What's on the Workbench?
Every day I will try to take a picture of my workbench and post it, along with details of
the current projects. After 5 days (or pics) I will archive them and set up a link to the history.
Today's picture for 3/19/99
3/19/99 I have been busy today replacing the tailgate on my Bronco. Unfortunetly I was hit from behind while
I was listening to Primus at a stoplight. I was able to pick up my new reciever today, as well as 2 new
servos. The reciever was the incorrect channel, I replaced the xtal and it seems to work. I will preform a range check
at the field for sure to be safe. The picture today shows the complete smoke install, with servo. The mini arm has a "z" bend
in it on the servo, and a ball link on the smoke valve. I had to trim the link down, it is tight in there! I also had to trim the arm on the valve to allow it to slide over the screws
on the valve. The arm is not designed to move 360 degrees, which I needed for this tight install.
3/17/99 Not much to report today. I am finishing up the Four Star 40, mounting the engine, tail, control surfaces. I thought
I would put up a picture of one of my past projects, a Macintosh fishtank. The old Mac was sitting around the office, so I grabbed
it and made it into something useful. The floor and front are plexiglass. I set the plexiglass in the oven at 500 degrees for a few
minutes so it would become flexible and conform to the case better. I set a weight on it as it as it cooled to give it that "bubble screen" look
as well. The floor and front were scuffed around the edges and glued in place with quick set epoxy. After the epoxy dried I put gobs
of clear silicone on all the seams to make sure it would not leak. The vents and handle area in the rear were also sealed with small pieces
of plexiglass and silicone. The entire joint where the front of the case meets the back were sealed as well. When the silicone was dry (it took several days for the center
of the beads to dry due to it's thickness) I filled it with water outside and let it sit for a couple days. I also moved it around a bit to stress the joints
and test for leaks. The tank holds about 2.5 gallons. I am using a small PennPlax bubble filter/pump to filter it, and a tiny heater to keep it warm (80 degrees F).
I picked up both these items at Wal*Mart for only a few bucks. Interesting, all the designers of the Macintosh have their
signature imbedded on the back mold of the Mac.
3/15/99 Picture A shows the complete (minus servo) smoke system installed. The DuBro 4 .oz tank is between
a layer of R/C foam on either side, and is secured with hardwood lite-ply. The hoses are all clamped
with small wire clamps. The last thing you want is a leaky tank especially when it is pressurized
diesel/transmission fluid mix. The tank has a DuBro gas conversion stopper, and there is neoprene line inside the tank for the pick-up.
The smoke lines run on either side of the fuel tank out through the firewall.
Picture B shows the external components of the smoke system. The neoprene tubing exits the firewall right next to the fuse sides. The fuel
and muffler pressure lines go straight through the center of the firewall right into a 8 .oz fuel tank.
The smoke pressure line has a metal check valve installed to make sure the smoke fluid only flows into
the smoke line, which enters the muffler next to the engine. The Macs muffler has
dimples pre drilled in it, which makes drilling and tapping easier (you will need a 6-32 tap and drill).
The smoke kit explains that you can use it on any muffler, as long as you drill and tap it in the right place.
The kit includes the neoprene tubing, smoke valve, check valve, brass fittings, and clamps. It also has 2 small "T"
fittings and plugs that allow you to fill the tank remotely. Because of limited space I was unable to use these, on
larger models it will fit. You will need a smoke tank (use is 4 .oz every 1.5 minutes), gas conversion
for the tank, 6-32 tap and drill, and basic modeling tools.
3/14/99 Very busy, I flew the helicopter today! (see the flight page for more info). The picture is the Macs
Smoke System installed in the Four Star. I will have a detailed page as the project goes along explaining how to install the
Macs system in your Four Star, and how it works with various smoke fluids that I brew up. The hobby shop had just got a couple in and
I figured what the hell its only 24 bucks. The manual says it will use up those 4 o.z.'s in 1.5 minutes, which should be more than enough
for just screwing around. The big news is that I have purchaced a wireless color video camera! Ramsey Electronics had a camera and transmitter
kit for 300 bucks so I went ahead and ordered it. I am going to have plenty of on aircraft/rocket/motorcycle/whatever the hell I want to stick it
on footage here soon!! The model I got was the CCDCC-1 camera and the MTV-7A transmitter if you want to check it out. As usual expect a complete performance
report so you can run out and buy one with confidence.
3/11/99 Four Star, Ready for decals, radio, engine, and Barbie. I am waiting on my new receiver. I also
have to finish the ailerons and tail surfaces. I think I can salvage the elevator from the wrecked
FS40 and use it on the new one.
3/7/98 The Four Star Wing is complete, the fuselage is in the foreground. What a mess!
3/4/98 The other half of the FS 40 wing. The completed half is against the wall. Unfortunetly I found
4 missing ribs (1 section of balsa) missing from the kit(I may have lost it but..Hmmm). I had to
cut 4 old ribs from the wrecked FS40 to complete this wing, it took alot of work to get them
back to the shape of the original die-cut parts.
3/3/98 The new Four Star 40 wing takes shape.
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