November 2015
Having got all 40 frames in place it is just now a case of filling in with the detail, before the remaining plating is fitted. This has two advantages, in that with the open frames, one can see what one is about, and two, it is much easier to adjust the position of the frames with spaced out stringers and keelsons, rather than with the ships plating. As can be seen during the construction there is plenty of room for the frames to twist and get out of line one with another, however hard you try to prevent it. The comb clamps are very useful at the start in getting the frames spaced out at deck level, but there is a lot of space for movement between the deck and the keelson. Unlike with building with wood, which is by nature very stiff and will stay where you put it, very thin brass angle, particularly when it has been annealed, is very prone to stay put where it has been inadvertently knocked or bent.
Once the tool kit had been made the construction of such a model is very simple, as all 40 frames, are the same, excepting for a very slight difference in shape, and this would be the case for 9/10ths of the ships hull. It could be a little more complicated at the stem, and slightly more so at the stern to accommodate the new shapes at each end. As we will see later, it starts to get more interesting when the accessories and deck fittings are considered.
Note that at this stage I have abandoned the modified soldering iron to get down between the decks to heat and set the joints between the frames and the longitudinal members. I found it more simple to file the end of a much longer carbon rod to fit the particular joint in question, and if there was a problem, as we will see later, of it touching other parts of the structure, in getting down to the joint one is aiming at, to wrap the rod with paper and sellotape it in place, to insulate it from making contact where it was not intended. The resistance soldering unit and the carbon rod business end have proved to be the ideal soldering tools for such a project.
The only problem as I have mentioned in the past, is that it can be devastating to the model, should the contact with it and the model be not where one intended when it is switched on. It is imperative, that the carbon rod be in contact and holding the parts together before the power is switched on, and that it is switched off as soon as the joint has fused together, and before the rod is lifted from the parts being soldered. An unwanted contact with a live carbon rod, can leave a burnt hole in the thin the brass item that was inadvertently touched.
The Falls of Clyde 1878
Dundee to Rangoon via Cape Town 1881
by D.C.Bell B.A.
<dcjabell@hotmail.com> <www.themarineandwildlifestudio.com>
An After Sales Service to my book readers
Should you have found inspiration, ideas, or just picked up new techniques from my books, plans, and/or web site Galleries, and have photos of your work built as a result, and would like to give me the honor of showing them to others here, please drop me a line, and I will let you know how to proceed.
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NOTE - Very poor photo copies of some of my books (among a number of others) have been sold on eBay as originals, and eBay, up to this point in time, are protecting the criminals, even though they have ample evidence of my copyright infringement. Should any one have had dealings with- Nicholas Thomas alias - phantomoftheauction09 - and/or Michael Thomas alias plaininspain9 - or anyone else passing off fake copies of my books, I would be most pleased to hear from them. eBay UK have now removed both of the above individuals, from their web site, but will not, as yet, provide me with the details I need to put them permanently out of business. Until they do my advice is DO NOT SHOP FOR BOOKS ON eBAY-UK - Go to AMAZON and get satisfaction.
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I am often asked about the availability of plans. The following web sites have been brought to my attention, and I am pleased to pass them on here. Some of my own plans are available in my books. For details, click on the ‘Books’ button on the ‘Home Page’
<http://www.carblueprints.narod.ru>
