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[FrozenRabbit471]

Hi all,


I have purchased the Smit Rotterdam as my first boat. I have been warned about the increased probability of disaster because of the lack of experience. You see, this is the first vessel I've ever built.


I figured with the research I've done, the camaraderie on a couple good forums I have and a little confidence, what the heck!


I won't be able to start until after next week. I will convert my daughters old room into a craft room. I have a lot of tools bought to get me started. Over time I'll get more. I'm excited. Here's the first pic to start the adventure.


"a slow and steady steam"

[MartinL]

All the very best to you in your endeavours, remember not to dig yourself too big a hole before asking for advice, the people on here are brilliant at problem sorting. I will be watching, and learning.
Martin

[chipchase]

Good luck with your build, as you have said the Smit Rotterdam is not the easiest of kits to start with. my only advice is take your time and enjoy the build. she makes a fantastic model, 

[dougal99]

The only thing to fear is fear itself. Thoroughly read the instructions 2 or 3 times before you start, then give it a go. Most of all enjoy yourself. 

[T33cno]

This will help
https://techno.smugmug.com/Smitt-Rotterdam

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

I've always wanted to build the Rotterdam.  It encompasses all skills needed to make a decent model boat.

I shall be watching with interest and feel you should have no worries, as we will do our best to help you with any problems you may have. Just work on one section at a time and look at it from all angles.

Cheers

ken

[Paul2407]

Great model to build and one I wish I had built from scratch, I've more or less finished renovating one that I bought off ebay and had sat on a shelf for 25+ years it needed a complete overhaul but now looking much better 
look forward to seeing your progress, lots of pictures required please 

[FrozenRabbit471]

Thanks for the support everyone. It helps more than you know. First question, when I do start, and after all the planks are added to the hull, do I use a filler and sand sand it all before applying the fibreglass cloth? The guy at the hobby store said to just apply the cloth right onto the completed planking of the hull. I was kind of surprised.

[dougal99]

When I built my first POF hull I covered the outside in masking tape (paper type) then used car body filler to fill the gaps from the inside. After removing the tape and fine sanding the hull  I applied the fibreglass and resin.

[FrozenRabbit471]

Wow. that's an idea. The filler just seeps through from the inside as far as the tape that's on the outside. Sounds like a plan. Anything special for the filler? is there a particular filler that would eat the wood ?

[Paul2407]

Just standard P38 car body filler will do and you can get a fibreglass kit in there too you want a fine mesh kit if you can't find in Halfords you can buy this for around £15 on eBay 

[Netleyned]

Halfords in Alberta ???


Ned

[Paul2407]

    Perhaps they are international now, sorry hadn't noticed your location so your local car spares shop

[FrozenRabbit471]

Some pics for the startline

[FrozenRabbit471]

My old tool chest all cleaned up and filled with my new supplies. It's a start.

[FrozenRabbit471]

I think I'm more spooked on the RC components and accessories such as the lighting etc than the actual build.


I  know the RC and accessories can be expensive, but I get confused on the procedure, placement and proper components required.  Motors, esc's, bec's etc. Should I have a dual / paralell motor / esc set up or just a single. Its a head shaker for me.
I guess I'll have to figure all that out when the hull has been completed.
 

[cos918]

One tip before you start . Is photocopy all the parts . Then you have a set of full size templates in case you need to remake a part


John

[FrozenRabbit471]

Holy cow. Very good tip. You wouldn't waste any ink at all if you saved it as "scan to pdf", although the compression of the file may render it off scale on the print when you need it. Best copy to print right away. I'll try it on "light B & W fast draft" and post the outcome. But first, I'm going to spend the day numbering the wood tomorrow.

One tip before you start . Is photocopy all the parts . Then you have a set of full size templates in case you need to remake a part


John

[timbo]

 
Like the idea of a tool chest for storage I could get all my suff in and out of the way.

[T33cno]

This is where my Rotterdam build started and up to where I shelved it for a while
http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/going-to-give-myself-a-tug.144750/page-4#post-2190424

[FrozenRabbit471]

@T33cno I can't access the photo as I don't have an account for that group. Take a screen shot an post it here in this thread.

This is where my Rotterdam build started and up to where I shelved it for a while
http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/going-to-give-myself-a-tug.144750/page-4#post-2190424

[FrozenRabbit471]

timbo, I just did it as a temporary thing, but I like it. haha

Like the idea of a tool chest for storage I could get all my suff in and out of the way.

[T33cno]

@T33cno I can't access the photo as I don't have an account for that group. Take a screen shot an post it here in this thread.

It's 9 pages
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[FrozenRabbit471]

Will do.

It's 9 pages
Just register no need to subscribe

[FrozenRabbit471]

Hi all,


Today is the first day of the build. I have numbered all the parts on the wooden sheets and highlighted each number on the booklet chart.
Next is the reading, then the physical build begins.