At 1:48 scale, each copper plate should be 5/16” x 1” (8 mm x 25.4 mm).
After watching a few videos and PDF's about copper plating and seeing the difficulty some people were having with 8mm wide tape, I opted for 25mm tape which cuts nicely into 3 x 8.3mm strips. This is the tape I chose and I've been very pleased with it.
My tools include a bookbinder's Farthing Wheel which has a decorative pattern on the angled face, surrounded by a rim of dots. It serves well for a pounce wheel when held upright so only the rim makes contact with the copper.
Unlike some modellers, I chose to work from the back of the copper tape, so that the 'nail' heads are raised, as they were in reality.
The tape is cut to a 6" length and marked off at 1'' intervals.
Using the edge of the ruler along the top edge of the tape for alignment, a line of dots is pressed in just to the left of the 1" mark. Continue to the end, then reverse the tape and keep pressing dots to the left of the 1" marks.
Then mark 3 x 8mm points across the tape near each end and run the wheel lengthwise just below each mark and just below the top edge. Turn it around and do the same again.
Preferably with a roller cutter, cut the three strips lengthwise between the rows of dots.
Not perfect but keeping in mind that I am trying to represent a working warship, the result will be satisfactory when I age the copper.
I like the way you are making carriages for the guns. I also mill out the 'sides' and 'slice them after on the tablesaw. This way it is ensured all parts are identical and simplify the manufacturing process.
