My Rescue Barge

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 15th =================================================

Today was VA appointments and other stuff.

I did get about 1 hour on the transportation box.
More gluing trim boards on the panels.

Oh! I was at the post office today and the wheel collars needed to finish the pusher bar linkage were there.
Now on the work bench.
I see soldering in my near future.

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 16th =================================================

Transportation box panels and trim.


Assembly of end panels.
Gluing trim boards on.


I have to let the glue cure over night. (15 to 20 hours)

So in to the shop to find something to do.

I received wheel collars so I might as well start assembling the pusher bar linkage.
I have not started the soldering parts.
That is next.

While assembling these parts, I realized I have to get more stainless grub screws.
I will assemble with the steel screws.
That way I know I have all the linkage parts made.

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 17th =================================================

This morning, I assembled the lid panel.
It requires an inside frame besides the outer trim.
It required almost all my clamps to hold it together. (16 in all)

I did the 2 side panels as well. Each required 2 end trim boards.

Everything is clamped and now the waiting to cure.

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 18th =================================================

More work on the transportation box done.
So many small parts to glue on making it hard to continue as the glue needs to cure before disturbing the parts.
15 hours minimum.

I did measure for the box lid stand.
Cut all the parts and start gluing them to together.

Going to town and while there, I plan to pick up some bolts, tube of glaze, paint and some hinges.
===============
Went to town.
I just came in from the shop.
Got everything but the hinges.
Oh well. Next trip to town.

In the shop for a few minutes.
Thought I would do something.
Looked around for scrap aluminum plate. (my old 25MPH sign)
Found a piece that looked like it was cut for the pusher bar servo.
Cleaned it up with the disk sander.
Measured and put a 90 degree bend in the plate.
Cut a notch for the servo.

It is ready for drilling holes for mounting the servo and to the under side of the deck.

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 19th =================================================

Got out side to work on the transportation box.
Cleaned up the glue that squeezed out from under the parts.
I ran the lid through the table saw to straighten the underside frame that drops in to the box as a guide and strengthens the lid.
Took the parts in to the shop.

At this point I quit.
My fingers no longer work.
I am going inside to get warm.

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 20th =================================================

I am still working on the transportation box.
Gluing parts together.
I put the boards on the under side of the lid that will hold the hinges for the stand pieces.
The stand pieces are done and ready to be painted.

It is windy and I am working outside on the metal work bench.
With the wind and cold it says 41 degrees on the gauge.
And the sun is covered by clouds.
My hands can only take so much.

In to the house I go.

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 21st =================================================

Early this morning, I fitted and glued the two ends to one side panel.
This way I can use my 2 aluminum "I" beams to hold everything square.
They are at least 8" tall and 6" wide.
Makes holding square and lots of room for clamps.

Had to go to the big city.
A store got a shipment of the printers I have been looking for, for 2 months in.
I was looking at their web site very early this morning where it showed no printers within 250 miles of my location.
I was reading the spec when the page change to "In Stock".
Jumped in my car and off I went.
It is only 70 miles round trip.
Turned out to be next door to a Lowes hardware store.
I needed 1 more 8' trim board to finish the transportation box.
Yes, I bought enough but a couple of mistakes destroyed some of the trim and I had to replace it.

Got home and back out to the work bench.
Cleaned and glued the 4th side of the box.
Lots of clamps and "I" beam.

I did some measuring and cut the lid to the box numbers.

Next will be the bottom panel.
Then the last of the trim boards.

Sanding will follow.
Lots of sanding.
To clean up the glue that squeezed out from under the trim boards.
Then the start of glazing to clean up the rough panel edges.
They were not rough when I started. (oops)

While in town, I picked up parts at the post office.
1 more order to go. (new speed controllers)

It is suppose to rain tomorrow.
Maybe I can get the pusher bar linkage soldered together.

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 22nd =================================================

The weather has turned cold here.
It looks like the high for the next week is going to be 48F or below.
Also says snow next weekend.
Not good for gluing wood panels together.

But, I went out to the shop and turned on the heater.
Got it up to about 60F so I decided to continue putting the transportation box together.

I had put the lid trim on and clamped it down to the work bench.
Either later today or tomorrow, I will do the bottom panel.

That will complete the box.

Then the sanding and glazing begins.

(That reminds me. I need to go out to the shop and turn the heater off)

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 23rd =================================================

High today is 40F with snow this afternoon. (maybe)

Heater is on in the shop.
Right now it's 50F in the shop.

More trim cutting and gluing.
Thought I was done until I turned the box over.
More to do.

Glued and clamped.
Maybe more this afternoon.
======================
Afternoon!

I was able to trim the excess glue that squeezed out after clamping.
It has cured enough to have expanded and is hard enough to cut but still soft.

I drilled the lid for the hinges.
Using only the center hole I screwed the hinge in place.
This let me check the stand to be at a right angle to the lid.
Had to do some adjusting.
A little, wood removal on the lid for the hinge barrel.
Got it.

Made up the cable with wooden dowel ends that goes between the two stands to keep them from falling over when the boat is on the stand.

The rain has started and it is turning cold.

That's it for today.

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 24th =================================================

All the parts of the transportation box have been glued in place with assorted clamps.

After trimming the excess glue tomorrow, I can start sanding.

While in the shop, I measured and hand drew a profile image of the rescue barge.
Brought it in to the house and made 3 copies.

With the 3 copies I can cut out the sheet plastic parts and shape them.
I have an extra aluminum badge plate I can use on the bench.

All I need now is a day that is warmer so I can do the sanding outside on the metal work bench.
==================
Took the drawings out to the shop.
I cut out 2 of the 3 badge pieces.
Did the shaping of both.

The third pieces is mostly a straight long rectangle so I have not bothered with it yet.
The 2 shaped pieces are glued together and in the vise to cure.

Of course I thought I had all the pieces on the transportation box.
Well, like always, I did not think about the 2 short pieces on the bottom at the ends.
They are fitted after the bottom panel and trim is in place and the sides are in place.
These 2 pieces are sitting on the bench ready to go on once I can turn the box upside down to work on it.

All in all the transportation box is coming along.

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 25th =================================================

Woke up to about an inch of snow on the ground.
Means the temperature is going to be 32F.
Had to go out to the shop early for some stuff in the house.
Turned the heater on.
An hour later I went back out to the shop.
It was warm enough to do a little work on the transportation box.
Trimmed the excess glue from yesterday.
Looked the box over carefully and found I needed a wooden trim strip o each end.
Cut the trim strips and fitted them.
Got the glue from the house where it lives to stay warm.
Glued the last 2 strips.

Sat down on my wooden milk crate and started shaping the plastic box badge.
I have the first 2 layers of plastic sheet sharped.
Made the third layer piece and bonded in to the other 2.

It requires just a little shaping.
Well actually, I just need to file the upper edge down to the deck level of the other 3 layers.
I was going to go out to the steel work bench and clean p the aluminum badge plate.
Stepped outside to a nice clear and cold 33F.
Now 4 hours later, it has warmed up to 38F.

I have decided I will wait for another day to work outside.
Weather says, Thursday will be above 40F. Yippy! I think.

With the weather so cold I think tomorrow I will work in the shop and make the Tx case badge.
Transportation badge is 6" long and the Tx case badge is 3" long and only 2 layers of plastic sheet.

A little progress every day.

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 26th =================================================

Weather is wrong today.
That is a good thing.
Weather says 36F to a high of 39F.

The sun is shining.
The temperature is 48F.
And my hand are doing fine.
A hat and jacket and I am good to go.

First I am going to finished the transportation box badge.
There was very little to do that a file and knife couldn't do.
After finishing the plastic badge, I finished the aluminum backing plate.
This is what I ended up with.
It still needs to be painted.
Badge flat black and the complete unit cleared.


Started the smaller badge that goes on the Tx case.
Drawings made and glued to plastic sheet.
Next step will be to cut the profiles out.
After the glue cures.

On to the transportation box.
Trim the excess glue from yesterday's work.

While I have the belt sander out and in the work bench vise, I thought I would do the sanding of the trim.
Got that done but I broke a belt and had to use a new belt.
Far too aggressive.
I tried to lightly go over the wood but still to aggressive.

Got the palm sander out which had finer sand paper on it.
Went over the trim to remove the deep marks.

Okay, that went well.
Might as well sand the panels to remove as much glue spill as I can.
Got most of it but needed to use the end of a bigger file to scrape the glue down.
This is good.
I like what I ended up with.
There are marks showing but the glaze will take care of that.

Transportation box with barge sitting on it.


Went to town and bought stainless bolts for the badge plate.

As it got cold while I was gone, I decided to bring the badge plate inside the house where I could work on it and stay warm.
Printed out a 100% scale template for the lettering.
I got the vinyl letters out and Exacto knife
Started laying down the letters.
This what I have.


Tomorrow I should be able to get the badge painted and mounted on the back plate.
Clean up the pencil marks and clear coat it all.
Bring it in the house to dry.
-------------
I am going to print out a 100% scale CH SALVAGE to see how it looks and if it will fit on the badge back plate.

I did printout a full size test and I made the change to the badge plate.

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 27th =================================================

I was in the shop for about an hour and a few minutes.
Worked on the transportation box badge and I made the Tx carrying case badge.
With the heater on, I even got the first coat of paint on them.
There will be sanding because of the high winds today and the dust in the sir in the shop.

Top is 4" long and bottom is 6" long.

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 28th =================================================

I have things to do away from home.
So early in the shop and turned on the heater.
Got it from 36F to 48F.

I sanded the 2 badges and the badge plate.
Got a second coat of paint on the 3 parts.

Time to start glazing the transportation box.
Me with a new tube of Bondo glazing, I started filling trim joints and seams.
I did 2 ends, the bottom, the top edge and 1 side.
Can not quite get to the side sitting on the table.
Not a problem.
There is more glazing to be done.
Always 2 or 3 times to get it all flushed out.

I did not take a photo.

Lots of sanding in my future.
This reminds me, I need to make a new sanding block.
The one I have now is worn out and tearing.
----------------------
Back from other stuff.

In to the shop and I was able to turn the transportation box over and glaze the side sitting on the bench.

Here is the box with all it's glazing.


Thought while I am taking photos, I would set the box badge in place and get it with the Tx case badge below.

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

January 29th =================================================

Today the rain that started about 3am is continuing off and on.
This is a cold rain.
Went to town for my biweekly Post Office mail run.
Got the normal expected bills and such but there was a surprise as well.
The 2 speed controllers I ordered where there.
The order say delivery is to be end of February first part of March.

Opened the package to find 2 speed controllers as ordered.
Only thing is there are no instructions.
So a little web research is in my near future.

My plan was to sand the transportation box glazing.
With the rain I can not do that.
I am not feeling up to turning on the heat in the shop.
So, today is a day off.

I'll make it up tomorrow. Suppose to be sun shine with no wind and a high of 42F.
I can dress for that and get the sanding done.
-------------------------------------
Looking outside from my desk, I can see the sun is out.
Put on a jacket and went out and looked at the steel work bench.
It is dry.
No standing water and still no wind.

Guess what I did?
I got the palm sander out and put new sand paper on it.
Brought the transportation box out to the bench.
Sanded all the glazed areas.
Took maybe 15 to 20 minutes.


Back in to the shop and glazed a few spots that needed more work.

Looking at the box badge I saw I forgot the exhaust mufflers.
There is plenty of scrap plastic on the floor.
I need a piece about 1/8" wide by 1/4" tall.
Found a piece and got after it with a file.
In a couple of minutes, I had a muffler with pipe.
A very small smear of silicone glue and the muffle is now on the badge plate.

.