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Recommended stuff
from the rcsubguy

Whether you're just starting out and are looking to start populating your shop with the best tools and materials, or if you're an experienced builder just looking for new things to try out, this page has you covered. 

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From hand tools to electronics, from building materials to glues, the following are some of the products that the RCSubGuy uses in his shop to build out the models you see on my resume. 

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Most of these products can be found on Amazon.com, and using the links you find below will offer the Nautilus Drydocks a small commission if and when you make a purchase through them. Using these links will help my business, and I really appreciate your support. 

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If you have a favorite product that you'd like to share with other people, please let me know about it and I'll include it here (with full credit to you, of course!)

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Tools

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connectors

  • Solder Seal Wire Connectors - I LOVE these things. Save yourself a ton of hassle and use these solder connectors that are completely waterproof when properly applied. 

  • Dean-Style Connectors Male & Female  - These are really commonly used in battery packs, so having some of these around is always a good idea. Simple, reliable and easy to install! Package includes 10 sets of M/F connectors

  • XT60H Bullet Connector Plug - 10 pairs. I prefer these over Deans connectors as they handle more current and are easier to make up and take apart. Female & Male Gold Plated  

  • 3-pin Waterproof Connector IP65 - 22AWG. These are perfect for making waterproof connections for external servos

  • 2-in/4-out Terminal Block - 10pcs. - These are a really awesome way to split power between multiple components such as your ESC, pump, and BEC. Just push in the wires and flip down the levers! 

  • Magnetic Pogo Pin Connectors - Makes connections a breeze both in and out of your watertight compartment. I'd think a dollop of grease on the face will make them waterproof enough for external use. Available in 2, 3, 4 or 5 pin variants. 

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batteries

 

electronics

  • Heavy Duty Remote On/Off Switch - These are my go-to remote switches, handling up to 15A of current with a built in resetting fuse. Don't mess around with having to open your boat to turn it on and off. Just press a button on one of the two fobs and you're set to go!

  • These are my new favorite ESC's. Fully waterproof and able to be mounted in the wet if you want! Python 40A bidirectional ESC

  • 950kV brushless motors: These are what I used in my Bond Lotus build. Cheap but they work well!

  • The following ESCs are really solid and reliable units for use with brushless motors.

  • Mini Blade Fuse Holder - 10 Pack wired for 18AWG and fully Waterproof. Always a great idea to put an inline fuse between your battery and boat, and this is cheap insurance against a short circuit or high-current draw incident.

  • 20A Brushless Electronic Speed Controller - BLHELI. These say they're for 2S to 4S, but don't believe them. Run at a minimum of 3S for best performance. Supports Bidirectional Motors, but you'll need to rig up a programmer to modify the settings beyond single-direction applications. These are insanely customizable and are literally the size of a postage stamp!

  • 3A UBEC - Power your receiver directly from your main drive battery using this standalone UBEC, which is typically much better than running off of a built-in BEC from a speed controller. 5V output

  • Brushless Outrunner Motor 750KV - These are solid brushless motors that I've run in our cylinders to great effect. 


adhesives

  • Gorilla Super Glue Gel XL, - By far my favorite adhesive for subs. Comes out in a gel, so won't run and will fill gaps easily. Cures instantly with CA accelerator. 25 Gram, Clear, (Pack of 1)

  • Gorilla Waterproof Caulk & Seal - My favorite silicone! 100% Silicone Sealant, White, 2.8oz Squeeze Tube (Pack of 2)

  • Gorilla Clear Glue,  - This is a water-soluble glue that I almost always use to set my ballast weights or foam in place once they're where they need to be. I like that it's water-soluble as you can use it right after you trim without having to wait for the model to completely dry out. 5.75 Ounce Bottle, Clear

  • Starbond 2 oz. Medium CA Glue - (Premium Cyanoacrylate Super Glue). This is your standard go-to medium CA for the vast majority of your adhesive needs

  • Starbond 2 oz. Super Fast Thin CA Glue - (Premium Cyanoacrylate Super Glue). Best used for parts that perfectly mate. Water consistency. 

  • Starbond "Gap Filler" Thick CA Glue - This is the thick stuff, typically used for larger, ill-fitting parts (Thick, 2 Ounce)

  • Starbond 2 oz. Black Medium-Thick CA Glue - (Premium Cyanoacrylate Super Glue) My other favorite CA glue features rubber particles to help mitigate the traditional brittleness of CA glues. 

  • Bob Smith Industries BSI-151H Insta-Set Super Glue Accelerator - Give a spritz of this accelerator to instantly cure almost any CA glue. I prefer this over Starbond's offering. 2 fl. Oz.


servos

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hardware

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3d printing

Ender 3 S1 Pro - These are a tremendous bargain and are solid and reliable 3D printers used by many of my customers. Excellent price point!

Anycubic M3 Max Resin printer - I have one of these and it's been an absolute workhorse. Huge build plate means you can print almost anything in high-definition

Dremel Digilab 3D45-01 - Ouchy price-point, but man... these things are absolute workhorses. I have two of these and have thousands of hours of absolutely issue-free printing with them. Designed for commercial printers, you know these will last forever with few hassles.

Siraya-Tech Resin - this is what I use in my resin printer. It's been very reliable and has good overall performance. 

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materials

1/4" Sintra Board - This is expanded PVC plastic sheet that can be used in a million ways. Easy to cut and shape, positively buoyant, and glues very well, I go through TONS of this stuff. 

1/8" Sintra Board - Same stuff, just thinner!

1/16" Stainless Steel rods - perfect for making linkage rods. 

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