Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Other Technical Questions... => Topic started by: tonyH on September 25, 2009, 10:12:42 am

Title: Does small grating work?
Post by: tonyH on September 25, 2009, 10:12:42 am

The flying deck on l'Arquebuse is a lot of grating (over 2 sq.ft) with square 1mm holes.

I'm sure I read in one of the submarine threads that holes smaller than 'x' are ineffective in allowing water to flow - so - is it worth the effort of trying to make working grating or is it a waste of time and all I need is the appearance of grating?

Tony

Title: Re: Does small grating work?
Post by: malcolmfrary on September 25, 2009, 10:50:14 am

Having noted that holes considerably smaller than 1mm will let water in, I have no doubt that water will pass through a grating with holes that size.  Just how fast is another thing, so is the effect of the finish of the material.

Title: Re: Does small grating work?
Post by: tigertiger on September 25, 2009, 10:59:41 am

I think the operative term here is 'flow'.

Water will pass through small gratings, but how well will it flow.

If your boat is a French Destroyer, the hopefully it will not become a submarine anyway  ok2

Title: Re: Does small grating work?
Post by: tonyH on September 25, 2009, 12:47:55 pm

Thanks,

Yes TT, the boat's going to be very wet anyway, virtually a sub with a deck, so I'm thinking that any water would tend to lie on the deck rather than clearing reasonably quickly.

Malcolm, I'm contemplating using basswood for the deck with a walnut or dark oak stain before assembly. I'd only give it a dusting of varnish because I wouldn't want to close the holes up. The finish would depend mainly on how clean I could get the slots.

The only other alternative is the plastic (Mamoli I think) which comes in 4"x1.5" sections of which I'd need 40 or so. Just a tad pricey methinks.

Tony

Title: Re: Does small grating work?
Post by: tigertiger on September 25, 2009, 02:29:23 pm

Tony

Just a thought:
There are several wood stains, and oils,  that protect against water, that will be less likely to fill up the holes.

Title: Re: Does small grating work?
Post by: Big Ada on September 25, 2009, 04:51:39 pm

Hi Tony,

I may be barking up the wrong tree here but you can get plastic mesh at craft shops, Crossstitchers use it to embroider on.
It comes in different counts ie 16 holes to the inch etc.

Len.

Title: Re: Does small grating work?
Post by: tonyH on September 28, 2009, 04:40:33 pm

Thanks Len,

I'd thought about working round an aluminium mesh but the solid bits need to be the same thickness as the holes and this is normally not the case.

Tony

Title: Re: Does small grating work?
Post by: Subculture on September 30, 2009, 10:06:03 am

The 4D model sop does a pretty comprehensive range of etched brass sheet in various grid type patterns. Have a look here to see if there's something that takes your fancy-

http://www.modelshop.co.uk/products/p_05.htm

Title: Re: Does small grating work?
Post by: tonyH on September 30, 2009, 10:16:04 am

Thanks Sub,

I'd thought about that as well for a last resort since I'd still need 15-20 sheets at £7 plus per sheet. I'd rather spend that on the tools than the finished article.

Tony