30" Scratch Built Cat

[Jesse J]

Lomdel, I fully understand how that stupid wood can get the best of ya. However, you must conquer this beast. You had such a great thing going, are you sure you can't salvage the framing? I thought you were on to something really good. what happened? Oh well, I know people who got so frustrated they started smashing and then gave the fireplace a nice snack! I am sure you'll be back, there ain't nuttin like seein the fruit of your heart and soul and CA encrusted fingers go skitterin across the pond!

Kudos Norman! I am really psyched to see your creation make roost!

[lomdel]

Jesse. I am actually sitting at the PC tweaking the design as we speak. I am in negotiations with the laser cutting guy ( [email protected] ) to re-cut the frame out of 3mm Ply for me. I am also seriously considering shrinking the cat a bit to about 28". I will then try and run two 540 9L motors off my existing 3S lipos through X442 props. This is to keep costs down.
The main problem I have with the sheeting is cutting the profile of the sponsons out of the balsa after glueing a piece of 1/32" balsa to the frame. Maybe I should test fit it, trace out the profile, cut, and THEN glue...
I can speak of CA encrusted fingers! My wife hates it, LOL!

[Jesse J]

test fit, yep, thats what I do. I get a pretty close measurement (you are doing cross grain on the bottom and sides, right? parallel to the steps? good) and then fine tune the shape once I get the bottom and sides sheeted. It is the epitome of trial and error.

Why shrink the size? I have a 27" version and it screams on one motor.

ps get some sleeeeep, eh?

[Norman2]

30" scratch built cat

Hi Jesse, I am in agreement with you and hope lomodel does not give up on his
project. I was going to paint today but the sun is not cooperating, Still waiting for
all parts from OSE and then wil post some photos. regards
Norman

[Norman2]

30" scratch built cat

Hi Jesse and lomodel. Was able to get some finishing done. Still waiting for my
OSE stuff. Will continue later on servo. radio. and battery velcros. Regards
Norman

[lomdel]

She is beautiful Norm!! Please post some pics of underside and back as well. What does she weigh as empty as that?
I removed all the @#$%^ sheeting from my frame, cleaned her up, strengthened some crucial members and is now ready to re-sheet her. I will do the bottom of the sponsons and then apply a thinned (with what?) coat of resin to the entire frame and bottom before sheeting the rest. I am back on track and motivated...

[Jesse J]

Excellent Lomdel! Glad to hear it.
I use regular rubbing alcohol - someone please correct me if there is something better.

Norman, I am really curious to see how that inline strudder looks/performs. Got myself one for my 27" scratch built.

[Norman2]

Hi all. Jesse is correct. You can also use acetone to thin the resin. The hull weighs 15 oz. without
the hatch and canopy which I still have not received from tower. Will post some pictures this
afternoon. Regards
Norman

[Jesse J]

Wow, I just notice your pic of the finished product, very nice job! Could you post some more angles of you masterwork? How did the bottom come out? I am sure slicker than snot on a glass doorknob. I want to see her rear end too, maybe once you get your strudder in. I forgot, what motor you gonna slap in there?

[Norman2]

30" scratch Built cat

Hi, attached photos of bottom and transom. Regards
Noman

[lomdel]

Norm, some members here on OSE recently expressed their concerns about balsa's structural integrity. Do you have confidence in your build's structural rigidity and strength?
If I have to sum up the proposed steps of strengthening and finishing the hull it would go like this, please comment and correct me if I'm wrong:
Strengthen framework with thinned resin mix before sheeting. After sheeting with 1mm Balsa (cross-grain where possible), apply (spray or brush?) several coats (3x enough?) of sandable polyurethane sealer sanding (grit?) between each. Then apply a thinned resin mix (brush?) to outside for strength and sand smooth. Then spray primer and sand. Then spray final coat and clear coat(?). I am new to automotive finishing and would appreciate some info on this...

[Simon.O.]

Norm, some members here on OSE recently expressed their concerns about balsa's structural integrity. Do you have confidence in your build's structural rigidity and strength?

I have a lot of confidence in Norm's build as I do in my own.
I'll be watching his and I am sure he will be watching my build and development.
If used in the correct way as far as grain direction, thickness, and design. I believe that balsa has a place in FE despite some views to the contrary.
I will agree with JT that weight is not an issue now that we have lipo and BL. I have a bit of ballast in one of my hydros on his recomendation to prove that.

I use balsa with wads of good varnish as it is a lot less expensive than precision ply. I do use hardwood in a lot of places that I believe need the bracing or outright strength (transom).

Keep it going Norm and Jesse. The balsa boats will survive, if we make them tough enough.

[Norman2]

Hi, If you build them right then no problem,
Norman

[lomdel]

Hi, If you build them right then no problem,
Norman

I don't exactly know about the right way, but I am doing this one (more or less) my way.
I finished sheeting the sponson bottoms (with steps) and the sides tonight. She is beautiful!! I will take some pics tomorrow in sunlight.
Next I want to fibreglass/resin the interior completely for strength before I sheet the deck, bow and aft. BTW, I used 1mm balsa for the sheeting.
Be patient with my build, I have a baby and a 5 year old and a lot to do, so i burn the midnight oil on my projects...

[lomdel]

Here's a few pics of the sheeting up till now...