Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Model Boating => Topic started by: Langsford on October 23, 2007, 11:12:53 pm

Title: fenders
Post by: Langsford on October 23, 2007, 11:12:53 pm
I have seen plenty of "string" fenders for sale, but does anyone know how to make them? I'm thinking of the sort that would look good on a tug,
cheers, John
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: portside II on October 23, 2007, 11:40:46 pm
any picy's plz.
daz
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: gingyer on October 23, 2007, 11:50:57 pm
For a bow fender
I got my mum ( I AM HOPELESS with knitting)
to knit me a triangle with the length of the fender
at the top then the point at the bottom.
once done roll the point to the top and stitch shut.
I used string instead of wool for this.

It looks OK but I can't find any pics

Colin
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: cdsc123 on October 24, 2007, 10:26:13 am
I found this link on RC Groups, they do really nice rope (and inflatable) fenders;
http://www.modellbau-kaufhaus.de/
Click on catalogue.
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: Guy Bagley on October 24, 2007, 12:05:15 pm
had a quick look at these in thier catalogue, -  alot of their products are  manufactured by cap maquettes - this includes some of their fenders ( the inflatable  round types)

 these are available directly from cap maquettes here in the UK via bow wave models ( see traders links on this site)

i have several of their round fenders on one of my vessels, - they really look the part, they also do their job as the round section is cast in silicon, so they are flexible and cushion the boat ! - they are available in white and flourescent pink....

 however i have found one drawback with these and that is they perish, well the silicone part does, the 'ball' is fitted to the reinforced section from which the fender hangs,  this  reinforced section is in resin, the resin part fits into the flexible silicone fender 'ball'  with a lip around the top which has an undercut,  over time (around 2 yrs) this undercut perishes and eventually splits,  this means the rubber section of fender falls off, and if sailing at the time they sink !

the large fenders fitted to my boat are about £6  each.  i now have about £40 worth sitting on the bottom of the lake as over the years they just crack split oand fall off - so be warned !

 anyone else had this problem ?- the  cylindrical fenders from cap maquettes dont suffer in the same way....
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: portside II on October 24, 2007, 12:51:02 pm
you hit the nail on the head there Guy ,i bought some of the pink fenders from Andy Griggs (models by design) at blackpool and when i got them home one of them parted while removing it from the bag .Yes they are heavy and sink they will  ,i have fitted them to my GM33 but i think i will drill them at the base and maybe fit a lenth of copper/stainless wire through to keep them in place .
i also bought a couple of the white barrel type fenders but i cant see a problem with them yet!.
daz
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: BarryM on October 24, 2007, 01:25:58 pm
One of the mags did an article on DIY bow/stern fenders some time ago and I think I still have it. Certainly the one's I made have stood the test of time and, having a foam core, they float. Will get back to you.

Barry M 
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: tigertiger on October 24, 2007, 02:25:02 pm
I think Modelling Timbers do the cheapest, but I could be wrong.
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: johno 52-11 on October 24, 2007, 05:52:35 pm
You Should get some good advice from the international guild of knot tyers http://www.igkt.net/ (http://www.igkt.net/) have a look if there is a branch near you. They are very heplful when it comes to making things with rope
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: BarryM on October 24, 2007, 06:54:57 pm
Couldn't find the article but here's how it's done.

A) Cut sausage of foam to required size. I used a redundant kneeling pad of fairly dense foam. Lay two strings along the back and temporarily tack with sticky tape. These are the means by which you'll tie the fender on and so length is up to you.

B) Take one large ball of softish string with one end threaded through a sailmakers needle or similar (No needle? - Make up one from stiff wire with an eye formed at one end.) Take a turn of string around the foam at its mid point for one full turn and then start making a series of loops through the first turn.

C) Keep working around the foam former making more loops through the preceding row. Some practice will be needed to get the right tension. As the former tapers towards the end, so the number of loops will decrease and you'll have to jump some of those in the preceding row. Once you get the knack of it, it's a doddle. Hope these sketches help and the photo shows the finished article.
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: Captain Povey on October 24, 2007, 08:18:19 pm
Hi John. I gave up trying to find anything I thought suitable so I managed to talk my wife into trying to knit something. The results are attached and I think she did a fantastic job but she did say it was a labour of love and I took that to mean it is a one off. She took some black button thread and some darning needles to get the stitches as small as possible. Starting with a couple of stitches on row one she added on more at each subsequent row until a triangle had been formed the length and depth I had specified she then cast off on subsequent rows and thereby created an elongated diamond shape. When this was folded in half along its longest axis and the sides sown up I had what I wanted. Cheers Graham  O0
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: walrus on October 24, 2007, 08:49:58 pm
Mrs Walrus here

Fenders are easy if you can knit. I use dish cloth cotton and number 8 needles but smaller/larger needles can be used depending on size required.You might need to knit with 2 threads depending on yarn thickness but below is a suggested method of manufacture :-

For bow fenders - cast on 8 stitches.knit one row then increase both ends of each row for 8 rows. knit 3 rows then decrease each end of every row to 8 stitches and cast off. Sew outer edges and fill with a 'dacron' or similar man made filling then sew up the middle section. Attach thread to each end to tie onto your model.

For side fenders :- cast on the number of stiches for the desired fender length. Knit 8/10/12 rows  depending on size and then cast off. Stitch into a tube and close one end using a tight running thread, leaving sufficient yarn to attach to your model. Fill with dacron or similar man made filling then stitch the bottom together neatly 

Happy knitting
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: walrus on October 24, 2007, 08:56:07 pm
Mrs Wlarus again. If you have difficulty with the instructions I can be contacted most Sunday mornings sailing on Wilton Park lake with Kirklees Model Boat Club and I might even have a few samples with me.
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: Langsford on October 24, 2007, 10:22:41 pm
Mrs Walrus, will you marry me? John
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: Bunkerbarge on October 25, 2007, 01:49:50 am
The picture below is of HMS Enigma with a Mrs Walrus fender fitted, before a bit of weathering.  She's a dab hand is Mrs Walrus and she can knock up a pretty mean set of sails as well. 

You've also got a 6' 6", 300 lb of toned and muscled husband and the rest of the Kirklees club to get through before you could even consider taking her away from us.
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: Archibald H. on October 27, 2007, 08:48:09 pm
Hi John,
on the site below there's a good explanation on how to make fenders. Although it's in French there are some clear drawings and pictures which should explain a lot.
Hope this helps. Lots of succes,

Cheers A!H.

http://navi.modelisme.com/article332.html
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: BarryM on October 28, 2007, 07:39:31 am
Archibald,

That looks like the same method as mine described above. The foam/cork types do have the advantage that they float if torn off and they do act as fenders.

Regards

Barry M
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: Guy Bagley on October 29, 2007, 10:57:58 am
anyone got any ideas on the modern style of fenders ????- i have turned them up in 'hard materials' but would  to find alternatives.... anyone got any ideas ?
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: BarryM on October 29, 2007, 12:12:57 pm
Guy,

Which "modern kind" do you have in mind?
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: Guy Bagley on October 29, 2007, 01:03:50 pm
THE ROUND FLOURESCENT TYPES SEEN ON FISHING VESSELS... SEE REPLY #4 IN THIS THREAD
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: Bryan Young on October 29, 2007, 03:31:30 pm
I have seen plenty of "string" fenders for sale, but does anyone know how to make them? I'm thinking of the sort that would look good on a tug,
cheers, John
John, I don't think that knitting them is the perfect solution (willing to be proved wrong) but SWMBO reckons that crochetting is the way to go. She is a WI (Wild Indians?) member and this was the answer her pals gave her. Why not find out about your local WI (or other female organisation)..you will be amazed at the amount of talent out there. From what I gather the "crochetter" (I'm sure thats the wrong spelling) would only need a former to work around. Heavy foam perhaps? Good luck. Bryan.
Title: Re: fenders
Post by: portside II on October 29, 2007, 11:31:21 pm
Guy try the pollystyreen balls and coat them with a latex paint of the colour you desire at least these ones wont sink O0
daz