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Author Topic: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer  (Read 7357 times)

richald

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Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« 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
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Arrow5

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #1 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.
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Circlip

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #2 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.
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richald

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #3 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
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Arrow5

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #4 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.
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richald

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #5 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

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

Richard
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Arrow5

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #6 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. 
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colin

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #7 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
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richald

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #8 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
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boat captain

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #9 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   :-)) :-)) :-))
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barriew

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #10 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
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Arrow5

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #11 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 !
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Arrow5

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #12 on: January 04, 2014, 01:11:32 pm »

Had to look for Texa again.  It and Arab are from the MacKenzies files.
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Netleyned

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #13 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.
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john44

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #14 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
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John W E

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #15 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
 
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Netleyned

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #16 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
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Arrow5

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #17 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)
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Netleyned

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #18 on: January 04, 2014, 04:32:19 pm »

The man from the wee free would get his share no doubt.

Ned
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Arrow5

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #19 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 %) .
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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #20 on: January 04, 2014, 04:59:43 pm »

HP
Highland Produce methinks

Ned
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Arrow5

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #21 on: January 04, 2014, 05:47:25 pm »

High Proof O0 :o
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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #22 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
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Arrow5

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #23 on: January 04, 2014, 09:42:55 pm »

Very realistic. :-))       A VERY clean boat.
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richald

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Re: Fitting the cloth hatch cover on a Sealight Puffer
« Reply #24 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
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