Help

[tbgray]

Help
I,m knew at this model building All this talk about wheel
building has got my pea brain messed up.Why are you making it out of metal when it was origanally made of wood?? What is the differance between feathering and
radial wheels? Is there a problem with making wheels
that I,m missing? I,m in the process of TRYING to building
a replica of the SS Sicamous. So far have drawings made
up 1/4"=1' approx 57" long Hope to start building soon
time permitting Have very busy schedule Will be looking
for contacts for accessories re. R/C power etc. Any help
would greatly appreciated TKS Have a great day
Buzzardcan

[Leighton]

Hi Bob and Trixi,
Welcome to this lovely world of confusion. Where is PJ? He will
right all wrongs for you. Don't feel bad about asking, I went
through the same thing and I still ask, what to others, appears
silly questions but it is the only way one learns.
Good on you for having a go at a model. I'm in the process of
building my first so you are not too far behind.
Keep up the good work and most of all keep asking questions!!!!!
And by the way....... Welcome to PD'S
Leighton

[Bert Learmonth]

HI to all,
Bob and Trixi, welcome, if you look in the photo section under Nasookin RC
you will see pictures of the Nasookin which is identical to the Sicamous. As
to the making of paddle wheels there are many ways, mine are all made of
scale wood and assembled just as the real ones, these are all sternwheels. I
don't think there is any problem with the wood in water as long as it is
painted to seal it. After all a model does not remain in the water very long
so far I have had no problem with water affecting the wood. We're fortunate
in B.C. Canada to have a great verity of woods so it is quite easy to find a
wood with the quality you need.
Regards Bert.

[dragoncity]

Hi Bob & Trixi,
Don't be concerned about asking 'odd' questions on this group, thats how we all learn about the 'duck' boats,
even the 'so called experts' need a helping hand -- and this is the place to get it.

definition: 'expert' == 'ex' is the unknown quantity, 'spurt' == water under pressure :-)

ON the subject of paddle wheels,

( by the way most Aussie Paddlers are side wheelers,
have a look in the group's FILES section for some
great photos)

a) most Aussie type paddlers had metal framed wheels, like a spider web of ribs, and the wooden floats (paddles)
were bolted to that frame. It was a fairly simple job to fabricate a complete wheel asembly next to where the boat
was being built. Most Australian boats were simply built on the river bank and not in a 'factory' situation.

b) radial wheels are the simplist form , after the base frame is made the wooden floats are FIXED along radius
(spoke) lines around the wheel. Therefore the paddles always enter/leave the water in a fixed position.

c) on a feathering wheel the floats are located on bearings placed around the wheel in a similar position as the fixed
type, however the floats are 'swung' from these bearings and then attached to a cunning mechanism that
changes the angle of entry of the float to the water as the complete wheel rotates. Not dissimilar to the internal
workings of a radial aircraft engine. The theory being that by entering the water in a more vertical plane
the paddlewheel will be more efficient. ( by some 30% 'perhaps' ).

However the feathering mechanism is fairly complex and quite difficult to repair. In the Aussie River Boat
experience feathering was considered to be of little value.
So much better to have a simple radial wheel that if you hit a snag or sandbar you could fix it with a sledgehammer
and axe !!

I'm sure Paul Jordan will have more info on the subject.

Good luck with your model,
Cheers,
Brett

[tbgray]

P.J.
Thanks Paul & everyone else who came back with info
You asked a couple ??
Who & where am I ? Bob / log truck driver former
carpenter living in Hope BC
Re. plans etc./ Thnks to Ron Wild's help I hand drafted
all my drawings Lots of room for improvement I will be
sending a copy of them to Ron in the near future
Hope to start building soon time permiting Seems to be
less &less the older I get (56) Too many people seem to
think Ishould be doing sh-t for them instead of enjoying
myself TKS again Bob
PS If interested check out :
www.americanweststeamboat.com
PPS Brett/dragoncity Not sure what the world you live in
but where come from a bullsh--er is an expert away from
home Have a great day