I'm bored so here's the multiple build thread

[dmitry100]

What kind of machine do you use to make parts like this?

I've been looking into maybe getting a "Dremel" based mill... like this: http://vanda-layindustries.com/html/acra_mill_plus.html

But for time being got one of these some days ago: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o00_s01
Just to see if it might work for machining simple stuff.

I was thinking of maybe using a "Grout Removal Bit" for carving up aluminum parts but I'm not sure how it would hold up... Apparently works well for CF.
Any ideas what kind of dremel bits might be best for 0.1-0.2 inch thick aluminum?

[kfxguy]

I have a harbor freight mini mill/lathe combo. it's small but compared to those it's much larger and heavier. It would take you forever to cut aluminum with one of those. I have some little 1/8" milling bits that fit in my dremel that would cut aluminum but I don't think it would work very well to make any kind of parts. If save my money and get a little grizzly unit or a harbor freight unit of you wanted something cheap. They definitely aren't the best but you can get the job done.


Here's the bracket finished. I'm gonna make another one because I made this one too short. It fits and works perfectly I just don't like how close the prop comes to the rudder. Full turn I only have about a 1/2" between the prop and rudder.

[RandyatBBY]

When turning to the right the rudder is in the prop wash that close and you are diverting water in to the wash slowing the boat in the corner. Also it pushes the nose down slowing the boat more.

[kfxguy]

When turning to the right the rudder is in the prop wash that close and you are diverting water in to the wash slowing the boat in the corner. Also it pushes the nose down slowing the boat more.

I agree with you but it's a saw boat. No turning needed except to slowly turn around. I am remaking it tho to get it further away. My milling bit was dull (ordering new ones today) and moved the piece while I was machining it making a gouge. At that point the only thing I could do is shorten it some. More than I wanted. I'll fix it.

[kfxguy]

I had plans of running the Rivercat this weekend. I stayed up late last night working on boats. Well it's done and I go in my box and I'm out of 1" thumb screws. 3/4" barely grabs the thread do in not chancing it. Ugh. O well.


The rudder I had on it I kept thinking it was too small. I remembered I had experimented with rudder lengths on this hull before and I still had the super short one that didn't work well, so I dig it out my box to compare. It was the same length as the on on the boat. Blah. What do I do? Well I still had the rudder off the shocker that was too short. After looking at it, it dawned on me. All I needed to do was reduce the thickness of the bearing block by .020. So I faced it off on the bottom and it fits perfect. The pin is even the same. Score. Much better rudder for this size. Cool thing is if I want to try the short rudder it fits right back on.








I got the hatch seal installed and the rivnuts done. This is the best looking I've done so far. I found a gasket ouch the perfect size to cut a notch out for the rivet head.

[Mxkid261]

Do you run a breakaway bolt in your rudders?

[kfxguy]

Do you run a breakaway bolt in your rudders?

Yes I use brass ones on my faster builds. If not the nylon ones stretch and break after a couple runs.

[kfxguy]

I peeled the tape last night. Still need to do a few minor things to wrap it up but it's pretty much done. Turned out pretty clean and simple. Here the Kevlar reinforced hatch. Got a couple bubble in the top layer that for some reason no matter what did I couldn't get them all out. I guess Kevlar doesn't breath as well as fiberglass or carbon. The first two layers had no bubbles. I decided to add this third layer a day later just in case. I didn't want to take chances.





Untaped



And a couple more misc






I'm redoing this mount as soon as I get a chance.





The bit I was using in my milk seemed to be a bit dull. So I wanted to try something else so I picked up an aluminum bit from my father in laws shop


Never seen one so nice. I've been using some harbor freight stuff given to me. Lol

[785boats]

The builds are looking great.

That is a nice looking bit.
My father was a toolmaker/fitter & turner/instrument fitter/welder. It always fascinated me, as a kid, to watch him make all sorts of weird cutting tools for lathes & milling machines etc out in his workshop.

[kfxguy]

The builds are looking great.

That is a nice looking bit.
My father was a toolmaker/fitter & turner/instrument fitter/welder. It always fascinated me, as a kid, to watch him make all sorts of weird cutting tools for lathes & milling machines etc out in his workshop.

Thanks! My whole issue is I have a hard time spending lots of money on tools and tooling but as I get stuff for free here and there, I realize there's a big difference in quality between good stuff and harbor freight or China stuff. I haven't used this boy yet but I will soon.

[kfxguy]

So I completed the Rivercat. Not sure if I mentioned it but I wanted to be a little different with this one and see what I could do with low voltage on this one. Plans were 5s Max on this one (with this motor) and running packs in parrallel for a nice amount of run time. She drove like poopoo right at first. Was kinda hoppy. So I moved the batts a little and that made it much more stable. I just eye balled the strut and forgot my Allen wrench so I couldn't tweak it at the lake. Stuck at the position it was at and I think it was too low. The motor didn't break a sweat. The esc really didn't get warm to the touch either. I only brought one set of packs with me. After running it around a bit and moving batts, checking temps I decided it was time to make a pass. I checked the batt voltage at this point and it was 4.10v per cell. It clicked off a 67mph run on 3s. Hmmm. Not too bad. Especially for a 32" cat that weighs 9.9lbs. Lol. So I ran it up and back down the lake for that run. Come in check temps and voltage. Temps good. Voltage at 4.01v per cell. Make another pass. This time it went 68. Not bad. I'll take that for a first run. I think it's got 75 in it easy on 3s. I didn't do any of my little speeds tricks I've learned to it just yet. Flex isn't even smoothed and polished. Hull not blueprinted (I did start on it and it's the worst one I've seen...had to add some epoxy to level the dips in the ride pads). It turned fairly well, my other Rivercat would have rolled over at some of the turns I made. So far I'm pretty impressed with this one. 4s ought to be pretty nasty. 5s....lol.....not sure if I'll keep it on the water.


I would have videoed it but I went by myself. My 16 year old cameraman got this thing called a license and now he has no time for dad and his shenanigans. Lol

[kfxguy]

Made some serious headway on the orange mono. I'm excited how this thing is turning out. Here's a cap bank I made for it. I was pressed for room so I decided to try something different. I also added connectors to it in case it needs to be removed for some reason. Once plugged in there is a price of marine shrink (has glue in it) that goes over each connection so it doesn't come unplugged. (6) 1000uf 50v caps






Notice the tiny loop of wire going through the board and soldered to the wire? For support lol.

[kfxguy]

Now for the more interesting part. The boat.


Look at that beefy linkage. Even has a stainless jam nut for the billet rod end.




This end screws in tight and doesn't need a jam nut. I made the threads slightly taper for a tight fit righ at the end.





Top view





Esc in.









And gotta post this because this orange really pops in the sun light. In my shop lighting not so much.....so to give you an idea...


And I sent the Owner some pics of it and I could tell he wasn't too impressed with the color in my shop pics. So I sent him this pic and his reply was " its a good thing we run boats outside lol". I agree haha. It looks killer in the sun.

[Nikolas Andriop]

Thats very nice color and job in that mono
Well done!!!!

[kfxguy]

Here the mono is finished