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[MONAHAN STEAM MODELS]

Hello Everyone,

Hopefully somebody here can help?

Currently I am building an open steam launch and having a hard time locating a good source for very small copper nails to use for the planking. These are not intended to be functional, just decorative since the original launch I am trying to reproduce used copper nails in it's original construction. These will be visible when the model is completed so I would prefer that they are copper and not brass. I have searched the internet high and low as well as most of the hobby shops I could think of but have not had any luck finding anything. The nails I am looking for ideally would be about an 1/8" long and maybe .020" in diameter. If anybody can recommend a possible source for these it would be deeply appreciated. I could make them from scratch but I need literally hundreds of them and I don't really have that kind of free time available lately and nor do I feel like punishing myself that deeply for needing them. Any suggestions would help.

Thank you,

Nick

P.S. Sorry Martin if I have posted this in the wrong area. I was not sure where to post this question.

[Proteus]

How about some copper rivets given a tap on one side or a quick rub on a swiss file two sides you are going to have to drill for whatever you use anyway and if the head is left just showing will flaten with a sand just an idea if you cannot get what you want.

http://shop.maidstone-engineering.co.uk/?mod=product&cat_id=2&product_id=438

its a pitty brass is no good

http://www.jotika-ltd.com/Pages/1024768/Fitting_SfitA.htm#Hull

Proteus

[MONAHAN STEAM MODELS]

Hey thanks Proteus,

I agree with you on the copper rivet idea. Polly Model Engineering offers a 1/32" body round head rivet that could be cut to length if nails can't be located. The brass nails would be ideal since they seem to be the correct diameter already. Just a thought, perhaps the brass nails could be copper plated? Not sure what it would cost or if it would be possible but it may be an option. Thank you for the links and suggestions, I really appreciate it. 

Nick

[tigertiger]

In the past I have bought pins from Squires and from Modeldockyard.

Some of them look like copper. I cannot remember which.

[MONAHAN STEAM MODELS]

Woo hoo! Thanks TigerTiger! 

Model Dockyard does have copper nails! They are a bit long but could be cut to the right length.

Will order some right away and see if they will work!

Thanks,

Nick

[andrewh]

Nick,

I'm a Scot, and for your purpose I use short lengths of copper wire tapped into a hole and cropped off at the surface. The copper core of telephone wire might well be suitable, but I salvage transformer windings as well

All the appearance of copper nail with none of the cost

We're not mean, you understand, just careful
andrew

[wideawake]

Hi Nick

I think you're on the right track with copper rivets.   If I understand correctly, what's dexcribed as copper nailing is, in full size, actually copper rivetting (hole drilled first, then rivet pushed through hole, rather than nail hammered through wood) with the end of the "nail" coming through inside the planks and clenched over a copper washer or rove.   This is the way my Wideawake hull is fastened.   I maust add that I didn't build it!    If you're interested, I think there's a sketch diagram in the original article showing how it's done and i have some pics of the hull which also show the finished look.

Cheers

Guy

[Bernhard]

HI...wideawake.......I WILL reale LIKE TO SEE YOUR LAUNCH...HULL ..i rember it to look so fine from 1 photo i have see

REGARDS BERNHARD

[MONAHAN STEAM MODELS]

Thanks Guys for all your help!

I ordered the copper nails last night, but Guy you are right, they do look like copper rivets on the full size launch. I think I am going to order the small copper rivets from Polly Model engineering too and see which of the two types of fasteners looks the best. The heads on the copper fasteners on the full size launch are fairly rounded looking which leads me to believe that they are rivets. The model I am building has bent ash wood ribs just like the full sized launch. On the model these ribs only measure .125" wide by about .078" thick so the head size of the rivet or nail needs to look appropriate for the size of the rib. Pilot holes will definitely need to be drilled before inserting the copper fasteners so not to split the wood.

Andrew,

Thank you for sharing the great idea for making these from scratch. Your method is very similar to the way I was thinking of making them too if something of the self could not be located. I was just dreading have to make hundreds of them so I was looking for the easy way out!

Thank you everyone for your feedback, I really do appreciate all your help.

Cheers,

Nick

P.S. Guy I would really enjoy seeing a photo of your launch if you get a chance to post some. Sounds like a great steam launch!

[wideawake]

Hi Nick

I'm not at home ATM so can't get hold of the articles on Wideawake or the hull.   However I've found a couple of pics I took a while ago.   One shows the clenching and roves clearly.  the other is a wide shot of the hull and it looks as if the nails/rivets are flat headed and slightly countersunk to be flat with the planks.

I'll be home aat the w/e and will have another look then.

HTH

Guy

[MONAHAN STEAM MODELS]

Wow!

That's really a nice looking launch! Thanks for sharing. I see what you are referring to with the copper washers on the inside of the hull. It looks great. How soon until you think you will have this one completed?

[wideawake]

Wow!

That's really a nice looking launch! Thanks for sharing. I see what you are referring to with the copper washers on the inside of the hull. It looks great. How soon until you think you will have this one completed?

Yes it is a nice hull.   I've fancied one ever since the early 1970s when the build was described in Model Boats.    When this one came up on ebay a year or so ago I couldn't resist buying it.   I'm working on putting the steam plant together ATM but for all sorts of reasons progress is somewhat slow. 

Cheers

Guy