Paddleducks
Paddler Modelling => Construction => Topic started by: Tug--Kenny on July 24, 2010, 12:34:05 AM
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Hello everyone.
Having a bit of spare time I decided to open up the Graupner Glasgow Paddle steamer and give it a go.
The kit has been previously described in other threads, so I won't bore you with the kit contents. Everything is supplied in the box, except the motor and electrics, so it was just a case of weeding out the English instructions from the many languages provided, and getting on with it.
I won't be providing a blow by blow account of the build as, all one has to do is plod though fitting all the pieces together. The fitting of them together was a nightmare and dimensions are to the nearest inch !!! Many times I had to make new parts and stronger parts as well as the mechanics of the build are not the sturdiest, so reinforcement were added as we went along.
I shall just put appropriate comments as we proceed, to show any differences in the plans.
Off we go then, starting with the bare plastic Hull, which I didn't like at all. Very bendy and difficult to glue.
The paddles were supplied with plastic rivets so these were exchanged for nuts and bolts.
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Next it was onto the frame which was constructed outside the boat.
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Rudder time
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The frame was fitted and a splash of paint introduced.
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More parts added and a stand was made.
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Deck laid in place to see how she fits together. Seems I've glued the supports underneath a bit to high. (to late now as it's all solid)
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The fun begins with the paddle boxes. They have to line up in three dimensions.
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The cabin build started. I enjoyed this as it all went together very nice.
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The 50:1 motor fitted via a 1:3 gear system. This is calculated to spin the paddles at 100 RPM.
I used a steel drive shaft as the hollow aluminium one supplied looked a little weak for the torque involved.
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Rudder fitted and servo connected. I've used a commercial tiller instead of the one supplied.
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Paddle box platforms re made from three ply instead of the floppy stuff provided. The bar across the paddles was later cut and mad into a removable bar, to allow for paddle extraction.
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More woodworking on the topsides.
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Paddles fitted (12 times ?) to shafts and lined up for correct rotation and feathering.
Connected them up to a six volt battery and sat watching them churn around during a tea break. Very satisfying.
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Paddle boxes fitted another 8 times with lots of cutting and trimming and sanding and finally being screwed down.
It was noted they are very flimsy and had to be braced to the side of hull.
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Further fittings added to the deck
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Paint added by brush ( I just hate that as I have a wobbly hand)
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Well this is as far I've got at the moment. I have shelved the project for the time being.
My reasons for this are that I'm not happy with the deck being up higher than the drawings indicate and the paddle boxes cannot be secured firm enough.
It's also noticeable that the thin plastic hull shows the blobs of epoxy through the external paintwork as shadows, and even after 5 coats of paint (at great expense !!)
Still, it looks good from a distance so she's sitting on a shelf next to Waverley.
Thank you for following my meanderings, it was an interesting 100 hours
:D
Ken
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Blimey Ken, you don't hang about do you.
Good work keep it up.
What's next?
Regards,
Kim
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Hi Ken,
You kept that very quiet! :)
Looking good so far though! Thanks for the detailed post showing all the little bits that need sorting on the Glasgow - It's still a popular model, so it should certainly help any others that are thinking of building one.
Regards
Eddy
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A great looking build Ken. i know what you mean about the paddle boxes as i have a similar problem. i will probably replace mine post paddle day.
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Thank you for the kind comments. ;D
When I get back to it, I shall pin point the little discrepancies and how I solved them.
Ken