• LUCZORAMA SHIPWRECK SCAVENGER HUNT GIVEAWAY. 4 Weeks of Fun • 1 Legendary Prize ((OcCre’s Fram Ship)) • Global Crew Welcome!
    **VIEW THREAD HERE**

Very thin wood strips

I am not sure what you mean by cap strips. These are rib stiffeners used on the wing ribs. They provided 1/32" x 1/16" x 12" basswood strips, but actually say to use .02" x 1/16" x 12 for the stiffeners. So, I actually tried to sand down the strips to get them closer to .02" in thickness. It is very time consuming, which is all I have anyway. LOL Also, the strips have to be cut to different lengths based on which part of the rib they are located. I have attached a picture of one of the multiple ribs from the instruction manual. There are about 12 othere ribs of differing lengths and design. So, I am guessing I will have to cut 500+ strips down to correct length for this model.
Rib Stiffeners.jpg
 
I use this NWSL chopper, you can line up 10 or more sticks, push them against the angle/end stop and chop. Uses single edge razor blades. You can’t see in this pic but theres a clamp to either side, and it included 45, 30 and 60 angle stopIMG_7839.jpeg
 
Just G00gle "balsa stripper" and you will come up with a number of sources and prices of something like this:

1749152422108.png
 
jbradford said:
I am not sure what you mean by cap strips.
Click to expand...
I see what you mean, now. 'Cap strips' are the thin strips that will cover the top and the bottom lengths of each completed rib.
Hmm, 14 stiffeners for each rib. That 'is' a lot of those tiny things!
 
T
jbradford said:
The material provided for the rib stiffeners appear to be 1/32 x 1/16 x 12. The plans say to use .02 x 1/16. So I am only sanding off about .01 of the thickness. It may be more trouble than it is worth. Besides, every piece of strip wood that came with the kit is not accurate according to the parts list. I may end up using the strips as they are.

I do have a second question about cutting all of these rib stiffeners. I am estimating that I need to make about 300-500 cuts. Maybe a bit more, as I have not added up all that are shown on the drawings. Is there a tool available to purchase or possibly make to make this step easier? I need a cutoff blade and a fence stop so that I can butt the strip against the stop along the fence. I really do not look forward to trying to measure out each piece. I did three wing ribs by laying the strip across the rib, marking it with a pencil and then cutting the strip with my exacto knife. None of the pieces are the same size as I can barely see the mark or the cut, with my poor eyesite. LOL
Click to expand...
The top of the list for cut off tools...
Ultimation Slicer
 
1/32" down to 20 thousandths of an inch isn't much... that's only a difference of .011"
I'm usually a stickler for true scale, within 'doable' reason, however. In 'this' case I'd personally be hard pressed to just leave those strips at 1/32" thick. Those ribs are going to be really 'busy' looking after all is said and done. I'm not so sure that a difference of .011" will even be noticeable. Just 'my' opinion, of course.
 
jbradford said:
I am not sure what you mean by cap strips. These are rib stiffeners used on the wing ribs. They provided 1/32" x 1/16" x 12" basswood strips, but actually say to use .02" x 1/16" x 12 for the stiffeners. So, I actually tried to sand down the strips to get them closer to .02" in thickness. It is very time consuming, which is all I have anyway. LOL Also, the strips have to be cut to different lengths based on which part of the rib they are located. I have attached a picture of one of the multiple ribs from the instruction manual. There are about 12 othere ribs of differing lengths and design. So, I am guessing I will have to cut 500+ strips down to correct length for this model.
View attachment 523784
Click to expand...
That thin and small, I might suggest just using card stock painted with acrylic paint to match the wood.
 
Woodcraft has a veneer 7 pack of 8" x 8" x 0.024" for $15.
You can get it in Maple, Mahogany or Walnut.
Here is a link:
Wood Veneer Pack

in addition, 0.5 mm is even closer to 0.020 inch. Do a search for that size online and there are quite a few sources are provided. :)
 
Pete Leach said:
Since my other hobby is model railroading, I've been using scale lumber from Mt Alberts in Canada. (They ship to the US). They are owned by Fast Tracks. (https://handlaidtrack.com) The lumber catalog is buried in their menu. They offer basswood in the various model railroad scales (N, S, HO, and O) as well as dimensional lumber. I buy their bulk pack in 16" lengths. I've used HO scale 1X lumber that is close to 1/2" thickness in 1/4" scale. Attached is a photo of a boat shop I built for a future Maine coastal theme model railroad layout. It is scratch built using Mt Alberts lumber.
Pete

View attachment 523728
Click to expand...
beautiful!!!
 
jbradford said:
I am not sure what you mean by cap strips. These are rib stiffeners used on the wing ribs. They provided 1/32" x 1/16" x 12" basswood strips, but actually say to use .02" x 1/16" x 12 for the stiffeners. So, I actually tried to sand down the strips to get them closer to .02" in thickness. It is very time consuming, which is all I have anyway. LOL Also, the strips have to be cut to different lengths based on which part of the rib they are located. I have attached a picture of one of the multiple ribs from the instruction manual. There are about 12 othere ribs of differing lengths and design. So, I am guessing I will have to cut 500+ strips down to correct length for this model.
View attachment 523784
Click to expand...
 
MThomas said:
1/32" down to 20 thousandths of an inch isn't much... that's only a difference of .011"
I'm usually a stickler for true scale, within 'doable' reason, however. In 'this' case I'd personally be hard pressed to just leave those strips at 1/32" thick. Those ribs are going to be really 'busy' looking after all is said and done. I'm not so sure that a difference of .011" will even be noticeable. Just 'my' opinion, of course.
Click to expand...
I agree.
If I don't locate some already sized correctly, I will most likely use what I have.
Thanks
 
jbradford said:
I am not sure what you mean by cap strips. These are rib stiffeners used on the wing ribs. They provided 1/32" x 1/16" x 12" basswood strips, but actually say to use .02" x 1/16" x 12 for the stiffeners. So, I actually tried to sand down the strips to get them closer to .02" in thickness. It is very time consuming, which is all I have anyway. LOL Also, the strips have to be cut to different lengths based on which part of the rib they are located. I have attached a picture of one of the multiple ribs from the instruction manual. There are about 12 othere ribs of differing lengths and design. So, I am guessing I will have to cut 500+ strips down to correct length for this model.
View attachment 523784
Click to expand...
Cap strips go along the top edge of the rib and help to prevent the top covering material from tearing due to wear against the top of the rib. It works by spreading the contact surface area over a larger area.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top