As I live in Kent I think I am at a safe distance
Roger

Hi Roger
Fortunately I have already purchased the lead and I've got a large burner and reducing valve. I have two large Propane cylinders for our lounge fire so I'll have to hope it's man enough for the job. I'm making the mould at the moment. it's in three main parts. Essentially it is a bulb on a stalk and the stalk has a slot in the middle where the keel should slot. I also have a 6mm dia brass rod which I plan to cast into the keel so that I can fix it to the hull. To facilitate this I have cut fairly course threads each end; one to take a length of steel to hold it firmly in the lead and a large diameter brass hand wheel for the other.

I plan to dry off the moulds in the oven before I cast. Any water in the mould will be disastrous; the molten lead will explode. I have a good face mask and thick welders gloves but I probably could do with a leather apron too!

Edward

Hi Edward, you do realise that you will cause a world shoftage of lead,Great Britain will have to leave the E.U. because of the increase of World lead prices and gas shortages caused by the melt! By the way I have posted a short video of the engine and boiler running if you are interesred, sadly runs on gas and not Welsh Steam Coal
Roger

Great! I hope that mine will look as good when I have cast the keel up. I look forward to seeing yours on the water, as I do mine!

Edward

Hi all, not quite to your scale Edward, my mini keel weighs 500g and is held on by 3mm stainless stud with home made brass thumb screws for easy removal. Thanks for all the ideas sits in the water a treat. Just a few steam leaks to cure and I should be there, says me tempting fate again!

Roger

The number of times I've been there!

HI Roger, a similar idea, what about a detachable yacht keel possibly only 6" deep streamlined as well. Mark

Thanks Edward, reading your idea I now realise its a similar fitting on my Surmount 800. Now why didnt ithink of that? Time for the dark room......again

Roger

What I am doing, and I take no credit for the idea (DaveM), is drill a hole through the keel to take a 6.5mm brass rod. This is to suspend a removable lead bulb keel which I am in the process of casting (in my case it's about 13Kg). inside the boat I have fixed some pieces of mahogany with a hole through the middle to take the brass rod. This is in an attempt to remove any water ingress. At the top of this mahogany I have put a bracing piece and bolted it to one of the hull frames to counteract any horizontal forces when the boat heels.

Does this make spence to you?

I'm sure some pictures would help but I use a camera, not a phone and it's a pain downloading them and then uploading again. However, I will if it helps.

Edward

Filled a length of copper tube with lead, tied it on Amazing! Sits at the right height and all stability problems solved. incredible how moving the weight under the hull transforms the stability. All I have to do now is work out how to fix it preferably so it is removeable, come on guys any bright ideas?
Roger

Thought you might like to see my hobby room, the floor area is 8 x 4 ft, same as a sheet of ply! Anyway made a cheap and nasty test tank from offcut of sterling board and old airbed! No expense spared. Added lead but still very tender, am wondering if a tube filled wirh lead under the keel might be the answer but dont think it would look right. Any ideas?
Roger

No-no I really do have a hobby room, ok it's our second bedroom I convinced my wife to let me use it as a hobby room! Ed

Hobby room? Thats what we Brits call the bedroom!
Roger

Hi Roger, I guess i'm lucky I have a hobby room. but my wife always cringes when she looks in to it. I don't know why at least I know where everything is!

Hay Rog, if it was easy we would be bored, thats why we test them, (to find out what cockups we have not noticed)

Cenbeth, must be the air in Wales makes time pass slowly! So she went into the tank today and wanted to roll over! All my fears about too heavy and she sat high in the water and is going to need quite a bit of lead to settle down. Gas burner worked well but only took it to 20 psi as there were leaks at the gauge and the main steam valve was not seating properly.
oh well back to the shed ....it is quite dark out there Jarvo!
Figtree cant take breaks, if I stop her indoors always has a list starting with clear your junk fron the kitchen table
Roger

Roger, sound advice, cant find the dark room !!!! HELP

You all sound like manic builders! I'm afraid that my modelling can be measured over years to complete. in fact, that is my enjoyment; thinking about how to overcome the issues.

I took quite a few breaks myself, the hobby is fantastic but you need to take breaks! it took me one year to complete my tugboat but I think it's because I took frequent breaks! I'm on a break right now!!!

Jarvo, I just wonder when we take on projects that will take a year or more with all the assosciated brain strain whether we should at least sit in a dark room for a week or get help!!!
Roger
I think

Tablets Roger, I cant remember!!!!!

Just to let you know tomorrow she hits the water in a friends test tank and gets properly steamed up to test the forward reverse valve. Thank you for all your compliments, must finish soon as I feel a steam lorry coming on, possibly with trailer for boat, must start taking the normal tablets!

Roger

Had to feed the lifeboatman who stowed away!
Roger

Hey, I just noticed where's the plate of fruit and the tea kettle?

Amazing, Stunning in closeup, you have put some brilliant work together on this project, onwards and upwards, video of her sailing would ice the cake.

Mark

Hi Shavings, Outstanding looking model you've done a fantastic job on her. and great on hiding the electronics! looking forward to seeing more pictures and maybe a video.

Final pics are of the stern, the table acts as a cover for the prop shaft lubricator tube and the rear of the seat slides up for accss to the rudder shaft. The servo for the rudder is in the bow and is connected with nylon aircraft bits. Radio gear is located under the seats in the cabin as will be the f/r servo when fitted. I have tried hard to hide all the electronics. Oh forgot to say it was pointed out today I had forgot to fit any flag masts!
If you would like any more info please let me know
Roger

Gentlemen photos as requested, went well at lifeboat station dont know how much we raised yet but buckets were heavy,pic 1 shows replanked deck pic 2 front of boiler, made all fittings except gauge! pic 3 shows twin double acting wobbler with piston type reversing valve Allwill be tested tomorrow. Have never tried piston valve before.
more coming
Roger

Hope theres plenty of money in your bucket, good weather should get the crowds out

Thank you will reply later just off to the lifeboat station to show it off and try to raise a bob or two for the lifeboat
Roger

Great job, Can't wait to see her on the water! 👍

Looks absolutely stunning, can we have more close ups please??? and any chance of on the water shots????

Mark