29-05-2005 21:48

sanddrag

Re: pic: Hovercraft

That looks really good. Just make sure you have good gaurds around any props/fans. It would be all too easy to lose a finger/hand/etc.

29-05-2005 22:31

The Cyborg

Re: pic: Hovercraft

All of those fans and pneumatic gizmo's run on a single 12-volt battery? You must be craz..ahh..err..incredibly intelligent with conserving!

Looks good so far, except you will make the hovercraft out of something other than wood? Wood seems a bit...unreliable for this situation...

29-05-2005 22:50

edomus

Re: pic: Hovercraft

The battery is only for starting the engine, nothing else. There are no pneumatics. Also, the final craft will be made entirely of wood. What do you mean by it being unreliable?

29-05-2005 23:11

The Cyborg

Re: pic: Hovercraft

Thats awesome! Is the engine powered by fuel or stored energy?

I've must have mistaken a part of the craft a a pneumatic component, I thought I have seen an air pump near the front fan, but It must have been another part of the engine.

From my past experiences with wood, I've always have had trouble with reliability ,with pieces constantly breaking off, weathering, mites, and heavy friction which may result a fire hazard. But those were just my experiences. I deeply apologize for my misunderstanding.
Since the aircraft is entirely made of wood, would be some water proof enamel-type finish?

Once again, I apologize for my ignorance, and applaud your progress on making a piloted hovercraft. So far, your project looks amazing!

30-05-2005 13:31

Conor Ryan

Re: pic: Hovercraft

Really nice model But seeing how big it is, do you guys have any concerns about it's weight yet? Particularly on the deck, maybe you could use a thinner sheet of plywood in some places and reinforce some of the more used spots. But make sure you keep it balanced, its never pretty when something like that gets flipped over.

30-05-2005 15:39

tiffany34990

Re: pic: Hovercraft

sweet model!! wood..hmmm alright choice but yeah... doen't look as sweet as metal does... but great job!! if it's built and works that'll be sweet...we can always dream big but having it work that's a different story...lol

31-05-2005 01:13

Rafi Ahmed

Re: pic: Hovercraft

Yea it is easy in your head.

How are you going to steer it?

01-06-2005 00:45

RudimentaryPeni

Re: pic: Hovercraft

where does the stereo go?

01-06-2005 00:46

unapiedra

Re: pic: Hovercraft

I suggest (not that I would have anything to say here...Sorry) an emergency shut off switch, with a really long connection (so you are far enough away)

01-06-2005 07:52

Al Skierkiewicz

Re: pic: Hovercraft

It seems to me that a home project like this appeared in Popular Science or Popular Mechanics at some point in time. In the 70's I think. Balance of weight is essential though, to keep the curtain full inflated. Remember there is no brakes other than shutting off the lift fan. You have to turn it 180 degrees to reverse the thrust to stop in normal operation.

01-06-2005 11:55

edomus

Re: pic: Hovercraft

Please post continued discussion here
so that everything is in the same place