Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] UC3 rollout

Peter,

I have in the past spent a fair bit of time looking at what pictures I have available to me on Kraka, and learned allot from the doing. I liked so much of the design work that went into Kraka. I wasn't sure tell now, if you could unbolt the exterior plates and tanks, since it looked to me like you couldn't. I figured it would be a rust nightmare unless they were modified. It's good to know that the UC3 will be easier to maintain. I've seen a fair number of PSUB's that didn't have good access to the tanks and other areas for corrosion and general maintenance. Are you thinking of using a anti-fowling paint on the inside of the tanks on top of the base epoxy paint?

I take it that your using the same epoxy paint, as primer and finish paint? Are you using a metal prep cleaner like the ones that have hydrochloric acid in them, to stop any oxidation and etch the metal surface before painting?

I've been using MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone) to remove any oils on the metals surface before painting. I've had some trouble getting chemical gloves that the MEK won't eat through. For sandblasting I'm going to start using fused copper slag, that I can get out of Canada. From what I've been told by a local metal dock builder, the copper oxide is allot better for your health then silica sand. The product is called Kleen Blast.

http://www.kleenblast.com/

Regards,

Brent Hartwig

From: "Peter Madsen" <peter@submarines.dk>
Reply-To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] UC3 rollout
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2007 22:37:29 +0200

Brent,

Paint...

One of the big problems with Freya and Kraka is our reliance regarding corrotion control - especially on Freya. The visible hull was never a big problem but inside the trim and main ballast tanks the volumes are so cramped that paint work is close to impossible. This spring Kraka was cut in pieces to get in and fix this in all critical spaces - but its very difficult and expensive in hours.

UC3 is different. All tanks, seawater, freshwater, fuel - all have man holes. All can be painted. All parts of the pressurehull are accessible on both sides. The whole deck on the casing is mounted with stainless bolts - and can be removed for inspection. Even the sail can be un mounted in this way. This means she can be easily maintained over the years.

We use a special epoxy paint. It comes with no reactive solvents - so no gas masks are needed - and the tools can be cleaned with white spirit or even warm soap water. It is applied with a brush, and each layer gives about 400 my. Depending on the use we add different pigments - e.g. inside the boat the white paint is the epoxy with 30 % titanium dioxide - the best covering white paint I have ever used. Other places we use the paint with other pigments - depending on the environment.

The finish is not like a car - the best name for the product would be "tank primer heavy" - but its is having very good adhesion - even on non sandblasted surfaces - and is exceptionally watertight. And in our business - that's what paint are fore.

As for welding...

- UC3 is almost entirely made form high tensile carbon steal - a type known as

EN S355J2G3 - roughly similar to DIN 17100 St 52. The fact that it is indeed high tensile steal is felt when we bend it - it feels about as stubborn as stainless steal. Its is welded with a high power MIG welding machine with a thread that is 1.5 mm diam and is hollow - it contains some material that protects the meltbath. It gives an exceptionally productive welder - we can make a meter of 15 mm seam in about 15 minutes. The intence heat from the process melts down plastic glasses on our welding masks - so we use mineral glass helmets only. Its also makes for very smooth and good looking welding. In other words - I am not tired of anything but waiting to launch this boat.

To make a project - big or small - is about dedication. What I have enjoyed during this process is that I have never felt it was boring or to much or felt that I lacked motivation. To me as an individual - its like going to the moon - its like the Apollo project was to the United States as a nation - so I frankly love doing it.

I would wish for all on this list - that if you haven't already build one - then start tomorrow - because creating a ship, submarine or homemade spacecraft of any kind is simply wonderful.

Regards,

Peter



----- Original Message -----

From: Brent Hartwig

To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org

Sent: Friday, July 20, 2007 9:14 PM

Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] UC3 rollout

Hello Captain Peter,

We are waiting with baited breath for your UC3 Pictures. Perhaps I should just fly over there and take them myself. ; )' The group will pay for my trip, right guys? It would likely be cheaper to ship a new camera to you, but not as much fun. I think I know why you don't have a digital camera. That 44" prop drained your life savings, unless you found it at sea, while on Kraka.

What type of primer and paint are you planning to use on the UC3?

Are you tired of welding yet?

Cheers,

Brent Hartwig

      "Those that say it can't be done, should get out of the way of those doing it"

"If you don't have a vision, then your reality will always be determined by other's perceptions."
                                                                         - Melanëe Addison

" Do, or Do Not, there is no try."

                                ~Yoda

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others. "

                                                         -- Groucho Marx
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