Brass buckets on HMS Victory by Jotika

[nsgb597011]

How do I drill holes for the bucket ropes?

 

[AllanKP69]

The Jokita model of Victory is supposed to be what she looked like in 1805 but the British Royal Navy did not begin using brass buckets (specifically an alloy known as "Muntz metal" or "yellow metal") on its ships until sometime in the 1830's. about twenty years after she went out of active war service. (1812) Before the 1830's British naval fire buckets were made of reinforced leather, canvas, or heavy oak. not brass. They were filled with water or sand and hung near the ship’s powder magazines, galleys, and top decks as they served as the first line of defense against the constant threat of shipboard fires. Drilling holes for the ropes is easy on these materials. If your model is Victory after 1830 and you want to stay with brass, it may be easier to make a wooden plug to fit in the bucket then use a punch to mark where the hole is to be and drill the hole. Remove the plug and do the next one, &c, &c.
Allan

 

[nsgb597011]

That's very helpful. Thanks!

 

[TheGatzby]

You might try something like this:

Metal Hole Punch Pliers 1.5mm Round for Sheet Metal​

If the hole is too big you could shape the punch smaller with a file or dremel.

I also see this one that is 1.25mm: https://www.amazon.com/Eurotool-EuroPunch-1-25mm-Round-Pliers/dp/B003L7PLNK/ref=