Drive system for Sir William Wallace

[oldie]

Eddy, I have just been admiring your work on Sir W W on your video.
I am building the Paddle Tug `IONA`, havent yet got to the drive system,  but am hoping you can give me information on motors, belt or gear drive that you used.   Many Thanks,  Oldie.

[Eddy Matthews]

Thanks Oldie,

I'm using MFA/Como geared motors - The ones I chose are the 950D units with a 50:1 gearbox. These only have a 385 motor, and may be a bit underpowered for a tug. If so, MFA also do a similar unit using a 540 sized motor.

http://www.mfacomodrills.com/gearboxes/950d_series.html

I also used plastic chain and sprockets to transfer the drive from the motor to the paddleshaft - These came from Hobbies of Dereham. They are listed in their current catalogue, but don't appear on their website for some reason?

I believe Maplins also do the plastic chain and sprockets, so they could be worth trying?

[oldie]

Eddie,   Very many thanks, the info was of great help as all of my previous building experience is with `conventional` drive systems.  Oldie

[mjt60a]

As a matter of possible interest, I fitted a pair or 385-type motors in Alumchine (listed as paperboat no3 in construction thread) and attached MFA/comodrills 'worm & gear sets' then tried it out in the bath. The noise is absolutely deafening! - especially at full speed (the Model Boats article on building Phantom says much the same thing) On closer inspection, there's a mold-line running all around the 'worm' component which may be the cause.... don't know whether to try to sand it off or just replace with geared motors and rubber belts (from sewing machine spares shop?) Or try to obtain brass worm/gear sets, I once tried meccano ones and they're almost silent - but I have only one set (ebay maybe?)

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's - Mick... do you mean a mould flash/spru line along the length of the worm :?: to the valley & peaks of the surfaces of the worm :?: ... you could try lapping paste & kerosene applied during rotation

Irrespective of the material [die cast or synthetic] the flash/spru line should be removed in a relatively short period of time - Derek

[Eddy Matthews]

The units I used have a full metal gearbox attached to the motor, not the cheap plastic things. As with any gearbox there is some noise, but it's very little, and you cannot hear it from more than a few feet away.

[oldie]

PD`s.   Many thanks to all.   All those points have been duly tucked away in my notebook.   Oldie