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[zetec]

Having returned to modelling after a few years I find nearly all the boat kits are made from plastic of one type or another, and the Model Slipway one I did was great to build.
Now I've got my plan of a Veron Police Launch off ebay and set about building it. First I need to build the cabin deck and sides from flat balsa. I get the idea of using liteply instead as it seems stronger and easy to get in a sheet big enough to cut out all the parts I need. Off to the garage tonight to cut the flat internal deck section (about 17" x 5"). Sheet of liteply not perfectly flat but not too bad. Cut the section out and checked how flat if was and it's all over the place! Is this why we all moved to fibreglass/abs hulls? I've wet it and squashed it under a heavy flat weight to see if things improve, but will always get the feeling it will spring back to it's warped state any minute! Any advice would be great...thanks in advance!

[Shipmate60]

Use plasticard!!

Bob

[martno1fan]

my advice is use balsa :) or you could try putting the ply in the bath (hot) then let it sit for a bit when its nice and hot remove it and put it on a flat surface and lay a piece of flat sheet mdf or similar on top with heavy weights on top leave it to cool down and when its cool it should stay flat!!.

[ron h]

Use litho plate. ::) ::)

[cbr900]

And when you put it in the hot bath if it's not marine ply chances are it will peel all three layers into single sheets, which Will be better as when you re glue the ply turn the two outside ones the opposite way causing the sheet to flatten out, and if you believe this you will believe anything, lol


Roy

[dougal99]

Wood has been in successful use much longer than plastic sheet or litho plate (both useful materials) so with care and suitable gluing and pinning you should have no trouble.

Best of luck

Doug

[CAD2]

Zetec
You were about spot-on intially. Dampen both sides (whatever you do, don't soak it!) then lay it flat down with a towel under it and then fold the towel over the top. Weight it down and leave it for at least 48 hours. It should remain flat enough to work with. As Doug says, properly glued and pinned down flat while the workpiece dries and you'll have few problems - I've been designing model aircraft kits using this stuff for over 20 years.
CAD2

[Shipmate60]

And they used ponies down the pit, but time marched on and more suitable ways of doing the same job were found.

Bob

[CAD2]

My humble apologies, Commodore. I was simply trying to answer the man's question.
CAD2

[Shipmate60]

It just seems a long winded way of doing it now, but will agree it is the traditional way.
Sorry if my answer sounded a bit off, was my idea of light hearted banter.
Not critism, as we all know there are several ways to get the same results.
Perhaps I was just in too good a mood!!!!!!
No offence intended

Bob

[Colin Bishop]

Depends on how long you want the model to last. I wouldn't put money on plasticard's longevity compared with wood which can last 3,000 years in the case of Egyptian model boats! 

[martno1fan]

maybe if he keeps it in a pyramid for that long it will last lol