Within the next few weeks I will be starting a build of the tug Plaudit which was serialised in Model Boats in 1992. The model features a moulded styrene hull which is supplied in two halves i.e. Port and Starboard, which requires gluing along the centre line. Originally, the designer and builder (David Metcalf) used a paste to reinforce the joint, consisting of pieces if scrap styrene dissolved in liquid poly. Now, 25 years later, is this still the best way of achieving this joint? Possibly there is now a better way using a commercially available paste or possibly thin Cyno which will wick through the joint rather like a capillary solder joint. For all of my models built to date I have used styrene for the superstructure, so I am use to producing the solvent welded joints required.

I thought I would give an update on how my styrene Plaudit hull was eventually assembled. The two halves of the hull have a flange edge which when assembled forms the keel. The two halves were carefully aligned and clamped with small bulldog clips. When happy with the final alignment Polyweld solvent was carefully applied both inside and out. After reading the article by Andy Cope in the December 2017 edition of MB, I decided on using the same adhesive as used by Andy i.e. UHU Acrylit. This consists of an adhesive held in a tube (rather like Araldite) and a hardener which is in powder form. It is claimed that it will bond plastics, metal and wood. This was exactly what I wanted as in addition to reinforcing the joint, I also needed to bond to the plastic hull, the motor mount (aluminium angle), the propshaft outer case (brass) and a plywood support for the propshaft located adjacent to the Huco coupling. Very pleased with the finished assembly, the adhesive is quick setting (about 30 minutes), the only downside is the smell, but that soon disappears as it sets. Apparently normal two part epoxy e.g. Araldite may not bond to certain plastics, so I used the UHU product and would certainly use it again.