All those Holes... UCK!!!!

[spitfiremk3]

I have been working on my boat for a WHILE now and someday I will get it done!!! As I have had BIG projects before an I never give up. Ever try to file out all those holes with demoralizing results... I did... An I have built TONS of HIGH quality stuff but not submarines. So I am in the learning mode at the drydock...LOL... The first thing I learned is... Unless you are annointed by GOD with the use of a file you are probably going to have the same luck as I did...LOL... So what did I do? I made a single master pattern out of 0.020 styrene (thin styrene so I could get the curves just right). Then I added more 0.020 styrene to the outside of my master to make the edge of the hole thicker. Then I made 1 casting using the 2 part liquid plastic which I purchased off Ebay. You can buy the stuff anyplace though. And when my first casting was hard, I pulled it out of the mold. I was not happy with the curves at the ends. So I modified my first casting on 1 end to get the desired shape. Next, I casted 2 pieces. Then I cut the 2 in half and super glued the 2 ends together to get my GOOD master. Then I made 4 castings (singles) and glued them together to make one long one. Then I made enough castings for the whole boat. For the shorter holes, I just cut the centers out of the "holes" and glued then back together for the right size (length of the hole needed). It worked GREAT!!! All the holes are the same!!!!
THANX
Scott

[spitfiremk3]

The next step.

Then I took my Dremel tool grinder and ground out my POORLY filed holes to accept my new castings. I super glued them into the inside of the hull 4 holes (1 strip) at a time. I kept them nice and straight. When I had one side all glued in, I Bondoed the outside and sanded then flush... The hull remained just as strong as no holes at all. PERFECTO!!! By the way... If anyone is building a 1/32 type IX and needs a master for their holes, give me a shout. I will give them 1 (master) for free to save them alot of time.
THANX
Scott

PS... To Jeff Larue... I will get the Sub Committee a check in the mail for $26.00 for my membership this week... As I have been lazy... WELL WORTH IT!!!! THANX

[spitfiremk3]

By the way, I ground

By the way, I ground down the back and the edges on a belt sander so it looks nice and neat on the inside too.
THANX
Scott

[mylo]

Scott,

I really like how

Scott,

I really like how you were faced with a "modeling challenge" and came up with a solution. That is the kind of inginuity that many of us can learn from.

Thanks for the post........and the offer for the master. Have you got one for a 1/25 type VIIc

Mylo

[JWLaRue]

Scott,

I really like the idea

Scott,

I really like the idea of using castings for the casing slots! Great job!

-Jeff

[spitfiremk3]

Hi MYLO

Mylo... The slots for your 1/25 scale boat... What are the dimensions of the slot? I may or may not be able to save you some work but I need dimensions and a drawing of how the ends of the slot is rounded. I do have some other pattern slots which I made.
THANX
Scott

[spitfiremk3]

MORE HOLES!!!

Hi... I was back making MORE holes today using a different techology. I made 84 near perfect holes in about 4 hours. It will take a couple more hours to attach to my sub. I will square up the brass around my holes as my friend has a shear. Then I will cut a hole in the sub itself. Using the butt joint method I will fiberglass them in from the inside keeping the brass flush with the outside of the boat. Then I will bondo the outside of the boat flush. I laminated two sheets of brass ( a real brass door kick plate for the brass sheet... cheap brass sheet) together using super glue. Then I glued the brass piece to a block of FLAT wood so I could hold the assembly in a vise. And then 2 holes at a time, I cut the holes using a milling machine and a 1/8 inch end mill. A good drillpress would work fine too. The paper on the sheet brass is because I used way to much glue to laminate the pieces together. I used a paper towel to soak up the excess glue and the towel stuck to the brass.
THANX
Scott
Scott

[spitfiremk3]

And about 3.5 hours later...

And about 3.5 hours later... PRESTO!!! Holes... I also use 2 micrometers to measure my work as I progressed ( to maintain accuracy). When I was done I seperated the brass using a wood chisle and a propane torch. I did this outside and DID NOT breath the fumes... POISON from the burning glue and LEAD in the brass!!!!
THANX
Scott

[spitfiremk3]

Then I lightly sand blasted

Then I lightly sand blasted then off to remove any burrs and to clean the excess unburnt glue off. When I get them installed in my boat I will lightly file some of the holes to remove any excess burrs also. Also I will have to bend a curvature in the piece using the appropraite size of steel pipe, to fit the curve on the boat. I am happy with the slots. As I was not happy with any of my hand filed slots. I am not say it can be done by hand filing...But thats not me...LOL...
THANX
Scott

[spitfiremk3]

Hi... What I should have

Hi... What I should have stated FIRST!!! The most IMPORTANT PART of any U-boat!!! Always wear these!!! SAFETY GLASSES!!! And never wear loose clothes around any power tools. And wear gloves if possible also.
THANX
Scott