The Ship Model Forum

I did this on my HMS Eskimo - this is my first attempt and is satisfactory. First narrow brass tubing of appropriate diameter is needed, and the progressively narrower ones have to telescope into the larger ones, for a stepped effect (as you already have noted). The topmost section is solid brass rod and is the longest and extends all the way to the bottom of the mast. All the other sections, which are cut to appropriate lengths slip over the longest rod making the whole mast fairly solid. I used CA to glue the sections together. Note: this method will only work for stepped type masts. For the yards I cheated and used PE ones from the WEM set for Eskimo. If the base of the mast is set on the roof of a structure or deckhouse, make the entire mast overlong so that it will go through a hole in the roof and rest on the deck underneath for added stability. :wave_1:

I'm interested in using my 1/350 Tamiya Fletcher as a first attempt at rigging. To make the task easier, I'm planning to replace the plastic mast with brass tube and rod. I do not have soldering equipment, though, so my question is whether the following would work using either CA or Gator's Grip glue:

- Start with 1/8 inch (0.125) brass tube and cut it to length
- Cut 3/32 inch (0.094) brass tube to length and secure it inside the 1/8 inch section
- Cut 1/16 inch (0.063) brass rod to length and secure it inside the 3/32 section
- Cut 3/64 inch (0.047) brass rod to length and secure it to the structure for the yard

I'm planning to use stretched sprue for the rigging so I don't anticipate a massive load on the mast ... just want to avoid deformation.