I have just started making 1:72 HMS Bellerophon using Victory Models plans of Vanguard, but self sourcing parts from scratch.
I am using 6mm marine ply for the hull substructure.. keel, bulkheads etc. and recently had the "5mm" parts laser cut locally. No problems with using 6mm...yet.
After gluing up the longitudinal frame and bulkheads, and inserting the false gun barrel backing strips (3mm MDF) I was ready to start sanding the beveled edges of the bulkheads.
Now this is my second wooden model ship, not counting the one I made in my teens. My first was USS Constitution and when sanding the bulkhead bevels I tried wrapping sandpaper around various size dowels and using several commercial sanding blocks and shapes, but I was not really satisfied with any of them.
To cut to the chase, I had a brainwave today. See photos.
1. Bellerophon bulkheads ready for bevel sanding. I cut some 1.5"/38mm PVC pipe about 4-5 bulkhead spaces long. In this case 220mm.
I also cut 2 rings about 20mm wide from the same material, then removed about 1/4 of the circumference so the cut rings will compress to fit inside the ends of the pipe. Then cut some 50mm sandpaper about 50-60mm longer than the pvc pipe.
2. The sandpaper is stuffed into the end of the pipe and massaged to fit snugly. The paper is used, but still has some life....it is out of my drum sander.
3. One of the transected rings is compressed into the end of the pipe
4. Same at the other end.
5. And there is a perfect sander for beveling the bulkheads. It fits into the tumblehome shape and the concave section adjacent to the keel, and also to the convex areas in between.
The expanding surclip type inserts hold very securely, and can take a bit of force to remove. I like the length and diameter for my Bellerophon, but the size of the sander can easily be scaled down for smaller models.
So there you are. I am likely reinventing the wheel here, but as far as I am concerned the idea is original. Feel free to try it.
I am using 6mm marine ply for the hull substructure.. keel, bulkheads etc. and recently had the "5mm" parts laser cut locally. No problems with using 6mm...yet.
After gluing up the longitudinal frame and bulkheads, and inserting the false gun barrel backing strips (3mm MDF) I was ready to start sanding the beveled edges of the bulkheads.
Now this is my second wooden model ship, not counting the one I made in my teens. My first was USS Constitution and when sanding the bulkhead bevels I tried wrapping sandpaper around various size dowels and using several commercial sanding blocks and shapes, but I was not really satisfied with any of them.
To cut to the chase, I had a brainwave today. See photos.
1. Bellerophon bulkheads ready for bevel sanding. I cut some 1.5"/38mm PVC pipe about 4-5 bulkhead spaces long. In this case 220mm.
I also cut 2 rings about 20mm wide from the same material, then removed about 1/4 of the circumference so the cut rings will compress to fit inside the ends of the pipe. Then cut some 50mm sandpaper about 50-60mm longer than the pvc pipe.
2. The sandpaper is stuffed into the end of the pipe and massaged to fit snugly. The paper is used, but still has some life....it is out of my drum sander.
3. One of the transected rings is compressed into the end of the pipe
4. Same at the other end.
5. And there is a perfect sander for beveling the bulkheads. It fits into the tumblehome shape and the concave section adjacent to the keel, and also to the convex areas in between.
The expanding surclip type inserts hold very securely, and can take a bit of force to remove. I like the length and diameter for my Bellerophon, but the size of the sander can easily be scaled down for smaller models.
So there you are. I am likely reinventing the wheel here, but as far as I am concerned the idea is original. Feel free to try it.
