School for Shipmodel Building School for model ship building

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

i was unable to finish the railings this week because i broke the last blade on my 10 inch bandsaw. I could not find the size i needed in any local store so i had to order it on line, still waiting for the blades. So this week i will cover how i made the patterns. Using the plastic from product packaging i cut the width of the railing the scuffed it up with fine sandpaper. A drop of glue on the first stanchion and at the stern on the corners held the railings in place.

 

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

Getting the lighting just right you can clearly see the top of the stanchions

 

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

Being able to see through the railing it is easy to drill your hole and hit the top of each stanchion dead center



Removing the plastic patterns i stuck them to sheet stock, now you have the shape of the railing and the exact location where you need to drill a hole.



Same with the railings along the sides using the patterns




cutting the railing to the width and clamping or rubber cementing the plastic pattern




Taking a close look the location of the holes are quite clear.

 

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

As i said a broken blade stopped me from cutting the stern railing and that was the first piece to install. So i will pick up were i left off in the next class.

 

[Roger Pellett]

Brilliant! I know that you have been thinking about how to drill these holes and to hit the center of each stanchion. The see through pattern is a great idea.

Roger

 

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

Thanks Roger i was thinking i use a lot of cardboard patterns and then i thought i need to see through the pattern and BAM! then idea of clear plastic.

There is no class today because i did not get enough done. As a model gets farther along the details get smaller and more detailed and you cannot hide the mistakes. Even though i have been building models for many years it is not uncommon to do parts 2 sometimes 3 times before i am satisfied with the results. For me scratch building is a constant challenge to figure out how to do something and trial and error is the norm.

the railing at the stern

i put the copper wire into the predrilled holes in the railing



from the underside i did try a fit into the predrilled holes in the tops of the stern timbers and with a little wiggle here and there the pegs dropped in place.



and a top view the copper wire changes depending on the light. Without a direct light the copper is darker looking but as you move the copper will catch the light and show brighter. In time the copper will dull down and blend more into the wood railing.
Years ago i saw a model using silver wire as planking nails, at first glance you did not notice the silver but as you moved the silver caught the light and the nails would appear and disappear.