Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Argonaut Junior replica

[DJACKSON99@aol.com]

Are you going to use double-planked pitch pine, nails, canvas and tar like the original? What is the power source in the original?  If historical accuracy is not the goal, then get a rear end with the drive shaft from the junkyard. Put tubes in the tires and fill them with water, separate the emergency brake cables so you can steer by locking the wheels independently. It would be dangerous, but you could take an old rear wheel dive axel, power train, and engine, then turn the rear axel upside down so reverse is now forward. At 14 feet you would have to extend the drive shaft and the engine could sit in front of the rear wheel tiller.

I love the project idea.  It would be great for a high school class.  Please let me know what web or book resources you found with details on the Argonaut Junior. 

--Doug Jackson
 

In a message dated 10/28/2002 1:23:46 AM Eastern Standard Time, tlohm@juno.com writes:

> It's not powered in the water:  there's no screw or paddles, and it's made
> to drive along the bottom.   What this leaves me facing is a wood box
> that's 14 feet long, 4 feet wide and 5 feet high, rolling along the bottom
> on three wheels.   Making the whole thing even better is that it's not a
> "submarine" in the usual sense, but really a mobile diving bell.
> 
> I have a feeling it's going to demand automotive engineeering.  How
> can I maintain the rigidity of the 14x4 bottom?   Some kind of chassis
> will have to be built into the thing; not even my current hope of having
> a laminated three-layer bottom of plywood will provide the strength
> needed.
> 
> Does anyone know of any mailing lists concerning homebuilt
> automobiles?   I think I'm on the boat design list that contains
> the experience to make this possible.