The Ship Model Forum

hi all

because this destroyer/cruiser ( not sure yet) im building is all from stuff left over (only had to buy running gear... balsa, obeche etc all left overs from planes im currently building lancaster, spitfire etc... i know how to pick em ) ive just raided my penny tub and just taped together 2p pieces (2 high 3 long).Ive currently used about 80 p's worth.. im now convinced my motors will need the national grid to move it

Lead flashing (roofing) or lead shot is my favourite - if you can still get it. I have a good stash. The flashing can be cut into strips and moulded to the hull contour. The shot can be poured into place then sealed with white glue or resin.

Rick

i've never needed any, but i know of some guys who make a bean bag type thing filled with lead shot, then they can set it wherever it is needed.

Grab some rocks from the front yard, tape it to the inside of the hull.

I like this technique.get a zip lock bag, and a large carton of BB's.Put your boat in a test tank(tub or pool etc.) put a small amount of BB's in the bag and place it in the boat.move it around and add BB's until you get the right weight and placement,then mix up a small batch of epoxy (30min) and put it in the the bag.seal it and knead the epoxy and bb's around in the bag to mix it up then place it back in the boat in the proper place. Secure it with a small drop of epoxy or velcro.This is a nice way of ballasting because the bag/BB's will conform to the shape of the bottom of you boat.Just make sure you have everything right before the 30 min epoxy sets up.

For larger ships,like my 6ft. Bismarck,I first use the largest batteries I can.This gets you both most of your ballast and more run time!Then for the fine tuning,I usually use wheel weights or the BBs in a bag.I also usually leave one thing with some weight to it attached with velcro so I can adjust it from starboard to port for fine tuning .As you can tell ,having a ship sit level and at the waterline is one of my pet peeves.I just cant stand a model that is leaning !!!!Hope this helps.

More batteries.

Then, lead shot in 35mm film canisters. Some I tape closed, some I fill with epoxy.

Timmy C wrote:Grab some rocks from the front yard, tape it to the inside of the hull. :lol_1:

You laugh Timmy, but I've actually grabbed handfuls of rocks and gravel to ballast a ship at a battle once or twice...

Knew someone would be enterprising enough to do it

yup, i've seen it done before too!

finally settled on using sand... the bag and resin way... we got loads of the stuff bagged and dried ( been stroed for 2 years )

so thats tonights job... i was hoping to get it done yesterday... but due to the way i consructed the ship i couldnt get the weight low enough and it was causing trouble when trying to ballast it with my coins... so i got my mini belt sander.. blasted it all out... (broke some of the decking off fortunatly i need to redo the coaming anyways ) and now im ready to get the ruddy thing ballasted out again.......

I use 3/4-lb of either New York Strip or Ribeye, grilled to perfection, with an Idaho russet baked potato, corn on the cob, and a quarter-slice of Dutch Apple pie. GREAT ballast on a lazy Sunday afternoon!!