Thread: Best Of Both Worlds

Can somebody tell me when Radio controlled boats which can be 5 foot long, cost $3,500.00 and travel at 120kph suddenly got classed as "TOYS" I find that rather insulting. I've heard of "Big Boy's Toys" but a Ferrari could also be on that list but it could hardly be called a toy.

Toys are usually associated with items children play with but they are usually purchased in boxes and are made of plastic and are much smaller and slower.

No, I'm not being pedantic but something I may well spend a month designing and building. Involving Aquadynamics, Aerodynamics, Engineering, Electronics and fibre glassing, woodwork, metalwork plus general troubleshooting and a lot of effort, only to find someone decides to move it out of the boat section and drop it in the toy section.

I have to wonder I'm in the right place to start with. Obviously a decision has been made. My post was made in the boating section and I did notice a comment about "and other things which float on water" I believe my boats do exactly that which is a lot closer than being classed as a toymaker. I wouldn't gaurantee your health or wellbeing if you walked into the 10s of thousand boat clubs around the world and told the members they are playing with TOYS. What I build are definitely not toys in any stretch of the imagination and I would like my post to be removed from the toys section or if that isn't possible, kindly remove it all together and cancel my membership please.

I've learned an important lesson. I certainly won't make the same mistake again. I thought this was a forum for scroll sawing. Obviously I was wrong. That isn't the point it seems. It's more related with what you do with it. I was handed an old used saw months ago and I figured it out with no help and built a number of assemblies for different boats so I'll just continue to teach myself whatever else I need or find a site which doesn't class me as a toymaker. Thank you for you time. I apologize for expecting more.

Maybe you should contact one of the mods and ask the question.

nearly time for another reply 2.19pm

G'Day Stu,
We're all kids at heart and as such our "toys" just get big, fancier, more complicated and way more expensive.
One man’s toys can be another bloke’s hobby or even livelihood.
Who cares about the title, as long as you're having fun and sharing that with others.
I'd appreciate sharing yours.
How about some photos of your "thingo's", please.
Cheers, Crowie

I would be interested in seeing what you make.

Actually what I make really isn't worth looking at. I take an empty hull and completely fit it out wth all the bits needed to make if go (fast). The timber part is merely a support which runs about 1/3 to 1/2 the length of the boat into which I incorporated the motor mount which needs plenty of meat to withstand the vibration and pressure from an extremely powerful motor. Todays motors are a long way from yesterdays. They are now Unbrushed which meansthe more volts you add the faster the motor will spin until it goes that fast it self destructs. The big motors which I'm just one the edge of can draw a constant 120 amps or in a short spurt up to 200 amps. You can imagine the torque involved with something spinning that fast. But the timber also supports the electronic speed controller, receiver, batteries or battery and the servo to operate the rudder. Plus any other gadgets such as GPS. temperature displays, radio controlled switching and many other gizmos.

Many boaters play Russian roulette and simply mount their electronics to the bottom of the boat and hope it stays dry. I prefer to give it a chance and keep the lighter itemsat about center (vertically speaking) of the boat. It keeps the components dry should any water find it's way in board and it looks tidier and gives you something to keep the components stationary. I think there's nothing worse than a mixture of plumbing and wiring lying haphazard all over the boat. I also cut a reinforcement for the transom (back of the boat) because the pressure exerted on it is at it's greatest. The prop is pushing against it, the rudder swings off it and trim fins and trim gear also bolts to it. I occasionally cut a bulkhead for the bow of the boat to seal floatation foam in the front half of the boat. Also using this method makes finding the Center of Gravity of the boat extremely easy. Without it you literally have all the internal components sitting loose in the boat and things rolling around makes it hard to find anything and the CG almost impossible. Now I have a scroll saw I can modify the woodwork to suit the boat. If it's a one battery job then I make a narrow support straddling the propshaft. If it's a two battery job I place a battery either side of the propshaft but again this can change depending on available space and customer requirements.

None of this is a five minute job and a new hull can take me up to 3 days to find the optimum position for everything. Taking interior space into account and importantly usable space on the transom. Quite often a smaller size trim tab is needed simply because there's no room for full size ones. If you think the boat is going to run hot I often fit an extra water intake needing more room on the transom. I don't like drilling holes in the bottom of a boat to fit a water intake. These intakes run nylon hoses to either the motor or/and the Speed controller. They both have water inlets which allow water to circulate the parts and then an outlet which in a single system runs straight into the next item and then out again and through an outlet over the side. It's an important small piece of chromed metal. When the boat is running hard the boat driver will look at this outlet as it shows it's side to ensure there's a nice stream of water coming out of that outlet. If there isn't it's a quick cut before severe damage happens. Often it's too late and a nice plume of smoke will be issuing through somewhere on the boat. An expensive sign, the strangest one I heard of was a condom was wrapped around the rudder and in most boats the rudder has a small hole angled to allow water to be forced into it and then around the system. At least someone had pleasure from what was an expensive ending.

If you still want pictures of something so boring I will certainly take some. In the meantime I'll post a few shots of my as yet unlaunched boats worth a combined value of $4,000.00 The bigger of the two is running a 4 HP 2 stroke engine and the yellow beast is running a Nitro engine. The bigger one was sent to Japan and had it's original engine removed and a full racing engine was transplanted along with a fully worked over rejetted carby and Guaranteed to do a minimum of 120kph. The hull was strengthened to support the engine and torque. The smaller was left as purchased and should do roughly 80 kph.

Regards Stu

The interior of the Segad Forgot to replace spark plug. The box in the foreground is the watertight electronics box with perspex lid. Watercooled exhaust on the left. The yellow rod is the antenna. I wanted a clutch and electronic start but no room.

Formerly Miss Budweiser, now licenced by Llumar Window Tinting

The "Segad" notice the size compared to the bar. These are just 2 of about 20. I've lost track Only one has been launched.

G'Day Stu,
That's one pretty u-beaut "thingo";
you're a cleaver bloke and from what I could see on the photos [very small], not to bad a craftsman.
Well done and worth a look-see.
If you don't mind reposting the photos a bit larger.
Cheers, Crowie

re;- Stu's request for info on how to make the Signs for those who consider they are important enough to have such things on the desk.
I have been in direct contact with Stu,- hopefully helped solve his problems, and answered his questions,- which I originally thought this Woodworkers Forum Site was all about,- where one would receive sensible answers to one's woodworking problems, and NOT simply a site where one shows off their copied projects to others. That correct, " Copied projects," - the short time I have been on this site,- I think I have seen one original Idea, and that was from a guy in England who is an, " L " plater in toymaking, and I personally congratulate him, via this page, on his inventiveness.
*** I notice that I have been branded a, " NOVICE, " which means a, " Learner, or, " Beginner," if one has the courage to look up the meaning of the word,- yet I have been associated with The Australian Woodworker Magazine since it began back in 1985. plus design, and market my own range of Aussie Designed Woodwn Toy Plans, which are slowly gaining international sales, especially in the land of, " Uncle Sam. " ( not bad for a, " Novice. " ), which brings me to this question, " How come I am considered a Novice, at what I do,- when I can do stuff YOU cannot ??
Who is the real NOVICE ? Have a think about it,- A good, long think !!!
Roger

So sorry about the photos. I was asked to show them to a gentleman with an extremely slow modem so I changed them and now I have to change them back. Completely forgot. Actually I've added that much to the fleet I should get some shots of the timber work as well. But I'll warn you now, it's not much to look at. Roger won't be pleased but I got the original with written permission froma company called R2Hobbies. I petered them for years to let me buy them as a single item but they refused. Then out of the blue one of the workers who I had befriended over a long period added up how many 10s of thousands I had spent with them and the boss himself wrote to me and told me a new one was on the way and I had their blessing to copy it and use it in any of my boats. Due to not having a scroll saw my copies were pretty yuck and not much better now I do have one. But as it's new I need a lot of practice.

My problem is, I'm like a fish. I can only spend so long out of bed before I collapse in agony. I can't sit for any longer than 30 minutes and I can't satnd for any longer than about 10 minutes. Whilst sitting my spine locks itself up (literally) or it puts pressure on my sciatic nerve if standing and I have a dead leg. I am on permanent Morpheine so that prolongs periods of sitting but it depends which end of the dose I'm on. I am slowly thumbing my nose at my doctors and I have vowed I will be walking without support by Christmas. I just suffered DeJaVu, I'm sure I've already said this. Forgive me if I did. So I'd better weld PHOTOs into my palm and then I won't forget. I'll bet my batteries are flat though. I have the biggest collection of digital cameras I've bought from Ebay not working and got them working but every time I need one I have to charge batteries. DUH!

I forgot to mention your post mate. Who called you a novice? I'm an innocent bystander but I've seen your work and even though I'm a real novice there's no way anyone should call you a novice. I deserve it in spades but those semis and the ute knocked my socks off. Does that mean that as a novice I can make blocks or wood into something like that. I really don't think you deserve to be called a novice after seeing some of your collection. I showed my wife and nurse and both of them mentioned time, patience and ability plus one important comment in this case "You must have been doing it for a long time" hardly comments suitable for a novice. If it was putting what I saw down I'd love to see his work and compare it. Then again I can't really comment on ability, I can only say what I saw I loved. I'm sure there's thousands of kids who would love to own those semis. I'm one of them.

Ignore it mate, maybe he was a little under the weather at the time and wasn't seeing straight. Sort of leaves my insult of being called a Toy Maker behind in the insult of the month category. I'd appeal the tag if I was you, Very unfair. I think you're work is extremely professional. In My Opinion of course.

Chin up mate regards Stu

The term 'Novice' is applied automatically by the vBulletin software and is not a reflection of the perceived abilities of the member. It simply reflects their involvement in the forums and should not be a cause for concern.

The forums contain a number of places where members can describe their experience, in the Welcome Forum and also in each member's profile there is a place where experience can be outlined.

Note that you can over-ride the 'Novice' tag by editing your profile in the "Custom User Title" section.

Good day Roger and Stu,
No insults are meant, you are rated on how many posts you have made you start as "New member " then get promoted to "Novice" then to "Member" it has nothing to do with your ability or what you have or have not done. It is all explained somewhere in the rules a FAQs if you have time to read them.
This forum is for all levels from the person who battles to follow his first bought plan to the ones who make plans and other professionals of all persuasions. The idear is if you need help ask for it, If you think you can help offer it. The biggest problem is deciding which is the best advice and whether the givers know what they are talking about or just plain dangerous.
Any way now that you have joined I hope you can enjoy it and get something from it.
By the way I am only a member and have nothing to do with running the Forum.
Yours in the hobby
PS The above post was posted while I was composing this.

Stu's right with his comments along with Crowie about the quality of my Wooden Toys, and other interesting things,- which include Collector's Coffee Tables, & Clocks with hand-painted pictures of well-known Aussie Muscle Cars on them,- XY-GT; HK Monaro; E38 Charger, etc.etc. All that kinda thing. Also design and make genuine timber Dining Tables for anyone who wishes to buy one.
If anyone is planning to visit the Yorke Peninsula region of South Australia,- you are invited to call into Port Vincent, and see for yourself what I do, - Now, providing the Moderator don't, " Jump up, & down, " at me, and call me every name under the sun, for, " bending the rules a little, " you needn't actually call in to my place, for our local Newsagency has decided to put in ALL of my Wood Crafts, & most of my Toy Plans as well, on display, and For Sale. The owners searched high, searched low, couldn't find ANY Decent Aussie Made Wooden Toys, & associated Wood Crafts Anywhere here in South Australia. they found a bit of stuff in Victoria, from someone near Melbourne, called, " Sam, " but that range was very simple, & basic designed. There is apparently several simple Aussie-made Wooden Toy-makers in the Sydney, and Brisbane areas, but by the time they paid the freight bill,- the end result worked out to be too expensive for the local Tourism Market, so the owners came round, & asked me in desperation,-- AND were totally, " Stunned, " at what they found,- right in their own town !!!!!!!!!! Result, I have, " scored, " about 30 sq. metres of Floor space, plus wall shelving up to about head-high,- along a 10 metre long shop wall !!!
Mind you I won't be keeping all the space to myself, as know of another really good Wooden Model maker who lives in the Northern Yorke Peninsula Town of, Wallaroo, then have another long-time mate named, Peter Toole, who is a Top-Class Scroll-saw Model-maker, ( has a few Scroll-work design awards to his name,- not many,- just a few. ), then there's another guy over the Barossa Valley way who does real nice Rocking Horses, and another who makes, ( w-a-i-t for it ),- Winebarrel Rocking Chairs !! I think you readers will be getting the drift by now,
Roger

Stu,- Which semi would you like to have at your place to show to all, & sundry in your town ?
It can be arranged you know. Nothing like a bit of promo.
Happy woodworking my friend,
Roger