Masts to glue or not to glue

[Andre1967]

Hi all, i am getting close to the point where i need to fit the masts permanantly to my deagostini victory, the bow sprit is glued in postion as per instructions, but it says to just fit the masts[no glue] and the rigging will keep in place. I have seen videos on you tube where masts are glued in place so im a little confused as to what to do as this is my first model. Rigging is a bit scary and i need to do the shrouds soon. Any guidance most appreciated thanks

[Jim Rogers]

The shrouds will hold the masts in place.

 

[bogeygolpher]

I really think it is a personal decision.  I never did glue the masts, I felt as if I needed some flexibility when applying the rigging.  Once the rigging is secured the mast was never going to move if I did the rigging correctly.  As to what was done on real ships, I have no idea.

 

Paul

[stm]

Not sure what size model you are building, but to recommend not gluing mast in place to me is not the right advise.  I've always worked it so that I have all the mast, spars, and blocks assembled first, then I would dry fit them into the holes established in the deck. This would act as a holder to work on various rigging like footropes, etc... After that I would glue them into position. Leaving them unglued would allow them to move about, be it very small, but enough to make the rigging lines difficult to align properly. 

 

Scott

[allanyed]

If the mast is set into a square hole in a corresponding mast step, the rigging will hold everything in place.  If there is no such step and the mast can rotate, gluing is a good idea.   While setting up the rigging, unless secured in some way, be it the square mortice in the step or glue, the mast may get turned a bit and the cross trees and platforms will not be square to the keel as they should be.  

Allan

[Gregory]

15 minutes ago, allanyed said:

If the mast is set into a square hole in a corresponding mast step,

That sounds like something to keep in mind for the next kit.  I have never seen a kit include a square step, or instructions for squaring the base of the mast, but it would be easy to do.

[Andre1967]

Hi thanks guys, its 1/84 victory round masts, i am just doing the pendants, but once this is done i will glue them for the shrouds and ratlines. Thanks alot for the advice

[stm]

For clarification , as I was typing my opinion to your question no one had responded yet. When I mentioned that not gluing the mast was not the best advice I was referring to the directions from the instructions. Not to the two individuals that beat me to the draw of the submit reply.  As individual hobbyist/artist we have are own way of doing things that work best for us. 

 

In simple terms, real ships mast are predominately held in place from the forces of gravity and friction acting on the mast tonnage, steps, wedges, and the forces exerted by the standard rigging.

 

Scott 

[GrandpaPhil]

I usually glue mine.  That’s just my personal choice.

[kurtvd19]

If you ever have to repair the model or repair a model made by another you will wish the masts have not been glued in place.

[Gregory]

A little bit of silicone caulk/adhesive on the base of the mast will give you a flexible non permanent joint..