Steam Tug WATTLE

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

One primer grey coat…

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Not a bad first attempt, Ian

Make sure the rivets are dead in line……Essential requirement

I simply draw a line first

Rivets look nice on anything built, like the wheelhouse and chimney and tool boxes etc

Bob

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

have found the plan for the plating I had it in one of my books its a full size plan so it'l be awkward to scan and copy but will do it tomorrow and send it, may have a go at the plating what thickness card did you use was it plastic or card card?? did you grind the punch to a rounded end and what sort of spacing did you use? it looks like around a 1/4" or 3/16ths"

I have made working scupper flaps have cut them from ally and bent them need to fit them to the scupper holes with some sort of spindle maybe 1/16" brass rod then cut small slots to in the hull then and cover with a small brass plate

should work well stopping water getting in but letting it out if I get a wave over the gunnal,

just got the new mag m/boats John's has a new article a us coast guard picket boat looks another good one a fast boat minds ticking over, but nothing until I get Wattle finished, been shaking paint cans this evening LOL!

laters

mick

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Bob..

Thanks for the help and advice, will give the rivet alignment my best shot…

much appreciated,

Ian

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

just a thought I believe that the plates were overlapped from front to back to stop water forcing the plates appart, anyone ideas on that one I will have a look for the article in ma tug book

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Mick…

Thanks for the offer of the plan, would be good to see how the pro,s do the plates.

The template I used for the test run was card…card…lol

The only white card I could get from the news agent, was 180gm..

I cant find the thread that Bob posted on how thick the card was he used..!

>>I have made working scupper flaps have cut them from ally and bent them need to fit <<

I hope you can post a picture when you have installed them.

I will have to go back to the news agent and check out the model boat mags.

You got the colours, you wanted ?

>> did you grind the punch to a rounded end and what sort of spacing did you use? it looks like around a 1/4" or 3/16ths"<<

I have just made an A4 template to have a go..

Sent a message to Yabbie1, he is very kindly requesting more info from the Wattle referb chaps and will get back to use as and when…

But you are so right…the punch is to big for the cabin area and probably the funnel.

as for the scale size of the plate and rivet spacing…hope to hear from John, when he has the time.

Ian

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

I have tried to put the scanned picture up here but it says its too big! don't know what to do now says send it in two parts not a clue LOL! sorry! may be able to send it as an email if you p/m me I will try,

its a good idea of what to expect hence my reluctance to do it,

mick

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The card I use is 0.012" thick and you can get it from the shop chain called… " The Works"

The cost is 99p for a bagful!

I use an adjustable impact centre punch for consistent rivet size

Bob

[BanjomanParticipant @banjoman]

I haven't yet tried any of the materials or techniques mentioned below myself, but some boat modellers that I know have, with what looks like success, used aluminium foil from disposable aluminium trays/pie dishes of the sort that one can buy in packs from most any supermarket.

The following links will take you to a Swedish modeller's forum where I'm also active. Given the nature of the beast the text will be incomprehensible to most non-Scandahovians, I fear, but hopefully the images will speak for themselves:

**LINK**

**LINK**

**LINK**

**LINK**

From what the texts say, these guys then use different sizes of pattern tracing wheels (like these **LINK**) to emboss the rivets. These kind of wheels can be bought for, I'd say typically a couple of quid from most any haberdashery shop.

Again, I have no personal experience (yet) of this technique, but I nevertheless thought I'd mention it for what it might be worth.

/Mattias

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Bob..

>>The card I use is 0.012" thick and you can get it from the shop chain called… " The Works<<

Thanks bob..

How thick is that in new money….lol

I thought it was all in grams ?

>>I use an adjustable impact centre punch for consistent rivet size<<

Is this something you have had for years…or can I pick up an impact centre punch from B&Q..?

Ian

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Mattias…

Thanks for taking the time to sort out the links for the description on the method used to make the rivet plate affect.

Very informative and food for thought on future ventures.

Thank you,

Ian

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

couldn't post the pics on here so have put them in my photo album the first one I think had to shrink them so you may have to open them up in paint, you may see why I dont really want to do the hull nor did John dont blame him one bit but I may consider the deck housing

laters

mick

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Bob..

<<I use an adjustable impact centre punch for consistent rivet size<<

Had a look for the impact centre punch,..£50…wow… I think I will be using the hammer…lol

>>Rivets look nice on anything built, like the wheelhouse and chimney and tool boxes etc<<

I think you are so right, it will set off the look of the 1930 build.

Thanks again,

Ian

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Mick..

>>couldn't post the pics on here so have put them in my photo album <<

Sent a PM to you,

as you say its to small to see the detail on the plans.

I think I will wait for John's return mail when he catches up with the Wattle restoration people.

it does look a work of art on first looking at the plans, you have posted.

Ian

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

Ian, try typing in adjustable automatic centre punch on EBAY £3.45 free postage,

£50 robing rat bags the other ones on ebay have a brass body and they are only£3.00, did you manage to blow the plans up you can do it in the Paint program on the computer up to full size its a bit of a polava trying to save it you have to enter into the size box (just delete whatever is in there) and type in 150 then 1st click on save 2nd save it to (wherever you want it ) I usually put it onto desktop, then close the program and re-open it and put the file you have just saved into it it should then open in a larger size, I have not tried to make a file bigger so you will have to experiment with it until you get it bigger, easier is enlarge it with the slider at the bottom of the screen in the paint prog and print it,

have had a go at the riveting job it looks ok just dont fancy sitting punching all the plates for that,

by the way in that plan it shows you where there is double rows and single rows there is a lot of detail if yo get it blown up,

laters

mick

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Mick..

Thanks for the info ..I will have another look at the centre punch, thanks.

I sent you a PM with my e-mail address, but will have a go at re enlarging the plans, but have never had much luck.

Once they have been saved at a smaller image, when you try to enlarge, it just goes to a blur,,,lol

Hope you will upload a pick of the funnel once you have done the riveting.

I do under stand what you mean about all those rivet punch mark and on both sides….lol

But thanks again,

Ian

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

Ian, here's the item no on Ebay 290645805994 £3.59 cant find the email will look in my junk mail

mick

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

I will try put larger plan in my album OK.

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Mick..

Sorry you have not received the PM.. I sent the message to your model boat indox, at the top of the page,

if you look along from

Settings -inbox- friends-ect….

It should be in there or will show under your picture on the right MY FRIENDS box.

But will re send PM.

also thought it might be easier to see if I can still buy the plan,

Bob Abelll said a few messages back… when he used the process of card plating on the hull he used some discretion on the method .. so you only see the rivet plating above the water line.

As I am way off this process and have plenty of time to make a decision, will wait and see what John comes back with, in his own time.

But will still search for a near fit set of plans for the Wattle, before ( wimping out )….lol

Best regards,

Ian

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Had a few hours fitting some parts on the Wattle engine cover sky lights…

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Started to build the life boat rack…

and fit the ladders to funnel..

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

trying out the cabin fittings…

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

looks good! I finally managed to get the funnel painted today, next start and rub down the deck then fill and rub down etc. until its how I want it have found a few bits on the hull that still need a bit of filler so can be doing that am having trouble getting the water line just right will have to put it on the stand and do some measuring to get it just so!

I have the adjustable punch it works after a fashion will sort it with some ptf tape on the thread,

upwards and onwards

mick

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Mick…

Thanks hope it will look good after time spent….lol

You are on with the spray painting….hope you have not been shaking those cans since we last talked…lol

So you have found a suitable colour match, all this painting and waiting for the paint to dry, does let the mind wander…

I had a look at the Winter model boats mag.. stuffed with interesting items, John Parker has another great feature on the US Coast Guard fast response boat, I think its another one to put in the must do list.

>> having trouble getting the water line just right will have to put it on the stand and do some measuring to get it just so<<

I have seen some pics of the water line, not sure if its on one of the plans…!

>>I have the adjustable punch it works after a fashion will sort it with some ptf tape on the thread,<<

I have found some old punch set and will grind them down to small medium and the ones you see on the test.

Take care,

Ian

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