DJ,
I would have to second everything Alec Smyth said. If you really want a sub.. Build a K350 from plans, using NEW steel from a reputable ASME certified Pressure Vessel Fabricator. The K350 design is approved by ABS, LLoyds etc. It has a proven track record (100+ built and put in service ?). Get a copy of Capt. George Kitteridge's book " I found Israel's Atom Bomb Factory " and read it.
The 516GR70 steel that makes up the pressure hull from a per unit cost category is probably the cheapest part of the project.
A completed Sub using your 4' x 12' cylinder would weigh somewhere in the range of 5 to 10 tons, Launching and retrieving will be a real challenge unless you have a large trust fund.
Remember building the sub is only the first part, actually using it is the second part. Eventually you will get bored with diving near the boat ramp. You will want some type of a support vessel next.
Submarines are not cheap, a K350 will cost around $30,000.00 doing most of the work yourself. (using new certified materials and doing quality work).
Turning the 4'x12' cylinder into a sub, my guess $100,000.00 .
And last but not least Safety, If your not using pressure vessel quality steel you will be risking your life.
My 3 cents worth,
Dan Lance
From: Dj <swaircraftsupply@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 06:08:50 -0700 (PDT)
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Starting my sub
I guess it's my turn , I never thought this day would come a friend of mine was cutting up some scrap iron from his fab yard and he was just about ready to lay waste to a beautiful 4' x 12' tank in perfect condition and of course I asked if I could have it. Well I have the tank now but I have a problem all of this seemed so easy when it was dream, now that its all real I am stuck on stupid, So can someone point me in the right direction until I get over the shock that I have started to build my own sub. from what I understand you take the dia 4' squared x .7854 x L L=12' = 150.7968 CF x 62.4 lbs = 9409.72032 llbs of water displacement -- 2.500 lbs this is how much the tank weigh = 7088lbs and this would be the weight that I would have to meet in order for the sub to sink ?
and how do you calculate-how deep you can go and stiffeners needed.
Thanks.
Deric from
Lancaster,CA
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