The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

L.North

Yes. It works. I put it in the plastic pool yesterday after work and the darn thing works. Doesn't move as fast as I would like. I hope to get some vids if the weather holds. Total length is 18.5 inches. Not including the tiller.

This was made from an incomplete Midwest Steam engine kit I bought off of Ebay for mainly the marine engine. Boiler was missing a few pieces. I used a tin can for the fire box.

The boat is one of those cheap china decorative ones I found at a yard sale for 1.00 usd. The life preserver is one of the rubber bands I use on my pinball machine. I always have spares. I found a plastic barrel. The prop is made from a cheap plastic toy prop with brass tubing and I found a u-joint at hobby shop for 5.00 USD. Tin can lid and copper tubing for the tiller. Sealer for the seams and several coats of varnish. I dirted it up with brown and black watered down hobby paint.

I'm not finished as I hope to get a few more items, such as crates and of course an anchor.

I'm a zero when it comes to pictures. I was hoping they would be larger. Back to the tutoring course.

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Les · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:14 pm Post subject:

That is very good. Well done.
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superbiker_uk · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:40 pm Post subject:

I like that - nice job!

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L.North · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:53 pm Post subject:

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steamyjim · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:56 pm Post subject:

Looks brilliant! Amazing, especially at that price.

What are those cheap china hulls you say the hull is made from?
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logoman · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:00 pm Post subject:

what a great job you've done of making a really authentic looking little steam boat using you imagination.

mogogear · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject:

Great job there LN.....The speed of these little 1 cylinder devils is always a bit slow .. They just do not develop much torque. They run quite nice when out of the water and then slow down quite humbly

Thanks for sharing
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Roly Williams · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject:

That looks great

Well done!

How fast does it go? The hull is about the same size as the Fantail, which goes at a nice sedate scale speed. I don't think the original African Queen would have been any racer (no, I haven't seen the film). If it does go too slow, a change of propeller might improve it. If it was designed for a fast reving electric drive, it won't work as well with a slower steam engine. You've spent less than $60 so far so you can afford a few more cents for a new propeller, if necessary.
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L.North · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:55 pm Post subject:

You can find those cheap china boats in decorator sections of most stores. They usually go for around 20.00UDS, depending on the size. You will need to really caulk the seams and put several coats of varnish on it. Vanish the inside after you seal the seams. These are not made for the water, so you will need to water proof.

Here's one I found on EBAY which is a 23", for 16.99 and 8.00 shipping. I plan on putting a steam engine in this one, and I'm looking for a small engine that is a bit bigger than the midwest steam one. I have plenty of verticle boilers.

You are right Roly, it could use a bigger prop with three blades instead of two.

The thing is that you don't need to spend a ton of money for an expensive boat to put your engines in. However, you will need a boat that is at least 18 inches long. I have a beautiful boat that is 14 inches long, but the engine and boiler are just too heavy. I'm planning to turn that one into an electric outboard motorboat.

Bugsy · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:10 pm Post subject:

Looks really good, LN!
You should be proud!

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IndianaRog · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 7:31 pm Post subject:

Linda, what a creative use of bits and pieces. I'm impressed with the boat itself, I need to peruse the decorator section of Wallyworld and see if they have such a thing.

Paintjob gave it that working boat charm!!

Roger
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madeinenglang · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

well done

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L.North · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 8:46 pm Post subject:

Roger, what is nice about a cheap already made boat is the only thing you need is a dremel tool, hobby knife, a little glue and sand paper, copper or brass pipe for the prop shaft, and a long piece of wire to attach the prop to and run thru the shaft. Almost any hobby shop has u-joints jof different sizes. There are no difficult plans and cutting to do like you do with a boat kit. You can do the basics in a couple of hours. The painting with all the coats takes several days between coats to dry.

Steve_S · Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 9:51 pm Post subject:

That looks very good. Well done!

metalhead100 · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 2:34 am Post subject:

Nice job!

As far as the u joint...you could angle the engine or use rubber tube as a u joint...

Jim
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