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Author Topic: First planking model - are these good choices?  (Read 3814 times)

WLJayne

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First planking model - are these good choices?
« on: September 01, 2015, 10:20:09 am »

Hey chaps,


I'm looking to make my first foray into POF modelling, and I've got a few choices in mind. I'd be interested to hear from people who've built these or know how good the kits are in terms of assembly guides etc, I've been a modeler for many years and I'm quite at home with most techniques but have never done planking. I have most tools I imagine I'll need but if there's something specific to planking that a normal modeler's workbench wouldn't have I'd like to know :). I'm guessing that aliphatic glue is probably best (like my stick/tissue balsa aircraft builds) but I should probably get a tap hammer.


The kits I have in mind are as follows:


Nelson's Navy - HMS Ballahoo
Billing - Norden


If anyone can suggest other entry level planking kits for under £70.00 I'd be interested to see them. Subjects I'm particularly keen on are age of sail naval vessels and small coastal craft such as fishing boats. But I'm not too fussy, this is a first kit to get me into it more than anything else :).


Any help would be much appreciated,


Cheers!
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essex2visuvesi

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Re: First planking model - are these good choices?
« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2015, 01:28:34 pm »

Billings HMS Renown or Will Everard are nice easy POF kits for a beginner, both build into quite nice models.
Interestingly you build the hull as 2 halves which are then joined together
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WLJayne

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Re: First planking model - are these good choices?
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2015, 09:45:13 am »

Thanks, those are both very nice! It seems from reviews like any of these would be a good first planking project. Ultimately I suppose the best thing to do it just have a go!
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CGAux26

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Re: First planking model - are these good choices?
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2015, 10:29:25 pm »

If you plan on soaking your planks in Windex or some other ammonia-containing liquid, you my want to make a plank soaker.  Here is mine. It's made from a 2" plastic pipe, about 36" long, with a glued on cap at the bottom and a screw cap at the top.  I also made a fixture that can be clamped to my bench to keep the soaker vertical. 


Fill it about ¾ full of Windex, push a few (balsa) plank strips in, and screw down the lid.  Make sure the liquid comes up near the top with the planks inside.  Soak for maybe 15 to 30 minutes, and withdraw a plank.  Swab off the excess Windex and start gluing it to your frames.  I use thick CA glue.  It sticks in spite of the plank being wet, and grabs so quickly I have never need clamps or pins.  Of course at the end of a planking session you will have thick CA fingers.


I have built 2 hulls this way, a Jim Wilder and a USCG 36500.  Works great.
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essex2visuvesi

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Re: First planking model - are these good choices?
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2015, 11:19:53 pm »

Sadly Ammonia based products are quite hard to locate in the UK these days.


Steaming is another less smelly option




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CGAux26

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Re: First planking model - are these good choices?
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2015, 11:49:20 pm »

With what to they clean windows, then?
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WLJayne

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Re: First planking model - are these good choices?
« Reply #6 on: September 03, 2015, 09:38:31 am »

Most seem to be like car screenwash, alchohol based perhaps? I can probably find something to make windex like solution. What does the ammonia do to the wood then? Presumably makes it very soft and pliable compared to just soaking it?
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CGAux26

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Re: First planking model - are these good choices?
« Reply #7 on: September 03, 2015, 01:54:05 pm »

That's the theory.  I wonder if plain water would work?
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WLJayne

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Re: First planking model - are these good choices?
« Reply #8 on: September 03, 2015, 02:25:25 pm »

I seem to remember water with a dash of vinegar being mentioned before, I could be wrong though. I have no doubt that a quick forray into ebay will provide a suitable ammonia based cleaner to use :).

At this point I think I'm going to go for the Caldercraft Ballahoo - it's got rave reviews everywhere as a first POF project.
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JimG

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Re: First planking model - are these good choices?
« Reply #9 on: September 03, 2015, 02:50:09 pm »

That's the theory.  I wonder if plain water would work?
With the thin planks normally used in these kits plain water will do to soften them enough to bend  them to the hull as long as you don't try any sideways bending.

Jim
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