Building Tips – Scratch Building a Rudder

Here is the scratch building process that Peter uses for all of his boats. 

​A  standard 1/8″ inside diameter collar is soldered to a 1/8″ thick  brass rudder post. Brass rods 1/16″ diameter are inserted into drilled holes and soldered to the 1/8″ brass rudder post then slots are cut in the wood rudder to receive them. The space around the 1/16″ rods is epoxy glued and filled. The leading edge of the rudder is epoxy glued to the shaft – on larger rudders it receives rods as well. Several coats of Z Poxy finishing resin finish it off.

I use the heavy duty Dubro E/Z connectors cat. no. 489 for the rudder and servo arm connections.

​The “Scratchuilding Rudders” article which appeared in the March and April 2014 club newsletter has been updated and can be viewed by clicking on the button below. …………….WARNING: PDF only prints and needs fixing