Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Yachts and Sail => Topic started by: BlueWotsit on April 23, 2007, 10:16:43 am

Title: Plank sizing
Post by: BlueWotsit on April 23, 2007, 10:16:43 am
Im building a 1/12 scale, 19th century pilot cutter and need some guidance for deck planking:

What is the best sort of wood to use for this

How thick should it be

How wide should I cut the planks

How long should the planks ideally be

Im thinking of laying them ontop of a plywood deck, using either wood glue or expoxy.


Any guidance / tips would be great.
Title: Re: Plank sizing
Post by: boatmadman on April 23, 2007, 11:32:03 am
Hi,

I have done a couple of boats with deck planking. I have used cedar, lime and mahogonay, all with success although the mahogonay is harder to work with and doesnt like cyno too much.

Depends also on the final finish, if a wooden (varnish) finish then cedar is prob best (nicest grain and colour), if painted I would use lime, it works easiest of the three I have used.

Sizes:
Width depends on scale, try to find some pics of sometining similar and count the planks across if possible. If not poss am sure others on here can help, I worked to a plank scaled at 6" across.
Depth: 2 mm has always been ok for me, it allows for sanding down after fitting.
Length: again scale to the real boat if poss. I have worked to lengths of about 15 to 18 feet (depending on boat) scaled down.
Cauliking, stand a plank on its edged on the sticky side of black fablon and cut it with a scalpel. Remove plank and you have caulking on the side. You can put several planks side by side and cur between them - its quicker. When the planks are glued down, ensure the fablon is proud of the plank by a little (< 1mm) so that when you sand down you get a good continuous caulk line. ( see my thread on steam drifter build for pics of the result)

Glue: I use cyno for planking, cos its quick, and if you are putting a bend on the plank to follow the hull lines you can hold it until it sets. The only thing to watch with cyno is you MUST waterproof the deck after cos water will soften it and may break the bond. When you use cyno just dampen the wood a little before glueing (before you put the cyno on the wood, or else you will have a planked tongue), I usually just lick the wood, works for me!

Laying onto a ply wood deck is highly recommended, in fact I wouldnt do it any other way, cos it means you glue to the sub deck as well as the other planks.

Only my opinion, hope this helps

Ian
Title: Re: Plank sizing
Post by: tigertiger on April 23, 2007, 11:44:48 am
Hi Bluewotsit

I would love to see a build thread.
I am also going down the path of scalesail, and there is just too little to look at.

Please post.

TT