My attempt at building the Mean Machine

[lenny]

That looking real good Tim,
I have one That needs a lot of tlc to build some day.
This thread will help me down the line and others to.

[tlandauer]

Thanks Lenny, I am learning, and I know you are very creative too, so I can't wait to see your build!

[TheShaughnessy]

Not that it matters cause you already installed it but I've crashed my boats more then a couple times and never had the stuffing tube get damaged.

[tlandauer]

Not that it matters cause you already installed it but I've crashed my boats more then a couple times and never had the stuffing tube get amaged.

Thanks, I am sure I over did it, since this is my second build, I have to accept a learning curve, you guys have been a great help, I am enjoying the building as well as the learning experience!

[tlandauer]

Got the servo mount, measured the rod and installed a 1/4" brass tube as rod sleeve. The stuffing tube is rigid and I tried to adjust the strut , it is good to see NO flex from the floor. The tube has enough flexibility to go either way.DSCN2918_2328.jpg
BTW, the extra "floor " is a prototyping board from www.twinind.com , in retrospect, I should have cut it down, it is too large. This is very strong stuff, much better quality than the Radio Shack ones.DSCN2912_2326.jpgDSCN2944_2403.jpg
Inside transom, with water inlet installed:DSCN2925_2386.jpg

[tlandauer]

I had to shorten the wires from the ESC, and make a "T" shaped parallel plug. Much of my ideas are inspired from Dana's build!DSCN2932_2393.jpgDSCN2940_2400.jpg
The boat is 80-85% finished, I need to paint the windshield, have NO idea how, also, one of the BEST features of Dana's boat is his sub hatch, I got to admit I will have a hard time duplicating that feat!
Here are some pictures as of now:DSCN2951_2411.jpg DSCN2955_2415.jpg

[justski]

looking good

[tlandauer]

Some more:DSCN2952_2412.jpg DSCN2953_2413.jpg DSCN2957_2417.jpg DSCN2954_2414.jpg.
Any advices and/or input will be appreciated.
Also, if you happen to read this, Dana, do you have trouble with your Tactic Radio? I hate to drill a hole for the antenna, but the hull is lined with CF, I am not so sure what to do? I have either Tactic or Spektrum standing by.
Thanks for looking, guys.

[carlcisneros]

Tlandauer;
looking good guy.

suggestion,,,,,,,, replace the rudder push rod with one with an "S" bend in it instead of a "Z" bend.
The S bend is stronger and won't break like the Z bend CAN (at times after a while) at the 90degree bends.

This is just a suggestion.

[tlandauer]

looking good

Thanks, justski! hopefully I will be putting the finishing touches on soon, in for a busy spell though.

[tlandauer]

Tlandauer;
looking good guy.

suggestion,,,,,,,, replace the rudder push rod with one with an "S" bend in it instead of a "Z" bend.
The S bend is stronger and won't break like the Z bend CAN (after a while) at the 90degree bends.

This is just a suggestion.

OK! Thanks for the great advice!

[lenny]

Looking good,
But that rudder look really long in the picture.
Windshield, Just get a decal from monojeff or check with Make-a-Wake he has done some nice painted ones.

[tlandauer]

Lenny,
Yes, I have to trim it sometime later, I read from a post by Properchopper that the general practice is to leave 2.5 inch below the sponson, and that is just below the water pick up hole. With this length I will be dragging the entire bottom of the lake!
I will ask Monojeff, thanks for the reminder!

[justski]

Thanks, justski! hopefully I will be putting the finishing touches on soon, in for a busy spell though.

i am done with mine but i have to wait till spring to run mine .well i am going to take it all back apart and get it painted then i am done ..so i guess i am going to build another one

[tlandauer]

I got the sub hatch done ( turned out by far the most challenging aspect of the build ) I got lazy and did not want to trim a bottle , found some soap mold from a craft/hobby store. The front just clears below the outter hatch dome () I used a combination of Goop E-6000 and Poly-Zap by Pazer---they work on Lexan, but dries faster than the Goop and remain flexible as well.DSCN2960_2420.jpg.
painted the windshield: first primer, then Graphite Mica metallic, both from Dupli-Color : DSCN2964_2424.jpg, DSCN2966_2426.jpg, DSCN2967_2427.jpg.
It's been a blast to build this one, thanks for all the great advices and inputs!