1/48 USS GRAYLING SSN-646 STURGEON BUILD

[wlambing]

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

Tom,

This is looking really good! I don't know what your plan is for the stern light/anchor light assembly. Not readily evident in most pictures and plans, but the stern navigation running light is inside the box and just aft and under the anchor light. The anchor light protrudes from the top of the box. In 1/48, this would look really cool as an operational running light for night runs! Keep up the nice work!

Bill
Former 637 A-ganger

[racer]

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

Thanks for the tip on the stern/anchor light Bill.
I found a nice shot of this detail and incorporated it in.
Came out pretty slick.
The plan would be to add lighting also. Why not.....

I also ordered the propeller this morning.
That is the one item I pretty much do not want to tackle from scratch.




When I do this type of solid modelling, I always like to keep the objects I am doing in perspective as far as size goes.
This really slams the point home on just how big these things are.
In the picture below, I have added a 6' tall worker holding some blueprints while standing on the tail plane of this beast.
And just like that, it does not seem like a model anymore.




And here is a short video of the 7 blade scimitar prop in action at 15 rpm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIFAT8NVSas;autoplay=1;loop=1

[racer]

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

Tonight I finished up the control surface pivot horns and the push/pull rods.
I have decided to place a servo on each surface as these are quite large.
I will be milling the rods to accept a magnet style of connection to the radio compartment.
In doing it this way it allows the tail module to engage the rear hull module in basically a blind operation.
The bulkhead guides just closely support the rods and do not need to be water tight as the entire tail module
is allowed to flood freely. I am also using sealed bearing to keep them watertight.
Time for another animation I think.

[britt boyette]

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

Who makes the screw that you ordered for this beast?

[racer]

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

I ordered it from the Prop Shop over in the UK.
http://www.prop-shop.co.uk/index.php?id ... ct_type=35

[racer]

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

A couple of new items here.
I have applied decals for the first time in Solidworks.
Seems to work pretty nice.
Also, I have created the first piece of detailing, a rear MBT vent.
This time around, instead of trying to cast these, I am going to go photo-etch instead.
I am sure this will give it a much crisper cleaner appearance.
This pretty much completes the Propulsion module.
I need to now develop the Control module to Propulsion module mating joint next.
Once I figure out how I want to join the two sections, I can actually start making something.

[Guest]

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

Most people use a bronze plain bearing at the stern. You can get DuB bearings which are bronze backed with PTFE, and are self lubricating when used in water.

[JWLaRue]

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

For a boat this size (big!), I would suggest taking a look at Rulon bearings to support the prop shaft. McMaster-Carr (http://www.mcmaster.com) is a good place to go...they are an industrial supply company and have an extensive online catalog with many things of interest to r/c sub buidlers.

I use these on my large boats and the result are prop shafts that spin far more easily than when anything else is used.

-Jeff

[Larry Kuntz]

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

Jeff,
Your absolutely right (as always), the McMaster-Carr Rulon J was my choice as it says it does not absorb water. A bit pricey but I found the correct ID I wanted, ordered it longer than needed and sliced it into what I needed. I found "C" clamping a razor blade to the tool holder on the lathe (probably could use a drill press) sliced it like butter and no waste of expensive material. I made a bunch of thrust washers (various thicknesses .010", .020", etc) and use these in front of the prop and behind the dog-bone.

[racer]

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

Thanks for the suggestions guys.
As for the McMaster-Carr site, it has been a bookmark on my browser for along time now.
A great place for "stuff" that's for sure.
I like the idea of the Rulon J and will be making this change.
(Pic above updated)

[racer]

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

With the Propulsion Module design pretty much completed, I am
moving to the Control Module next.
This section will end where the straight Ballast Module begins
and is 17" in length with an 8" beam.
She is growing big quickly.......

I also just found out the new prop is shipping out of the U.K at the beginning of next week. Sweet.

[racer]

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

Tonight I worked on completing the first mold for the sub.
This mold is going to be for the tailplane end plate.
The mold is 5"x4"
Next step is to take it into the Vectric Cut3D program to create the CNC cutter paths.



Here, I am running the cutter path simulation to see what to expect when I put it into my CNC machine.
In this particular case, I am using a HSM (high Speed Milling) operation to mill this with a 1/8" Ball End Mill.
So far, so good.

[Rogue Sub]

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

I take it you are going to CNC the mold for this piece. What are you going to use as a substrate?

[racer]

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

For these smaller items, I will be using machine wax.
This stuff works great and the scraps can be re-melted back into blocks and re-used.

http://www.machinablewax.com/

[Rogue Sub]

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

Awesome. I will have to try that. What are you using for g code and driver?