[PSUBS-MAILIST] But seriously, folks...

I seem to sense an apparent belief among some prospective sub builders that one must find something a pressure hull can be made out of: the ideally-sized propane tank, boiler, or the like. There's also a lot of interest in alternative materials: fiberglass, composites, Ferro-cement, etc. I wonder if this is because many folks either don't have much experience in steel fabrication; and/or see compound-curved steel structures as beyond their capabilities. If that is the case, I'd like to offer the following (and forgive me if I'm stating the obvious here, but for the sake of those who might not know):

1. Steel is wonderful stuff to work with! True: it's oftentimes hot, cold, or sharp; and it's always heavy; but it's surprisingly versatile, and you'd be amazed at what you can make if you get yourself a torch, an arc welder, a couple grinders, and practice for a while. Plus, steel is (in my own humble opinion) ideally suited for submarines which need to be heavy to overcome displacement buoyancy. You can make most of the parts you need for your submarine out of steel with only a few common tools, and at surprisingly little expense.

2. As for the things you can't make by hand (those compound curves I mentioned earlier): open the phone book to STEEL FABRICATORS and you will probably find several shops in your area that have the equipment and stock to build just about anything you need!

If you're having trouble getting your project off paper and into construction: get yourself some tools and start working with steel; and take some schematics of those parts you can't make to the local Steel Fab people, and see what kind of a deal they'll give you. And don't be afraid to shop around.

Sure, paying to have someone else make a part for you is more expensive than making it yourself; however, if it's something you must have to achieve your goal, and you can't make it yourself, paying to have it fabricated is a good way to go. (And then, the part you get will be brand new!)

People who build custom vehicles must usually spend money to get at least some of their parts, so don't hesitate to do the same with your PSUB. You're going to find there aren't that many things you can't make yourself, so your expenditures on custom made items can be kept to a minimum. And you can keep within your budget by buying them one piece at a time. Put it on your credit card and/or take out a small loan to differ large cash-outlays. Anyway you look at it, building a submarine is going to cost you something; but that doesn't have to be an insurmountable hurdle.

The important thing is to get your project off paper and into construction. "Rome wasn't built in a day", and building homemade subs is a long process of accomplishing many, many tasks which ultimately combine to become a finished project. The "secret" (if there is one) is to get started, and keep going one step at a time.

My advice is: go buy that welding gear. Welding is part art and part science: the science of how to fuse steel together can be learned through books available at your community college; but the art of actual welding is acquired through burning lots and lots of rods, and you can do that in your backyard or garage. Don't be intimidated by working with steel; it's easy, enjoyable, and immensely satisfying! GET IT ON!!!

And call those Steel Fab shops! The sooner you start producing and assembling parts, the sooner you will turn your submersible dream into reality.

Again, forgive me if I'm stating the obvious here; but it seems to me these are essential truths some folks might not fully realize or respond accordingly to.