1/144 scratch build Akula

[bwi]

Bar,
I get that! For me I am not smart enough to know when I can't do it! Ignorance is bliss.

Those grates are insane! I am in awe......Uitstekend!
Peace,
Tom

ROFL Tom.....that is uitstekend man....you're now ready for the metric system.

Grtz,
Bart

[tsenecal]

Bart,

what material did you use to build the grates?

[bwi]

acrylic sheet Tim (Polymethylmethacrylate)

grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

Previous I made “in-between” masters of the rudders, diving planes so I could cut out the surfaces without any risk, if it went wrong I could cast other ones.
At that time I made separate tools for each part.

For some parts I crafted only one although I need two pieces. Of those items I need to cast an additional piece, this time I wanted to try multi part casting.

Pre development I AGAIN had a look at the pictures and explanation from David Merriman

My preference goes to making reusable box for the tooling, this works best for me and it’s supports the silicone very well so I can keep it’s thickness to a minimum (it’s expensive stuff).
I made a tool to create the alinement wholes with ease. This was also a good test to work with cores so this was again a very nice learning process.

Picture below show the process from the creation of the tooling till the actual casting result. Parts involved:

-Aft dive plane
-Fwd dive plane
-Shark fin scoop (not going to use it, but it ad’s quantity)

Grtz,
Bart

[JWLaRue]

For a reusable box for casting I use Legos. Simple to create pretty much any size or volume required.

-Jeff

[bwi]

For a reusable box for casting I use Legos. Simple to create pretty much any size or volume required.

-Jeff

I have done that too Jeff works great...what I meant here is that the Box will stay with the silicon tool and will be used every time the tool is used.

Grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

As I have decided to make an earlier type AKULA, which carried a circular cross section scoop, had to remake them.
Picture below show the process of creating the new scoops.

Grtz,
Bart

Scoop Root adapted to hull shape


The inlet was opened up with a handheld grinder.


Grating test fitted


Finished scoops

[JWLaRue]

Excellent job fitting those grates!

-Jeff

[bwi]

Thanks Jeff, appriciate it.
Grtz,
Bart

[salmon]

Bart,
Crazy good detailing going on there. Did you cut the screen or punch it out? It is really clean.
Peace,
tom

[bwi]

Bart,
Crazy good detailing going on there. Did you cut the screen or punch it out? It is really clean.
Peace,
tom

I tried to punch it out Tom but it didn't work......that Stainless steel mesh won the round with a CTL punch as a result.

So I used normal household scissors



The mesh came from an old squeeze spoon tea infuser/strainer (honest it was broke before I took it, it was already in the trash bin).



Grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

Marking out the hull for scribing
I tried several ways to see what was suiting me the most (yes I’m crazy).

Lofted the info from the drawing and foto’s and

• directly transferred them onto the hull
• transferred them to GRP made laid-up stencils from the hull
• Transferred them to brass sheet 0.010 x 4 x 10”

The last option I liked so I cut out the transferred shapes. The disadvantage is that it takes ages to do it right and You have to bent them into shape after you are done.

GRP Stencils, I will not use them.





Brass sheet stencils





Grtz,
Bart

[bwi]

I now have all the parts that need casting, so I’m in the process to create the tools for them.
I will have tree tools

• One for the tow array pod (the pod has to be hollow) so I will try a sort of lost wax method with the use of a core. Did some test concerning the melting point of the wax and the behavior of casted resin when heated up. Should work, will keep you informed.
• One for the little parts on witch I will use David’s vacuum casting technique.
• And then the last one, the “normal tool for all the other parts (still have to complete)

Tool for lost wax method, wax caliber just below the master of the pod





Tool for vacuum casting technique








Grtz,
Bart

[hardrock]

Everyone seems very polite over here Bart.

[salmon]

I love the lost wax idea! Did you make a mold for initial wax form?