Modelling Tips

Modelling Tips

This Section includes hints and tips from some of the Club's more experienced modellers on simple ways to make modelling easier, not only for those newer to the art, but also for the rest of us who might say

'Why didn't I think of that ?'.

If you can add to this collection, please let us know.

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Simple Boss Maker  -  contributed by Bob Abell

If you need to make a number of stanchion bases, or similar, and do not have a lathe, a drill press makes a simple alternative.

Use a nail in a strip of wood as the bottom centre, grip the dowel in the chuck, a lower support to set the shoulder height and a coarse sanding block - Easy isn't it ?

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Cutting Out Windows  -  contributed by Bob Abell

If you are building out of card, a simple way to cut windows in superstructures is to use a chisel blade in a drill press. Use a piece of cutting mat and a metal block underneath. This technique should work on thin styrene too, but it might be an idea to drill 1 mm holes at each corner first to stop the styrene splitting.

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Planking on Tight Curves  -  contributed by Bob Abell

If you need to plank around a tight curve, to avoid splitting the plank, form a bend in it before fixing by crimping the inside of the plank, at intervals, using a flat spade piece of metal in the chuck of your drill press.

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Wreck Marker  -  contributed by Bob Abell

If you are worried about losing your expensive boat if it gets rammed and capsizes, build in a wreck marker.  Simply a buoyant hatch or similar loosely fitted on the deck with a long string connected to the hull which will float free. Then if the boat goes down you have a better chance of finding it under the murky lake waters.

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Simple Shackles  -  contributed by Peter Teal

Instead of buying expensive model shackles, buy a card of hook and loop fasteners from your local haberdashery shop.

Twist the loops 90 degrees and with a cut down panel pin for the screw you have a perfectly respectable shackle.

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Centre Finder  -  contributed by Peter Teal

If you need to locate the centre of a round bar, you can either buy an expensive centre finder, or make your own out of thin ply or coffee sticks. When built, simply mark two diagonals at about 90 degrees rotation. Where the lines cross is the centre.

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Paint Free Glazing  -  contributed by John Teal

It is always a problem keeping paint off glazing, but if you make internal slot window frames, the problem goes away. Fit cardboard windows before painting and only fit the real windows when the paint is dry. Just remember that you need to do this before you fit the roof !

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The S Clamp  -  contributed by Bob Abell

Sometimes, the only way you can clamp two items for gluing is to use an elastic band, but if there is nowhere convenient to hook it, what do you do ?

Make an S Clip that can be hooked either on to a suitable protruding bit of boat, or on to a piece of dowel temporarily fastened to somewhere on the boat.

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Getting Masts Vertical  -  contributed by Peter Teal

Use a cross laser level sold for DIY decorating. Line one beam up with the waterline. The other beam is then vertical.