1877 Salvage Tug Hercules build.

[mjt60a]

Looks great, I do enjoy making those 

[PeeWee]

Looking good there Stuart.   

[Stuart Badger]

Hi PDs !

and thanks for the observations!

I just could not face doing the paddlebox steps today - it's really hot in the workshop, just not condusive to delicate work.

So I decided to make and plank the sponsons , fit the ventilaters and make and position the sponson supports. I got one side done before I started to melt!

The paddle shaft outer bearings are fitted and I now have to design the shaft/motor supports and transmission to give independant paddle wheel drive. which I can do in the cool with a drink and a fan!

All the best

stuart

[marinemole]

You choose your prototypes well. This one is going to be a beauty also. Don't know how you find the patience for individual deck AND sponson planking.

Andy

[Stuart Badger]

Thanks Andy!

For me, half the fun is hunting for something a bit different. I'm not patient - just (my beautiful assistant says) dogged!

All the best

Stuart

[derekwarner_decoy]

Oh dear PD's........for a number of years I have looked closely at the Badger Model Ship Yard  & I see....

An near empty cup
A full ciggie ash tray
Various glue pots 
The occasional Humbrol 10cc paint pot
A few pairs of "snips"......

.....but the result even during the build for we viewers  ....is as usual  .......... ..Derek

[Eddy Matthews]

An near empty cup
A full ciggie ash tray
Various glue pots 

I've even known Stuart to partake of the occassional alcoholic drink.......

So here we have someone that can build at three or four times the rate of any average mere mortal, and a list (above) that contains nicotine, caffeine, solvents, alcohol..... Is there a pattern emerging here?

Eddy

[Eddy Matthews]

Now to be serious, the more I see of this build the more I like it.... The Hercules certainly has a charm and character all of it's own, which I adore!

The twin funnels, it's general style, the huge pump and boiler on the foredeck, it all just oozes character!

It's certainly going to be one (if not the) best looking tug models made in many a long year - With prototypes such as this, why do the tug brigade always seem to go for the more modern diesel tugs?

Okay, I'm starting to ramble, but I think I've made my point

Regards
Eddy

[Tug--Kenny]

I echo your comments Eddy. It does have a character, doesn't it?

I particularly like the sponsons Stuart. A sturdy piece of engineering indeed. Much better than the 'Glasgow' of mine. That has plastic paddle boxes supported by "not a lot" until I beefed them up a bit. Now I'm into nuts and bolts if I want to remove the Paddle wheels. 

Will you have a method of wheel removal ?

Lovely work as usual

ken

[Eddy Matthews]

KEN!!!

I've just noticed your Avatar - A what do I see? A propellor!!! How could you?

Regards
Eddy

[Dinosaursoupman]

Stuart,

As everyone else is saying, 'just another beautiful build'. My question is, How are you attaching your sponsons to the already painted hull?

Randy

[Stuart Badger]

Hi PDs

First I'd like to dispel the rumour that I need 'substances' to build models - although I find it does help!

Randy, your question about fixing the sponsons in place has to be answered i guess.

There is this convention that one should only glue onto the bare faces of the original material (ie. remove paint etc) such as wood, plastic etc.
Frankly I think that this is just tosh!

If I were glueing to plastic or metal then I would ensure that I used a compatible adhesive and that both surfaces were free of grease, paint and any other contaminents.

The surface of the hull of Hercules is acrylic car paint on top of card which is in turn wood glued onto the hull planking. the resultant surface is as tough as anything and in fact the paint adheres better to the underlying material than glue would - so I have no problem using epoxy and gluing the wood of the sponsons onto the painted surface. Bear in mind that this is in this case only - I would assess the suitability of this technique in each  case.

I will also on this type of surface have no problem with using Cyano glues to attach plastic components to the painted surface - again the cyano actually bonds BETTER to a finished surface like this.

This may seem unconventional but I have NEVER had a failure as long as I have properly assessed the properties of the joint to be made. This enables me to paint as I build which I find gives a much crisper and cleaner finish to the model.

I know this answer to your question may well make the purists gag! BUT it works for me. To often, I think one is told that something will not work by those that have never tried it. I would NOT use some glues with certain paints or materials - but after a while you learn what works and what doesn't.

All the best

stuart

[Stuart Badger]

Hi PDs

Thanks for the comments all - and Randy - I hope you didn't think I was offended by your question, I was just terrified of 'owning up' to the fact that I sometimes glue onto painted surfaces!!

I have finished the sponsons including the lower, shaped side beam and painted them. The next task was to make the engine room. I made this from plasticard and used 10 thou strips embossed with a clockwheel for the riveting strips. The doors are mahogany stained boxwood and the hinges and door handles are made from brass wire.

I am now in a bit of a quandry - I have a way to go with Hercules yet but was already preparing to build Rosalind next and then MR Matthews came up with this delicious ship that he found on the web! So at the moment I am 'deep in thought' about the next one!

All the best

Stuart

[PeeWee]

Looking very good as always.  i know what you mean about build order, i have flipped a coin in the past. 

[Eddy Matthews]

A nicely made engine room Stuart, can't wait to see what it looks like with the flying bridge fitted.....

Regards
Eddy