RE: Bridi Big Kaos engine choices???
That looks like a great engine. I have a RC Showcase 180 gas engine that is similar and would work very nicely. The RCS may be a littly bit lighter though. Look at the spec for the RCs and it should give you an idea of the thrust/prop to use and you could check the thrust to weight ratio for your set up. The Moki would give you the most power but I know you want to stay with gas. Keep posting your build picks. chris
Posted on: 4/10/2012 5:23 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11035761

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
Hi All, I got all the sheeting finished and moving on to finishing this thing. Traveling right now but will post more pics this weekend.[8D]
Posted on: 2/29/2012 9:36 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10982479

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
I then turned the boat over and installed the sponson chines on the bottom and side. They fit into slots cut in the formers. I glued them in with CA and then epoxy. Make sure former #3 (1/4" thick) is square with the side of the boat before adding glue to the joint.
Posted on: 2/5/2012 11:33 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10944049

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
Next step is to add the non trip sides to the blukheads and chines. Block sand everything so the sides and bottom will sit square. Coat the chines with epoxy and add the sponson sides. This is where you will need a bunch of masking tape to hold eveyrthing down untill it dries. Then block sand the side sheeting flat and add the bottom sponson sheeting. I used my electric planer and sandling bar to square up everything. I then added the bottom sheet keeping it flush with the sponson transom and the inside tunnel. I taped it down then flipped the boat back over on my flat building board. Add a 3/4" block under the transom and weigh everything down to keep the sponson bottoms square and not indue any warp [8D]
Posted on: 2/5/2012 11:29 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10944082

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
Thanks for all the comments. Very helpful. I will post more info tomorrow. going together quickly. Just make sure you have a big roll of masking tape to hold the bottom and decking down as the epoxy dries. chris
Posted on: 2/3/2012 8:50 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10942820

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
I am not sure. I bought my kit in May 2011. It looks like they are out of most of the gas kits. This kit is really nice and simple to build. Only 6 bulkheads that 'key' into the bottom squaring up everything nicely. Low part count, you will like it. The cowl/top is epoxy glass also which makes it easy to sand and finish. they also have nice hardware. They now sell a complete hardware package to finish the boat. I hope mine runs at least half as good as Mart's when finished. [:D] chris
Posted on: 1/18/2012 6:20 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10916052

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
Good idea. I glued the doubler to the former before adding it to the stringers so you can weigh it down flat and also use the screws to pull the t-nuts into the wood. The main thing is to fit the doubler to the former correctly as it only goes on one way for the holes to line up.
Posted on: 1/15/2012 10:25 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10909976

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
Make sure when you add the turn fin doubler, it goes on the right side front of the doubler (inside the sponson). The way the holes are cut, it only lines up one way with the holes in former 3. I used epoxy to hold the t-nuts in place as you can't get to them once the sponson is sealed.[8D]
Posted on: 1/14/2012 7:36 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10908251

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
Good tip thanks!! The instructions say to ca the pieces together but I will make sure I use 30 minute epoxy on all the joints.
Posted on: 1/14/2012 5:35 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10908106

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
Now you can add the engine rails. This design is great as the parts 'snap' in place by flexing former three to fit the tab from the rail into the slot. Epoxy everything togeter and let it dry several hours while being weighed down on the building board.
Posted on: 1/8/2012 5:57 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10897573

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
Now you can place a 3/4" thick block under the bottom at former 1 to align the bottom with former 1 and the stringer sides. Glue in the front doubler to the bottom and side and weigh down the bottom to keep it flat.
Posted on: 1/8/2012 5:50 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10897566

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
Once former 6 is glued to the floor, you can proceed with placing the floor on the 10" wide building board and adding the other formers and gluing them to the sides and floor. Then you can finish the cut out in the former to accept the engine rails
Posted on: 1/8/2012 5:37 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10897550

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
I started cutting everything out so I can begin assembly. Make sure to mark the left and right side of all parts as this hull is not symmetrical. I also sourced a 3/4" ply building board, 10" wide from Lowes to use in the build process. The Hydro tunnel bottom (1/8" ply) has slots that match up with tabs on the bottom of the formers that square everything up when you glue and weigh it down on the 10" wide building board.
Posted on: 1/7/2012 6:56 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10896963

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
My experience is with building giant scale warbirds so I was pleasantly surprised when I opend the box and found a nice spiral bound build manual and router cut 1/8" and 1/4" ply and 1/8" liteply parts. Also included was a nice epoxy/glass cowl and turn fin with hardware and ply radio box (need to build).
Posted on: 1/7/2012 6:52 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10896891

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
I fit the first three formers onto the stringers. I lightly Ca'd them in place untill I get them lined up with the floor and can use epoxy. Do not glue the 3rd former (1/4" thick) to the bottom of the boat as this will need to flex slightly to fit the engine railes in place. With the tab and notch construction, the engine rails snap in place and self align to give you 5" spacing for the engine mount. Also don't glue the center part of former two to the bottom as you will finish cutting out the center to make room for the engine rails. I also mounted the 6th former (at transom) to the bottom. It is important to get this former square to bottom (right angle) Also add the gusset to this former.
Posted on: 1/7/2012 6:47 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10897051

RE: ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
Here are some of the sheets before I cut out the parts. This build looks like it will go quickly because of the low parts count.
Posted on: 1/7/2012 4:58 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10896925

ZippKits Rockett Hydro build thread
This is the start of a ZippKits build thread for the thunder boat Rockett kit from Zippkits. I will walk through the build with photos and the methods that I used to build it. I will be using ZippKits Hardware and a box stock Zenoah G260. Please give me feedback. Thanks! [8D]
Posted on: 1/7/2012 4:25 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10896781

RE: photos of old school offshore boats
Thanks for the reply. This is what I was lookng for. I found a few websites that sell dvd's of the old offshore races but they want about $100 each... I like the "systems" cat and the "jessie James" cat from Chris Craft from the early 80's.
Posted on: 11/29/2011 7:28 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10834379

photos of old school offshore boats
I was on www.superboat.com this week watching the offshore races at key west. They have some old videos from the '80s and 90's that had some awsome boats like "jesse James" "Systems Cougar Cat" and "popeyes". Does anyone know where I can look up photos of these boats? I can't seem to find many photos on the web??? Thanks, chris
Posted on: 11/14/2011 6:24 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10812303

RE: GP .60 Extra 300s Build
Great build thread...keep it going. I have a Thunder Tiger 120 that I was going to put in mine when I build it. It weighs 27.5 oz. I gues I'll put the elev servos in the rear also. chris
Posted on: 11/12/2011 6:06 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10809098

RE: GP .60 Extra 300s Build
i noticed for the rudder you are using a ds821. Are you using these for all surfaces? what is the torque of this servo? thanks chris
Posted on: 11/10/2011 8:18 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10806486

RE: GP .60 Extra 300s Build
Started reading your build posting this week. Fantastic job!! I pick up one of these kits a few weeks ago and looking to build this winter. thanks for posting.
Posted on: 11/9/2011 11:12 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10804357

RE: Workbench question
I built my table using a 4x8 foot sheet of particle board. It seemed really big at first but I put it in the center of my workshop and was able to build a wing and fuse of a 35% extra at the same time on the table. Also allows you to fully assemble the airplane to check CG and incidence. chris
Posted on: 11/8/2011 5:44 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10803362

RE: super tigre g20 ring replacement
10-4 thanks Bill
Posted on: 10/18/2011 7:27 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "SuperTigre Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10772277

RE: super tigre g20 ring replacement
Thank you Bill. Is there any alignment pin, groove, etc to keep the cylinder lined up with the case during reassembly? chris
Posted on: 10/18/2011 6:21 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "SuperTigre Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10770991

super tigre g20 ring replacement
I have a made in china ST G20 that I want to replace the ring. The bore size is 1.280". Do I need to pull the cylinder out to get the piston/conrod out to replace the ring and if so how do you get the cylinder out? I am used to having a cyliner with a flange on the top that can be used to pry out the sleeve with a small screwdriver. Any help would be great. Also what do I use for allignment when putting the sleeve back in the block? thanks, chris
Posted on: 10/13/2011 5:36 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "SuperTigre Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10762856

RE: 1/3 Scale ME-109E Project
OMG. That is incredible. Very nice craftmanship. Thank you for sharing. If you have an Ox-Ac torch, you could either braze or gas weld aluminum. Works very well. The braze filler rod melt at a lower temp then the base metal and will avoid blow thru on the weld. chris
Posted on: 9/3/2011 5:53 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10699393

Roamin' Research Mig3 plans where to buy?
looking to buy a set of Roamin' Research Mig3 Plans. Does anyone have a set? Does it have a two piece wing? best regards, chris
Posted on: 9/1/2011 6:28 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10697593

difference between Futaba Fasst and FHSS?
Looking to upgrade to 2.4 gz radio and I noticed that Futaba makes a FASST system and a FHSS system. Does any one know the differnces, advantages??? thanks chris
Posted on: 8/30/2011 6:26 AM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10693196

rcmk s-520 has anyone run one of these yet
I am looking at building a large Cat and would like to know if anyone has tried one of these engines yet? How does it hold up? thanks chris
Posted on: 8/23/2011 6:27 PM by Author "grant118" in the forum "Speed - RC Gas Boats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10684274