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[speedyq]

Hi All.
 I have made an almighty mess of a plank on frame Billings Mary Ann.
No matter how hard I tried I just couldn't get the strips to bend and curve around the frames so I now want to fiberglass the hull using the existing frames a a guide.
Anyone knowing  how best to do this please shout out.


Thanks

[Terry]

Did you soak the planks in water for an hour or so, clamp into place on the frames, allow to dry overnight, before finally gluing.


Cheers, Terry.

[speedyq]

Tried that and even used a steamer but to no avail.
I need to fiberglass it now or it goes in the bin.

[boatmadman]

Were you trying to use the crappy Billings guaranteed to splinter wood?


Try again with lime or cedar, much easier and forgiving to work with.


Ian

[Terry]

Or even thin balsa strips, then fibre glass. Will be strong enough.


Cheers, Terry.

[speedyq]

I am thinking of using fiberglass tape stretched and pinned on the frames and then putting resin over that,
Has anyone done this?
Does the resin leak through the tape and drip inside thus ruining fitted electrics,
Or should I just bin the damn thing.

[Colin Bishop]

Putting tape across the frames will remove the curvature of the hull. You need to plank it with something as a base.

Colin

[carlmt]

Just a suggestion - carry on planking the hull as best you can to get a firm base.
Dont worry about it being perfectly flat and even - you just want a firm base.
When all is done and dry, sand over the whole hull until you have a smooth and even surface. Dont worry about any gaps - unless they are quite large. If they are large enough, just trim up some plank wood to fit in the hole and glue it in.
Then give the hull a final once over with sandpaper.
 
Now, put a very thin skim of car body filler over the whole hull - making sure to fill any holes. Once dry, sand down smooth with wet and dry (used wet).
Once that is done and dry, you can now skim over with a thin mat of fibreglass tissue and resin.
 
Sounds like a lot of work - but then, model boat building usually is!!!!
 
Hope this helps.........
Carl

[Stavros]

Sorry Carl to correct you but dont rub filler down wet as filler is porus and will retain moisture


Dave

[carlmt]

Thank you Dave - always something to learn!!!!!

[Martin (Admin)]

Topic renamed! 

[speedyq]

Thank you all so far.
It's very close to the bin today

[regiment]

ive got a bin in my shed which is empty   

[tigertiger]

Other things to try.


Soak the planks in window cleaner that has an ammonia base, or if you can find it get ammonia and make a 10% solution. This makes most woods extremely bendable when wet, but they firm up again when dry. Glue the planks on whilst still wet.


Buy or make new planks of better quality. Even if only for part of the ship.


If you have access to a micro bandsaw (minicraft etc), cut the planks to half the width or less. i.e. instead of one 10mm x3mm plank split to
2 planks of 5mmx3mm. These twist better and reduce the twist splitting. Especially useful if there are areas of complex curves.

[essex2visuvesi]

Other things to try.


Soak the planks in window cleaner that has an ammonia base, or if you can find it get ammonia and make a 10% solution. This makes most woods extremely bendable when wet, but they firm up again when dry. Glue the planks on whilst still wet.

Agreed, this works well but stinks lol

[Martin (Admin)]

 Can you over soak wood?
 I mean if you leave it in water over night etc?

[Big Ada]

Heat the wood with a hot air blower.