Who wants to build a semi-scale all-wood micro hydro?

[Dr. Jet]

Kit Updates

All the wood for the Atlas kits in the laser guy's possession. I have motors, servos, ESCs, props, tubes, wires, and rods, for all the Atlas kits. I still need a couple of propshaft, drive dog, and propnut sets for two of the kits and they should be here shortly. The big sticking point is the hardware: The strut, rudder and turn fin. They're somewhere on a slow-moving container ship coming from China... It probably just passed Hawaii

[Dr. Jet]

I've been re-writing the instructions for the Atlas. Now there's a project...... Spelling, punctuation. syntax, verb tense, and heaven forbid, a dangling participle..... On top of that, I have to explain in writing what my fingers are doing in putting this thing together. It's kinda like Carlos Santana explaining in writing what his fingers are doing whilst playing Samba Pa Ti...... How do you put that into words?

It's hard to not feel like a dinosaur......

[Dr. Jet]

What’s Next for the Evil Doctor?

Continually updating this one post until the cows come home?? Yes, rather than make new posts, I've just been revising this one until a new one is warranted...

I’m somewhat disappointed in the reception the mini hydros and mini cats have received, but it's not unexpected; minis and mircos occupy a VERY small niche in the hobby, and boats are a VERY small niche in the RC Universe. The designs I've developed are well thought out and will produce excellent results with skilled building. No, they're not for the novice builder, but most anyone with a modicum of experience can build a masterpiece. Everybody likes to look at them, but no one really wants to build one. Is everybody really that hung up on bigger, faster, and meeting some class specification? What happened to “Fun”?

The Atlas Prototype II is nearly done, it just needs the remainder of the graphics and final assembly (Hurry up and wait...). The four kits I created only need the turn fins to be complete (Hurry up and wait....). I'll let the folks here know before I list them on eBay in case someone actually wants to build one. The 1:20 Short Circuit and Hawaii Kai III prototypes are in the hands of Mike the Laser Guy #2, but he's been dragging his feet for weeks now (Hurry up and wait.... ). The shovelnose builds should progress rapidly once the parts are cut and in hand. I have the ability to make kits out of these as well, but based on the interest in the Atlas kits, I think I’ll just build the two of them for myself and call it good.

When the SC and HKIII are done, I’ll finish the Atlas Prototype I (currently barely sealed in white primer) with some form of whimsical scheme (Maybe the BatBoat with Batman in the cockpit and a laser-Batblaster behind him or maybe some geek-seeking missiles ). Then, I’ll go back and to finish the 16” Twin Cat Prototype II that was started earlier.

I've been tinkering with a 450mm 'rigger based on the KEPs design with the design concept of maximum weight reduction in mind, but that may never get past the preliminary AutoCAD sketches phase.

I have enough early prototype laser-cut parts for the 16" cat and the Atlas hydro do do one of each. I believe these are the early prototype versions and will need some tweaking to make them work. Send me a PM if you want one of these.

[old guy]

if you do the Short Circuit let me know

[Dr. Jet]

if you do the Short Circuit let me know

If there's enough interest to do at least 4 kits, I will. Would you want it complete with motor, coupler, ESC, servo, strut, rudder, and turn fin? Would you want Short Circuit decals, or would you want to do different graphics? The kits include the mounting holes and nut plates for specific hardware. The big drawback on that (as you can see) is it takes a while to get all the parts no matter who orders them. I would include the 1/32" wire drive parts since 304 stainless steel tube in 1/16"x1/32" is not easy to find. I ream the stock Aquacraft GP-1 motor coupler to 1/16" to work with the drive. Alternatively, you can get Jeff Wholt to make one that will work.

If I had verbal commitments on 4 shovelnoses, I would order parts that day.

[old guy]

what would the price be on a full kit

[Dr. Jet]

Probably about $220 including shipping.

[old guy]

let me know i will take one

[Dr. Jet]

let me know i will take one

Will do. Be patient though, I have quite a bit invested in the four Atlas kits, but I also have extra materials that can go into kitting the Short Circuit. I can put labels on some boxes and start filling them with what stuff I have on hand (basswood strips, ESCs, servos, wire drive parts, and ???).

Box label (Note: The Atlas kits have similar labels):

[Dr. Jet]

Show Me Some Interest!

Well boys and girls, there you have it! Some interest in the shovelnose kits..... As I said before, I have enough bits to start assembling a run of kits for the shovelnoses. If three others here chime in, I'll order the necessary parts that take a month or more to ship. I have all the plywood I need for a run of shovelnose kits, but not all the balsa. The balsa ships relatively quickly though. I'll need more motors, more this and more that, but I can do it fairly quickly once commitments are made.

I want to build prototypes first, just to make certain everything is 100% right in my AutoCAD drawings (again, I am dependent on someone else to follow-through in a timely manner ), and to confirm everything fits as planned. I appreciate your patience, and I'm certain you will be pleased with the results.

[bhorowitz]

Dr. Jet,
Are all the Atlas Van Lines kits spoken for?
Regards,
Bob

[Dr. Jet]

Dr. Jet,
Are all the Atlas Van Lines kits spoken for?
Regards,
Bob

Bob,

None of them are spoken for at this time, and they will be ready to ship upon receipt of the turn fins. I do have one single turn fin on hand that was intended to go on the Short Circuit prototype. I could put that into one of the Atlas kits instead. Send me a PM if you want one.

[Dr. Jet]

OK, I've heard a couple of murmurs about the shovelnose kits, so I ordered parts to produce a run of them. I have the wood, but I don't want to send it to Jesse the Laser Guy #1 until I get the prototype parts from Mike the Laser Guy #2. Mike is a long time friend and I would prefer to use his services for the kits, but it has been well over a month since I sent him the preliminary drawings and I have no idea how much longer it will take for him to get started on a couple hour job. I did just speak with him and the answer is..... SOON!!

[Dr. Jet]

..................................I've been tinkering with a 450mm 'rigger based on the KEPs design with the design concept of maximum weight reduction in mind, but that may never get past the preliminary AutoCAD sketches phase.............................

Actually, it's progressed quite a bit and I have some fun ideas for light weight and easy building. Less wood means lower prices, so this may be worth the effort. I'm going to leave room for a BIG (relatively speaking) motor, but much of the fun with Santee Sport Scale Hydro was a inexpensive "spec" power system. I'm looking at little outrunners close to 5000Kv and under $20 to make a cheap little 2S rocket. I'm not really a 'rigger fan because they don't look like anything, but they do go like stink.

The KEPS 'rigger tub was kinda boxy, so I'm looking at doing something a bit more sleek (and lose some wood = weight in the process).



Just for the record, if I decide to do a 'rigger, it will get its own thread as it is NOT a semi-scale anything.

[Dr. Jet]

News flash!

The Atlas kits are ready. There are four of them. This may be your ONLY OPPORTUNITY to get one.