by seaphoto » Wed May 03, 2006 2:53 pm
Hi Gary,
I can't speak for Ron, but the last time I laid a deck I started with sheets of 3/32" basswood, which I sprayed with flat back on one side. I ran these through a small table saw cutting 1/16" thick strips. To make the deck, the strips are rotated so the black edge butts up against the plain edge of the next plank, simulating the caulking and defining the strips a bit better.
To get the lay out, I looked at pictures of the real ship, and determined the stagger pattern - that is, the number of planks across until the pattern repeats itself. I forget the exact number, but for the sake of example, lets say it was 6. I took the plank length (for this model each plank was 1 and 1/2 inches long), and divided it by the stagger, in this case 6, which comes out to 1/4 inch. I marked out a centerline on the deck, and drew lines perpendicular to this every 1/4 inch as a guide to the stagger.
Next, I laid the margin planks around each deck fitting, deck house, and anywhere else that it was needed. These frame each of these, and form the termination of the deck planks. On this model, I did not do deck edge margin planks, as they are a lot of work, but if you want to put those it, you can do so.
Once the margins were in, I started planking, working from the center out alternating from port to starboard. The marked out lines helped keep everything honest. I used thick superglue placed with a toothpick to give me a bit of time to shift things around if needed.
Once the deck was laid, it was given a sanding, ending with 400 grit. I used Deft brand semi flat laquer as the sealer and finish, and it has held up very well.
On my next model, the Gneisenau in 1/100, I think I will tackle those deck edge margin planks, and see if I can figure a way to do those that won't drive me mad LOL.
Kurt
Hi Gary,
I can't speak for Ron, but the last time I laid a deck I started with sheets of 3/32" basswood, which I sprayed with flat back on one side. I ran these through a small table saw cutting 1/16" thick strips. To make the deck, the strips are rotated so the black edge butts up against the plain edge of the next plank, simulating the caulking and defining the strips a bit better.
To get the lay out, I looked at pictures of the real ship, and determined the stagger pattern - that is, the number of planks across until the pattern repeats itself. I forget the exact number, but for the sake of example, lets say it was 6. I took the plank length (for this model each plank was 1 and 1/2 inches long), and divided it by the stagger, in this case 6, which comes out to 1/4 inch. I marked out a centerline on the deck, and drew lines perpendicular to this every 1/4 inch as a guide to the stagger.
Next, I laid the margin planks around each deck fitting, deck house, and anywhere else that it was needed. These frame each of these, and form the termination of the deck planks. On this model, I did not do deck edge margin planks, as they are a lot of work, but if you want to put those it, you can do so.
Once the margins were in, I started planking, working from the center out alternating from port to starboard. The marked out lines helped keep everything honest. I used thick superglue placed with a toothpick to give me a bit of time to shift things around if needed.
Once the deck was laid, it was given a sanding, ending with 400 grit. I used Deft brand semi flat laquer as the sealer and finish, and it has held up very well.
On my next model, the Gneisenau in 1/100, I think I will tackle those deck edge margin planks, and see if I can figure a way to do those that won't drive me mad LOL.
Kurt