The Ship Model Forum

Hi jmchaica progressing well .How do you intend to cover the hull?
Dave Wooley

I intend to plank the hull using balsa (1.5mm thick), and then cover with some coats of resin. I still don�t know wheter I�ll use fiberglass or not...I do not intend to RC, so...

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Good luck with all those gallery deck openings. The model is looking nice so far.

Started planking the hull, a couple of nights ago....



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The hull is almost complete, only the bow is missing (which will be solid, not planked...)



Meanwhile, I�ve started applying some wood putty, to produce a smoother and even surface, before sanding...



Untill next time...

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I�ve just completed planking the hull, and added some massive balsa wood blocks, to build-up the bow�s shape... a couple of sanding sessions will now begin...









Until next time...

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The bow after my first sanding session....



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Its coming together great now, once you get the hull finished it is a big job out of the way. Keep at it, you will be catching me up before long

Looking good, you can see the hull shape beginning to take that nice sweeping line, keep up the good work, ARH

To Ron and Vic:
Thanks for the kind comments. They are welcome !!!
After the bow, I will concentrate on the propeller shafts, before starting to apply some resin and fiberglass...

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Yes indeed, a great build you have going there! For a moment I didn't think that bow was going to look like anything... But I didn't know Balsa is that shapable, I guess it does take a LOT of sanding work to get this done no?

Regards
Roel

Neptune wrote:...But I didn't know Balsa is that shapable, I guess it does take a LOT of sanding work to get this done no?

Yes, it does take a lot of sanding... better done with some electric power sanding tool, otherwise...

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jmchaica wrote:

Neptune wrote:...But I didn't know Balsa is that shapable, I guess it does take a LOT of sanding work to get this done no?

Yes, it does take a lot of sanding... better done with some electric power sanding tool, otherwise...

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Just go easy with using electric sanding tools on Balsa, it is very soft wood and if not done lightly, will soon be sanded away to sawdust. I tend to shape away large areas with a Stanley knife and finally finish off with sandpaper, Medium grade and finally Fine grade.

Victorious wrote:

jmchaica wrote: Yes, it does take a lot of sanding... better done with some electric power sanding tool, otherwise...

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Just go easy with using electric sanding tools on Balsa, it is very soft wood and if not done lightly, will soon be sanded away to sawdust. I tend to shape away large areas with a Stanley knife and finally finish off with sandpaper, Medium grade and finally Fine grade.

Hey, I found no problem with that... I�m using a B&D "Mouse" sanding tool, and with great results.... If it wasn�t for that, I would have had much more work... But, it�s like you said, you must go easy with balsa wood...

I�m currently working on the propeller shafts and rudder...work is a bit more advanced than what is shown in this picture, as I already added the propeller shafts fins...



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Ok...so the propeller shafts are now complete, and being so fragile, I had to apply a coat of fiberglass and resin to strenghten them...



Next comes some final touches (sanding) around the bow area, and then I will apply the resin and fiberglass to the hull...which should take some weeks...

Thanks...

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JM, How's the project? Haven't seen a post in a while and was wondering how it's coming. Not trying to rush you but this is the project I'll be following closely due to my current 1/192nd scale build. I'm sure I can speak for most/all of us when I say we're looking forward to the next installment.


John

Not much over the last weeks, due to some family preparations for the arrival of my 2nd child, which should be born by the end of this month...
I still haven�t decided if I�ll use fiberblass and resin, or resin only....hey, what do you all think about ??? This model is NOT going to be RC, so...

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Not an expert at all, but I would say go with whatever makes you feel better. The end result is going to be astounding, for sure.

Oh, and please, keep us up to date on your second child. Best wishes on this! a new shipmodel eater on the block!.

Cheers.

Pachi.

Just keeping this post current so it doesn't fall down the listing too far. Some great work with balsa sheeting would be lost due to the auto prune.

TommyL.

TommyL wrote:Just keeping this post current so it doesn't fall down the listing too far. Some great work with balsa sheeting would be lost due to the auto prune.

TommyL.

Thanks TommyL.
I�ve been out of the shipbuilding "industry" for the last 2 months... I intend to pick it up, again, soon.
Once again, thanks...

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