Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Other Technical Questions... => Topic started by: swampbug on January 18, 2010, 06:31:50 pm

Title: Bulk Heads
Post by: swampbug on January 18, 2010, 06:31:50 pm
Hi guys

Im doing a scratch built trawler my first attempt, its one of the trawlers from deadleast catch

Im doing the bulk heads and have one of those tools that, hmmm dont know what its called
you press it against what shape you wanna copy and the plastic needles go into that shape.

I was wondering if there was any other way ?

Im copying it onto card then cutting it out and snipping bits off to make the shape

Needless to say im still on the firsty one up the front.
i knew this would be hard and no worries i am enjoying the challenge
as i have loads of time but all afternoon on the first bulkhead?
hmmmmm any suggestions  :D
Title: Re: Bulk Heads
Post by: DickyD on January 18, 2010, 08:36:28 pm
What are you getting the shape of the bulkheads from ?
Title: Re: Bulk Heads
Post by: boatmadman on January 18, 2010, 08:40:53 pm
Try a pantograph,

http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/p/images/pantograph_homade.lg.jpg

I have used one for scaling from drawings, works fine.

Ian
Title: Re: Bulk Heads
Post by: dreadnought72 on January 18, 2010, 10:03:34 pm
Swampbug, it sounds like you're taking curves from the inside of a pre-made hull?

If so, then the technique you're using sounds like a good one. An alternative would be to make an undersize bulkhead in card, held in the correct position within the hull, and tape onto this as many circular disks of card around the edges to mark the curve you need.

Cut a bulkhead to this card shape - and prepare to use a pile of epoxy resin to fit it.

 :-))

Andy
Title: Re: Bulk Heads
Post by: swampbug on January 19, 2010, 09:56:22 pm
Thanx guys i think ill stick to the way im doing it,

Shouldnt take too logs after all i wanted something to last me lol  :-))
Title: Re: Bulk Heads
Post by: longshanks on January 19, 2010, 10:07:02 pm
Easiest way to make a template either inside or out side a hull is to do it in three or four pieces.
i.e. 1 covering the side. 2 covering from turn of bilge to keel. 3 coming back up etc.

This way your only trying to get a single curve at a time.

Make sure your pieces overlap and when you have faired them in you can join them one at at a time to the next piece.

Hope this makes sense - easier to do than describe  :-))