85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
#302
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RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
I'll check in with Harbour models about the brackets. I started my bumper around the hull. I have the first layer on and have to start the second course. I went 1/4x1/4 3 rows deep and 2 high. I should have re-read your post and gone with 2 rows deep and 3 high. Oh well. Bending around the stern should be a challenge. I'll think i'll just use a kettle and steam the pieces as i go.
Grinder.
Grinder.
#303
RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Joe,
Found the pittman motor mounts at Harbor Models. I ordered two more for my 76 inch Shelly Foss. I am going with direct drive on Shelly Foss because I am only turning 4.25 inch kortz props. If the 3700 pittmans can't handle that or turn too fast then I have a set of 2:1 belt reduction gears. I also ordered a quantity discount of 100 prewired/resistorized wide angle LED lights for both tugs from a HongKong outfit for $65 inclusive of shipping. I also have over 200 grain of wheat lights in case the LED's are too bright.
I think my power distribution panel from Harbor Models is toast, lasted 1 hour using the optima blue top batteries. I ordered straight switching voltage regulators from TH. The switching regulators are pretty kewl. Have far less power drain and do not even get warm. You can get them for all types of voltage reductions from 12 volts. I have the 6 volt ones to run the receivers with 3 amps of power which is sufficient to run 4 very large servos or what every you can throw at it. All my lights will be 12 volt to keep it simple. The bow thrusters run on 12 volt also.
Dal
Found the pittman motor mounts at Harbor Models. I ordered two more for my 76 inch Shelly Foss. I am going with direct drive on Shelly Foss because I am only turning 4.25 inch kortz props. If the 3700 pittmans can't handle that or turn too fast then I have a set of 2:1 belt reduction gears. I also ordered a quantity discount of 100 prewired/resistorized wide angle LED lights for both tugs from a HongKong outfit for $65 inclusive of shipping. I also have over 200 grain of wheat lights in case the LED's are too bright.
I think my power distribution panel from Harbor Models is toast, lasted 1 hour using the optima blue top batteries. I ordered straight switching voltage regulators from TH. The switching regulators are pretty kewl. Have far less power drain and do not even get warm. You can get them for all types of voltage reductions from 12 volts. I have the 6 volt ones to run the receivers with 3 amps of power which is sufficient to run 4 very large servos or what every you can throw at it. All my lights will be 12 volt to keep it simple. The bow thrusters run on 12 volt also.
Dal
#304
RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Ran the harbor tug with the new pittman 3700 with a 2:1 belt drive reduction in front of the 5 bladed 5.2 inch prop in the water. Definitely faster than the MFA 800 2:1 belt drive reduction. The speed seemed to be very scale with the Pittman motor although after running it wide open for 10 minutes the motor was almost too hot to hold. I could put my hand over it but it was almost uncomfortable. I would assume that is ok for that motor but my guess is that the prop may be too much for the motor if I were to run it direct drive. I think the top speed was very real with the 2:1 belt reduction though. I might try the next smaller prop on it to see how that does though. I have read many stories of this motor running cool but not with this big prop and a 2:1 gear reduction. I might figure out a way to run two of the pittman 3700's in tandem to see if that will allow it to run cooler.
I installed a 1/4 scale servo for the rudder with a slightly bigger arm on the servo and now the rudder turns effortlessly and has a tight turning capability given that I am turning a big rudder.
I did not have my two extra 12 volt blue top optima deep cell batteries with me tonight so I was still running it with one blue top and the top of the prop was one inch out of the water but would settle down once the wake of the boat covered the top of it at 3/4 to full throttle. There was not much reverse or slow down given the prop was cavitating. The bow thruster was just under the water line given that I was running about 100 lbs light in the boat. The tug took on some big wake boarding boat wave’s sideways (1+ foot waves near shore) and did just fine and did not seem to even come close to breaching. This tug is so cool to see cruising at about 3 - 4 mph full throttle. The wake looks great and the tug is very stable. I have yet to put it down to the water line so it should even be a bigger wake when it is there.
D
I installed a 1/4 scale servo for the rudder with a slightly bigger arm on the servo and now the rudder turns effortlessly and has a tight turning capability given that I am turning a big rudder.
I did not have my two extra 12 volt blue top optima deep cell batteries with me tonight so I was still running it with one blue top and the top of the prop was one inch out of the water but would settle down once the wake of the boat covered the top of it at 3/4 to full throttle. There was not much reverse or slow down given the prop was cavitating. The bow thruster was just under the water line given that I was running about 100 lbs light in the boat. The tug took on some big wake boarding boat wave’s sideways (1+ foot waves near shore) and did just fine and did not seem to even come close to breaching. This tug is so cool to see cruising at about 3 - 4 mph full throttle. The wake looks great and the tug is very stable. I have yet to put it down to the water line so it should even be a bigger wake when it is there.
D
#306
RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Built the front bumper today and hung some tires on the side. I found the bumper material for cutting up a 1/4 inch thick rubber splash gaurd off a truck into 1 inch pieces, drilling and running a 1/8 brass rod through them in three places, making some 'L' braces out of brass and screwing them to the hull. Took the better part of a day to do this.
#307
RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Installed the two mast and ran cables and small turnbuckles from the masts to the roof. When the LED's get here I can start installing the lights and running wiring up the masts.
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RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Im gonna resurect an old one I know.
Fabulous build of this tug,The kit looks great.
Any pic's of the finished model?
Fabulous build of this tug,The kit looks great.
Any pic's of the finished model?
#310
RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Since my last post I have added LED lights, fire monitors with pump, smoke blower, sound and bigger tires in the front. I have not had time to use it out in the lake or show it. I also have a partially finished 6 1/2 foot shelly foss (previously known as) replica scale tug that I am building.
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RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Dallas,
Since your madain voyage have you had any chances to get her underway again. I know that in one of your post you was trying to reconfigure your propulsion how did that all turn out. I can say one thing for sure you are making it hard to make a build to match what you have done. Job well done!!
Since your madain voyage have you had any chances to get her underway again. I know that in one of your post you was trying to reconfigure your propulsion how did that all turn out. I can say one thing for sure you are making it hard to make a build to match what you have done. Job well done!!
#313
RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
After I put one of those coveted Pittman 12 volt motors with a 2:1 belt drive connected to the 5.25 prop I found the sweet spot for kicking up a good size wake with 2 marine batteries and my diving belt weights in the hull. The smoke comes from one of those blower smoke generators that harbor models sells and it really puts out the smoke. I am running out of accessories to put on this tug.
The neighborhood kids go bonkers to swim out to this tug and look at in the lake. I should just find the time to launch it and play with it one of these days.
My Shelly Foss is not coming along very fast. I have not been focused on model building for a year now except for maybe two weekends that I got the two shafts installed on the Shelly Foss and I am working on building some big kort nozzles for the kort props on it.
Janet is happy with the tug boat but not happy with the smoke. Maybe she is happier that I am not spending all my time in the hobby room these days.
The neighborhood kids go bonkers to swim out to this tug and look at in the lake. I should just find the time to launch it and play with it one of these days.
My Shelly Foss is not coming along very fast. I have not been focused on model building for a year now except for maybe two weekends that I got the two shafts installed on the Shelly Foss and I am working on building some big kort nozzles for the kort props on it.
Janet is happy with the tug boat but not happy with the smoke. Maybe she is happier that I am not spending all my time in the hobby room these days.
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RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Thats a very nice unit! Very nice indeed..
Im planning a 50-55ish model myself from scratch, I chose to use a 90mm prop/3blade,on a M5 shaft, running a 600Kv(800+ watt) outrunner,on a 12v system..
Im still enlarging my prints,and getting them assembled.
Im planning a 50-55ish model myself from scratch, I chose to use a 90mm prop/3blade,on a M5 shaft, running a 600Kv(800+ watt) outrunner,on a 12v system..
Im still enlarging my prints,and getting them assembled.
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RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Hello, tugguy,
I'm new to the hobby and have a set of plans (with patterns to cut out and assemble) for the 85' Harbor Tug by Francis Smith. I've cut the pieces and begun to assemble the backbone, but I see trouble on the horizon. If I fasten all the frames in place (frames include integral deck beams,all in one) I'll never get the decks into place. Each deck, middle and upper, fits into a slot on the inner side of each frame!!
Did the magazine (MODEL BUILDER ) include building instructions?? You know, first do this, second do that.//
Does anyone know of a source for the actual article?
Looking for help, hoping to get back to work on the model, but I'm stymied, right now.
Jim
I'm new to the hobby and have a set of plans (with patterns to cut out and assemble) for the 85' Harbor Tug by Francis Smith. I've cut the pieces and begun to assemble the backbone, but I see trouble on the horizon. If I fasten all the frames in place (frames include integral deck beams,all in one) I'll never get the decks into place. Each deck, middle and upper, fits into a slot on the inner side of each frame!!
Did the magazine (MODEL BUILDER ) include building instructions?? You know, first do this, second do that.//
Does anyone know of a source for the actual article?
Looking for help, hoping to get back to work on the model, but I'm stymied, right now.
Jim
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RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Hello-
I'm new to this hobby and I am trying to build your Dad's tug. If the magazine article includes some guidance onthe building process, I'd love to get a look at it.
Right now, I'm stymied by the fact that all the frames have integral deck beams (made each, port and then starboard), I'll never get the intermediate deck or the upper deck into place. My next idea is to glue the port side frame/beam pieces to the backbone and slide the decks into their slots and then get the starboard frames/beams into place. But, I'm concerned about not seeing the proper symetry of both sides before committing to glue!
What do you think about the helpfulness of the magazine article??
jim
I'm new to this hobby and I am trying to build your Dad's tug. If the magazine article includes some guidance onthe building process, I'd love to get a look at it.
Right now, I'm stymied by the fact that all the frames have integral deck beams (made each, port and then starboard), I'll never get the intermediate deck or the upper deck into place. My next idea is to glue the port side frame/beam pieces to the backbone and slide the decks into their slots and then get the starboard frames/beams into place. But, I'm concerned about not seeing the proper symetry of both sides before committing to glue!
What do you think about the helpfulness of the magazine article??
jim
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RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Hi there from a Houston,Texas model plane builder who saw tug boat, photographed it from all sides, got a BIG piece of Balsawood and started carving. Then made a fibreglass mould and cast the hull in two parts.
Used balsa for the decks and superstructure, installed an electric motor and shaft of my own makng and installed radio gear in it and "PRESTO" what you see is what you get.
Roy F
Used balsa for the decks and superstructure, installed an electric motor and shaft of my own makng and installed radio gear in it and "PRESTO" what you see is what you get.
Roy F
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RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Well guys I have resumed the build on my tug now that the winter building season is here. Also I was sick of looking at it in the bones in my basement rec room. With some advice from Dallas things are moving along nicely. I finished the bumper around the hull. The bending of the wood around the fan tail was tricky and frustrating me but i got through it. I was trying to bend 1/4x1/4 stock around the fan tail and it kept breaking. Didn't matter how much i soaked it in hot water. So i figured out to use 1/8x1/4 strips and just double them up 1/4x1/4. Worked perfectly. soaked them in hot water for about 1 min and they bent perfectly. Choice of the softer balsa wood really helps and grain direction. I just ca'd them in place on the boat and waited for the water to dry out of them before sanding. Next step will be to install bow thruster and stuffing tube, also metal frame attached to lower deck for towing bitts to take the strain off towing.
Grinder-RCU.
Grinder-RCU.
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RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
The first side of planking went very slow. The opposite side is going about three times faster. You will end up with a ton of ca on your finger tips. On the second side i got a rhythm so I don't get as much CA on my finger tips now. I'm gluing a spot of ca at each rib and along the length of the plank. The CA wicks into the planks. Once you have a bunch planks on, it feels like crap till you get it sanded down. You have to sand down all the edges, as the planks follow the curve of the hull. Same as Dallas I will fiberglass the hull and paint so absolute perfection is not required. I probably have gone through about 5 bottles of CA at $10.99 each will probably need another 3-4 to get the planking finished. I bought a cool balsa stripper online for making my own planks.
Grinder-RCU
Grinder-RCU
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RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
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RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Keith,
Thanks for the reprint. Those directions and photos help me to see the big picture...especially how to fit the internal workin's.
Hope your project continues to go well.
When I get something worth looking at,...I'll post some photos, myself.
Jim
Thanks for the reprint. Those directions and photos help me to see the big picture...especially how to fit the internal workin's.
Hope your project continues to go well.
When I get something worth looking at,...I'll post some photos, myself.
Jim
#324
RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
My tug is pretty much finished. Lights, smoke generator, fire monitors, sound effects all done. Have not worked on the tug for more than a year. Changed gears (hobby) and bought a 1958 351 peterbilt semi truck like the 'Duel' truck in the 1970's Spielberg movie "duel", and another parts truck (1986 359 peterbilt) and I am building a low rider 16,000 lbs cruiser. Different hobby I know and it required me to get a CDL license. I am not a truck driiver by occupation but it just seemed like learning how to drive a semi truck, shifting 15 gears and having my own air horn to blast belonged on my 'bucket list' too. I am the only one I know that drives a semi truck TO work (investment advisor) and not driving a truck FOR work. Have lots of clients who like to ride in it. I am in the process of dismantling boht trucks and combining the old look with the more modern drive trane.
They have Hobby forums just like this for 'nut cases' like me, that enjoy building or restoring old semi trucks. I am pretty sure my wife has a new found appreciation for my tug boat hobby now that I have two semi trucks in our garage.
They have Hobby forums just like this for 'nut cases' like me, that enjoy building or restoring old semi trucks. I am pretty sure my wife has a new found appreciation for my tug boat hobby now that I have two semi trucks in our garage.
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RE: 85 ft Harbor Tug/Angels Gate
Hey, YES!
Today I'm putting two coats of "bottom paint" on the 85' Harbor Tug. Geeeze, it's been a long process, lots of other "more important" things have come up and I am just now getting the model finished.
Seems, everytime I face another step in the project, I have to think, think, think about it for a while. Picture it in my mind, figure out the steps (cutting, gluing, hold/clamping/rubberbands,etc) and finally get my courage up and try it! I've opted to keep the scale model beautycontest OUT of the picture on this one. This is not gonna be a museum piece, but rather a multi-user tug at a public RC location.
My nephew runs the "MBRC Raceway in Kennet Squate, PA. They have three outdoor race tracks and an indoor carpet track. Kids and adults are represented in the racers and the bashers. He even runs birthday parties with rental trucks for the kids totry out. There is an outdoor asphalt track (oval and serpentine courses), outdoor dirt oval, outdoor off-road track with lots of lumps and jumps and technical stuff. The indoor track is used both as an oval and with added terrain it becomes a jumps course, too. The indoor track, the pits (rows of benches for the racers), a mezzanine to view the indoor races AND a complete hobby shop are housed in a converted mushroom house,...hence the name "Mushroom Bowl Radio Control Raceway".
There is a pond on the property and the tugboat is planned for timed trials for obstacle courses and docking contests. With the recovery and towing system shown in the plans for this tug, there might even be search and rescue contests. All this with the same tug, but with different operators,...the ultimate level playing field!
If I can master the computer technique, I'll send a few photos of the project.
Jim
Today I'm putting two coats of "bottom paint" on the 85' Harbor Tug. Geeeze, it's been a long process, lots of other "more important" things have come up and I am just now getting the model finished.
Seems, everytime I face another step in the project, I have to think, think, think about it for a while. Picture it in my mind, figure out the steps (cutting, gluing, hold/clamping/rubberbands,etc) and finally get my courage up and try it! I've opted to keep the scale model beautycontest OUT of the picture on this one. This is not gonna be a museum piece, but rather a multi-user tug at a public RC location.
My nephew runs the "MBRC Raceway in Kennet Squate, PA. They have three outdoor race tracks and an indoor carpet track. Kids and adults are represented in the racers and the bashers. He even runs birthday parties with rental trucks for the kids totry out. There is an outdoor asphalt track (oval and serpentine courses), outdoor dirt oval, outdoor off-road track with lots of lumps and jumps and technical stuff. The indoor track is used both as an oval and with added terrain it becomes a jumps course, too. The indoor track, the pits (rows of benches for the racers), a mezzanine to view the indoor races AND a complete hobby shop are housed in a converted mushroom house,...hence the name "Mushroom Bowl Radio Control Raceway".
There is a pond on the property and the tugboat is planned for timed trials for obstacle courses and docking contests. With the recovery and towing system shown in the plans for this tug, there might even be search and rescue contests. All this with the same tug, but with different operators,...the ultimate level playing field!
If I can master the computer technique, I'll send a few photos of the project.
Jim