RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

Minor update: I cleaned up all the holes in the stringers with a barrel sander on the dremmel and then glued all the existing stuff together. I used CA and then did the seams with regular wood glue. I'm going to try to skin in the tunnel tomorrow night.

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

sv27dayton-Did you widen the tunnel, looks like it from the plans, could just be the picture tho.

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

I up sized the boat 1:1 (uniformly) and then I added a full inch to the width of the tunnel. I meant I was adding the wood layers. Going slow but I do have the first layer of wood (skin) in there.

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

cool, keep up the good work

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

Im building one too, i modded it a bit and its a bit smaller, ill post a pic of the modded plans

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

those look nice

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

Remarkably similar to mine. Intresteing. I'd start a second thread when you begin building. I'm not kicking you out of mine but it would be really confusing. I'll be following closely whatever you post.

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

Ok ya i will start a new thread. It is your hull, just modded, There arent any steps in mine(Easier) and it has a widened tunnel and i also changed the back end and added and "h" bulkhead so it wont be rounded.

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

I saw that H. I'm probaby taking the rounded corners out of mine too but in a differnet way. DId you modify the drawings?

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

Not too much. The main parts are the same except no steps. Would you like me to send you some? pm me your e-mail if so.

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

hows the build going?

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

I'm placing my order for photos.;)

Ryan

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

Been real slow. Got the steps in the hull. Need to do more this weekend. then mabye it'll be worth a pic or two. Thanks for motivation.

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

yup no problem:D. Can you get some pics of how you did the steps, They looked hard to do so i took them out of my plans, however, i am going to build another (26in) one later and will use the steps, Itl be the little ones Big Bro

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

Little one? How big is the first one going to be? Plans suggested 26". I'll take picutre of where I'm at now and if it goes well I'll post the before and after. I have no idea what I'm doing.

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

Im building one that is 15 in. long. I have about half the balsa cu tout right now.

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

Tiny. That'll be intresing. I see where it'd be hard to put steps on one that small.

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

Need help:
Scratch builders; Is one form of CA glue better than another for bonding balsa? I had a bottle of crazy glue (with the little squeeze buttons on the side) and it bonded fast. Not so fast that I couldn't slide the parts together but about as fast as I like, and seems pretty strong. Well as small tubes do it gave up the ghost when I was on a roll. I happened to have a 3 or 4 pack of some other super glue that I bought on the close out rack at Ace one day. Any way I'd swear I was working with water. It will eventually bite but it doesn't seem the same. (still works on my fingers)[&:] Am I nutz? Is there a big diff from one brand to another? Is there a preferred brand for doing this kind of work? I'd appreciate some advice, although I'm probably done for the night. thanks

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

Scott,

I prefer thick CA as soft wood, especially balsa, tends to soak in most of it. If it soaks in, it doesn't work as glue. Sometimes I would have to apply a thin coat to let it soak in, and then another to glue my parts together.

Ryan

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

Yea I tried that. Second coat wasn't much more successful. So you recommend the gell type. I like using that stuff anyway. I'll pick up some of that.

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

for wood boats the best is to tack it together with CA.... TACK IT and then tack the bottom skin on and then take a small paint brush. with some wood glue and glob it on the joints and work it in...... VERY strong!!! he sure to get the water proof kind

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

waterproof wood glue? Also do you have a prefrence on the type of CA. You can't tack if it don't get tacky.[:@] I think I like the paint brush idea.

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

Update. I've put the skin in the tunnel and on the sides. I'm going to use a sanding block to get it down to the frame in the propper shape. Then I'll carve the outside of the step into that and then put the bottoms on int three pieces/side due to the steps. LHS had some good "medium" CA glue that's working better for me. Still weighs less than a quarter pounder with cheese:)

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

Looking good, keep bringing the photos.

Ryan

RE: Scratch Build - 29" Balsa Stepped Cat
 

make sure the sanding block is LONG that way it can ride on the frames and you will get a perfect edge that matches the height of the frames.