New member finding his way around

[Guest]

Just thought I would introduce myself.

I have been making model boats for over 40 years now, both kit bashing and scratch built, with all methods of propulsion, i.c., electric and steam.

This was where my engineering came in, to make the steam plants for my models, and now making i.c. engines (4 stroke water cooled).

Now that my grandson has shown an interest, I have decided to raid my "retirement collection" stored in my loft and start him off in a modelling hobby (kids nowadays need a bit of guidance, otherwise in a few years time there will be no modellers left)

If anyone lives around where I live I am almost always available to do a bit of 'machining' if you are stuck (please, no "can you just build me a steam loco" type of projects), no charges involved unless it costs me. If you have a stripped glo-plug thread, no probs, but no projects please.

I have decided to build a boat kit with my grandson, it is the Graupner Weisel, I first built this kit over twenty years ago, and when an unstarted kit became available a few years ago, I put it into my retirement collection. The problem is that now I am more of a purist, and would like to build it with the correct power geometry of four output shafts.

Now the question, has anyone got any information about the full size ship or where this information can be obtained, the web seems to be devoid of information.

[Guest]

Welcome John, it never gets out of the blood , modelling ! Very generous offer, hope you get some interesting jobs. Good luck with the "Weisel" conversion. What period is the kit from, is it still being produced ? Had some happy days on German lake steamers and paddlers in the south of the country. Any pics you can post? Based in Crewe I see, ex railway by any chance ?

[Guest]

hello and welcome john

some very kind offers you made there.

As for teh Weisel kit, i had one of the original wood assembly ones, which i think my brother may still have.

however later the reprduced the kit with a preformed hull, ABS i think,.

however. After a long period graupner have reissued the kit and is available from themm ( the preformed hull type).

There is info available out there, there was even some pictures sent to me of other models and the real boat, unfortunately these have bben lost over the last year.

but i`ll have a root around for you and see what i can dig up.

[Guest]

a quick search found this !

http://www.scale-models.co.uk/showthread.php?t=123&highlight=weisel

[Guest]

Hi Bogstandard,

Firstly a very warm welcome to the Scale Models forum and very many thanks for such a positive first posting. I hope that someone takes you up on your offer and you enjoy being productive with your lathe. I obviously share a number of interests as I am also into model boats of both the electric and the steam variety and enjoy a bit of lathe and milling work to support the fleet. Have a look at my Ben Ain build thread to see how my model is progressing.

I think that you will find not only a wealth of information, pictures and resources here but also an incredibly freindly and supportive group of members who always try to maintain a good natured dialogue on any subject imaginable.

I look forward to reading some of your posts and how your grandson's interest develops in the model boat world.

If you want to help with this there are a couple of events coming up such as the Northern Model Show in Doncaster on the 1st and 2nd July at 'The Dome' Doncatser, where I will be on the Kirklees Model Boat stand and then there is our own club Gala day on the 9th July at Wilton Park Bradford Road, Birstall, Near Batley. Both events will be an eye opener for a youngster but our Gala day particularly as the pond will be available to all comers and there will be a continuous stream of models going through thier paces on the water during the day.

One of the biggest events in the boating calendar at Ellesmere Port seems to be under a degree of uncertainty at the moment so we will have to see whether that takes place or not.

[Guest]

AS everyone else has said, a warm welcome to you John, im sure you will find these forums full of helpful advice and super friendly people! As you can see from chris' link, theres loads of info here!

I love engines of any type, the fact that you build your own is quite frankly gobsmacking! Milling and machining is something i would love to try, its just where to start and the costs....

Im an out and out biker so obviously a lot of my friends are really into modding their bikes and creating their own parts but i wouldnt know where to begin!

Do you have any photos of your engines you can share with us? i for one would love to see some examples!

[Guest]

Awarm welcome from me as well (id love to see the engines) please share your skills with us and some pics would be great too

[Guest]

Many thanks for your very warm welcome,

I would like to answer a few questions put to me

Duncan - With reference to modelling, I have three things running through my veins, petrol, steam and cutting oil, backed up with a few wiggly amps, what more could a person ask for.

The kit is from the early 80's, with a vac formed hull, I think it has now been re-released.

I understand about your love of German lake and riverboats, I have been going there for the last 15 years, the first five in conjunction with my work setting up trade fairs in Frankfurt and Nurnberg(the toy fair), and then visiting the German friends I had made during that time, the last time was a visit to Bavaria where I drove there (23 hours), a beautiful country with great people.

Adzam (Chris) - Many thanks for the info, the url you gave me was the one that brought me to this site, and I decided to stay.

Unfortunately the info I require is the shaft and rudder layout for the full size ship, any ideas where?

Bunkerbarge (Richard) - Thanks for the info on the boat shows, I only live 40 minutes drive away from Ellesmere Port and have attended most of the shows there, but because of it being the same monotonous thing every year we decided to give it a miss for the next ten years and see if it improves by then. We tend to go to the model engineering shows at Harrogate and Donnington (now moved), you get a much better atmosphere there and a lot cheaper prices.

Squiffythewombat (Toby) - I too am an out and out biker (retired), I had to give up due to health and financial problems, my last bike was a classic 1976 Honda 750 K2, it gave my wife and myself my years of enjoyment.

It doesn't have to be expensive to get into reshaping metal, I started with an electric drill, hammer and a file and made my first steam engine in two nights, and it run, only basic, but that is the acorn theory.

The engines I make are usually long term projects as time and money allow, I am just about to start a four cylinder 15cc in line side valve engine, but bear in mind that the spark plugs cost £16 each, and a pair of special gears are £40 so it tends to take a long time to save up for all the bits.

I will try and find some piccies to post.

Many thanks again to you all

[wonwinglo]

John,thank you for your first posting,it tells me one thing and that is your modelling heart is in the right place, with your most kind offer to assist others with small lathework,you also highlight the need to encourage the youngsters of today,how very true this is,never before have the youth of this land had so many distractions,however on the other hand never before has so much been available in terms of kits,projects and materials.

It is people like yourself who having enjoyed being an hobbyist for so long is now more than prepared to offer something back and to assist others less fortunate in skills.

I just love the idea of your retirement stash,what a great idea,now you can relax and enjoy life at a much slower pace and above all enjoy your hobbies,so more power to you and your trusty lathe and I hope that you will continue to wield metal,manipulate the timber and turn lots of little gizmos in the future ! I wish you well and just know that you will enjoy yourself here amongst a wide variety of other model builders.

[Guest]

Now I know how to sell the idea of all my part built models, unstarted kits and piles of materials and bits to Annette.

It is my retirement stash!!!

[Guest]

Richard,

I've been doing this for the last thirty years, and her indoors hasn't caught on yet, but do keep your bank statements hidden.

But seriously, you never know when your circumstances will change, and this is like an investment for the future, in my case, having been off work due to an accident for over a year now, times are lean, but I can go into my loft and pick out a new project.

When I used to purchase one of my 'investments' I would also put into the box all the bits to complete eg props, rudders, shafts etc, so all I need to buy are adhesives and paints.

[John]

Hi John sorry not said hello before today, welcome to the forum always good to welcome new members

[Guest]

yes welcome bog standard, i love the idea of the missus not finding out the true costs of modelling, all i can say is you must have a good hiding place for the bank statements !

i have no such luck !!!!!!

[Guest]

A couple of weeks ago I picked up my new Envoy Class Tug model from a guy in Sutton Coalfield after a successfull Ebay transaction.

When I picked it up he took great pride in showing me his model boat collection (as we all do). What made me smile was that he asked me not to relate the contents of the attic to his wife who didn't know what was up there and who never actually went there!!! He had fourteen completed model boats, not to mention the other projects on the go.

Priceless.

[dynamite25]

Welcome to the forum John and have fun here and i'm from winsford so not far from you and i travel to crewe town centre on/off with my parents and some times pop into the model shops if i need anything,i too would love to see some of your work you have done as i am interested in steam engines but could never afford to buy one to have in a model boat so i stick with electric or nitro I.C engines.