Fair-a-Frame

[Dave_E]

Hi All,

 

Model Expo has the USS Rattlesnake I'm ready to purchase, and they have a big kit that includes the "fair-a-frame", a plank bender and a 10 bottle set of paints for the ship. Anyone have experience with the fair-a-frame? I

[mtaylor]

I had one similar to it a long time ago that was about 36" inches long.   Used it once.  

[DennisL]

Hi Dave,

I bought a fair a frame from model expo last year.  I hate to speak ill of any company's product but I think it is a waste of money. The hardware is poor and the unit does not work very well.  You would be best served by building your own version.

Dennis

[mtaylor]

18 hours ago, DennisL said:

Hi Dave,

I bought a fair a frame from model expo last year.  I hate to speak ill of any company's product but I think it is a waste of money. The hardware is poor and the unit does not work very well.  You would be best served by building your own version.

Dennis

To add to what Dennis said, it's not hard to make your own version either.    You can make it as simple or as complex as you want it.  There's plenty of examples here on MSW especially in the scratch area.

[Dave_E]

Thanks Guys,

 

I’m kind of wondering is it necessary at all? I see a ton of ships made without a dock… I put the Lady together without one. Are larger ships (even if they are still 1:64) more susceptible to frame misfair? I’ve seen some pretty ingenious methods here on MSW. 

 

 

Edited March 11, 2022 by Dave_E

[James H]

Instead of Fair-a-Frame, just consider burning your money. 

 

A total waste of time. 

[Moonbug]

1 hour ago, James H said:

just consider burning your money

 

   I did that once @James H - here in America we call that "a divorce."   

 

 

Edited March 12, 2022 by Moonbug

[Seamus107]

I like to use Lego blocks when gluing up frames.  They are perfect right angles, can be assembled into jigs of various configurations, have good surfaces for clamping, and are resistant to wood glue.  For my current model, I glued 28 frames to a false keel, starting at the bow and working toward the stern, one at a time, moving the Lego jig along as I went. Works well for me.

 

james

Maine

 

[Dave_E]

55 minutes ago, Jnorton1946 said:

I like to use Lego blocks when gluing up frames.  They are perfect right angles, can be assembled into jigs of various configurations, have good surfaces for clamping, and are resistant to wood glue.  For my current model, I glued 28 frames to a false keel, starting at the bow and working toward the stern, one at a time, moving the Lego jig along as I went. Works well for me.

 

james

Maine

 

I'm on the hunt for a basic lego set before I start!!! Cool Man! 😎

[Gaetan Bordeleau]

On 3/10/2022 at 6:44 PM, Dave_E said:

Anyone have experience with the fair-a-frame?

I think you ask yourself the wrong question.

Where could I find good tools for the model ship maker?

The first place you could try are the jewelry tools.

[Dave_E]

2 hours ago, Gaetan Bordeleau said:

I think you ask yourself the wrong question.

Where could I find good tools for the model ship maker?

The first place you could try are the jewelry tools.

I have many, in fact most of what I have seen here on the forum. That will soon include Lego blocks. 😁 As a newb ship builder, doing my research, I run across all these “special tools”. That’s why I bring them to the forum, because I know I will get the answers and advice I need! Thank you all! 👍😀

[glbarlow]

Plus with Model Expo the paint is probably dried out. Why buy an old design when Vanguard has such nice new ones.

[No Idea]

I have seen so many so called specialist ship building tools since starting this hobby.  I would now say that 80% are a complete waste of money and do not help our hobby in any way.  In fact I believe that many of these tools put new builders off for life when they do not do what they say on the box.

 

These things are so easy to make and making them is part of what we do as ship builders - just my limited thoughts.

[Oldsalt1950]

With a little modification, this will do exactly what it is designed to, that is hold the keel and allow you to square the bulkheads. I modified mine at no additional cost, just used some scrap pieces to hold the clamps tight to the base board. 

[grsjax]

I have had a fair-a-frame for several years and have used it with no problems.  It is cheaply made but if you take care to assemble it with everything fair it works ok.  Only problem I have had is that it isn't long enough for some models.

The comments about building your own fair-a-frame tool are good ones.  It isn't complicated and you can make it anyway you want.

[Jim Rogers]

The Hobby Zone building slip is a much better option. I had a fair a frame and replaced it with this.

[CaptnBirdseye]

I’d second the one from Hobbyzone. I have both the large and small building slip from them, but rarely use the smaller. The larger is quite expensive but a worthy investment