Gunports

[maltbyguy]

Hi all
I am not sure if this is the right place for this but if not I am sure a moderator will put me right
My question is ... what method do members use to cut gunports?
To get them all the same size ?
To get them square ?
To keep them square through the hull ?
I am sure that it is just my bad practice but I don't seem to get it right
Andy

 

[Y.T.]

I would use a template as a minimum.

 

[maltbyguy]

I would use a template as a minimum.

Yes I have a template it is more ideas for keeping the file or sanding stick square and level

 

[Y.T.]

I also found this work extremely difficult to keep precise square lines. I found that final finish had to be done will sharp edges triangular section file rather than a square.

 

[Y.T.]

Also. This can be done with a modified square file the opposite two sides of which are grounded off flat on a grinder machine.

 

[Frank48]

Hi all
I am not sure if this is the right place for this but if not I am sure a moderator will put me right
My question is ... what method do members use to cut gunports?
To get them all the same size ?
To get them square ?
To keep them square through the hull ?
I am sure that it is just my bad practice but I don't seem to get it right
Andy

Hi maltbyguy, keep in mind that gunboats are sized according to the cannon.Frank

 

[Signet]

To help keep them square and level, I've used a square piece of wood with sandpaper applied 2 one side, long enough to go through the hull to the matching port on the other side. This keeps them level and square. Of course, other methods are required to get to the point of using this, but it helps with the final work.

 

[Y.T.]

To help keep them square and level, I've used a square piece of wood with sandpaper applied 2 one side, long enough to go through the hull to the matching port on the other side. This keeps them level and square.

Fantastic. Thank you so much for great idea

 

[AllanKP69]

to get them all the same size ?

Other than a couple ports midships, gun ports are never square or rectangular in shape. All of the ports have a little bit of a different shape on a given deck. The overall sizes are also different for each deck as mentioned above. From The Shipbuilder's Repository 1788 and Steel's Elements and Practice of Naval Architecture scantlings which can both be found in Scantlings of Royal Navy Ships at Seawatch books for all rates. For example in the late 18th century into the 19th century the lower gun deck ports on a first rate were 2'-9" up and down and 3'-5" fore and aft. The middle deck ports were 2'-9" by 3'-3". The upper gun deck ports were 2'-8" X 2'-11" after about 1750 but by about 1800 were 2'-9" X 3'-0". Also, especially aft and forward they are not rectangular. The sides were vertical but the top and bottom were parallel to the line of the deck, not parallel to the waterline. I find it best to measure and mark the corners then draw a line with a rule for each side. Then, drill tiny holes just inside the line and cut out the ports with a scalpel and finish with a file or sanding stick. An example from a contemporary plan can be seen below.
Allan

 

[rfuh47]

It is useful to watch episodes 17-23

 

[Y.T.]

I think the question a TS asks is how to manage keeping sufficient tolerances for identical ports so they look same. Question is technical. It is not historical.

 

[rfuh47]

Othre than a couple ports midships, gun ports are not square or rectangular in shape. All of the ports have a little bit of a different shape on a given deck. The overall sizes are also different for each deck as mentioned above. From The Shipbuilder's Repository 1788 and Steel's Elements and Practice of Naval Architecture scantlings which can both be found in Scantlings of Royal Navy Ships at Seawatch books for all rates. For example in the late 18th century into the 19th century the lower gun deck ports on a first rate were 2'-9" up and down and 3'-5" fore and aft. The middle deck ports were 2'-9" by 3'-3". The upper gun deck ports were 2'-8" X 2'-11" after about 1750 but by about 1800 were 2'-9" X 3'-0". Also, especially aft and forward they are not rectangular. The sides were vertical but the top and bottom were parallel to the line of the deck, not parallel to the waterline. I find it best to measure and mark the corners then draw for each side. Then, drill tiny holes just inside the line and cut out the ports with a scalpel and finish with a file or sanding stick. An example from a contemporary plan can be seen below.
Allan
View attachment 504128

Thank you for providing accurate data from the original sources. I also saw such a controversial definition of the location of ports on one of the Russian forums. I am citing the original source, I hope that with the translation from Google it will not be difficult for you to translate.

"Вообще-то бархоут идет вдоль торца палуб, которые имеют плавную кривую, а вот пушечные порты режутся уже от бархоута. Верх пушечного порта параллелен бархоуту, а его стенки перпендикулярны бархоуту в каждой точке. Т.е. пушечные порты не все имеют стенки под 90 градусов."

 

[iutar]

Извини, приятель, но ты вводишь читателей в заблуждение. Горизонтальные косяки пушечных портов параллельны палубе, идут по линиям спиркетинга и клямса. А вот бархоут строится по своим законам и практически всегда не совпадает ни с линией палубы, ни с линиями горизонтальных косяков. Вертикальные косяки являются стенками шпангоутов и поэтому всегда вертикальны.

 

[Frank48]

Извини, приятель, но ты вводишь читателей в заблуждение. Горизонтальные косяки пушечных портов параллельны палубе, идут по линиям спиркетинга и клямса. А вот бархоут строится по своим законам и практически всегда не совпадает ни с линией палубы, ни с линиями горизонтальных косяков. Вертикальные косяки являются стенками шпангоутов и поэтому всегда вертикальны.

I can't translate, stop

 

[rfuh47]

Извини, приятель, но ты вводишь читателя в заблуждение. Горизонтальные косяки пушечных портов параллельной палубы расположены по линиям спиркетинга и клямса. А вот бархаут строится по своим законам и практически всегда не соответствует ни устойчивости палуб, ни линиям горизонтальных косяков. Вертикальные косяки представляют собой стенки шпангоутов, и поэтому всегда вертикальны.

Последнее, чего я хочу сегодня, это спорить и вводить кого-либо в заблуждение. Особенно вас. Внимательно прочитайте сообщение. Приведенный текст — это всего лишь мнение незнакомого мне человека, безрассудного, как я и указал. И, кстати, опыт Михаила еще никто не отменял

 

[AllanKP69]

for identical ports Question is technical not historical

You make a valid point YT

My question is ... what method do members use to cut gunports?
To get them all the same size ?
To get them square ?
To keep them square through the hull ?

Apologies for too much information on the size and shape details Maltby, just thought you or other members might have found it interesting and/or useful.

Allan

 

[maltbyguy]

You make a valid point YT

Apologies for too much information on the size and shape details Maltby, just thought you or other members might have found it interesting and/or useful.

Allan

You can't have too much information

 

[AllanKP69]

You can't have too much information

Thanks Maltbyguy, much appreciated.
Allan

 

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

If you have a steady hand, an oscillating cutter can be used to cut the rough holes for the gun ports. You have to grind the saw blade until it is a bit narrower than the gun port hole. You have to have a steady hand, it's a very fast. Once the rough hole is cut, a mill file is used to square up and widen the port to its final shape.

 

[pebbleworm]

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