Lulonga - My first paddler build.

[TailUK]

I'm glad to see someone else using the tank gearboxes.  I couldn't believe how good they are for the price and a lot less noisy than I thought they would be.  Is there a link to Technobots website?

[15Bert]

Yes, I was impressed by them and I think that if they are rubber mounted they should be relatively quiet.

The Technobots site is here:

http://www.technobotsonline.com/

Bert

[PeeWee]

looking good, almost a shame hiding that lovely wood.   would be interested to see how the tank gearboxes work out

[15Bert]

Bit of a set back, the speed controllers arrived from China and they work fine but they won't do what I want them to do.

The problem is that the controllers have a brake feature that is activated by pulling the stick back to the 'reverse' position. The motor is set in reverse by moving the stick to neutral and again to the 'reverse' position.

I had planned to drive the controllers through a mixer so there is no way that will work. There are no means that I can see to disable the brake feature so I will have to think again Doh!.

Bert

[Eddy Matthews]

Most controllers can have the brake feature disabled. There should be something in the instructions that shows you how to do it.

Regards
Eddy

[15Bert]

Eddy, there are no instructions with these controller, I guess they think they don't need 'em.
I have tried all the usual things with stick positions etc. There are no jumpers or switches.

Anyway, I thought about it, and decided to try them set up with a mixer and I think it will be ok.

They work normally going forward with the motors changing speed according to the steering and when I want to go backwards I move the stick back once and on the second movement they go in reverse and steer just like they should.

I am relieved - I thought I had wasted my money!

I am going to start building the paddles now.

Bert

[TailUK]

Which mixer are you using, Bert?  I'm nowhere near setting my paddler up yet but I was thinking about getting all the gear together.

[15Bert]

I don't know the make of mixer that I have, all the writing has worn off it - I've had it for so long!

Any 'V-tail' (aircraft) mixer would do the job.

Bert

[LARRY W]

 Hi Bert ,
        Just come back from holiday i use clear spray can from Wilkerson, or humbrol semi matt , do test first ,and use lightly
       build finish till happy ...see my pictures of my HDML some ware on the site    Larry...

[15Bert]

Thanks Larry, I will look out for some of that in Wilko's this weekend.

Bert

[LARRY W]

hi Bert,
 Hows the build coming , have you done paddles yet?  ...Larry//.

[15Bert]

Thanks for asking Larry.

Not too much progress , my right leg is a bit dodgy at the moment and I'm having trouble standing for any length of time.

I have made a lot of the parts for the paddles, hopefully the leg will settle down a bit and I can get on with it.

I'm booked in for the Bone Cruncher to have a go at it on the 14th November so after that it should be all systems go.
 
Bert

[LARRY W]

HI Bert
        sorry you are not well , hope to see  some pics of paddle build , 
         my build of paddles where a nightmare ................Larry..

[15Bert]

I got into the workshop for a couple of hours yesterday. I cut the 2mm ply rings and discs for the paddles.

I used a fly cutter thingy in the pillar drill. It looks a bit hair raising with all that metal flying round but so long as you keep your fingers clear of the whizzing bits it's safe to do.

I am going to do a bit more today and I will post some photos.

Bert

[LARRY W]

  WHATS A FLY CUTTING THINGY ?    LARRY.