Bluebird K7

Started by Midlife306

44 updates 58 likes 79 comments 0 followers

Bluebird K7

Oh I do enjoy it John, the problem solving especially, it's all the filling & sanding I'm dreading that will be coming my way shortly 👍
I'm just on with making a fixture to cut the profile of the sponsons, I'll get it finished tomorrow & give it a try
Cheers
Wayne
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1 comment
  1. John2
    Chief Petty Officer 1st Class
    Hi Wayne, You have to do the filling yourself but I would leave as much of the sanding as possible to the machines!
    John.
    Liked by RNinMunich

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Bluebird K7

Before the filling & sanding can start I need to make the canopy opening mechanism, finish the front, make the floor & bond it on, to make the assembly nice & rigid.
Liked by John2
2 comments
  1. RNinMunichBronze
    Fleet Admiral
    I agree John,
    can heartily recommend the small Bosch eccentric sanders with a collection of shaped pads (and dust extraction!!!!!👍) for the larger stuff, hulls etc, and the mini modeller sanders from Dremel and co for the fiddly stuff. 😎
    Liked by John2

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Bluebird K7

I've ordered some 6mm brass box section & some 5mm carbon fibre bar, the very vague plan in my head depends a lot on what the linear actuator is like when I get it in my hands & what mods I need to make to get it to fit. The 1/4 scale Luke Skywalker arrived today so I can't wait to get home to start butchering him😈
Cheers
Wayne
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1 comment
  1. Dave M
    Vice Admiral
    Hi Wayne
    The stepper motor on the actuator will require an Arduino or Raspberry to drive. I assume you will be able to replace with a brushed motor if you have neither.
    I also have an interest on model trains and we use small servos to operate the push rods for points. The retract switch on a Tx would provide the two positions needed by the servo.
    You are really cracking on with the project and the results are looking very impressive.
    Dave

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Bluebird K7

Thanks Dave, every day is indeed a school day, I've just ordered the following:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262907440238
I'll have to get my learning hat on, with the various inputs & outputs am I correct in thinking I'll be able to use it to animate my pilot as well?
Cheers
Wayne
1 comment
  1. Dave M
    Vice Admiral
    Hi Wayne
    Crikey you really are moving into new territory. I have both an Arduino and Raspberry and they are very versatile once you learn how to program.
    Yes you can program to do most tasks including animating your pilot.
    Good luck with this
    Dave

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Bluebird K7

Annnd relax, thanks Dave, I don't think Luke will be too happy about having servos shoved up his backside. Exciting territory indeed!
Cheers
Wayne
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1 comment
  1. John2
    Chief Petty Officer 1st Class
    Hi Wayne, Can't wait to see the result! I hope you are making progress.

    John.

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Bluebird K7

I can't either, but I appear to have lost my fast forward button😂
Cheers
Wayne
Liked by John2
2 comments
  1. fireboatGold
    Captain
    Hi Wayne, thought I'd chip in on this thread when I saw the words arduino!

    The stepper motor mayyy need a stepper motor controller. Something cheap like a ULN2003 to go between the UNO and the motor. I'm not sure the direct outputs from the arduino UNO will offer sufficient current. Steppers can require quite substantial currents, especially if they stall or are told to "pause".

    There are some great libraries available for steppers too. I recommend the Adafruit library. Just make sure the correct pins are identified in the software. if it judders instead of rotates, it's most likely the wrong pins have been assigned to the wrong motor windings.

    If you get stuck, I'm happy to help with questions too 😁

    Stephen
  2. John2
    Chief Petty Officer 1st Class
    Wayne take your time and enjoy it! Building is half the fun.

    John.

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Bluebird K7

Well, Luke wasn't happy when I got the Dremel out....
I mean who designs a kids action figure that can't sit down, well, he does now after the Lancashire Dremel massacre!
The plan is to use Luke for 1/4 scale proportions to make my own lightweight blue foam figure from that will fit properly into the cockpit.
I've also cut the sponson profiles, after cutting them I found out they Uhu Pore is an absolutely terrible foam safe glue, basically it doesn't stick owt to owt!! I'm going to have to split every seam & redo it with Gorilla glue..
Cheers
Wayne
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Bluebird K7

Thanks for the advice Stephen, I'm on with researching now, I'll post the motor specs when it arrives.
Cheers
Wayne

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Spars

Well, I got the titanium lasered for the spars today, I've got a welder lined up, I'm off to the shop to buy him some sweeties!
Cheers
Wayne
Liked by John2
3 comments
  1. rolfman2000
    Warrant Officer
    Sometimes its not about what you know, but who you know ;-)

    Hope all goes well(weld)

    Best wishes, Dave W👍
    Liked by BOATSHED

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Bad day at black rock!

I always get home before the Mrs so I have time to hide any of my eBay bargains before she gets home, she beat me home today & guess what, there were seven packages behind the front door....
I'm proper in the doghouse 😳
Looks like I won't be allowed near the boat for a few days, grrrr.....
Cheers
Wayne
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8 comments
  1. jarvo
    Lieutenant
    Word your postie, leave round the back, out of sight, just dont forget to look!!!

    Mark
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