Holding the Unplanked Ship

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

I am ready to plank my ship which has no solid frame knockouts or strong back.  Also, it has a false deck in place which is not strong enough to attach any kind of holding rod or device. I think the stem and stern are not strong enough to use. 
 

Does anyone have experience or ideas?
 

 

[ccoyle]

I'm not clear on what you are asking, and I don't know what is meant by "frame knockouts or strong back." What kit are you working on, and can you post a picture.

 

BTW, I have completed four POB hulls and never used a keel clamp or building board -- have always just held the hull in my lap while I worked (and tempted to add "and I have the scars to prove it," but actually I've never really had much trouble).

[Osmosis]

You will find the devices used to hold a hull while planking range from the fanciest store bought and home made clamping devices (some made custom for only one type of ship) to an old dirty pillow. Like most things in this hobby it all depends on you budget and what you are comfortable with.

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

1 hour ago, ccoyle said:

I'm not clear on what you are asking, and I don't know what is meant by "frame knockouts or strong back." What kit are you working on, and can you post a picture.

 

BTW, I have completed four POB hulls and never used a keel clamp or building board -- have always just held the hull in my lap while I worked (and tempted to add "and I have the scars to prove it," but actually I've never really had much trouble).

A previous build, Model Shipways Armed Longboat, had frames which were like shown below. 
My current build, Dusek Gokstad has neither the frame centers intact (to be removed or knocked out later) or the attached “plank” or “strong-back” running from stem to stern. 

[ccoyle]

Ah, now I see. We have a number of completed Viking longboat builds in the kit build logs section, some quite recent. Try browsing them to see if those modelers made any suggestions.

[Dr PS - Paul Schulze]

1 hour ago, Osmosis said:

You will find the devices used to hold a hull while planking range from the fanciest store bought and home made clamping devices (some made custom for only one type of ship) to an old dirty pillow. Like most things in this hobby it all depends on you budget and what you are comfortable with.

The pillow approach gives me an idea. I think a homemade “bean bag” would work well. Thanks 😎