Submarine Update



 The roller system worked perfectly.  No sniping at all (that's that stupid step at the end of a board after the edge clears the first feed roller).  I took 1/16th inch cuts, alternating each side until both sides were clean.  This gives the optimum amount of wood.  I ended up with 2 1/6 inch thicknesses on the thinnest board.

Using my table saw as a flat surface, I glued two boards together.  Clamps!  Lots and Lots of Clamps!  Make sure you have the grain going in opposite directions or the board will warp.  I prefer white glue.  Keep it thin or you will end up with ridges you can't sand out.



This photograph gives you an idea as to how big this project will be.  I needed to make sure I didn't cut the wood stock too short.  Best to have it at the beginning, and trim it off as I discover I don't need it.  



The Overdue Submarine

GERMAN TYPE XXI ELECTRO-BOOT (SUBMARINE)

BACKGROUND

For those who have heard the story about the purchasing of the plans, and the threat of world domination on my part, this is it, the German Type XXI Electro-boot model I threatened to build on my kitchen table, if I didn't get a house to build it in.  Denise abliged with quick purchase of the house.  However, due to other domestic projects it took over two years to finally get around to building the master model for this beast.  A great deal of preparation was needed before the start.  First, I had to build cabinets and work benches what were all on wheels, that were all on wheels for easy mobility.  Secondly, they all had to be the same height.  This was important since the garage is 13 x 23 ft and space is at a premium.  With all the cabinets the same height, I could move wood around on the machines while using the cabinets to help hold it level. Of course everything had to match, so I made everything with birch wood.

THE PROJECT

Why a submarine?  I spent years picking away at another project.  A 76 inch F-14 Tomcat.  Originally, it as going to be ducted fan powered.  It took several years to hand draw the plans for it.  Surprisingly, I started the plans before Top Gun became a hit movie.  I wasn't going to use the master model system, but rather the bulkhead and stringer system.  Half way through, model jet engines started to become available.  I started modifications but decided to leave the model behind when I moved to the west coast (Canada eh!).  I always had a fasination with subs, particularly the XXI.  It would be cheaper to make, cheaper to run, and cheaper to repair if it crash dived.  It would also be easier to operate. 

Exactly how big is this model?   Uhm, well, er, ok ....  its BIG.  Just under 8 ft long, 8 inches wide at the hull, and 10 inches high to the deck.  So, yeah.... its BIG.

Plans?  I thought I would have to draw my own plans until I discovered the 1/32 scale detailed set from Taubman Plans, a division of Loyalhanna Dockyard www.taubmanonline.com .   Fast delivery and great to work with, these plans are top notch.

THE STRATEGY

The strategy with the making of this model was not to make a working model from the start.  My game plan would be to build a master model for the purpose of building the mould(s), and then make the working model out of fiberglass.  This would allow me to get the detail correct from the start.  Then, if warranted, make one or several moulds for the end parts.  Since I know myself well, if I made more than one, I would end up making every one of them slightly different, with improvements along the way (Just ask me about Rev 16 Squirrel Proof, Bear Resistant Bird Feeders).

EXPERIENCE

In a word, NONE.  I have never made a sub model.  However,  with 20 years experience making master models for the auto industry, and toy industry, I am sure the principles are the same.   Besides, I have the internet and some world experts to draw information from. The Subcommittee,  www.subcommittee.com  will see a lot of me in the coming months.

GETTING STARTED

It took a while to find a supplier for the wood for this project.  Reimer Hardwoods of Abbotsford were my choice.  I opted for 8/8 kiln dried pine.  Clear, straight and few knots, it was inexpensive too.

The planer setup.  Since the boards were going to be heavy, I used rollers for in and out feeds.

    

See, not much room to work in there.  But the operation is smooth.

Just Like Those Damned Cats

After discovering water under our clothes washer, we decided to move it to see exactly where it was leaking from.  Denise took the opportunity to remove the carpet, then the flooring.  We found a grooved trench in the concrete with no real reason for its existance.  Denise took some Quikcrete concrete mix and filled it in. This stuff sets in minutes.  Within that time, one of the cats too the opportunity to lay a track of foot prints from one end to the other.  No one fessed up, no Quikcrete cement shoes were reported by any of the cats, they all played dumb when interrogated.   

Graphiti of the Week

INDESTRIES???   On the Beach in British Columbia.

Grafitti of The Week

If You Can't Spell, Don't Write Graffiti.

 This was located in the men's washroom stall of a bus depot in British Columbia.  NOTE:  If YOU can't locate the spelling mistakes, you shouldn't be allowed to have a marker in your possession.

A Big Bus, or, A Small One ?

An EXCEPTIONAL Night  For Human Migration Entertainment on The Vampire Shift.  From time to time, they crawl out of the trailer park to entertain the masses.  Here, are just a few one one particular night.


1)  The Techno Pseudo-Academia World Traveller - Shows up with his high tech Ipad, turns it on and flops it down on the stack of tickets.  On the display, is his online ticket (for those who don't know,  you buy it on line, print it out, and show it with valid picture ID on the day of travel, to make it legit.).  He is told "That's Great!  But I don't think I can stuff that thing in my envelope.  I need a printed copy." TPAWT's Response "They just copy the info".  Driver Response "Not on this trip".   TPAWT's show of High Tech Savvy of Daddy's Wealth is deflated by a quick run to the ticket counter for an emergency linkup to a printer via USB plug.

2)  The Super Stingy Cheapass Traveller - Shows up with her online ticket AND and her return ticket printed on the back.  Since they have to be validated with photo ID and kept by the driver, this posed a dilemma.  Instead of whipping out a 10 dollar bill, flipping it back and forth showing the front and back, and saying "Look Two Tens",  driver signs the one side and makes a note for the next driver.  <sigh>  Oh to be THAT Cheap.

3) The Anti-Educated Geographically Challenged Luggage Shipper - Shows up without a luggage tag on her bag.  Driver gives her a tag and tells her to fill it out (You know, Contact Info, Phone, and Travel Location).  AEGCLS opts not to fill anything out and asks the driver.  "Do I need to fill this tag out?.  Driver responds with "Not at all, where would you like it to go?" AEGCLS returns with "Doesn't matter".  With that, the Driver  says "Great!  Put it over there and we will ship it to Ontario on the next bus".   Geo-Genius quickly fills out the tag after borrowing a pen from the Driver.

4)  The Homeless, Moneyless, Clueless, Sympathy Inducing Traveller - Approaches the driver and states his case.  "Are you going to XXXX? I have no money and would like to get there, can you drive me there?".   Driver response,  "Nope, but you can go to the truck stop and ask if one of them can take you to XXXX, but it might cost you your virginity".   In the morning.  HMCSIT still had the same piece of real estate he kept warm the previous night.    HMCSIT still had his cherry apparently.

5)  The J. Wellington Wimpy Moneyless Negotiator - Approaches the Driver and states his case.  "I need to get to XXXXXXXford, have no money, but I will pay you tomorrow."  Driver, (remember, this all happened in one 7 hour period, LAUGHS, not in a humiliating way, but more in a flashback to the Popeye character, J. Wellington Wimpy, would be proud  of this guy - "I'll Gladly Pay You Tuesday For A Hamburger Today" Way)  Huk huk huk....  Well Blow-sk Me-sk Down, Olive-sk.......  "NO"

6)  The Road Rash Assault Victim Making His Way Across the Continent For Free Traveller - Approaches the driver and introduces himself with a firm handshake.  States his case 'I was robbed in XXXXary after I didn't give some guys 3 cigarettes.  I only had enough money to get to XXXXlden, and need to get to XXXXouver'.  ( A little background info.  This guy's face looked like it had been dragged across the full length of barbwire on the perimeter of Auschwitz concentration camp, drop kicked by a band of merry Goose Steppers and accidentally stuck his own finger in his eye).  Driver response "Do you have a ticket?".   Road Rash shows his ticket from XXXXary to XXXXlden.  Driver response "How did you get HERE? (obviously not in XXXXlden).   Road Rash (and I kid-you-not, a tear rolling down his cheek)  says "The kind hearted previous driver".   Driver "Well you will have to wait in the depot for the next kind hearted driver".

GAWD,  If the bosses knew the entertainment value of this job was this valuable, they would make em do it for free.  Ahhhhhh  the life of a Vampire.

NOTE:  The names were changed to protect the innocent.  However, the picture is very close. (not the vampire one)

Dumbass of the Day

While on route to XXXXXX.   A passenger frantically scrambles up to the driver of the bus and says.

Passenger:  I smell burning paper.

Driver:  Sure it isn't someone smoking in the washroom?

Passenger:   No, It is definitely burning paper.

Driver pulls over and investigates.  As he approaches the washroom of the bus the Passengers says.

Passenger:  I found out what it was, some one was burning paper to warm/dry his feet.

(No one would give the Dumbass up)