And PLEASE, heavens no, one does not tie things to capstans or winches!

If one has a big enough anchor to use a winch, there will likely be a chain locker below, into which the anchor cable (whether chain or rope) is fed.

Thimble- you'd definitely want this in the real world to prevent chafing of the rope on the anchor's shackle.

Pat

[Kmot]

Amazingly, it has never fallen off the deck while under way. (better knock on some wood now! )

[patmat2350]

Danforth stowage on an LACO lifeguard boat.

[patmat2350]

And on the foredeck of an Elco 80 footer

[RGinCanada]

Pat,

Thanks for the great photos! I've attached full scale plans of my anchor for anyone who cares to use them, just print them to the scale you need. If you want dwg/eps etc, send a PM and I'll create an FTP.

Somewhat related questions on silver soldering:

1) Is 2% silver (221 C melting) adequate? (I'm not brazing a boiler!)

2) Can I use my regular soldering flux?

3) What is the best way to hold small parts in position (2mm x 5mm)

[Kmot]

I have a Weller WESD51 soldering station. It gets up to 850°F. I use the Staybrite silver soldering kit that includes the roll of silver solder and liquid flux.

I have soldered many brass items using this equipment. No flames, no torches. The way it works, is dab a drop of liquid flux onto the joint area. Touch the solder to the hot tip of the iron and it makes an instant liquid drop of silver solder. Now touch that to the fluxed area. It will heat rapidly and the silver solder will instantly wick and flow into the fluxed joint.

I use the "Helping Hands" tool. I also use a wood clothes pin, held by the alligator clip, to hold parts that are more delicate.

I have attached some photos of some of the silver soldered parts I have made using the Weller and Staybrite:

[Tugboat Andy]

Although I don't silver solder much, I have used the Staybrite silver solder kits with pretty good sucess. I'd recommend them. :)

I use a propane torch to heat my joints which is less than perfect. I think an electric iron that gets the joint hot quickly is the ticket. ;)

[RGinCanada]

I was planning on using a high temp micro torch, but it appears this is barking up the wrong tree huh? (Geez, and I like fire...)

I haven't found a local source for the Staybrite kits, where are you guys sourcing yours?

[patmat2350]

Heat: Depends on mass/area of the parts. While a 25 or 40W pencil iron is fine for small parts, you'll need the big guns (150W iron or a torch) for things that conduct the heat away too quickly (like rudders). And I've even had jobs where my little pencil-flame butane torch wouldn't do, had to get out the big propane torch.

Holders: You can get a soldering pad from a jewelery supply shop or Micromark... kind of a fibrous ceramic brick which accepts pins. Handy!

[Tugboat Andy]

I was planning on using a high temp micro torch, but it appears this is barking up the wrong tree huh? (Geez, and I like fire...)

I haven't found a local source for the Staybrite kits, where are you guys sourcing yours?

I found the Staybrite kit at one of the local welding/gas shops.

I am ashamed to admit that two of my Springers have showed the signs of flame damage due to some torch work to fix small child damage to the prop/strut. Sigh...... :o

[Kmot]

Most hobby stores probably carry Staybrite since it is intended for hobby use.

I would not attempt silver soldering with a pencil type soldering iron, except the pencil tip that comes with a "soldering station" like the Weller. The reason that works so well, is it stays hot even when it comes into contact with a heat absorbing chunk of metal. That's what the big transformer is for.

http://www.hmcelectronics.com/cat/ss/1980-0431.jpg