Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: richald on January 03, 2014, 08:56:15 am

Title: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: richald on January 03, 2014, 08:56:15 am
Anybody done this and can give me some hints or tips on how to do it successfully ?

I have already painted the rest of the hatch cover and fitted the clips that will
clamp the cover on.

Richard
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Arrow5 on January 03, 2014, 11:42:19 am
I haven't tried it myself but maybe a piece of heat-shrink fabric they use for model aircraft covering might be worth trying.  It has heat activated adhesive on one side, other has slight fabric grain that can be painted with Humrol, comes in various colours including a dull khaki green. If you need some scraps to try PM me.
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Circlip on January 03, 2014, 12:13:34 pm
If the weave on "Solartex" or equivalent isn't suitable, you could always select cloth with the correct weave and use clear dope to glue it down.
 
  Regards  Ian.
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: richald on January 03, 2014, 12:29:47 pm
The cover material comes as part of the kit  - see attached photos

what I am worried about is glueing it down with say contact adhesive and it showing through the fabric

Richard
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Arrow5 on January 03, 2014, 01:13:26 pm
I doubt if it is intended to look like "cloth". It would have been a tarpaulin and pretty mucky too so go ahead glue it. Copydex for easy removal and Evo-stik for a more permanent stick.  The lifting rings could be altered to a depression with a lifting bar across it giving a smoother surface for the cover.  Part of the cover could be rolled-back to reveal this detail and maybe a couple of the boards lifted to show some of the cargo.
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: richald on January 03, 2014, 02:27:39 pm
Arrow5 thanks for your posts.

I can't think of any circumstances where the full size vessel would be underway
with the hatch cover and boards partially removed - so I am building the hatch
cover with everything 'battened down'. I purposefully glued all the hatch boards
down along with the lifting rings since I understand that the rings can be visible
under the tarpaulin.

I have thought about building a second hatch 'cover' to simulate what it would
look like in port, that is with the tarpaulin and boards off, possibly a ladder down
into a scale-looking hold and a couple of crew shovelling coal !

this picture might give you an idea!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottishmaritimemuseum/6119891905/in/set-72157626573769777 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottishmaritimemuseum/6119891905/in/set-72157626573769777)

I am inclined to go for the  'mucky' look! - I'll post a pic when I've got it sorted

Richard
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Arrow5 on January 03, 2014, 04:56:16 pm
Oh I`ve seen them un-covered at sea.  Your alternative hatch with differing scenes is a nice touch.  My two Spruffers have different hatch lids with  1, coal 2, timber 3,cattle 4 red bricks and the closed one with a sitting crew figure and  ladder .  Next detail is a bicycle, (seen one but pricey) and load of whisky barrels like "Wee Spark" but to scale. 
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: colin on January 03, 2014, 07:18:13 pm
I used a carpet spray adhesive local carpet fitter may have part used can, to stick mine down have also used spray mount available from most stationary shops
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: richald on January 03, 2014, 10:48:35 pm
Arrow5 -
my comment re open holds when underway was made thinking about the distinct lack
of freeboard on a fully laden puffer!
Your spruffer photos look interesting - care to tell us a bit more about them? -
You can put me down for one of the barrels of Islay whiskey when they've matured sufficiently!

colin - your idea re spray adhesive is interesting - I am sure I have a tin somewhere....

Richard
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: boat captain on January 04, 2014, 10:22:47 am
I have used P.V.A. Bond on several of my boats.  I used a piece of curtain lining dyed dark green.  After gluing down it was coated with a couple of coats of Ronseal matt exterior varnish it has lasted over ten years on one boat and the others are still fine.  The varnish tends to roughen the surface of the lining making it look more like canvas.

Joe   :-)) :-)) :-))
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: barriew on January 04, 2014, 12:47:16 pm
On my Northlight, I didn't like the cloth supplied - too shiny - so I used an old handkerchief and painted it matt deck green. I think it looks like a canvas tarp. I think on the Northlight it is held in place with the frame so not glued.


Barrie
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Arrow5 on January 04, 2014, 01:07:16 pm
The "Wee Spark" manned model isn't mine :o . I only used that as an example of the barrel idea. I`ve seen somebody`s in smaller scale that had the cover pulled back at the corner to reveal reveal casks of whiskey, lovely.   The Springer Puffers just have shoe-box type lid with cargo stuck on. The cattle are Schleich , the timber is twigs from the garden , the coal is real.  Springers give a lot of latitude hence the very unlikely barges.  My favourite Puffer picture is Texa, couldn't go from bow to stern without getting your feet wet !  The giant fish was found at the loch, think we have Carp !
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Arrow5 on January 04, 2014, 01:11:32 pm
Had to look for Texa again.  It and Arab are from the MacKenzies files.
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Netleyned on January 04, 2014, 02:26:32 pm
Don't forget the original puffers only used the canal
as they used the canal water as boiler feed.
Just like the narrow boats Down south
they would not be needing any large amount of
freeboard.
It was only later when condensing system was fitted
did they venture out and need some freeboard.
No design change they just weren't loaded to the
gunnels.
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: john44 on January 04, 2014, 03:13:10 pm
Loved the photo,s arrow5,
boy what would health & safety say about loading that way nowadays?
see what you mean about getting your feet wet {-)

john
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: John W E on January 04, 2014, 03:41:19 pm
hi ya all
 

Ever thought of using kitchen roll or toilet tissue as means of representing tarpauline.

This is the method I used on Morary Firth - I first of all built a hatch from plywood and then covered it with diluted PVA glue; applied the tissue over the top of the hatch and tucked it round underneath - allowed this to dry and then painted it with Humbrol number 3 paint (dark green) give it several coats of that and then give it a top coating of satin clear varnish - just an idea.

aye
 
john
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Netleyned on January 04, 2014, 03:55:31 pm
If you want to be rivetty then the cloth (as it was called on barges)
was held in place wrapped round a wooden pole and held with wedges
or chocks hammered in behind the irons along the hatch coaming.


If a Puffer was carrying coal, then a small percent of the cargo would be lost to the
boiler hence the cloth pulled back and a few hatch boards removed.


Ned
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Arrow5 on January 04, 2014, 04:18:51 pm
...and if was cargo from the island`s distilleries then the angel`s share would manifest itself, aye jist so. 8)
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Netleyned on January 04, 2014, 04:32:19 pm
The man from the wee free would get his share no doubt.

Ned
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Arrow5 on January 04, 2014, 04:49:41 pm
Divine providence, delivered in a HP sauce bottle, an amount that could be put down to evaporation.  Or so I`m told , you understand %) .
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Netleyned on January 04, 2014, 04:59:43 pm
HP
Highland Produce methinks

Ned
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Arrow5 on January 04, 2014, 05:47:25 pm
High Proof O0 :o
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: oldiron on January 04, 2014, 08:51:36 pm
Use a piece , to correct size, of a paper table napkin laid over the hatch. With a mix of PVA glue and water, paint the napkin all over. Adjust slightly until you're satisfied with the effect and let dry. When dry, use a sharp knife to trim the edges to the desired effect and then paint your colour choice.

John
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Arrow5 on January 04, 2014, 09:42:55 pm
Very realistic. :-))       A VERY clean boat.
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: richald on January 04, 2014, 09:50:35 pm
Thanks for all the replies! and a fascinating conversation!

I think I have figured out a way of fixing the cloth down, with spots of
superglue round the edge and then covering the edge with the irons
and the wooden wedges.

I received some puffer books for Christmas and in one of them I am sure that
it said that some puffers had a 'secret' door between the hold and the engine
room so that coal could be transferred more easily if 'required' !

Richard
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: oldiron on January 04, 2014, 10:01:54 pm
Very realistic. :-))       A VERY clean boat.

Thanks. The covers like this are quite easy to make. i like the wrinkled effect you can get from this method.
Here are a couple of other applications. The drying rack on the stern of my Smit Nederland, and the life boat covers on my SS Master

John
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: html on January 05, 2014, 07:01:48 pm
On my Sealight I used a spot of super glue where the wedges go, so to give the cover a few wrinkles. I then super glued the wedges in place, I figured it would only be held where the wedges were so for that reason I did not glue it all the way around its edge. I also built a false corner in the hold to have the cover turned back and reveal barrels and crates, I doubt they would have done this on a full size boat due to the very low freeboard.

Brian
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: richald on January 10, 2014, 10:25:22 pm
I've got my hatch cover fitted - it looks pretty good so far.

Only thing to do now is cut/taper/stain/fit all the wedges :D

will post a picture or two when I've finished -

Richard
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: Chris G on January 11, 2014, 04:08:30 pm
I recently used a white handkerchief for the cover for an on board dinghy. Cut roughly to size and painted lightly with matt dark green Humbrol paint and trimmed when dry and a little stiff. It looks like canvas and cost pennies, which should make it popular for a Scottish ship.
Worth a try maybe!  Chris G
Title: Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
Post by: georgo on February 20, 2014, 11:56:25 pm
 :-)) [very helpfull...
 
George
quote author=boat captain link=topic=45893.msg464528#msg464528 date=1388830967]
I have used P.V.A. Bond on several of my boats.  I used a piece of curtain lining dyed dark green.  After gluing down it was coated with a couple of coats of Ronseal matt exterior varnish it has lasted over ten years on one boat and the others are still fine.  The varnish tends to roughen the surface of the lining making it look more like canvas.

Joe   :-)) :-)) :-))