1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

[racer]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

I use the Ventric 3D Cut program for the cutter paths.
This software (which is the easiest CNC software to use I have ever seen) takes
a STL file from Solidworks.
I then use the G-Code-Inch g-code selection for the output file for my Smithy 622 CNC machine.

Below are the steps I take to create the mold in Ventric 3D Cut.
As you can see, it does not get much easier than this.

[Rogue Sub]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

How would you compare centric to v mill

[racer]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

I have Visual Mill and I find the 3D cut program easier and quicker for 3 dimensional cutting.
For 2D type template cutting, I would use Visual Mill.

Below is a pic showing the completed mating of the Control Module to the Propulsion Module.
These two will bolt together from the inside.
As you can probably tell by now, this boat will be in sections to ease in transportation and in fabrication.

[racer]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

Construction has begun.
The end plate bottom half of mold is being cut on the mill this evening.
I should be casting them Thursday.

[racer]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

I am looking into the Anechoic tiling of this project.
I have been pouring over reference pictures and cannot seem to find
any close-up side view shots of the stern end plates.
Does anyone have any idea if these were tiled or not?
I am at the point that if I want to pursue these this would be time.
Either applied, or just cut into the mold.
Being I am creating molds for these components now, this is why I am asking at this time.

[Guest]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

I don't think tiles were fitted to that class. I think the Los Angeles were the first U.S boats with an anechoic coating.

[racer]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

I have found a few pictures showing them on the hull.
Although it appears that the tiles were only on a select few boats.

[wlambing]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

Gents,

Only a small number of specific boats got tiles in late 80's/early 90's overhauls. Of course the special projects boats, such as Archerfish and Parche. A'fish's tile job was the prettiest I'd ever seen a boat!! She had a nice coat of semi-gloss black paint over top of the tiles and really looked sharp! Then, she went to sea and came back looking like everybody else. I would research Grayling very closely in photos of her specifically. A tile job will make the sail look different, as well as presenting beveled "edges" along the main deck and any hull fittings below the waterline you wish to detail. I have an OTW Upholder I'm working on. They were built and put into service with tiles, yet that detail was omitted from the kit molding. What a PITA it is to restore that detail to the boat!!!! But, I'm gonna do it. Just wouldn't be right without 'em!

Luckily, you're in a good place to incorporate tiles into your design. Like I said, study the pictures of Grayling and go with her as she was. If she had tiles you'll come out ok.

Take care,

Bill
Former 637 Class Driver & Chief Mechanic

[racer]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

Well, it appears that the Grayling was not one of the lucky ones to get the tile job.
Bill, thanks for the info on the few that did get the tiles.
I wanted to see what these would look like and went ahead and tiled the rudder up with the 18x24 tiles.
I thought it came out pretty neat actually.
It does add so much more depth and interest to the surface.
I don't know....I may have to rename this boat.
I also found a nice close-up of the zincs. I will have to revise these as mine are nowhere near close
to what they actually look like.

[Guest]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

There are two schools of thought regarding adding scribed detail for tiles. Some like it, some don't.

Personally I like smooth hulls with just scribing for hatches etc. It can work out for larger scales. Sheerline's Traflagar class is one such example. The large 1/64th scale is big enough not to make the tiling detail look too heavy handed. I don't think the same detail on a 1/96th scale boat would look right though.

[JWLaRue]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

I agree with Andy on this. There is a point at which physical scribing becomes too 'heavy' looking. At a scale of 1:48 any tile scribing would likely need to be very lightly done...and even then it will be a matter of personal preference. Perhaps making a test piece is called for?

Also, have you considered using different shades of paint to represent the tiling?

-Jeff

[racer]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

I think for the moment I will go with smooth molds as the Grayling did not have tiles.
And like you said Jeff, the paint illusion way is an option be it a tricky one.

[racer]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

Look what came from the UK today!!
This thing is a beast and looks fantastic.
The manufacturer stated that it was pre-balanced so I set it on a scratch awl and gave it a spin.
This thing was still spinning strong after 5 minutes. I could not believe how smooth it was spinning.
I am as you might imagine very pleased.



As you can see from this shot, I have indeed started the tail pieces.
So far they are coming out really nice.

[Rogue Sub]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

That looks very awesome!

[thor]

Re: 1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

What grade of tooling wax are you using?

Matt