Vic Smeed’s Silver Mist

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thanks Paul for the varnish advice etc

We will decide about Colwyn Bay at our end at 5.00 pm tonight

I think we`ll go anyway and hope for the best

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The photos of the Colwyn Bay show are in the Gentleman`s Vintage Cruiser thread

Now then……….Need to fix the outer deck planks around the edge of the deck, but the Bamboo strips are very reluctant to bend around the stern area, due to the tight radius

After several abortive attempts, I came up with this clamped on former shape

I think I`ve tamed it now

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the edge bending profile actually matched the hull, when it was reversed!

Only hope we`ve enough planks for the stern and midships decking!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The Bamboo edging strips are finally glued in position and now working on the rear planking, starting with an edge round the main hatch opening

Making good progress and looking more like it

Bob

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Really looking good Bob. That large area of planked deck will look great.

Inerested in your use of bamboo- where do you come by it? Old fishing rods?

All the best,

Ian

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you Ian

The Bamboo planks came from the failed Sov of the Seas galleon kit, but just realised I`m a bit short on the thin brown planks

I`ve also realised the extent of the planking required to cover the rear and midship decks…..Oh Lordy!

Don`t fancy the caulking involvement!

I`m already thinking about plan B!

I`ve noticed the planked foredeck looks too dramatic!……..Too crisp and in yer face, kind o` style

Will do a test section tomorrow of a simpler method and then decide the next step

I`ve not called the photo……..Plankathon for nothing!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Further to the Plankathon question…….These are my personal thoughts on the situation………Terms and conditions are shown in the small print, down below………….Well, not really

I've got a painting at home, showing a tram waiting at the terminus………..It's very neatly done and must have taken months to do!

It actually looks hideous and totally ridiculous!……….Eh?……….Why?………You may ask

The artist must have spent weeks, carefully drawing every single brick in the houses and every single cobblestone, on the road……all in perfect perspective

The artist must have felt so pleased with himself

Going off the appearance of my planked foredeck, with it's stark black veneer caulking………My model would look equally absurd, had I continued with this method, over the rest of the boat

Take for instance, my magnificent Great Eastern!

Most people who saw it, said it was wonderful……..Even the BBC thought so too!

But close up…….It was absolutely dreadful!

It was so rough and ready and heavily weathered, to hide the shoddy workmanship etc, but from a distance of only a few feet, it looked the Biz!

Now back to the Silver Mist decking

I propose, planking the deck, as the fore deck, but omitting the caulking, then a light varnish to seal the grain, followed by a varying layer of dark powder paint, brushed into the planking gaps and finally several coats of varnish

How does that grab one?

I'll try a small section and see how it looks

Apologies for the soapbox lecture, but it's been in my thoughts for a long time, gathering dust?

Fingers crossed for a kind reaction

Bob

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Hi Bob,

You seem to have a bit of a down on deck planking but I wonder if, in this case, it might be because your planks are a bit narrow. I know you are using some stuff left over from another project but consider that your boat represents a craft of about 48ft- so a scale of 1:12? That means that the deck planks might be 1/4''  at least to show a plank of 3'' width and they could be wider.

Of course I can't really tell from your photos, but they do look narrower than that and that might be why it all looks a bit busy. With wider planks the black caulking wouldn't be so prominent- there wouldn't be so much of it!

I planked the deck of my Silver Mist with 5 or 6mm planks (can't honestly remember now) and mine is smaller- 1:16- and I think it looks fine. I know deck planking can drive you bonkers, especially when you do the joggling but it's all worth it in the end!

Just to let you know how seriously I take all this, I lay awake last night having one of my occasional bouts of insomnia and worrying over your dilemma.

All the best,

Ian

Edited By Ian Gardner on 29/07/2016 15:08:20

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Now then!…..We don't want you losing sleep over my blinkin' plankin' problems, Ian!

But thank you for your concern

I think you've knocked the nail on the head!

I think, without the oversize caulking, I may have gotten away with it!

I often wondered what scale my model was, but always too busy to stop and work it out!

On the other hand, I did notice the planks on yours or Ray's model…….Looked a bit wide!……Ha Ha

Right then……I'll look into new wider planks……..The present foredeck gives me the creeps!

Don't despair out there!…………No harm done, just a retrograde step

Thank you very much, Ian, your comments are very encouraging and much appreciated

Plank width?………10 mm?

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Captain Bob

What do your existing deck planks scale at?

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

The Bamboo planks measure 5mm wide x 1.5mm thick

I`ve just had a look at 10 mm planks and they look a little wide………At the moment, they take some getting used to

Bob

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Hi Bob,

I was awake anyway and just thinking about model boats- you know how it is!

I can't remember if a scale was given on the plan- Vic often didn't – but I remember finding James Silver yachts of this type on the internet (I sent you a couple of links right at the beginning) and they tended to be 48- 52 feet long so you are going to be in the region of 1:12 scale. 5mm is a bit small I suppose – 8.5- 9mm would give you a 4'' plank.

Anyway, you know all this! I use obeche or bass strip from SLEC- cheap as chips really and beautifully machined. Why spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar and all that?

All the best,

Ian

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Bob

On a very rough guess using your 1:12 construction scale the 5mm planks scale to 2.4in (give or take) and a 10mm plank scales at 4.9in.

So your existing planking is slightly on the narrow side but I think it looks intricate and shows off your woodworking skills.

Personally I would stick with the existing 5mm planking and purchase some more bamboo.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Paul and Ian

Well that's thrown a spanner in the works!………Paul likes the planks and Ian thinks they are too narrow!

How will I get to sleep tonight……….And you too Ian

Well……..I've already started planking the midships hatch with the Bamboo, so I'll do some more and present it to the panel of plank judges for further comments

You can't beat a bit of controversy to get view count up!

Back soon

Bob

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Hi Bob,

It was only when you said you didn't like it yourself that I started thinking about possibe reasons why. Now you have started it might be sensible to carry on with the bamboo- and after all, it's your boat- you should do what you like.

I often find that bits of a build that jump out at you (and mistakes!) meld into the whole once the boat is complete -sometimes the best course is to bash on!

Sleep well!

Ian

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The midships hatch is now planked, awaiting a thinned down coat of varnish, to seal the grain and allow the caulking paste to be applied in the spaces without staining the planks

I`m really hoping that the varnish will congeal and avoid the need for the caulking simulation?

I`m trying to obtain a natural realistic appearance for the planked area, rather than the precise caulking effect, often seen at shows

The build of the model is not to an intended high standard………..It`s only a fun build

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

I`ve used a mixture of orange and black Humbrol in a thinned down varnish

Brushed on and wiped off, to achieve the caulking effect

With another couple of coats, it should be acceptabell?

Bob

[BanjomanParticipant @banjoman]

Bob,

Most certainly and absolutely acceptabell! Your caulking effect is both effective and effectful – it all lloks very, very good indeed!

/Mattias

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Many thanks, Banjo

I couldn't face the normal planking procedure, as you know and I shall be watching the progress with your planking trials and tribulations with Moonbeam

It will have to be a labour of love in your case

All the best

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

The effect is very good Bob but it still looks rather out of scale.

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Colin, but what do you mean by being rather out of scale?

If you are referring to plank width, being too narrow…….Take a look at these planks on a similar full size trawler?

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Looks a bit narrow to me but on the other hand there are plenty of examples of narrow planks when you look online:

**LINK**

So, on balance you should be OK!

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thanks Colin

What a splendid assortment of planking styles?

Just what Banjo would be interested in?

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Now we have the seal of approval from the planking experts, we can proceed with the build, in high spirits!

Work in progress picture for my secret army of followers, showing the planking taking shape and even looking nice

I rather like this picture……..The remaining areas to be planked are clearly visible……And look a doddle!

The cabin roof looks inviting?

Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hello Bob

Progress your making is good, enjoy the process as its the best part of modelling ! The dinghy stored on the rear deck will be a fair size, a project in its own right Keep up the good work

Regards Ray

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