Scratch-built R/C Fanboat, Part 1: Construction.

Someone recently handed me a non-working weed trimmer and said, "You're welcome!"

Thanking him for his 'generosity', I proceeded to repair the stupid thing. About 2 hours later, I had a working weed trimmer, but no desire whatsoever to go out and trim weeds.

Having built a few model airplanes as a kid, I wasn't ignorant to the fact that a weed trimmer motor makes a great motor for air-powered craft, so I set out to see what I could do with this thing...

Thus begins the journey...and the headache...xD

I did end up learning quite a bit of how-to and how-not-to, so the experience has been well worth it. I hope you'll feel the same.

Step 1: Supplies & Materials...

Believe it or not, this boat's superstructure is composed entirely of cardboard...yeah...a box. Master model builders prefer lightweight woods, such as balsa for their framework, but I'm not a master model builder, and cardboard is cheap, easy to cut and shape, and available everywhere.

Anyway...here's what I used...your mileage may vary:

-BOAT HULL & FLAPS-

*LARGE cardboard box...the bigger the better...
*Super adhesive masking tape (the kind that will stick to AIR if you leave it long enough)...
*Fiberglass cloth....
*Glue (I prefer gorilla glue)...
*Epoxy resin...
*Bondo...
*High-build filler primer...
*Exterior paint.

-PROPULSION & MOUNTING-

*Gas weed trimmer engine & components...
*Lightweight perforated angle...
*5/8" aluminum flat stock...
*Small galvanized hinges and machine bolts w/nuts...
*Wire hangers...
*Various bolts, nuts and hardware...
*Propeller w/mounting hardware...

-Control-

*2-Channel radio kit (transmitter, receiver, servos & batteries)...

-Tools-

*Utility knife...
*Scissors...
*Dust mask...
*Safety glasses...
*Latex gloves...
*Heavy gloves...
*Dremel tool...
*screwdrivers, sockets & wrenches...
*Rubber bondo spatulas...
*Beer...

Comments

[itri45]

Man, you beat me to it, I've been working on a boat exactly like this, I just haven't had time so most of my supplies is just sitting in my shop. It's sad.

[zazenergy]

wow, very thorough instructable! looking forward to part two :)

[HTWTUSA]

Thank you...personally, I thought your "Mustache Ride" was among the top ten I've seen so far...xD...

[l8nite]

I grew up on a cove off the Barnaget Bay in NJ back in the early 1960's. We would build "boats" out of almost anything, attach a rubberband airplane prop to an electric motor and a couple of d batteries and let them go across the cove (no controls) occasionally one would go walkabout on us and be last seen skipping over the waves between the islands into the big bay. Thanks for the memories and a really cool "ible"

[HTWTUSA]

Awesome...I used to do the same things when I was a kid...thanks for the look and the praise.

[HTWTUSA]

Thanks...I can appreciate the effect of a spurred memory, and I'm certainly glad you were inspired here...

Thanks also for the praise, and the view.

Cheers!