folding masts

This topic has 10 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 3 months, 1 week ago by Colin Bishop.

Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)

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7 March 2026 at 21:03 #127403
Alasdair Allan
Participant
@alasdairallan37423
Hi again – Still working away on my paddle steamer Columba when time allows. Because of the size of the model, I am looking to build a folding mast to get it into the car, and would welcome views on best ways to achieve this. Previous efforts in this direction on other models have had mixed results. Elastic rigging seems to want to wrap itself into a knot, the more of it that it is unhooked, and I am quite keen therefore to make a folding rather than removable mast. I am also keen to make the mast fold forward only (not loll to the side on a universal joint, where it would be likely to fall over the side of the boat and break in transit). All ideas welcome! thanks!
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7 March 2026 at 21:26 #127404
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Keeping tension on a re erected folding mast would really need shirring elastic thread. If the mast is just fitted with vertical shrouds, as the images of Columba suggest, then my prefrenece wold be for a removavble mast mounted in a deck socket with elastic shrouds with hooks on the lower ends which engage with deck mounted hoops.The socket would keep the mast at the right angle and the shrouds would give scale appearance without pulling it out of line.

Colin
8 March 2026 at 10:26 #127405
Tim Cooper
Participant
@timcooper90034
I have used small plastic hinges for a folding mast on my Tamar Life boat and Bernhard Gruben Lifeboat.

The hinges are sold (I think) for flaps on model aeroplanes.

I have used shirring elastic with small hooks as Colin suggests.

Tim
8 March 2026 at 10:41 #127406
Alasdair Allan
Participant
@alasdairallan37423
Thanks Tim and Colin – I will think about both those options.
10 March 2026 at 18:57 #127410
Richard Simpson
Moderator
@richardsimpson88330
The folding action obviously has to be via a pivoting foot to restrict side movement and allow it to only fold one way. Elastic is obviously one option to re-tension it as is using properly working bottle screws.
10 March 2026 at 19:24 #127413
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Bottle screws are a good option for precision and when you are happy to make pondside adjustments, I wouldn’t knock them. But shirring elastic and hooks are a very effective quick and accpteable alternative for most models.

Colin
11 March 2026 at 10:06 #127414
Dodgy Geezer 1
Participant
@dodgygeezer1
How about this approach to a mast hinge? The yellow section is a sliding tube which locks the hinge in place…
13 March 2026 at 18:56 #127417
Len Morris 2
Participant
@lenmorris2
Alasdair,

The hinge that Dodgy describes above is readily available at the bottom of most transistor radio aerials and they are normally made out of brass. I’ve used them several times and they work well.

Len
4 April 2026 at 10:16 #127484
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
On my sailing top gear triumph herald, the mast sits in a socket, in which there is a short spring in the base.

The mast is seated and held down a bit and the rigging was applied. upon releasing the mast, the spring pushes it upwards maintaining rigging tension.

To unship the mast you simply have to push the mast down and unhook the rigging whereupon the mast can.be removed. A socket with a slot in on the hull and a pin in the mast keeps the mast in line.

Ashley
4 April 2026 at 19:13 #127500
Richard Simpson
Moderator
@richardsimpson88330
Nice idea Ashley. You still need to ensure that the shrouds are all the correct length but a spring should long outlast elastic.
4 April 2026 at 19:52 #127501
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Ashley’s method is an excellent one as long as you have sufficient diameter in the base for the spring. For smaller scale models it might not be an option.

I have used shirring elastc for many years without problems and it comes in different colours. It may be suscepible to UV light over the longer term but that hasn’t been an issue for me.

Horses for courses as usual!

Colin
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