Decking

[bismarck builder]

Hi Admiral
Could you go over how you laid ID deck,Now i know that you used long stips of wood but its the How to get the butt joints and the seeling & stuff and how you get the caulking lines stuff like that .
cheers
gary rowe
BPMBC
building the Scharnhorst

[seaphoto]

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

[ARH]

Gary. IRON DUKE BUILD is still in the board, go to pages 7-8-9 the whole process is there in text and photo,s, ARH

[Victorious]

Here you are Garry, done exactly as the Admiral did on the Iron Duke. This is the Quarter Deck of the Victorious. Cut all your planks, mine were already cut in long strips. Then take about eight lengths and lay them together on edge. Then lay all the edges of your budle of planks and stick them on to a 1/2" strip of black plastic insulating tape.

Then using a fine cutting blade, hold the bundle of planks with your finger and thumb and slice lengthways between each plank. Do this on a cutting matt, to keep the blade sharp. The result is you will now have each plank with a very thin strip of tape stuck to it.

You only need to do one edge, then lay the planks as shown in the photograph.



Victorious

[bismarck builder]

Hi guys
Many thanks foe your replies including the strange pencil one fron Ron,See you Saturday Victorious my number is if you need it 07876506555 and the post code if you have Satnav is SL3-6DS
cheers
gary rowe
BPMBC

[ARH]

A sharp pencil, thats what cadman wants .

This was my reply in the e-mail, it should have read,


1 A sharp pencil

2 Thats what Cadman wants,


I thought you would have understood that , ARH

[bismarck builder]

Admiral
it now makes sense but when i read it this morning i was sleepy night screws you up i think i will stick to the drugs in future & what Cadman needs i could not comment
cheers
gary rowe
BPMBC