Bulkhead filler block

[Alan56]

Just starting out on my first ship, Occre La Candelaria, which I just received yesterday. I notice some folks use a filler block at the bow & stern bulkheads to support the first planking layer. Looking at these photos you'll see filler boards for the bow #26 & #29 and stern #32 & #33. With these provided boards would it still be necessary to fill in these spaces? If so, Hobby Lobby has 2"x 2" x 6" blocks of balsa wood. Thanks..........Al.

 

[Uwek]

No totally necessary, but very helpful

Take a look at sketch #11 -



when you do not make an additional filling block at the bow, you plank will have the intention to go straight from the last bulkhead towards the keel (green lines) and you will get the red marked area / distance. In addition there is the risk, that you get a kink at the last bulkhead.

In addition you will have more area and surface, where you can glue and fix the plank

 

[Uwek]

Very helpful

 

[Chestcutter]

Just starting out on my first ship, Occre La Candelaria, which I just received yesterday. I notice some folks use a filler block at the bow & stern bulkheads to support the first planking layer. Looking at these photos you'll see filler boards for the bow #26 & #29 and stern #32 & #33. With these provided boards would it still be necessary to fill in these spaces? If so, Hobby Lobby has 2"x 2" x 6" blocks of balsa wood. Thanks..........Al.

View attachment 395894

I would suggest that balsa filler blocks make the fairing of the bulkheads much easier and allows you to secure the first planking layer with a well shaped base. These photos show my balsa fillers for my Vanguard. The more you use the better, but mid ships need it least.

 

[Alan56]

Thanks guys for this great information. I'll be picking up some balsa wood this morning. I'm keeping a journal & snaping photos as I progress. I may start a log sometime in the future.

 

[Short John Bronze]

On several models I have added lime (Bass wood) bow blocks. If cut slightly proud of the first bulkhead they substitue for the first layer planks which can then terminate at that bulkhead. This approach is very useful for bluff bows. Lime is the usual wood for first layer planks. It is firmer than balsa but easy to shape.

 

[Alan56]

Photo showing filler boards on ether side of the keel. The bow is rather bluff so I may use John's method instead of bending the planks....we'll see. Just under the deck, the space to be filled is 1 1/16" x 3/4" on the proud side. Thanks for the tip on using bass wood.
An observation of the deck when dry fitting showed me that the deck is bowed down toward the middle bulkheads, something I did not realize.
On other note. I plan on using pine spacers between the bulkheads for extra support.

 

[Peter Gutterman]

Copied the whole thing out!

 

[T woodcox]

I used filler blocks on my 1/60 scale Bounty model by Mantua. They were a huge help providing more surface for gluing and nailing of the first layer of planking

 

[Peter Gutterman]

I've already decided to use balsa filler blocks between the bulkheads of my "Flying Cloud". I've used poplar before, but that was pretty hard and unnecessarily difficult to carve. I like carved (In effect, sculpted) hulls. I like having the secure, positive, fair, surface over which to lay planks.

 

[Stuart Little]

I avoid the soft balsa, I use medium & hard, which is easy to carve with Swedish carving knives, to get the rough shape prior to sanding. My US schooner with medium hard balsa blocks faired.

 

[Philski]

I avoid the soft balsa, I use medium & hard, which is easy to carve with Swedish carving knives, to get the rough shape prior to sanding. My US schooner with medium hard balsa blocks faired.

View attachment 396146

 

[Philski]

Of course using balsa as filler is good...its light weight is an advantage and of course, its so "shapable". I purchase balsa from our local Woodcraft store and cut it to the sizes I need on a bandsaw.

 

[El Capi]

Very helpful

thanks, Uwe. I do not remember how many times I have shared this Booklet - MY BIBLE in my building time - so nice to see it again, and coming from you and not el capi many more will read it.
I made the bow and stern filler, but fillers between bulkhead. but inserted it between all the bulkheads up until about 2 mm below the lower deck. This gives you a very smush and big surface to add the planks. I very seldom in my over 35 models made a 2Nd layer.
if problems I have an article on how to make bow fillers - mathematic -how to make the right curves.I will not add any images, as Philsky has already added some

 

[El Capi]

I finally found some Images with both Stern, Bow and hole body fully filled. the light Blue one is made by Solly.-MANAGEMKENT - he used a type of chemical or semi-chemical product, of which he could mould still soft, then it got hard. his build should be here on SOS- 3 or 4 years ago.
Personally, I would use Balsa Wood, but real wood.

 

[El Capi]

I found this PDF file of making the correct bow and stern fillers

 

[Peter Gutterman]

I avoid the soft balsa, I use medium & hard, which is easy to carve with Swedish carving knives, to get the rough shape prior to sanding. My US schooner with medium hard balsa blocks faired.

View attachment 396146

I didn't know I had a choice!

Thanks, Pete

 

[Uwek]

....f so I may use John's method instead of bending the planks........

not "instead of bending" - you should use these filler AND bend the planking .....

 

[Alan56]

I found this PDF file of making the correct bow and stern fillers

Very good El Capi......much appreciated.

 

[Alan56]

I didn't know I had a choice!

Thanks, Pete

I picked up a bass wood board at the local hobby shop for filler boards.