1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

[racer]

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

Specifications for the Blue Blend Machinable Wax:

Extremely hard, hybrid plasticized wax blend. Recommended for high resolution CNC milling and turning. This wax is somewhat more flexible than our green blend when milled in small pieces. Available in small, medium and large pieces. This wax is too tough to be considered carveable.

Hardness: 50-55 (Shore "D" Scale)
Penetration @77 deg. F, 150g (dmm) = 13.0
Flexibility: Low
Specific Gravity: 0.92
Specific Density: 0.03472 pounds / cubic inch or, 0.9137 grams / cubic cm
Flash Point (COC): 575 degrees F
Melt Point (Ring & Ball Method): 240 degrees F
Viscosity 270 degrees F = 1790cP
Flexibility: 46 Average (Proprietary test for comparitive purposes only.)
Volumetric Shrinkage (for recycling, from melting point to room temp): 5%
Ash content for lost wax casting applications is low (.0075%)
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (in./in. ºF): 9.5 x 10-5
Coloring: blue dye, permanent, oil base

[racer]

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

I put some work into the stern/anchor light assembly today.
I went and milled and cast the housing which came out very nice.
I had to use the 1/32" End Mill for the mold. The smallest part to date.
The housing is thick enough and being painted black to prevent the light
from shining through it in the dark which is exactly what I was hoping it would do.
This allows the light to only be seen directly from behind.
The light is on in both pictures.
I used the 9V RAM Navigation light kit. It is pretty bright but the camera over exposed it just a tad.
It kind of looks like a Supernova in the picture.
This is also not the final finish paint, just a primer coat.




Time to finish up the tail planes next.

[Rogue Sub]

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

This is going to be one big boy. I love the machinable wax. Talk about quick molds. Do you still use a release agent or is the hard wax good enough?

[racer]

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

Yeah, it really is great stuff and I use it whenever I can.
Yes, you can pull parts straight from it but I just give it a couple
of quick spray's with a mold release spray and mold away.
The parts basically just fall out of the molds and then they just wipe
clean with a paper towel ready for the next piece.
Here is the release spray I use.

[racer]

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

I wanted to have the tail planes nice and flush at the pivot which presented a severe under cut issue. So I ended up making a separate insert which I held in place with rubber cement in the mold. This worked out very well.



Below is a shot with the end plates epoxied on. The fit was perfect.
One more piece to go to complete all of the tail pieces before moving on to the rear hull section.

[racer]

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

Here are the completed tail pieces ready for the primer.

[JWLaRue]

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

Tom,

You may want to reconsider the routing of the stern light wire. For my 1/72nd Skipjack, I ran the wires through a hollow thick-walled stainless tube. This tube replaced the solid axle rod...

-Jeff

[tommydeen]

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

Tom
is your cast white parts a smooth-on product as well. if so what did you use. task?
very impressive project
Tom

[racer]

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

Hey Tom,

Yes, I used the Task -21 from Smooth-On.

I have been working on the wood molds for the rear propulsion section.
I should be ready to pour this section over the next week or so.
I am quickly approaching the time were I need to order the rear section hardware.

[racer]

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

Big time progress guys.
I was able to mold up the Propulsion Module and the bulkhead and it came out
really nice. Also on the table here are all of the parts needed to complete this portion
of the build. Thank you McMaster Carr.

[Rogue Sub]

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

That is a real winner you have there. That prop looks great

[racer]

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

I have always been intrigued by the way the dry dock support the boats placed within them.
I thought a neat idea would be to replicate this type of support for the hull as she is coming together.
I found a really neat shot posted below from the rear of such a support system.
I then took this idea and modeled it up in Solidworks and transfered each support to a drawing on which
I have started to build up the stand.
I would anticipate completion of this stand tomorrow.

[wlambing]

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

Tom,

What you're looking at there is only used during construction. That's the aft part of the cradle on the sliding ways inside what is now the 260 Building at EB. There was similar in the South ways, and "Liberty" ways at EB, too. Once launched, the cradle slid down some rails and the boat floated off the cradle. Then it would get hauled back up and used for the next boat. Nobody slides subs anymore. Shame, as it was way fun to watch! I'll see if I can find you some decent pics, or plans for proper drydock blocks to make a stand from. You keep making that boat!

B^)

Former 637 class driver.

[racer]

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

Thanks for the clarification Wlambing.
Since these are the construction cradle supports, I guess it is properly fitting at this time to be using them.
One can never have enough reference material.

Today I finished mounting up all the tail planes and linkages.
Everything moves smoothly which is always a plus.

[PaulC]

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

Very cool, Tom. Keep it coming!