I Need Floats!!!!!

[smithder]

I finished my SHAFT 400 a few weeks ago and need to get a set of floats for it. (It's is a sweet plane!!!) Can someone recomend a source for a light weight set of floats? This will be my first adventure into float planes. I have a lake in my back yard so soon I will need floats for all my planes. Thanks for the help!

[Rikidee]

Floats are easily cut from 2" blue (or pink) styrofoam. Two connecting wood sticks maybe cut from paint stir sticks, a rear support wire some packing tape and you are floating! Shape file available on the Blue Baby thread for 24" long floats.
It's fun.
Rick

[smithder]

That may be a good way to go. You are packing tape to cover them? Can you use regular covering like Solight?

[Art Schmitz]

Check out smilesandwags.com for more info. Most of us wish we had a lake in our back yard !!

[smithder]

Check out smilesandwags.com for more info. Most of us wish we had a lake in our back yard !!

Nice site, but I'm not sure what am I looking for?

[Rikidee]

That may be a good way to go. You are packing tape to cover them? Can you use regular covering like Solight?
Packing tape works well. Colored tape is available from Fastpack in Fla. if you can't find it locally. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2143748 are a couple of examples. Set the COG slightly ahead of the step. They are very forgiving and I've bounced a few to test.
If you need more detail, let me know.
Happy Trails,
Rick

[smithder]

Do you go with flat bottom or vee?

[Rikidee]

Flat bottom. Easier and more forgiving.

[Art Schmitz]

Flat bottom floats work best for models. ( I have built both.)
What you first need to determine is what the length of the floats needs to be. Measure from the rear side of the prop to the hinge line on the rudder and multiply by .75
Go with a high step.. one inch for 22" floats works very well.
Position the step slightly behind the CG.
The struts should position the floats so that their centerlines are one fourth of the wing span apart and the prop arc about two inches above the top of the floats.
Spray rails on the insides of the floats should be from just behind the bow to just past the prop. Mine extend out a half inch. The idea is to keep the water away from the prop.
Use a composite prop.
I am certain that most of this is in the recommended web site.

[smithder]

Flat bottom floats work best for models. ( I have built both.)
What you first need to determine is what the length of the floats needs to be. Measure from the rear side of the prop to the hinge line on the rudder and multiply by .75
Go with a high step.. one inch for 22" floats works very well.
Position the step slightly behind the CG.
The struts should position the floats so that their centerlines are one fourth of the wing span apart and the prop arc about two inches above the top of the floats.
Spray rails on the insides of the floats should be from just behind the bow to just past the prop. Mine extend out a half inch. The idea is to keep the water away from the prop.
Use a composite prop.
I am certain that most of this is in the recommended web site.



Thanks for all the info!!!

[JimCasey]

the complete site url you need is http://smilesandwags.com/floats.html

Click on the link to Randy Linderman's website for "how-to" make/size/install foam floats-it's the Chuck Cunningham article.

Also several links to producers of lightweight foam floats.

[Rikidee]

[QUOTE=Art Schmitz]
Go with a high step.. one inch for 22" floats works very well.
Position the step slightly behind the CG.
The struts should position the floats so that their centerlines are one fourth of the wing span apart and the prop arc about two inches above the top of the floats.
Spray rails on the insides of the floats should be from just behind the bow to just past the prop. Mine extend out a half inch. The idea is to keep the water away from the prop.
Use a composite prop.
QUOTE]
I was thinking a higher step would help on heavier models. The step I'm using is barely 1/2". My SS works well with this but the heavier BluBaby 42 takes too long and much more power to rise up on the step. A 1" step may help.
Thanks,
Rick

[Art Schmitz]

Not my idea, my 22" Foam Fly.com floats came that way and they allow quick planing and good rotation. One set is on a TM 400..the other on an E-Starter.

[Rikidee]

Flat bottom floats work best for models. ( I have built both.)
What you first need to determine is what the length of the floats needs to be. Measure from the rear side of the prop to the hinge line on the rudder and multiply by .75
Go with a high step.. one inch for 22" floats works very well.

I added a strip of foam to the bottom of my floats to increase the step height. Flight tested it this morning. That greatly improved the response climbing up on the step more quickly. I have just finished cutting out new reshaped 2" blue foam ones. Looking forward to testing them as the weather allows. We have some snow, lake has not yet iced up and warmer temps forecast. Now, if the breeze stays light....
It's great to be able to apply changes and improve the fun factor.
Thanks,
Rick

[JimNM]

@Smithder - I used the 10$ GWS floats on my SHAFT400 to great success. I first used those floats on a Hobby People Simple Stick, then migrated them to the vastly superior SA Shaft400. They mount/dismount very easiy and provide very good performance. I've posted a few times about the AQUASHAFT - use the search button to bring it up.

Have fun - just don't get too wet ;)

JimNM

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...aft#post8806970 (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8806970&highlight=aquashaft#post8806970) post # 116

[Jürgen Be]

Hi,
I`ve got a download-link for you. Easy to build and low weight, just around 40g.
These floats are made for planes with AUW around 500g.
But instructions are in German, no worry, ther are also nice drawings with the plans.
Here`s the link
http://www.vth.de/fmt-09-08-097.html

I use these floats on a modified Bipie-Cartoon-Plane
For interrest, you can take a look:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=497522&page=18

also a video at the flying field and on water

http://www.rcmovie.de/video/8947040e511b7f29ce55/Bipie-ein-Comic-Style-Doppeldecker

Jürgen

[smithder]

Great thanks!!!!!!!

[Rikidee]

also a video at the flying field and on water

http://www.rcmovie.de/video/8947040e511b7f29ce55/Bipie-ein-Comic-Style-Doppeldecker

Jürgen

Wonderful video. Very entertaining airplane. You fly it very well.
Thank you for sharing,
Rick