hull construction

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hull construction

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7 July 2010 at 07:51 #27511
Leslie Richmond
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@leslierichmond92032
HI,

I have strated a project of building a ro-ro (frieght ferry) from scratch. I have eventually chosen 1/87 as scale and have made my own plans from builders drawings and photos. I intend using 4 mm ply to make the decks and frames. What would be the best material for the hull. The hull is 1320 mm long and 210 mm wide by 180 mm deep. I was going to use 2 mm plastic sheet but then how would I seal it to make sure fully watertight. Could I use my hull as a mould and make a glass fibre hull? Any suggestions would be appreciated. ( be kind)

Les Richmond
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7 July 2010 at 07:51 #1983
Leslie Richmond
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@leslierichmond92032
Building a ferry from scratch
7 July 2010 at 08:53 #27512
neil hp
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@neilhp
If you make your hull from plastic sheet, you probably couldn’t use it for a grp mould.

Polyester resin badly eats into abs and other plastics, as well as foam ( including the expanding stuff)

You’d be better, if you want to take a mould from your hull, make it from timber.ply or even mdf.

you can build a” plug” ( the hull to which you will take the mould from) from centre keel, cross sections from the plan to get hull shape, and then inject expanding foam between the sections, skimmed with one coat plaster or “polyfiller” from a builders merchant and then sanded down, but this can be awfully messy and dusty…….definately a summer job on the lawn, but the choice is yours…..definately not plastic though if polyester resin is to be used as the plastic melts and contorts when soft……leaving a hull like a banana (none eu might I add where they are supposed to be straight as per brussels directive, lol).

neil.
7 July 2010 at 16:26 #27513
Leslie Richmond
Participant
@leslierichmond92032
Neil,

Many thanks for your swift reply, I am making the templates for the frames from card and intend to use 4 mm ply. So if I use 2mm timber/ply and lay it in longitudinal strips this would be better ? with a balsa bulbous bow and bow shape How do I seal and waterproof it ? What do I use? I want to create a smooth finish. I anticipate lots of sanding and elbow grease but I am ready for that.

I intend buiding the hull upside down as shown in most illistrations but for the hull sheathing does one start at the garboard strake or the keel strake?

Thanks again. for the idea of making a plug!

Les
7 July 2010 at 20:25 #27516
neil hp
Participant
@neilhp
that method is great for building plugs and quite quick to.

i have always put 100 gram card on my finished hulls to either represent rivited or welded plates, just depending what method of construction the real boat was made of. then i would paint with grey primer to show any imperfections before liberally coating it with sanding sealer and rubbing back with medium and then fine wire wool to get a smooth finish, before waxing it all with a NONE SILICON type release wax.

i would then produce the mould for the model from the “plug” as laid down in a blog i did..link here http://modeltugforum.com/index.php?topic=1825.0

hope that helps,

neil.
9 July 2010 at 10:29 #27542
Leslie Richmond
Participant
@leslierichmond92032
Neil,

Sanding Sealer… such as ? What is available ?

Les
9 July 2010 at 12:49 #27547
neil hp
Participant
@neilhp
Any model shop will sell it, leslie……it’s cellolose based so quick drying.smells like pear drops that you sucked as a kid.

#neil.

Edited By neil howard-pritchard on 09/07/2010 12:50:37
10 July 2010 at 01:27 #27553
Leslie Richmond
Participant
@leslierichmond92032
Neil,

Found the sanding sealer at our local independant timber yard/DIY place, Aslo purchased polymite for gluing the timber together. Thanks again. Once having collected all the materials I hope to begin work at the end of the month. It is all coming together and I will keep a photografic record.

Les
10 July 2010 at 19:58 #27579
neil hp
Participant
@neilhp
no probs, les..anything you want to know..just ask…..that’s what we’re all here for.

neil.
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