Looking for help in reproducing sub kit appendages

[eckloss]

Hi gang

I'm looking for someone who is skilled in creating molds and casting resin appendages for a sub. I have two Thor 1/6 Sturgeon hulls but only one set of parts. I would need everything reproduced except for the prop. Picture below. If you are interested, email me directly at eckloss@mac.com with your bid.

-erich

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

I make a lot of parts by hand.
I have never made a m old.
If I was going to make several of the same item, I might consider making a mold.

When I make parts, I start with pieces of 1/16" sheet cut from a large piece. (it was 4'x8' when I started on it several years ago)

Okay let's say were need rear planes.

I would take the original and lay it on the plastic sheet and draw a pattern making it a little large than the finish part.
How thick in next?
This tells me how many layers of plastic I need.
I cut from the big plastic sheet the number I need to make the part.
Twice as many if I am making 2 parts.

All this cutting of the plastic is done with scissors.

You need a shaft in the control surface.
Using one piece of the cut plastic, draw the shape on to it that you will shape to finish size.
Locate where the shaft will be and mark it on the plastic.
I would now cut a couple of pieces in shaft on the shaft line.
I would build up on both sides of the shaft until I had a groove to accept the shaft.
A little smaller is okay because I can drill it out using the groove as a guide.
Once you have your shaft in place, you can cover it with full plastic pieces.
Make sure that you have even numbers of pieces on both sides of shaft.
Apply bonding cement to all parts and clamp in vise to compress the pieces.
Makes for a very good bond.
Let sit over night.

After curing, it takes me a few minutes to shape the plastic part.
I start by shaping the over all shape.
Then I start shaping he air foil to and bottom.

I use Dremel sanding drum, small files and sand paper to finish the surfaces.

The time I think it would take to make molds I can build up and shape rudders, rear planes and sail planes/bow planes.
They are solid and strong.
---------------------
Here is an example.

These are plastic badges I make to put on the transportation boxes I build to keep my boats safe from bumping.

Here I built a Skipjack and Akula II badge.
I print out a full size paper pattern.
There are three of each boat I will do because there will be 3 layers of plastic to shape.

This is the first layer that will mount against the box badge plate.


Second layer shaped and added.
Some shaping is done after the 2 parts are put together.


and here the 2 layers have been put together.


Here is the finished badge on the badge plate ready to be mounted on the transportation box.


Here are 4 badges.


The actual work to shape these is about 10 minutes each.
There is wait time for the cement to cure between layers.

I also made badges for my Tx cases so I know which Tx goes to which boat.


For reference.
The transportation badges are 6" long and the Tx cases are 23" long.

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

I found some photos of Gotland control surfaces being made.

These are the rear planes.

I cut several sheet plastic pieces then shaped them all at the same time for the overall shape.


Lots of parts.


Marking for shafts.


Grinding slots for the shafts.


In this photo are the rudders, rear planes and sail planes.


I don't remember how much time I have in them.
The work was done over a few days.
But if you follow my builds, I usually spend between 10 minutes and 3 hours in the shop.
But control surfaces are rather simple and they do not take long.

[lhdockyard1]

Eric
PM sent

Don

[bob the builder]

Ralph,


Solid suggestion, but the amount of work required to perfectly reproduce Matt's superb fabrication would exponentially outweigh the relatively fast and cost-effective process of simply molding and casting.

NOTE: molding and casting these parts is (in my mind, anyway) a valid path only because Erich has indicated that the resulting parts are going to be used for personal use only and will not be sold or offered for profit. If that was the case, Matt would absolutely and unequivocally need to be brought into the conversation.

Erich, I'm guessing you're looking at 3 sets of molds, one for the sail and two for the appendages. To do it right, you're likely looking at five or six hours of labor plus materials and shipping. I don't have the bandwidth to take this on for a product that will be used as a one-off, but hopefully Don has you covered.

Good luck!

Bob

[DrScoles]

Erich, These could be scanned and SLA printed. I have the hardware, just no time. I've barely touched the two sub kits I bought from you! If you aren't in a hurry to get the parts, I might be able to help over the holidays. Hit me up in December...

[thor]

Erich,

I can probably find a couple of old sets in my scrap bins if you still need them?