Spokesmann
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Hobbies/Mamod Arrow-3 'Eldoret'Im starting to sketch out idea for my next and last boat (for the moment!). This vessel will have a fully enclosed engine and rear deck, with a working chimney positioned much further to the rear. Im taking my design cues from the Luton Boats and the early Hobbies Bowman steam tug. This boat will involve some ambitious (for me) work with brass to form a two part engine cover and engine house. These are just my premliminary sketches but I hope you get the idea. The baot will be powered by the ME2 engine unit, Im thinking of doing a few other things to this one too like maybe twin screws and twin rudders - but this one is still very much at the planning and ideas stage. As yet it has no name and I have not thought about colours to paint it.
Ideas for the brass engine house and covers....
Cross section...
A sketch of how it may look...
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Mamod Collector
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Looks impresive Mike, when you starting the build
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Spokesmann
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| Mamod Collector wrote: | | Looks impresive Mike, when you starting the build |
After Arrow-2, maybe late summer... plenty of ideas still need to worked out yet...
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Spokesmann
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Today I have been using Arrow 2 to help me work out the template for the brass housing which will cover the engine and stern parts of the next boat. As you can see I have mocked up the covering in card which fits neatly into the existing boilerhouse covering. The new rear cover will be made from brass. Im not sure if Ill paint this part, ala Luton Bowman brown...
This new additional covering will be generously vented, the chimney is going to be located further towards the aft of the boat, which I feel gives it a racier look... The covering will be held in place by the springyness of the brass and located on two ledges glued to the inner sides of the hull, much like Arrow 2, although a little longer. This little covering is gently tapered to fit the profile/plan of the hull.
The boiler house covering will be the same as the Arrow-2, although the rear mahogany decking will need to be cut to fir snugly around this new housing.
The shape will be less angular once fabricated from brass sheet.
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Spokesmann
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FABRICATING THE REAR DECK HOUSING FROM BRASS SHEET
Whilst waiting for some tools to arrive for Arrow 2, I have been experimenting with the rear deck house for Arrow 3, the fit is fine, with a little trimming here and there. I have used the Arrow 2 for testing as it will have the same hull profile as Arrow 3 This still needs filing and a hole for the chimney. Overall you get an idea of the effect. Not sure if Ill paint it brown yet.... The rear mahogany deck will be cut precisely to fit snug against the brass walls...
I rather enjoy this simple sheet metal work.
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John Chapman
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Excellent work Mike
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Spokesmann
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A few fittings arrived today. I needed the splined connector for the UJ on my Arrow-2, so decided to ensure that I get maximum use of the postage charged and got the twin 45mm rudders, UJ, stern tube and fittings pack for Arrow 3. I have dropped the idea of twin screws on this vessel, as there is not enough room for the gears and so forth, its a little too tight. Hopefully the twin rudders will add to the responsiveness of the vessel in turns as well as add a little more stability.
I have been busy with the brass sheet again as you can see, the spray hood and engine house have now been cut out, polishing and filing and shaping is needed on these now. Iwill be however turning my attention to the Arrow 2 now my clamps and eyelette fixer have arrived...
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Spokesmann
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Brass work
Arrow 2 gives an idea of how Arrow 3 will look, here you can see how it fits...
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Spokesmann
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The twin rudders will be linked by 2 Meccano cranks...
These two rudders are a fraction smaller than the ones used for Arrow 1 and 2
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Spokesmann
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Things are getting a bit crowded in my shed....
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Franco
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Normally I have no great interest in boats Mike, but this thread of yours has drawn me in so to speak. You're making a damn good job of it...very neat, I'm looking forward to seeing it afloat.
Franco.
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Spokesmann
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| Franco wrote: | Normally I have no great interest in boats Mike, but this thread of yours has drawn me in so to speak. You're making a damn good job of it...very neat, I'm looking forward to seeing it afloat.
Franco. |
Thanks franco, Arrow 2 will be ready before Arrow 3, but what the hell - bit like juggling . . . 
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Spokesmann
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Spokesmann
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I have acquired a lovely pre-war canted Meccano chimney for Arrow 3, here it is posed on Arrow-2. What do you think?
The finish is original, Ill think Ill leave it as is...
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Franco
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It suits it perfectly!! 
Franco.
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John Chapman
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| Franco wrote: | | It suits it perfectly!! |
Agreed Franco, it looks a treat.
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Spokesmann
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Racy eh!
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Franco
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| John Chapman wrote: | | Franco wrote: | | It suits it perfectly!! |
Agreed Franco, it looks a treat. |
Lovely engine on the header John, it's a type unfamiliar to me-are they rare?
Franco.
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Franco
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | Racy eh! |
It has a classic lean to it- reminiscent of certain blue riband trophy winners!!
Franco.
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Spokesmann
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| Franco wrote: | | Spokesmann wrote: | | Racy eh! |
It has a classic lean to it- reminiscent of certain blue riband trophy winners!!
Franco. |
Id thought it would look more the part too!
Thanks for the comments.
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John Chapman
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| Franco wrote: | Lovely engine on the header John, it's a type unfamiliar to me-are they rare?
Franco. |
Not very common Franco. There was one pictured in "Steam Toys Engines and Models" a while back, and this one is the only other one I have seen.
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Spokesmann
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Glued one side of the hull on today, tricky with big clamps everywhere, Ill try and post some images of it tomorrow, I need to push on with the build and get it ready for the Exeter show in October...
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John Chapman
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | ....... and get it ready for the Exeter show in October... |
Look forward to seeing it Mike 
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Spokesmann
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Im hoping both will be there John, well one will! Once the gluing is done then its should be pretty plain sailing! Fingers crossed the glue holds!
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Spokesmann
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A few images of how it might look, albeit a little longer....
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Franco
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Great job Mike...you're effort is paying off!!
Franco.
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Spokesmann
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Thanks franco, all good fun.
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Franco
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Yes, that's the whole point of our having these things...shame some people forget that!
Franco.
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steamyjim
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Looking damned good Mike!
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Spokesmann
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Wood pack and running gear order for this boat build today, so after Arrow 2 is completed, sometime in the next two weeks, Ill go straight into this one.
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Spokesmann
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Wood arrvived today, ill post a few images soon...
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newts
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Could we have a pic of the wood pack to see what's included please 
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Mamod Collector
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Yes I wouldnt mind seeing the wood pack
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Spokesmann
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Ill sort a pic tomorrow, Im using an extra strip of the obece wood as the hull is going to have 2" added so i need another strip for the other parts of the boat.
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Spokesmann
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Mike basic wood pack consists of 6 pieces....
2 x Mahogany, 4 x obeche.
Im extending the hull by about 2" so i need another bit of obeche to complete the boat...
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Spokesmann
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I have started the mark out the wood from the pre-cut paper templates. Im adding about 3/4" to the hull - Im limited by the hull base wood length, Ill gain another 3/4" by moving the main forward bulkhead forward, giving more room for the ME2s lamp handle and also a little more room at the UJ end of the engine, the marine engine this time will be screwed directly to the hull base and not raised, which will help things - lessons learned on Arrows 1 and 2...
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newts
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You should be able to get Obeche from a local model shop for the smaller pieces & keep your longer pieces to extend the sides.
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Spokesmann
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| newts wrote: | | You should be able to get Obeche from a local model shop for the smaller pieces & keep your longer pieces to extend the sides. |
Its the thicker hull base part thats limiting me Mike.
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Spokesmann
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Picked this project up again today. i have started to cut the basic hull parts today and get a feel for the model and its dimentions. Im making this one about 1.5" long than the plans so I can have more room for the ME2s lamp.
Im seriously thinkingof putting a displacement lubricator in this one, I know I said I would not molest the ME2, but by the looks of it Im going to need to mvoe the engine unit back on its baseplate, so if I need to cut the steam pipe I might as well get one fitting. It would help this engine a lot as it does tend to stick after a while, lubrication is a problem I find with this engine.
WHo would be the best supplier for these? All I need is a simple 'through' type lubricator.
Here are a few images of work so far, Im hoping to have this one ready for STIA2010.
I could fit a displacement lubricator here...
Depending on how long I make the stern and where the engine is positioned, i have two prop shafts of different lengths...
Since the ME2 will sit on the hull base this time and not be mounted on a plinth as in the Arrow 2, it sits quite low down in relation to the hull sides...
Pipework from the ME2 will need to be directed up into the canted Meccano chimney...
Fortunatley the steam exhaust pipe from the ME2 is already facing backwards!
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Spokesmann
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Any ideas on the displacement lubricator chaps?
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John Chapman
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | Any ideas on the displacement lubricator chaps? |
Sorry I can't help Mike, I've never bought one.
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Spokesmann
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Thanks John, all the stuff I have seen so far is too big! Im toying with the idea of fitting one, but since this is a very rare engine I want something thats the biusiness and not something that maybe Ive cobbled together!
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Mamod Collector
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Have you thourt about buying a wreck of a SEL engine and using the lubricator off that then selling it on for spares
Where does the name Eldorat come from Mike not heard that name before
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Spokesmann
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Eldoret is a small town in Western kenya where my other half was born.
Good idea about the oiler, now I need a wrecked 1540!
ANy more idea chaps please let me know!
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steamyjim
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I shall see what I have left in my lubricator box (yes, I have a lubricator box ) I am not sure if I have anything suitable though as I know I got rid of a load in exchange for a gas tank I needed but couldn't afford.
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Spokesmann
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| steamyjim wrote: | | I shall see what I have left in my lubricator box (yes, I have a lubricator box ) I am not sure if I have anything suitable though as I know I got rid of a load in exchange for a gas tank I needed but couldn't afford. |
If you can Jim much appreciated...
Bring it to exeter!
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steamyjim
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | steamyjim wrote: | | I shall see what I have left in my lubricator box (yes, I have a lubricator box ) I am not sure if I have anything suitable though as I know I got rid of a load in exchange for a gas tank I needed but couldn't afford. |
If you can Jim much appreciated...
Bring it to exeter! |
If I have any, it will need completing, the ones I got came from when I went through Cheddars bins and so are incomplete
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Spokesmann
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Going thu bins now.... tut tut!
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steamyjim
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | Going thu bins now.... tut tut! |
You have to have no dignity if you wan't to get the bargains and freebies I do... 
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Spokesmann
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Quite right!
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Spokesmann
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A few bits and bob done today, nothing too interesting though! Ill post it here for sake of completeness. Fitted the UJ to the ME2 and also experimented with positioning of the engine unit. Sorted the front bulkhead wooden pieces too. Also I have cut the two rear spray deck mahogany parts, these I have kept without an engine cut out as these will accommodate the new rear engine house, I need to work out how much to cut here, but this will be done when a few more of the rear parts are glued into position. Here's are a few shots from todays work. (Dont worry it will get more interesting! )
Rear engine house will sit inside the mahogany spray deck - which will be cut to a snug fit butting up against the brass sheeting.
Front bulkheads cut out, they need to be slightly adjusted as the whole assembly is pushed further forward due to the room being required for the ME2s lamp.
Relative position of the rear (removeable) brass engine house. Tis will have the canted Meccano funnel screwed to it. Hole is for the brass exhaust pipe to potrude through.
ME2 engine unit and 100mm stern tube/prop shaft. UJ and 3-bladed screw from Hobbies.
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Spokesmann
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A few images taken in the last couple of evening, starting to look at the stern end of things and the twin rudders. Linkage will need sorting as will the heights of the cranks - its going to be tight under the rear decking which has to be cut and braced to fit around the rear engine housing - all good challenging fun though. I've started to fit out the brass covering for the internal engine space. Front bulkhead have been glued in and Ill start to file to shape soon. The front brass cover will need to be cut for the front ballast compartments. I have also been experimenting with routing the brass exhaust pipe up and away from the engine...
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Mamod Collector
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Twin rudders is a nice touch Mike, it will look top notch
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Spokesmann
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| Mamod Collector wrote: | | Twin rudders is a nice touch Mike, it will look top notch |
Makes a change! Hope it works!
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steamyjim
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Making a real nice job of that Mike, truly brilliant!
Love the double rudders especially!
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Spokesmann
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Thanks Jim, I wanted to added something to make this boat a little more distinctive and different from Arrow 2. It is presenting a few challenges to how the stern of the boat is put together though.
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Scorpion2nz
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why not build a displacement lubricator
I needed 1 for my beam engine and had to build it .
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Franco
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Your artistic talents are evident in this build Mike, and the twin rudders will make it a rarity
Franco.
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Spokesmann
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| Scorpion2nz wrote: | why not build a displacement lubricator
I needed 1 for my beam engine and had to build it . |
I think Im going to have to Dennis, but eh engine is quite rare indeed, so I do not want to harm or reduce the engines value in any way. that said it can be a b*gger to run if not properly lubed....
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Spokesmann
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| Franco wrote: | Your artistic talents are evident in this build Mike, and the twin rudders will make it a rarity
Franco. |
Thanks Franco, will make it a little bit differnet if nothing else!
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Spokesmann
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A few more images from the last few days tinkerings in the shed....
Sorted a rudder linkage, shaped all the front bulkheads and have stated to cut and shape brass linings and coverings. Need to sort the rear wooden tail structure and the basic chassis work is just about done. I may have Arrow 3 ready for Christmas....
Bow area...
Front ballast cover cut ready to recieve decal...
Overall image of Arrow 3...
Rudder details, the mech will use the Meccano lock nut approach, using two nuts on a long screw...
The whole set up will be friction held...
The Meccano cranks were drilled out to take the rudder shafts, which have been cut down to size...
Rear of the engine compartment will benefit from two extra buttress supports and will have a full brass lining to catch the flying oil!
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Spokesmann
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Been busy today working on the stern and getting a feel for how things will fit together. Still quite a bit of filing and the odd bit of cutting with a saw needed here. I've quite a bit of work to do here adjusting the rear spray deck and rear brass engine cover. ANyhow you get an idea of the complexity with the extra Meccano linkages, brass covers and the like. Enjoy.
Overall it looks like this now...
Boat will be about 26" long.
Rear brass engine house cover still needs a bit of work to get it to fit snugly, its getting there...
it has been stiffened by a Meccano strip on the underside.
The canted Meccano chimney sits well back...
A transparent base decal has now been applied. The brass gives it a very nice metallic sheen.
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Spokesmann
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Brassed off.....
Been working on eyelets for the brass coverings. Ive reamed out the small holes Id already drilled. The finished job looks much tidier than a rough edge! The eyletting is quite easy to do with a sort of snap and set device like the rivetting I did at metalwork in school.
My big drill!
Spray hood...
Method...
Been shaping the rear spray deck to fit the rear engine house...
Ill shape and bend the main boiler house cover tomorrow.
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Mamod Collector
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Looking good Mike, Elderat will be the envy of the boat pond at STIA this year
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Spokesmann
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Thanks Mike, its Eldoret and STIA is next year!
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Spokesmann
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A few more bit done. I need to concentrate next week getting the hull side prepared and ready for glueing as well as sorting rear spray deck...
Anyway here are some iamges of the nearly completed brass coverings. Im not sure weather to paint the rear engine covering in brown, a bit like the Luton boats. Any suggestions?
At the stern I have to ensure the rear spray deck has bracing strut glued to it to help re-inforce it, it needs to be clear of the rear steering mech though.
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Spokesmann
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Some of the brass components I have be manufacturing for Arrow-3, these just need a final file/fit etc....
Back to some wood work this weekend methinks1
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steam123
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that's coming together quite nicely I can not Waite until you have finished it
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Spokesmann
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Will be a few weeks yet.
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Spokesmann
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Further progress, starboard hull side now glued into positioning so i can start to crack on...
This shows shape of rear spray deck better.
I have to drill through to fit stern tube and prop, will take a bit of time getting this right.
ME2 sitting in situ with brass inserts. The ME2 itseld sits on a brass sheet.
Built up stern parts, this will all be covered but offers support to the rear engine cover and also makes a bigger surface to glue to.
Main engine house cover support in position with glue waiting to dry, the hull is slightly curved here so a clamp will keep it to shape
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Spokesmann
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Back to the boat next week.
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Mamod Collector
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | Back to the boat next week. |
About time
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Spokesmann
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Been doing some filing and glueing today....
Rear deck with aluminium infill. This needs drilling for the rudder pivots...
Drilled the hole for the stern tube...
The rear brass lining will need adjusting for fit as well as a hole drilling for the prop shaft/stern tube.
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Spokesmann
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Made some real progress this weekend, hull sides glued, front brass bow piece shaped, and various internal brass parts adjusted for fit. Plenty of small important jobs to do still, filing, making rear stern tube skeg and so on... Need to start drilling some holes for screws to hold the ME2 and the various brass parts. I need to make the other half of the rear spray deck as well as a bracing piece for it. The tricky job of cutting and making the hull teak tops then need to be done, using the hull shape as a profile to get the shape exact. Most importantly the ME2 fits OK, along with a better angle for the UJ unlike Arrow 3. Overall the build is starting to look more like a boat now. Some more pictures including an overall impression of the built up vessel. Enjoy.
Rear detailing, some very minor adjustments needed, but the rear engine cover fits OK...
Some internal details...
Rear twin rudder linkages...
Plenty of room for the air to circulate under the brass coverings...
Rear details inc rudders, the stern end will be covered with a small piece of varnished teak.
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Mamod Collector
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Looking good Mike, I like the twin rudders, how about twin propelers next time
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Spokesmann
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| Mamod Collector wrote: | | Looking good Mike, I like the twin rudders, how about twin propelers next time |
Difficult Mike, doable, Im thinking of a 4th boat, I have a design but as yet no powerplant....
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steamyjim
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | Mamod Collector wrote: | | Looking good Mike, I like the twin rudders, how about twin propelers next time |
Difficult Mike, doable, Im thinking of a 4th boat, I have a design but as yet no powerplant.... |
Still going for the toyshop steam approach? I'm sure a replica Bowman M140 with a meccano gearbox would drive two props
Looking realy good, hope to see it at STIA
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Spokesmann
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Do you have a spare Jim?
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steamyjim
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | Do you have a spare Jim? |
I said replica ...
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Spokesmann
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Which is?
The Toyshop steam approach is the only one Im interested in!
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steamyjim
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| Spokesmann wrote: | Which is?
The Toyshop steam approach is the only one Im interested in! |
I have a nearly complete set of plans don't I
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Spokesmann
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I know, I was talking about the engine unit!
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steamyjim
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| Spokesmann wrote: | | I know, I was talking about the engine unit! |
I shall measure yours up at STIA, just to ensure I get all the bits right Then I am sure MF could make one, or if I do get around to making one for my vessel any time soon I could wack another out
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Spokesmann
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Been a while since I posted here about the boat's progress. Been making the decking from the teak wooden strips. The rear spray deck needed some careful cutting and measuring to get everything to fit. It has a reinforcing bracket underneath. Its secured by a brass screw. The reinforcing bracket fits up against the steering linkage and helps keep it from moving unintentionally. Still have all the painting and varnishing to do as well as lots of little things like sorting the exhaust pipe and chimney... Im going to make a little cowl to fit around the base of the 'mast'. Enjoy.
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Spokesmann
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I haven't been able to do as much as I wanted in the last 2 weeks.
Today been cracking on with the painting of the hull and the teak wooden parts.
Im using Rustolium Heirloom white for the hull as I did for Arrow 2. The hull bottom and water line will be gloss black with a double gold coach stripe. The rear deck has had two coats, before the last Ill apply the Hobbies decal then over paint with the final top coat. Varnish is clear water based variety.
Once painting has been done it is just a case of careful fitting of the engine and drilling the mount holes for the screws. I need to get some rubber tubing for the joining of the exhaust pipe to the ME2s pipe. Im using a Meccano bracket to help hold and route the pipe up towards the funnel.
I hope to have it ready and finished over the Christmas holiday. still need to balance and ballast it too.
Brass bow cover fits around a shaped piece glued in....
The rectangular teak wooden part is for the stern, this will glue into position and cover the 'joins'.
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