Paddlewheels?

[Edward Matthews]

Hi all,

I'm just about to start building a 1:53 scale model of the Waverley
paddle steamer, and was wondering if anyone had any hints and tips on
making the paddlewheels for her?

I don't have a lathe or a milling machine or anything like that, so
please bear that in mind. But any help or advice would be welcomed!

I've looked at the Graupner plastic paddlewheels, but they would be
way over scale and would mean drastic alterations to the paddle boxes
to make them fit - That in turn would spoil the sleek lines of the
boat, so they aren't really an option. Mike Mayhew at Waverley Models
isn't responding to my emails etc either, so his kits are out as
well...

Walter Snowdon (RedGauntlet) has come up with a few ideas, but I'm
curious to see if anyone else has any suggestions. Walter and I have
considered getting etched brass wheels made up (He also wants a set),
but the cost would be prohibitive.

Regards
Eddy

[Paulrjordan]

Wow Eddy!!!! Great news and a BIG project but very worthwhile. Now
the BIG question...will her wheels feather or are you going to take
the easy way and give her radials

I like the idea of radials on a model until all the thrust issues are
sorted out as they're so easy to make and alter. Then when
everything is pushing along at the right speed one can make a fancy
set of wheels. We have a member of our club who's already made
feathering wheels for his "Waverley" but he cut them all out of
brass. You say the Graupners would be way over scale...what scale
are you considering for your "Waverley"? Would also love to hear
your ideas for hull construction...would you be building her hull
from scratch or going with a GRP one?

Really looking forward to hearing more from you about this one.

Keep us in the loop, buddy

PJ.

[Paulrjordan]

Sorry Eddy, I was so excited by your post I didnt read it properly.
All I could see was the words "Eddy" and "Waverley"!

1:53?? Okay..not a usual scale..BUT I KNOW you have a good reason
for it...is that the maximum length that will fit in your bath tub?

PJ

[Edward Matthews]

Bath tub!!! ??

You mean test tank surely! :-)

No, 1:53 is simply the scale of the fibreglass hull I have. Made by
Dave Metcalf here in the UK, it's a superb moulding with all external
detail moulded in and the paddleboxes are moulded into it as well to
give a true "one-piece" hull.

Regards
Eddy

[Paulrjordan]

See..I knew there was a good reason for the 1:53 scale, Eddy...

Dave Metcalf makes excellent one piece GRP (fibreglass) hulls
including a number of paddlers. His Web site is well worth a visit.
In addition to Eddy's "Waverely", David also makes a 1:48 hull for
the famous Paddle tug "Reliant" (ex "Old Trafford") complete with
hull plating details.

Click on "hulls" at:

http://business.virgin.net/metcalf.mouldings/catalogue.htm

PJ
Victoria, BC, Canada

[Edward Matthews]

I doubt she'll have feathering wheels Paul. My metalworking skills
are pathetic (and that's on a good day!), so non-feathering it will
have to be - Unless I can persuade one of my fellow club members to
tackle them for me....

The hull is a fibreglass moulding from Dave Metcalf her in the UK,
hence the rather strange scale of 1:53. I've just got a pair of
lovely Buhler motors geared at 44:1 which gives an output speed of
approx 180 RPM at 12 volts - Under load they pull about 200 milliamps
each! It should sail all week on one charge! :-) The model will have
independent paddles to help with steering - Plus it allows me to
compete (erm, okay cheat) in steering regattas :-)

Walter Snowdon (RedGauntlet) and I have been discussing methods to
make simple wheels that will at least look realistic on the water.
Walter is a real gem and a mine of information! In fact he is
responsible for getting me interested in paddlers in the first place,
so I blame him for everything! :-) He's trying to arrange a visit to
view the Waverley up in Glasgow, if that comes off I should have
dozens on photos to help with the detailing of the model.

I just have a hydroplane to finish working on, and then I'll be
getting started on the Waverley.

Regards
Eddy

[jsearly]

Eddy
Have you considered laser cut, if you can get enough orders and supply the
CAD file some of the shops are reasonable if you are willing to wait and
have it used as a fill in job. Now if you want it tomorrow it will cost,
wait and it might be reasonable especially if you take in a model and show
him what you are doing.
JWE
Long Beach, CA

[stevecrees]

Hi Eddy and fellow members
first off have you tried you local model railway club as they do ther
own photo etching or may know some one who is prepared to do one offs
also I am a new member to the group and am hoping to build full RC
SS Great Britain, SS Great Eastern and also the SS Great western
the idear is for them to be working steam.
thanks for listerning(and putting up with bad spelling and
punctuation)
Steve C