Marine tips

Radio Control Boat Modeler, Jun 2003

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FLEXIBLE FAST ELECTRICS

Here's a neat tip for using a 7- or 8-cell battery pack in models that have a variety of space considerations. Join two 4-cell packs in the middle with 14-gauge wire to make an 8-cell pack. Make the wire long enough to act as a hinge so you'll be able to stack the packs on top of each other. When soldering the packs together, be sure to avoid wicking solder along the entire wire; you need it only at the battery terminal.

Dr. Raymond Stelzner, San Diego, CA

AFTER THE FACT

How many times have you forgotten to put a piece of heat-shrink tubing on a wire before you soldered it to a connec. for or another piece of wire? To solve the problem, you probably un-did the solder joint, slipped on the tubing and re-soldered the joint. Here's a way around that: cut the tubing to length, slit it length-- wise and place it on the wire. Carefully apply thin CA to the slit and allow it to thoroughly cure. Slide the tube into position and shrink as you normally would.

Robert Reichard, Portland, OR

EASY BATTERY JIG

Making your own battery packs is a great way to save some money, but holding the cells steady while you solder them together can be a challen A simple iig made from ordinary materials will hold the cells in alignment. The jig shown here is very versatile and can accommodate cells of various sizes; just slide the wedge back and forth to clamp the cells into place. Make the jig as wide as the longest pack you're likely to make.

William Blackham, Avon, CT

HANGING AROUND

We all know the kind of tangled mess wall chargers can become if not kept orderly. Go to your local home improvement store and buy a few of the inserts that go into duplex outlet boxes. Attach them to a cabinet door or other out-of-the-way place, and voila! It's an easy, tangle-free way to hang your chargers.

Joseph Grossman, Spring Hill, FL

MINIATURE BAR SANDERS

Do you ever have the need to sand a piece of wood where your trusty bar sander won't fit? At your local craft store, you an buy Popsicle sticks for mere pennies, and they can be made into mini bar sanders. Stick a piece of self-adhesive sandpaper to one side of a stick, and trim it to size. Take a second stick, cut off the round ends, and glue it to the back of the first stick to make a handle. Now you have a handy, inexpensive bar sander for those small jobs. Make several of different sizes and with various grades of sandpaper.

Jack Dundas, Ontario, Canada