Bilge keels.

[Paul75Participant @paul75]

Hello Everyone.

I have a 1/128th model of HMS Duke of York with a GRP hull. The bilge keels on the hull will be 30 inches long and will project about 1/2 inch out from the hull.

Firstly, is it actually worth fitting bilge keels to such a large working model where they will be very prone to damage?

Secondly, what is the best way to attach them and what is the best material for their construction to ensure that they are very robust and resistant to damage?

I see that there are many options for the materials to use and that the keels can be attached by methods such as pins or tongues from the keel being fitted through the hull then sealed in place.

Is it advisable to simply stick the keel with epoxy resin or such like to the exterior of the hull? If it then becomes damaged one could relatively easily remove the damaged section and replace it rather than having to cut through the hull again.

I'd appreciate any advice you could give me.

Many thanks,

Paul.

[Paul75Participant @paul75]

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

Bilge keels are essential……They control the roll effect

I screw them on from the inside of the hull, using 12 x 6 section wood on a 7 foot hull

They don't seem prone to damage on my models

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I would echo Bob`s sentiment. Bilge keels are essential and make a lot of difference. If anything, for a working model I would make them even bigger (by a bit).

I have used thin ply, ABS or thick Styrene at various times, and cut slots in the inner edge of the keel, epoxy in brass rod, and then drill throug the hull and epoxy both sides…keel and pins.

Ashley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

As the chaps have said fix through the hull to something solid on the inside only I would use metal as the build material such as brass, copper or steel in order to minimise the damage to these external components.

[Paul75Participant @paul75]

Thanks for your replies chaps. I think I'll try to make the keels out of metal for durability. Now I've just got to get my head around how to cut and shape them!

Thanks again,

Paul.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Paul

The cutting and shaping of metals will obviously depend upon which metal you choose.

Copper can be cut with heavy scissors and tidied up with a file, copper can easily be formed into shaped with pliers in fact annealed (heated and cooled) copper can be formed into shape by hand, but the down side to copper is that being soft it can be more easily damaged than a harder metal.

Brass is similar to copper but being a harder metal it is harder to work and whilst it might cut with strong scissors it would be better to use shears or snips, tidying up by file and shaping can be done with pliers.

Aluminium is worked in virtually the same as copper.

Steel is the hardest of the more common metals and whilst thin sheets can be cut with sheers thicker profiles will need a hacksaw and a vice to hold the material whilst working on it.

Hope this helps

Paul

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

Hello Paul a simple and effective method with material used for the fitting of bilge keels was explained in detail with plenty of illustrations in Model Boats magazine issue 749 . hope this helps Dave Wooley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Aluminium angle section is an easy solution and can be used as the boat stand too

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Aluminium angle section is an easy solution and can be used as the boat stand too

Bob

[James TaitParticipant @jamestait58403]

Could anyone confirm if issue 749 is the April 2013 magazine? Looking to fit keels on my 1/96 Type 12(M).

Thanks.

Jim

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