Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] K-350 Question

["Dan H." <JMachine@adelphia.net>]

Hi Mike,
I'm happy to help.

I welded the hatch ring and the viewports in the conning tower before
attaching the conning tower.  I then found a lathe large enough to turn the
whole conning tower and machined the hatch ring.  No matter how you try,
it's almost impossible to hold the ring true flat during the welding
process.

Also, to help hold the conning tower round while welding in the viewports
and machining, I tacked a temporary round steel plate in the bottom of the
conning tower.  It stayed in place during the welding and machining and
while tackwelding the conning tower to the thick transition ring.  When your
welding in the viewports, it really easy to warp both the conning tower and
the viewport rings too.  Don't over weld and don't over heat the assembly
and you go.  I ruined my first conning tower!

Yes, I sand blasted the hull before primering.  It's not a "must do" but a
good idea if you can do it.  I got the primer from a guy that buys it in
bulk for his business.  I don't know the type.  Sorry.

Ask away anything you want to.  I sure don't have all the answers but will
steer you away from some of the pitfalls I found.

How far along are you.  Any iron on the floor yet?

Dan H

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Caudle" <titaniumman@accesswave.ca>
To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Sent: Monday, August 04, 2003 8:29 PM
Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] K-350 Question


> Dan H.,
>
>  I was looking at the way you and John Farrington have been building your
> K-350s.
> And have couple of questions. 1. The conning tower hatch ring is welded on
> Johns
> after it is on the sub, yours is welded and machined and added to the sub.
> 2. Did
> you sand blast and prime your sub parts and grind as needed. What type of
> primer
> did you use?  Just starting to build my K-350 and looking for a little
help.
>
> Thanks,
> Mike Caudle
> Halifax, Nova Scotia
>
>
>
>