Cutting the curved strips neatly

[modeller_masa]

 

As a beginner modeller, I have been struggled with hull planking. One of my main issues was shaping a clear and sharp planking line like in the above picture.

 

 

When I built a deck planking, I found that kits from some manufacturers or decades old kits had poor quality strips that had different wide. It is the main reason that the deck planking becomes ugly.

 

 

Before I began a project, I selected same width and same color strips from a kit. Sanding paper or miniature plane were also good solutions to adjust the width of strips. The result was great, and I had no dissatisfaction with the deck planking.

 

 

However, the 'curved' strips gave me a headache.

 

 

I read some instructions and tried tools such as French curves, but they were time consuming or not effective in my opinion.

 

 

I would say that I finally found a solution to the curved edge after years of contemplation.

 

 

It is a very simple method.

 

 

I used 3mm line tape. ( 1/8 inch whiteboard tape? ) The tape is thicker than the Tamiya or 3M 244 masking tape. I would say that 5mm or 1/4 inch wide tape isn't good for making a curved line, and 2mm or 1/16 inch tape is too narrow for this job. In addition, dark colors such as red or blue are better than lighter colors such as white and yellow.

 

 

I attached the second plank strip. I used water and a digital temperature controlled leatherwork iron. 

 

 

This method consumes lots of line tape, but saves more time.

 

 

I didn't push the blade hard. A weaker force made me control well against the wood grain.

 

 

It was quite fun and fast to compare with my old process. Of course, the result was exceptional. I found almost no gaps between the planks.

 

I use the same technique on the other models, such as the water slide decal on plastic kits. There should be a ton of ways to use masking tape beyond my imagination.  

[wefalck]

I think this is a very good idea to transfer the curve of a plank to another one, sort of a parallel marking out tool that boat-builders use for the same purpose. I'll have keep that in mind for my next project, where I will have to handle 2 mm wide planks.