Guest Joe, The Deep Boatbuilder Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Hey Graham, Wes is building a new P-22 to replace the one he stepped on, You Know, the one I built. Anyhow, I was stumped in my build for waht to do for amast. T6 6061 aluminum tubinmg just doesn't scale down readily you know. Wes is talking about soda straws kifed from McDonlads, and I said "Whoa, this is my life your kidding about here" Personally I think he was yanking my chain, but anyhow how would I come up with appropriate scantlings and materials choices for something I can be reasonably safe in if a blow comes up unexpectedly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Jones Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 lots of hardware stores have 3 foot long aluminum flat bars, angles and tubing in various sizes- might look there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkisting Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 Soda straws, Joe? Heck no. I've already got a fine pair of Doug Fir dowels laid aside for ya! But patience, man, patience! There's still a cabin to be built! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Designer Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 Hey Joe, Carla and I have really enjoyed your adventures on this forum and I am glad that you and Wes have made amends. I think that you were a little presumptuous with the soda straw mast thing. I know that Wes would have gone more upscale than that, the fir dowels will be perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken_Potts Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 I've seen Aluminum (aluminium, whatever ) extrusion and tubing at hobby stores in bunches of different sizes. The wood dowels would be good for masts but if you wanted to go high-tech there are other materials available. As a matter of fact if you want to get all 21st century about things you could take a broken fishing rod and make some pretty slick tapered carbon-fiber masts. Oh no... I think I'm becoming a modeler! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Joe, The Deep Boatbuilder Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 Well I was pretty sure Wes was yanking my chain about the soda straws, but when he started mumbling about reinforcing them with pipe cleaners and epoxy, welll, I sarted getting nervous. I do like that idea about using fishing pole sections. Lighter weight aloft, one piece tapered masts, lighter weight for easdier stepping and unstepping, and ability to bend off in the puffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brigait1 Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 I don't post much here, but I actually have a little experience with this one. I have a radio-controlled Victoria that needed an upgrade on the rig. I made the spars out of arrow shafts from the sporting goods store. They come in a variety of materials and diameters so you can actually build nested-tapered masts in the same fashion that Graham suggests for his aluminum masts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wkisting Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 Arrow shafts are a very clever idea. I used to work for a gigantic sporting goods store here in town. I'll bet their archery department still has some broken arrow shafts they'd be willing to give me. I'll have to check into that. Thanks for the suggestion brigait1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Jones Posted March 25, 2006 Report Share Posted March 25, 2006 Showed this thread to Laura- she immediately says "Chopsticks! Nicely rounded, already tapered and will bend off in a puff. Besides, building a Princess he should go with wooden masts" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken_Potts Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Oh Man! Arrow shafts are so much cooler an idea that mine! Go to a local gun club (at least around here archery is included in a gun club) and post a little note on the bulletin board saying you'll pay a dollar for a broken or bent arrow shaft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted March 26, 2006 Report Share Posted March 26, 2006 Joe, I just measured a hollow carbon fiber one (arrowshaft) that I have; 1/4" dia. top x 11/32" dia. bottom x 32" long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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