Now on to actually skinning this thing.
Continued from page 11. Once the patterns were complete and fitting fairly close, It was time to start cutting some
steel. This is pretty basic, first determined how much steel we need, and got that ordered, and here that is fresh
off the truck, 1500 pounds of it, we're going to use around 900 pounds of it. Seems a waste to already know 600
pounds of this will be discarded, ahem "recycled" :)
We had the door open this day, as it was the first time we actually could, due to the weather. A guy that works next
door was driving down the street, looked over, slammed on his brakes, and immediately drove up. He was like
what in the hell is that thing!? He said it looked like we had a flying saucer sitting in there :) It does look like one at
a glance :) I should've told him "You're on to me, I'm actually an alien". They think I'm a little weird anyway. Oh well.
He does fabricating, once he knew what it was, I showed him the boiler and engine, just to prove I was serious, he
said "this is amazing" Ha..
Continued from page 11. Once the patterns were complete and fitting fairly close, It was time to start cutting some
steel. This is pretty basic, first determined how much steel we need, and got that ordered, and here that is fresh
off the truck, 1500 pounds of it, we're going to use around 900 pounds of it. Seems a waste to already know 600
pounds of this will be discarded, ahem "recycled" :)
We had the door open this day, as it was the first time we actually could, due to the weather. A guy that works next
door was driving down the street, looked over, slammed on his brakes, and immediately drove up. He was like
what in the hell is that thing!? He said it looked like we had a flying saucer sitting in there :) It does look like one at
a glance :) I should've told him "You're on to me, I'm actually an alien". They think I'm a little weird anyway. Oh well.
He does fabricating, once he knew what it was, I showed him the boiler and engine, just to prove I was serious, he
said "this is amazing" Ha..
My Steamboat Project Link to steamboat show
The Steam tug "Salty" built from Reliable Steams' plans Page 12
The Steam tug "Salty" built from Reliable Steams' plans Page 12
Here's yours truly, making last minute preparations before the first skin goes on.
Next just lay the pattern on top. We'll make allowance for the miscut in the lower right of it.
A few minuted with the plasma cutter and there it is. We cleaned the little bit of dross off the back side, so it would
not interfere with the weld.
not interfere with the weld.
Here it is moving in to position. That table worked out perfect for this..
I don't have too many pics of this, I was too busy wrestling that piece into position. It actually just slid right in and
took minimal adjusting before we started tacking it in place. Between the time we pulled the steel up on the table
and had it tacked in place was 90 minutes, I hope the rest go that fast.
took minimal adjusting before we started tacking it in place. Between the time we pulled the steel up on the table
and had it tacked in place was 90 minutes, I hope the rest go that fast.
A little trimming and clamping, what I worried about was a big nothing. Pulling the plate around to the stem was
actually quite simple.
actually quite simple.
Very happy with the way this went and the result. It is very fair and has a nice curvature in the bow. Lifting off the
frame a bit, but our stringer will contact it nicely.
frame a bit, but our stringer will contact it nicely.
By watching all the dims, keeping the strongback rigid, measuring off of it etc, Using the same pattern for the
other side, it fits as good as it does on the other.
other side, it fits as good as it does on the other.
I got a little careless making this pattern below, and paid the price for it. As I said early on, the danger in working
with a medium like steel, it is easy to get in trouble, and I almost did here, but was able to save the pieces by
compensating during the plasma burn out. Noting on the pattern and rocking the torch tip in and out. I won't make
that mistake again..
with a medium like steel, it is easy to get in trouble, and I almost did here, but was able to save the pieces by
compensating during the plasma burn out. Noting on the pattern and rocking the torch tip in and out. I won't make
that mistake again..
First step was to lay two 36 X 144" sheets end to end, on our long lift/plasma table we made with a small gap for
the weld and butt weld them. Should be easier to join them up and then bend them around the hull shape, rather
than trying to butt them there and get the proper flow where they meet, that worked.
the weld and butt weld them. Should be easier to join them up and then bend them around the hull shape, rather
than trying to butt them there and get the proper flow where they meet, that worked.
The ratchet straps worked great for holding the piece near position and allowed it be moved around a bit.
Here is looking inside, showing the load bearing supports. I flipped both picsover to see what it's going to look like.
And on to the next panel..
And on to the other side...
Skip welding to eliminate distortion.
Video showing the plasma cutter in action. That's 14 ga steel .075" thick. Cuts it like butter. Now on to a trailer to haul
this thing, that's on the next page.. page 13.
this thing, that's on the next page.. page 13.