TENS = Stimulating

A few years ago I took a tumble down the stairs and tore up my right knee and pulled something in my back. Lost about a year of boat building due to that lil' screw up. The knee still isn't right and neither is the back. Brought it to the attention of the Ole' Sawbones but he thinks it's all in my head! Did physio a few times but didn't seem to help.

Anywho, got a TENS device off of fleaBay for $30 USD. What an amazing lil' unit! I had it on my back this morning for 3 x 15 min cycles and *Poof* no more pain! I was able to jump around the boat this morning like a monkey in a banana tree!

Still working on the engine beds. Roughed them in this morning.

Roughed in engine beds

Both beds will sit dead nuts level in the boat and so will the engine. If the geometry works out I'll have the proper angles for my Python Drive.  :-)

1/10th. of 1 degree, close 'nuff for Gubment work!  ;-)

Rounded off the edges that'll need tape/glass etc. The wedges on the bottom are to fill the large gap that's left by the beds. This will all get bedded in tomorrow.

Sanded & ready to be bedded down!

That's 'bout it for today. Gotta get cleaned up and go pick up my Jeep that's been in the shop for 3 days getting a new clutch. (read 'Expensive' repair). *sigh*

Standby.....

In my minds eye

I can see how it's supposed to go in my minds eye. You spend years looking at technical drawings, photo's of how others have done it etc. But until it's your turn to actually do it everything you think you knew all seems to fade away into the ether! *sigh*

Such was the case with the placement of the Python Drive and associated hardware. I know how it's supposed to look (in profile) but once you're actually working in 3D in the real world that extra dimension appears at first to throw a wrench into the whole scenario.

Setting up shaft log support frame

The Python CV joints have to have at least 1.5 deg of angle in order to ensure proper lubrication of the joints. Minimum 3 degs total for both CV joints. I have designed the shaft log support frame to allow adjustments to the shaft angle (during mock-up) and will eventually have to lock in the angle. I was having problems visualizing how the Python drive jack shaft would fit between the engine and thrust bearing. The only way out of it was to haul it all out to the shed and lay it up!

Full length shaft log at 8 degs pointed dead nuts at engine output.

I was shooting for a prop shaft angle of 6 degs. This would give me, in theory, 3 degs on each CV joint. I got pretty close first time.

L to R: Prop shaft, thrust bearing, jack shaft w/CV joints

I will have to fabricate another bulkhead support for the thrust bearing. Easy enough, it's angle in relation to the prop shaft will be the same degree off vertical as the prop shaft is off horizontal.

Thrust bearing & prop shaft

The way it's sitting right now the prop shaft is at 7 degs and the jack shaft is at 2 degs so each CV joint should get about 2-1/2 degs of angle well within specs. Nothings glued in yet so I'll be able to optimize the angles as I go.

I'll double check my work and start gluing in the prop shaft support frame and then make up one for the Python Drive thrust bearing. I'll dry fit the stern bearing carrier and then figure out the total shaft length. I bought an 8' shaft so it'll have to be cut down to size. The one that's in there now is too short but used for mocking up the drive line.

My buddy Andrew came over yesterday afternoon and fixed up the shed roof so we should be nice & dry for another 6 months or so. Thank you Andrew.  :-)

Standby...

Little fabrication

Pretty warm in the boat shed today, thermometer was approaching 40 C which is waaaay to warm for this fat ole' bastard! I was drenched inside of 5 mins!

Managed to fabricate a new bulkhead or whatever you want to call it to support the prop shaft tube. I planned in some adjustment will fitting it up so I can fine tune the prop shaft angle. I won't really know where it will end up till the engine comes back and I can sit it in the boat. Lots to do before that happens though.

Prop shaft adjustment in bulkhead

Once the shaft angle is determined I'll glue & tape it in place. Got to use my 'yard sale' oscillating sander today! :-)  Works nice. I can see this tool getting a lot of use on this project.

Oscillating sander in action

Got the bulkhead mocked up and aligned etc.

Mocked up and level

That exercise did illustrate the difference in height between the two stringers, about 3/8" difference. I suppose that's from bedding one stringer a bit higher than the other. Dunno. Don't think it'll affect anything.

Last step was glassing one side.

Glassed & Peel Ply'd

Other side tomorrow then I'll glue it into place with some poo and tape.

Did a lot of navel gazing today just trying to visualize how it's all gonna fit in there. Gotta make sure I get this right. I only get one shot at cutting the prop shaft tube and definitely don't wanna mess that up!

Standby....

Life's little difficulties

Sometimes life just has it's moments that seem to get in the way of a boat building session. Yesterday I was off and running for the UPS store to pick up my new motor mounts. Almost about to cross the border when the oil pressure in the ole' IROC goes to Zero!!!! Haul it over and call the tow truck! Fack!

Smiling Bill the Tow Truck Guy! Caught a big one!

So that little misadventure threw me off track for about 2 days. Luckily it was only the oil pressure sender that was pooched. Total repair & tow, $250. *Sigh*

Picked up the new engine mounts today. They're a wee bit narrower than the Vetus mounts I showed you earlier but not much. The engine mounts will still have to sit on top of the stringers.

New engine mounts, still a wee bit wide but I can work with these.

So this is essentially how the engine will sit once the beds are in place.

Engine mockup with new mounts.

And the shaft tube is getting lined up and measured to be cut to the proper length.

Shaft tube needs to be trimmed back quite a bit.

I've got the measurements all laid out on the bottom of the boat for the various components. Still not able to visualize it yet but it'll come eventually. The Python Drive has some specific requirements for mounting and I have to be careful I respect those requirements. I'll fab up the support frame for the Python Drive tomorrow and set the shaft log angle, 6 degs and glue/tape them in place. I can then trim up the shaft log.

Shaft log looking aft.

Having never done this type of thing before I do a lot of 'navel gazing' and thinking and measuring before I cut anything. I only get one shot at this!!!

That's about it. Not exciting but it is what it is. Thanks for looking in.

Standby....

Bedding, fillets & tape

Sorry it's been a few days with no words. Things just sorta got in the way I guess. Jeep needs a new clutch and when I was at the garage to arrange that the old Camaro wouldn't start! I guess if you're going to break down the garage is the best place. $168 for a new battery! *sigh*

Anywho, the engine was delivered to the marina for servicing. That's an infill job for them so I suspect it'll be at least a week before they call to go pick it up.

Picked up a new (to me) camera to use in the boat shed. $50 off Facebook. It's way too nice to expose to that environment I think.

Facebook Cheapo Camera

Part of me wants to keep it and part of me says just friggin' use it in the shed. I'll give it a shot tomorrow.

Today was bed stringers, fillet & tape. Got most of them done. First time I've mixed up a batch of poo in quite a while. Got it going good just the right consistency. It pipes out of the plastic zip lock bag just like peanut butter!

Filler flows like peanut butter!

I like the feel of the plastic putty knife as a fillet tool. Cheap and easy to make. Only problem is they don't last very long.

Plastic fillet tool

But they do make nice radius fillets!

Working along the stringers

Probably did 30' of fillet & tape today. Nice and easy. No stress, it was a comfortable 21 degs C in the shed today. Nice break from the heat and humidity of the last few days.

Nice fillets if I do say so myself!

After the fillets were done I laid on a layer of tape. Tomorrow I'll go back and bed in the section where the engine beds go and the forward section of the stringers.


Even the Project Manager stopped by to have a look see and bark a few orders! I was on my toes and not slackin' either! :-)

Uh oh! The boss is here!

That's about it for today. Standby.....