Cheap DIY RC Floats

Time to repair our VQ Models Twin Otter by making her a brand new set of floats. We investigate two very low cost methods that won't break the bank.
We investigate how to build float pontoons from corrugated expanded sheet plastic (Correx / Antinox), and also a method for building using expanding foam inside a 3D printed mould.
The finished floats came out at around £20 per pair, and were very easy to make. After a bit of tweaking they worked very well (with some mishaps along the way).
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[@reasonitout9087]

Good job!

[@ScaleMeDown]

Thanks

[@DadsRCHangar]

Great building ideas, foam floats works really well and a great price. 👍🏻

[@ScaleMeDown]

Thanks

[@gwenatherton3807]

Love the foam floats! An ingenious idea! 😉

[@ScaleMeDown]

🙂

[@Del350K4]

Funnily enough, I tried to make an RC speedboat Hull in the same way a few years ago.
In my case the foam shrank over time, which was disappointing.

[@ScaleMeDown]

Interesting. Do you think it was the water or sunlight that caused them to shrink ?@@Del350K4

[@Del350K4]

@@ScaleMeDown I rather suspect that it was sunlight. If you cut or sand expanding foam, compromising the "skin" that forms when the stuff goes off, it seems to be more vulnerable to UV damage.
I think it needs a stout outer layer, as these floats have, and I should have incorporated similar internal stiffeners, too.

[@ScaleMeDown]

@@Del350K4 🙂

[@tiag0pint0]

Hello!
Great design man!!
It's possible for you to share the 3d models of the mold?
So I can print one to try

[@ScaleMeDown]

Hi drop us an email so we have your return email. you will find our email account on the 'about' section on our channel, or on our Facebook page

[@tiag0pint0]

@@ScaleMeDown I have sent an e-mail for you
Thanks!

[@samerset26]

Great idea and presentation!
Since you already have the molds ready... I'd love to see how one outside layer of thin fiberglass would improve the durability and surface finish.

[@ScaleMeDown]

Brilliant idea - and would probably avoid the need for any filler

[@johntreble6049]

@@ScaleMeDown ... and why bother with the foam??

[@ScaleMeDown]

@@johntreble6049 A hollow fibreglass float will work, but will be prone to filling with water / sinking if a split occurs due to hitting any floating debris or an imperfect landing. From previous moulding experience, will probably end up heavier too if sufficient fibreglass is used to remove the foam infill

[@coriscotupi]

Nice, but way too complicated for what it is. Sometime between the late 70s and early 80s I hot-wire cut floats out of foam cores for my RC model airplane at very low cost and in very little time. I did cover them later with glass fiber + epoxy, though.
h.

[@ScaleMeDown]

Hot wire cut floats would have also worked well. Need to surface them though = lots of sanding