Scale of Gratings

[Ferit]

I think kit supply gratings are not correct in size, scale and ratio. What should be the thickness of the wooden part and the size of the hole on the gratings in the real world for a period ship?

What is the ratio to each other?

Are there any changes during centuries?

(esp. for a ship scale 1/40 year 1600-1700)

 

I don't think that is regular, it's impossible to walk on it...

Edited February 21, 2018 by Ferit KUTLU

[Dan Vadas]

41 minutes ago, Ferit KUTLU said:

What should be the thickness of the wooden part and the size of the hole on the gratings in the real world for a period ship?

What is the ratio to each other?

Are there any changes during centuries?

The answer to those questions is - "It depends". What era, country, type of ship etc etc? Basically the sizes are, as you mentioned, whatever can be walked on without getting stuck between the timbers. And yes - most kit gratings aren't the right size (one size DOESN'T fit all ).

 

Someone else may be able to give you a more definitive answer.

 

  Danny

[allanyed]

Ferit,

 

Perhaps the below will help you.  This is from a British ship of 1803.  The dimensions are for a 1/4" = 1 foot scale model.     Looking at the coaming in your photo, if it the kit is accurate, this appears to be from much earlier as the coaming is quite shallow compared to later years.   

 

Allan

[Ferit]

Thank you for the answers.

The gratings in the photo have 0.039" (1mm) as timber thickness and 0.118" (3mm) as the space between the timbers. Ratio is 1 for timber, 3 for the space. At 1/40 scale that space corresponds 56,69" (12cm). It's too large to walk on it without getting stuck.

And it seems to me that the ratio of 3 timber's thickness = 1 space can be incorrect whatever is the era. (Am I wrong?) Is it possible at the end of 1600's that was the correct ratio?

[wefalck]

I have an early 20th century textbook on ship's joinery and according to this, the gratings are laid out on a 50 mm (2") pattern, meaning that the full battens are 50 mm x 50 mm cross-section at 50 mm intervalls - giving 50 mm x 50 mm holes. The half-battens are 25 mm x 50 mm and fit into appropriate notches of the full battens. Much bigger holes than this would be difficult to walk on, particularly with bare feet.

[Ferit]

Hi wefalck;

The problem is how to know the approach during 1600's...

Were there only squares (equals on the timbers and the spaces) or rectangles?

 

And IMO the gratings have to provide to walk safely on it and to pass the light to the lower deck. Precision balance...

Edited February 22, 2018 by Ferit KUTLU

[wefalck]

As the size of their feet would have been approximately the same as today, the physiological-technical challenge is the same. Any hole much bigger than about half the width(!) of a foot would not be safe to walk on (even considering that the ideas of safety where somewhat different in the 17th century). Then the battens have to be strong enough to support one or more men not just resting but perhaps jumping up and down on it. So, this frames to some extend the physical possibilities.

 

It could also be a question of the location of the grating, i.e. whether if covers a space needed for working the sails or guns or ... or whether it is in a location with normally no traffic.

[G. Delacroix]

Hello,

 

If it can help you, in France in the 1720s, gratings have spacing of 2 inches French to 2 inches 1/2. (54 à 68 mm)
The ledge, placed across the ship has the same dimensions in square.
The cross batten, placed along the ship, has the same width, but is 1/2 inch thick. (13,5 mm)
The gratings have the same curvature as the deck or sometimes an extra 1 1/2 inch. (40 mm)
I think English dimensions should be close.

 

GD

[JerseyCity Frankie]

I think a good rule of thumb is: if you have the slightest beginnings of glimmers of doubt concerning SCALE on a ship model kt supplied components?You are likely well justified in your skepticism. The challenges faced by manufacturers of supplying grating material for every scale represented by their range of products is going to make it more likely the material they provide you with was chosen for its price and availability rather than its actual scale. The One Size Fits All mentality will win out.  But I’ve found gratings on actual ships to vary in hole-size anywhere from about 6” down to 1”. Sometimes perfectly joined and other times very crudely cobbled together.