kurtvd19

Roger: No reason not to and most of the time I do use it before soldering. But I always use it after soldering to remove scale and carbon from the torch - when using the torch. If I plan to do anything other than paint the assembly I always use the Sparex to get it good and clean. When painting, cleaning with a good solvent, is often all that is needed. I have started to clean up after using a solvent by dipping the part in Isopropyl Alcohol and letting it air dry before any further work. I happened to smell a part after cleaning in Acetone and there was still a slight smell of the Acetone so I figured the part still had a foreign substance covering it. I figured if I could smell it there was still a residue.

Yes, but like a Byrnes Saw the extra cost is well worth it!

The Fein units are quiet enough I can hear my radio across the room from the bench. The common shop vac is noisy enough to need hearing protection if you are in the same room. When I have the Fein unit going and I am using the small Preac saw the noise from the air being sucked down around the saw blade is heard. I always back the power off a bit when using the Preac for an extended time due to this being distracting. To me the extra cost of the Fein is well worth not having to use hearing protection and being aware of my surroundings.

Allan: I don't really know if SS is OK to use. All the information I have read in the instructions for plating say not to use metal tongs or baskets because they will be attacked by the Sparex just like the materials being cleaned. As I had a bunch of plastic tongs from my former darkroom it wasn't a problem using the plastic tongs so I never went against the plating advice. I even found plastic strainer baskets that work well and were cheap (Walmart) - the larger ones do kitchen duty. Take care, Kurt

I have had good luck in finding used crock pots of the small size as sold by the jewelers supply houses for $4 or less. I have a spare one under the bench in case the one I have fails and I passed on the others to fellow area modelers. I currently have two extras that will be passed on to others once we open back up for face to face meetings. I can't resist picking them up when I see one. It is important that one uses copper, wooden or plastic tongs when using Sparex if plating of parts is anticipated. The Sparex etches plain steel tongs and the material that is etched off the tongs goes into solution and will interfere with plating efforts down the road.

Sparex is provided in granular form. It is mixed with water - no danger unless you splash it all over. Wear eye protection when working with Sparex - you don't want it near your eyes. Heating in a small crock pot is safe - it will not allow the solution to boil - boiling of Sparex is to be avoided. It can be neutralized when old using baking soda then pour it down the drain. Nothing works as good as Sparex (or the chemical equivalent) so why compromise and use less effective methods of cleaning. I have used it for many years - it solved my issues with blackening and plating operations. I keep my crock pot in a glass baking dish so any spills are contained. Have used it w/o incident for more than 10 years. There are operations we do every day in our shops that are more dangerous than using Sparex. Table saws and silver soldering to name 2.

Welcome Hobby Mill. A FYI to our members - a sponsor banner linked to the Hobby Mill website will be active as soon as his website's complete.

Really a nice build that you can be very proud of completing.

Blacken it is no longer made. It was a small business - husband and wife - they were killed in a car accident a few years ago and the company died with them.

Welcome to MSW Chuck.

We concluded the workshop today and had 172 in attendance. Had a Q&A session after the talk concluded and everybody had the opportunity to ask questions. Many who registered did not show up but will be able to view the recording in the near future. We will send an email to NRG members to view it on the members side of the website. Those few non-members who signed up will get an email also. It isn't going to be posted immediately but within a short time.

Welcome to MSW as a sponsor. Thanks for your support.

There are plenty of seats available. Please register because those who are registered will be in the first group to get access. All members will, but not at the same time as those who registered. Once we pass 100 which was real early we paid the month fee for extra seats - we will never fill all those seats - the fee is very reasonable so it's not a burden. There are 251 registered and we have almost that many seats still available.

It will be recorded. It will be on the member only area of the web site for members to view. It is best to register so you get the first opportunity to view the video - at your leisure. It will be available to all members -but not always right away - we are still working our details. But those registered will be emailed a link within a few days of the event. For those non-members who signed up they will be provided with a link to the video also for a limited time.

Figure on at least one hour - there will be opportunity for questions.

Glad to see you starting on the model. I will be following your progress. Kurt

Welcome Joe.

Chances are it doesn't resemble rope in appearance.

They all go to classes together. They do it under the cover of going to the washroom together when out with the husbands. Always go in pairs - rule of the classroom. All public restrooms have a white board with the sayings to memorize written out. How else can you explain how they all say the exact same thing to us?

THANKS

NRG MODELERS WORKSHOP SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 The Ship Modeler's Ten Step Program or How to Transform Your Kit Model from Out of the Box to Out of this World You have built a few ship models “out of the box” but you are considering taking the next step towards kit-bashing. The idea is exciting, but you have no idea where to start. This presentation takes you through the process of transforming your kit build into a one-of-a-kind, historically correct ship model. From research to technique to bringing your model to life, NRG Chairman Toni Levine will show you how to make your model stand out from the crowd. To illustrate the Ten Steps, the presentation concludes with do’s and don’ts using her first kit model, Mantua’s Peregrine Galley, as a teaching aid. Details Date: Saturday, August 21, 2021, at 10:00am Central Location: Online, attend using your computer or tablet. Registration: Advance registration required. Cost: Free for current fully paid-up NRG members, $10 for non-members About NRG Online Workshops These workshops are presented online. You can attend from anywhere in the world, all you need is a computer, tablet, or mobile device. You'll be able to watch the presentation and ask questions during the Q&A period. NRG members can typically view a recording of the workshop later. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. NRG workshops are FREE to current fully paid-up NRG members. The cost for non-members to attend this Workshop is $10 US. NRG members will be able to select the FREE registration option after starting the registration process and entering the email address on file with the NRG. You may need to log into your NRG account to register for free. If you're not sure how to log into your account, click here for more information. Not an NRG member? Click here for information on joining! REGISTER CLICK ABOVE TO REGISTER After you complete registration, you'll receive an email with a link to attend the workshop. Just click that link at 10am Central on August 21, 2021, to attend. SAVE THE LINK. About the Presenter Toni Levine has been a Director of the Nautical Research Guild since 2013 and was elected Chairman this year. She has been a moderator on Model Ship World since 2017. She is a retired physician. Toni has been building models since she was a child, starting with a Monogram Hellcat that had been intended for her brother. Her first ship model was a Scientific Cutty Sark, built in high school; a model she still has. After her education was completed, Toni resumed model building, starting with plank on bulkhead kits and progressing to plank on frame scratch builds. Her most recent completed model is Atalanta, a British sloop of 1775 which was constructed following David Antscherl’s The Fully Framed Model. This model won several prizes at the 2019 Midwestern Model Ships and Boats Contest, including Gold Award, Modeler’s Choice and People’s Choice. Most recently, she developed a half hull kit to instruct novice and intermediate modelers how to correctly plank a hull and a monograph detailing how to build a capstan for intermediate and advanced modelers. Both projects are available through the Guild store.

No. However we do sell CDs and Flash drives with back issues all the way back to day 1. Not only for the Journal but also Ships in Scale and Model Shipbuilder magazines. You can access the indexes of all 65 years of the Journal on-line and if specific articles are wanted they can be obtained for $2.50 per article. NRG members get 20% off the price of the CDs and Flash drives.

You are right - it is designed for the beginner or for anybody wanting to learn the correct way to plank. Second sentence - Both - you can't plank properly until you have the frames in place and faired. Take your time and thoroughly read the instructions and make sure you understand them before proceeding to cut and shape wood. Check Toni's build log here for the definitive word.

The problem with this type besides weakening the wood is that the crimped side is no longer fit to be viewed - so if one uses this type they can't do open boats or anything where the inside of the plank is visible.

I agree totally with Roger. I believe what you show is compatible with wood - but try it to see.