The Ship Model Forum

I have an article in an old Scale Ship Modeller magazine showing a metal built destroyer. Builder used epoxy to glue it all together. Would like others opinions on the construction method and particularly the durability. Live in Houston and am subject to heat and humidity. Would also like to hear opinions on utilizing metal ribs with balsa covering for construction. Similar questions about glue/bonding dissimilar materials.

Take a look at the Moffet build , also the Duane build in scratch building.

I have looked at both several times and learned much. My question is more toward bonding wood ribs to a metal keelas well as the integrity of epoxying metal sheet together to form hull plating and other structures without wood backing.

My personal opinion that the only 100% reliable method of metal=to-metal joint is soldering (if it is not aluminium) either by torch if it is brass or by soldering iron if the material is tin sheet iron or copper (or very thin brass).

All other methods are derivatives by definition worse in durability. I used two-component epoxy glue (not on metal) and would say it gives strong joint. Do not know about durability - used half a year ago

Also I know of ships from metal ribs but with metal plating (no wood planking) done by soldering.

Yevgeniy