René Rubber Duck - The Bavarian Model Maker

Dive into the world of DIY quirkiness with my latest video. Watch as I bring this adorable duck to life with remote-controlled movements, adding a new level of fun to bathtime or outdoor adventures.

As a starting point, I used a 3d model I found online, hollowed it out, and split top and bottom. Using spools of Prusament PETG, I quickly had both parts finished. But, finding a suitable glue was more challenging. Almost every glue at the hardware store stated it would not work with PE. In the end, I settled on CA-Glue and Epoxy.

To keep the bottom and top half together, I decided to use magnets and avoid any fancy mechanism that could break in the future. Some tape separates every set of magnets so they don’t stick to each other permanently. And gluing them all at once ensures they are oriented the right way. The epoxy hardened after 90 minutes, so I had enough time to adjust for the best fit and got only a tiny gap between the upper and lower parts.

Due to my experiences with the jetski, a more reliable seal was needed to keep water outside. So, I decided on a straightforward approach and used a 4mm silicon hose glued onto the upper part of the rubber duck. This way, the hose gets squished into the bottom when assembling, preventing water from entering. It also supports the magnets in keeping both parts together.

While developing the 3d model, I found a problem with the center of mass. It was too high up, and the duck would tip over almost instantly. To prevent this, I added a cutout to the bottom, which fits 160g of lead. The ballast was fixed onto the printed part using a lot of epoxy.

Despite the excellent floating abilities, there was a well-known problem. Leakages! I already knew this issue from building my two jetskis and added more layers to the print in advance. But this only delayed the time for water to get in. It’s, once again, time for epoxy and a clear coat to do the job.