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Frequently Asked Questions
This page is offered
in response to questions most asked. Please keep in mind we
are not experts at Bert's Hobbies but we are happy to share
our knowledge and experiences of our craft both good and bad.
Boats
Are Splinter boats available from Hobby Shops or
Retail Outlets? No, we have been there and done that. We found that our boats were being priced off the market as a result of sole distributorships and limited stocks being available. This was never our intention so, to keep control of price and our product we now deal direct with the end user through this web. A much better arrangement for all.
Do Splinters come in kits? No, they are supplied fully assembled, ready to go. All you need supply is the battery, the name you want your boat to be called and the pond.
Are drawings available? I do not supply drawings or detailed construction methods
Where does Bert's Hobbies get building material from? I select the timbers I want and mill
them down to size as I need it.
What are Splinter craft made of? The keel, drive shaft blocks, bow piece
and frame are produced from selected hardwoods. The stern is
cut and shaped from a piece of marine ply. The deck, cabins and hulls are produced from
Tasmanian Oaks.
How do you bend the timber that forms the hull? With
steam. Some well chosen words and a pair of gardening gloves
are a help. Remember to hold the required shape until the timber cools.
What types of power sources drive Splinters?
Splinters No1, No4 and No 5 can accommodate and be powered by a
standard 12 volt car battery unless stated otherwise. The
weight of the standard car battery is about 11 kilos. All
splinter Craft can be powered by smaller 12 volt DC
rechargeable, sealed, maintenance free, lead acid 1·2 to 12
ah 12 volt batteries. We recommend the 12 ah battery and its
weight is about 4 kilos.
What do I use for drive shafts? Stainless steel 5mm round, bushed and
sleeved in brass tubing. I turn and assemble my own.
Where do I get my rudders and posts from? I make
the posts out of 4·71mm brass rod. Rudders are made using copper
or brass plate or selected and shaped hardwood.
What type of propellers do I use? I
use the Octura brand, beryllium copper, two and three blade,
right and left hand, dog drive, 5mm shaft, type.
What type of nails do I use? Flathead annular silicon bronze nails. Remember, predrill
all sections to be nailed with an undersized bit. These nails do not take kindly to being extracted.
Where do I get my ramped variable speed controllers from? I make them.
What type of bulbs do I use to illuminate Splinter? I don't, I use high bright LED.
How many radio channels are required to control Splinter
Craft? Each craft has it's own
requirements. Series No1 requires 5. Series No2 requires 3.
Series No3 requires 4. Series No4 requires 3. Series No
5 and 6 requires 4. Series 7 requires 3. Series 8
requires 5. All Splinter Craft can be
manufactured to function using two channels but this is not
the Managers first choice.
Do Splinters have steerage while reversing? At full reverse revolutions steerage is possible but it is a slow response. Forward speeds will allow Splinters to turn in their own length.
How fast does Splinter No 1 go? We don't know, it has not
been sea trialed.
Does the Splinter Team export Splinters? Does a dog have fleas, pardon the pun.
Yes we do. We deliver door to door, any where. We can both watch the passage of
freight from my door to yours via the web. You know where your goods are and I know when it's delivered just by a simple key stroke.
Do Splinter motors and or speed controllers interfere with radio gear? No, all Splinter motors, pumps, power plants,
winches and Splinter ramped speed controllers are fitted with suppression circuits.
Can your Class 12 Yachts be registered as E C 12 Yachts?
No but they meet all the requirements bar one, the hulls are
not made of fiberglass.
Are there any other Yachts? Could be. Check out Series 8 Page.
Why do you produce the Class 12 in timber and not fiberglass?
Because that's what we do. All our boats are timber.
You claim that your Class 12 Yachts are self righting, are
they and from what angle? They are self righting.
To be exact, they will recover from the sails being flat on the wet stuff, just like we
said. Subject to the amount of time of capsize the craft could
require attention regarding water taken on board.
Are your Class 12 Yachts
waterproof? We have never
claimed them to be waterproof. They are water resistant. This
means that should the boat be capsized it will self right but
it will take some water on board. A boat that has been capsized
needs to
return to shore, ballast removed and be bailed. Trick is, Don't
capsize.
Are your Yachts covered by a guarantee?
All Splinter Craft are covered by a Thirty Day Warranty
from date of receipt which covers workmanship not
misadventure.
Are the electronics in your Yachts sealed from the
water? In terms of our Yachts, our radio
receivers are housed
is an inboard water-resistant container. The operational
servos required are not. In terms of our powered craft, receivers,
batteries, power supplies,
speed controllers and servos are inboard and below decks but
will get wet if you capsize the boat. Power units, speed controllers
and batteries can be cleaned, dried and reused. Radio gear and
servos take a dim view if they are submerged. As a rule, you only
get to do that once. Trick is, Don't.
Trains
Do we repair model trains? After consultations, we may repair
and rewind armatures. we no longer repair commutators or cut carbon brushes. We have been known to manufacture special, one of, power
pickups and parts, but we are not keen. We do not stock spare parts.
Do we quote on the repairs we offer? Yes, we provide a written quote on the cost of repairs as a free service. We ask that you do the right thing, include the return postage with your dispatch. This is your only cost should you not proceed with the repairs. Failure to include the cost of return registered post will result in a delay and incur administrative costs being applied.
In keeping with our Policy in relation to the return of all goods and property. All such property and goods will be returned by Registered
or Receipted Post. No exceptions
What gauge railway layout would I suggest and or recommend? Space available, ones own dexterity, ability, needs and budget are the factors that govern such a choice.
Where does one get reliable advice from regarding the hobby? Apart from the obvious, from
clubs. Train clubs are on the net and as a rule they play the game with a straight bat in terms of reliable information.
What do I use for mountains, tunnels and the like? Old fly screen nylon mesh held in place with timber supports, shaped with wire and covered with a fine layer of casting plaster. It can be cut and shaped as its drying or when fully dry. Polystyrene can be used as the base, shaped and covered with plaster.
How do you service your locos? With a tooth pick, if you want to know more, ask, I'll tell you but not here, takes to long. Check out our Train Advice page.
How can I judge if a piece of pre-owned rolling stock or loco is in good condition? In terms of rolling stock, by close inspection for wear of wheels, axles and axle beds. Test it on a piece of bent and straight track for balance and smoothness in terms of operation. Ask to see it forming part of a train. Put the piece under normal load
conditions in both directions.
In terms of locos, all the above plus smell it, if it smells burnt then it is. If the drive gears are worn to the point where you can see it then the unit has not been serviced properly, could be the reason
it's being sold. Check the chandlery for smoothness in operation by hand and on the track under power. Hang on to the little critter when under power, put it under load and see what its pulling power is like. Check
for a line of sparks and or fire around the commutateor when the little devil is run at full power. Sparks and or fire can indicate a problem with the armature
windings or dirty commutateor. There should be a constant, small blue spark from each brush where it makes contact with the
commutateor If the product is faulty and the seller less than honest you will be asked to look at another, or leave. If nothing else, at least ask to see
the piece operate, under power, on a track and forming its part of a train. Good luck.
Bridges, ramps and trestles, where do I obtain them from? I don't, I make them. If you want to save money, have bridges that fit your layout, not your layout fit bridges and the like, get handy. Talk to us and acquire some wood working tools with attitude. You know the ones, they are the saws that cut straight, the drills that don't break, the hammer that is user
friendly and the hobby knife that comes with bandages. Just kidding, build your own, it isn't hard. The Team at Bert's Hobbies will help with any questions you might have.
Dolls House
What material is used to
construct the B.B. Range of Dolls Houses? The
walls, floors, dividing walls and roof are produced from 6mm MDF
board. All exposed edges are protected with 15mm square rebated
hardwood edging. Windows, sliding sundeck doors, sundeck
furniture, front door inspection window, stove door, stove top, refrigerator shelves and coffee
table insert are produced from 3mm high impact plexiglass.
All windows, doors and inspection hatches are fitted with solid
brass hinges. All furniture and fittings such as stair cases are
produced from selected Australian Hardwoods and Tasmanian Oak.
How do you illuminate the dolls
house? With high bright LED's and concealed wiring. A 12v dc power pack is
supplied for Australian customers. Overseas customers will supply
their own based on differing requirements and plug designs. All Dolls House
illuminated connections are achieved by position of furniture. No plugs
required.
Is furniture available for the B.B.Range? Yes,
but you don't need any. Furniture is supplied with the house or as
stated at the B.B. Page.
Are spare parts available for the B.B. Range? Yes.
Little accidents happen from time to time. A full range of spare
parts are available. As each piece is hand made we ask that you
return the broken piece so that an exact copy can be made
What is required to set the house up when delivered?
A Phillips/star screwdriver, instructions from the
Daughter/Granddaughter. You need to line up four stainless steel
corner location dowels and screw up six locking screws. You also
need to screw the patio sun deck to the house. Put the
roof into position by using the fitted location strips, plug it
into the mains if you wish, hand the little one the front door
button and enjoy. A full method of construction is supplied with
the house and these instructions are given at the B. B Page.
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