P.S. Juno - Some 'ME' Time...

[Talisman]

Hi All,
Well I have had an incredibly busy year .. Clyde Model Boats has just celebrated it's second birthday the other week .. how time flies.
Anyway I’m beginning to catch up with myself and take some time out from development and working with precision machinery ... I’m looking forward to ‘just fits’ & ‘looks right’ tolerances again...

Anyway, I am going to make a start on P.S Juno ... ok so she is already underway but I have decided to finish her in 'me' time rather than show deadline times. |One problem with doing things on a commercial basis is you forget the pleasure the hobby brings so I’m going to try reminding myself.... Having said that I do want her done by the Mobile Marine show (Sat 26th of November) but hey that's a rather luxurious deadline ...
I know there are several unfinished projects in the construction section from me but i will come back to them as time allows over the winter ...

So here goes - the story so far....

[Talisman]

Introducing P.S Juno....

‘'Builders: Clydebank Engineering & Shipbuilding Co Ltd 1898
Propulsion type: Paddle two cylinder compound diagonal
Owners: Glasgow & South Western Railway Co (Later LMS Railway )
Service dates: 1898 -1931
Tonnage: Net 229 Gross 592
Comments:
Another fast (19.26 knots), elegant steamer she was heavy on fuel and like her sister Glen Sannox, this was to shorten her service career. It was rumoured that she was built for service on the South Coast of England, but she nevertheless took her place in the fleet in July 1898. Whilst she was a large and robust steamer fitted for service in all weathers, she operated principally as a summer boat, due mainly to her heavy coal consumption. She served as a troop carrier and minesweeper in the Great War and survived unscathed, returning to Clyde service in June 1919. In 1923 she came under LMS Railway control and her new owners became increasingly concerned about her fuel consumption. She was withdrawn from service in 1931 and was broken up at Alloa in March the following year.’’
From Tom Lees’s Paddle Steamer Picture Gallery

[Talisman]

Where I'm at so far -

Plans used were obtained from the collection of John Brown's drawings held by the Glasgow University archives. While they are amongst the best drawings i have ever seen they still had to be re drawn before proceedings could begin.

On redrawing all formers for the plug were Cad drawn and then Water jet cut all spaces between frames then filled with a suitable hard wood. After several Days of 'spoke shaving' & tedious sanding a suitable Plug was made.

A GRP Hull soon followed.

One of the many beauties of Cad plans is that parts & measurements could be lifted win one go and double check for accuracy... not the measure twice ... recalculate ... you know how it goes..

Anyway enough for tonight, Pics and next installment tomorrow.
Regards,
Kim

[marinemole]

Look forward to seeing the pics.

Andy

[djcf]

She's a lovely big paddler, looking forward to seeing your progress & pics, Kim.

[PeeWee]

Well done Kim on makeing some ME time.  I am sure you will enjoy it and looking forward to some pictures.

[Talisman]

Part Two –

Well this eve I brought the Plug indoors for just long enough to avoid trouble from Susan, get a snap and stick it on the scales, I dithered a little to long and there was trouble lol
The Plug weighs in at 24.5KG (3.85 Stone) .. not to bad compared to some of my others.
The plug is seen in its used state and should it be required again it will need some cleaning up.
(Pic 1)

So the hull was born shortly afterwards, I have moulded the basic outline of the Paddle boxes into the hull and another mould was made for the Wheel drums

(Pic 2)

Hull preparation

The hull was not sanded at his stage as there is a fair bit of work to be done before she sees paint and there will no doubt be bits and pieces to be tidied up as she has been around the country, shoved in and pulled out the car several times at shows.

Windows –

First of all I prepared some A4 Address labels with lines printed onto them at each of the vertical sides of the window openings.
I then marked of some reference points around the hull – (I used a Pentel  CD marker pen as it has a fairly neat nib and easy removed with Meths at the end)

1. Horizontal – Waterline
2. Vertical – One ahead and one astern of the moulded paddle boxes.

After I had some known points to work from the labels were applied so that the verticals were true to the horizontal (W/L)

To mark the window tops I first checked that top of the hull’s moulding was true to the plan / had been trimmed in the mould. Any high spots were sanded back. Next I used a wood working depth gauge to scribe the curvature onto the labels.

Next it was a long chain drilling session followed by sanding to size. I am using Laser cut window insets, the material I have used is the same as many watch manufacturers use on their watch faces, it cuts superbly, has great strength … oh and its expensive.

Pic 3

Decks

Any easy bit now…
The sub deck is Waterjet cut and only needed to be faired to match the internal flare of the bow. Once happy with the fit it was then pinned and glued to the hull side. Then a sliver of suitable filler was applied to the small gaps and the hull sides above this deck. Once set it was back to sanding …. I really should have shares in a sandpaper company!

Next the Top deck support was placed on top and again faired to fit. Once happy I taped the deck down and allowed the wood to rest for a couple of days to help it take the shape of the sheer.

Next an even easier step…. Long may this continue … The laser cut and etched top deck was placed on top to check its fit …. No need for sand paper, Yipee, a good day in the workshop!

Pic 4

Ok that’s enough for tonight. Monday I will move onto the Superstructures and some Lights …

[Talisman]

Hi All,
Part III –

Well despite my plans this week has again been a busy one. This part brings you upto date with progress so all postings from now on will be in real time.

Let’s begin –

Pic 1
  062sml

In this pic you can make out the Laser etched deck which carries the deck lines, Part positioning marks (coal scuttles & Cowl vent markings can be seen) Also a little bit of fun for me to break the monotony of straight lines I have included a little bit of ‘Fancy Carpentry’ (The Diamond Pattern at where the stairs would meet the main Deck.)
Also seen is the Starboard Panel of the Forward Superstructure. It has been etched & window openings have been cut through.


Pic 2
  063sml

This Pic shows the chequered plate over the boiler. This has bee Laser cut from Embossed Styrene. The red oxide paint will only be visible (1mm) around the Funnel Base. Good fun just slapping the paint on … not much concentration required ... my favourite style of work 
Pic 3

  064sml

[Talisman]

This Pic shows the rear Superstructure assembled … an easy bit yippee 
Pic 4
  066sml
Deck supports & Rudder Shaft support all in place.

Pic 5
  068sml

Stern Deck in Supports for removable Access panel in place.

Pic 6
 067sml
Removable access Panel in place – A suitable securing method will be shown later in the build.

[Talisman]

Pic 7  070 sml
 

Pic 8
Paddle Drum Moulding ready for future.

 

Pic 9 & 10
Light bulbs – as you all know upper weight is an issue but adding these superb little Grain of rice (not wheat) will be ok and being filament should (at the right voltage – 3 / 4.8 volt) give a nice ‘glow’ (pic shows bulb at 6volts) Pen, 10ba nut and ‘sticky fingerprints’  give an idea of size.
 


Ok that’s us up-to-date and next parts will be in real time from now but still aiming for the end of November as a deadline!
Regards,
Kim

[marinemole]

Is this an attempt on the Guinness record for building a paddler? Looking good so far.

Andy

[Talisman]

Hi Andy,
Many thanks for the reply.

My kids are to old to be happy with a Guinness book of records annual & a Tangerine anymore    so I’m a little out of touch with who might hold the record ... I'm guessing its probably Stuart Badger or Lackie ?

Anyway.. I will let you into a secret but please don't go telling everyone  ... all the hard work was done on a computer many months ago so really you are seeing a kit take shape.

Probably be Thursday before the next update...

Regards,
Kim

[marinemole]

Probably be Thursday before the next update...

Regards,
Kim

Looking forward to it.

[Talisman]

Hi All ,
Andy, unfortunately Thursday's post will be delayed until the weekend.
I have to travel down South to see a man about a boat ....

Will post Saturday eve all being well.
Regards,
Kim

[Talisman]

Hi all,
I said i'd post this eve unfortunately it is to dark now to take reasonable pics as i returned today much later than i expected.
Lets say Monday for next installment that gives us an extra few hours of building.
Regards,
Kim