Freshwater

[mjt60a]

Sorry for lack of the last update but my computer has been out of action for about 5 days (still haven't got it quite as it was...all my stuff gone...etc)
I've just today got a mast for my steamer, it's an inexpensive fishing rod at the moment, I wanted something thinner than could easily be made (by me, at least) from wood but not easily broken, got it in a shop on southend seafront, most helpful, chap in the shop has also made model ships/boats/sub!
Also found a shop with rub-on transfers of WHITE lettering (for the hull), near victoria circus (southend) behind the odeon. Good shop, has balsa, ply, metal, plastic etc. also model boat kits and fittings from Graupner, Billings and Amati. Will remember that shop  
more pics soon...

[mjt60a]

No pics yet as I (still) haven't sorted out my FTP program/settings which were lost as a result of last weeks 'catastrophic failure' (ie. virus)
I have now completed most of the interior of the aft saloon but have still to fit windows and frames plus furniture/people. have started on the final section of protective band that runs from the sponsons around the stern but stopped as run out of araldite. built and fitted stairway from main deck to promenade (to get position of opening in prom deck) and have begun the seemingly endless, yet to me satisfying, process of planking the prom deck, which must then be weathered, sealed, caulked, sanded smooth, weathered again then sealed again. (that's due to the way I do weathering, there's probably a quicker/easier way  

[Khephre]

Mick, you big tease - can you expand a little on your deck weathering techniques?

[mjt60a]

Look at the separate thread in this topic 'deck weathering'  

[mjt60a]

...on the build progress, I fitted meccano pulleys to the shaft ends and the gearbox outputs expecting to be able to use mamod drive belts but these are (it seems) not easily available. I tried wilesco ones which look the same but they slip (wilesco pulleys have a grooved texture) so I bought today a couple of 'vauxhall cavalier waterpump seals' to try (look about the same but are rubber) so we'll see if they'll do the job. If not I'll have to think about chain, toothed belt or geared drives... :?

[Eddy Matthews]

Do you mean the Mamod drive belts that are like coiled springs that screw together Mick??

If you do, my local model shop carries them in stock and I could get you some if needed....

[mjt60a]

Yes, those are the ones, I was sure they must be out there somewhere as they still make vehicles that use them but I thought the wilesco ones were the same... (actually I think they are the same you can screw two or more together to make a longer length etc).. maybe they'd work better if they were 'de-greased' before use...
...anyhow, I'll try the rubber ones first, if they last long enough they should be better than the springs  

[Eddy Matthews]

I used two of the "drive belts" screwed together on my model of the Creole Queen when the original rubber drivebelt perished - They worked a treat....

Anyway, the offer stands, if you need me to get you a couple just let me know.

[mjt60a]

I've now had time to test the rubber 'vauxhall water pump 'o' rings' and they're ideal, grip just fine, even with virtually no tension.
only drawback is that the pulleys* are quite narrow so have to be PERFECTLY alligned or the belt grips the side and rides out of the pulley
Think I can overcome that by attaching a disc to each side (of ply or styrene sheet) of slightly bigger diameter - plus making sure they ARE alligned as best as possible!.
*in fact the gearbox pulleys are fine but the ones on the paddleshaft are actually road wheels without the tyres so the groove isn't quite as deep as I'd like....*
But I'm sure it'll be OK when all is done  

[mjt60a]

Side view, still not quite complete but most of the way there now. Picture is in the photo album here -  http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=522

[Eddy Matthews]

It's looking really good Mick - Must be getting close to it's maiden voyage now??

[mjt60a]

I'd say about a week to 'garden pond' trial (to ballast it correctly) and 'however long it takes me to build a carrying case' later to maiden voyage  

[thewharfonline]

Oh maiden voyage....thats special...even if its in the garden pond! Do we get a comissioning service...or doesn't that happen in the modelling world

[mjt60a]

I'll take some pics of the garden pond trial but I'm really looking forward to taking the ship out on the lake, there'll be many photos and one or two videos...

[thewharfonline]

Brilliant!