Jump to content

Cutting the curved strips neatly


Recommended Posts

 

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.

 

santa308.jpg.8cbd162f9a606cf2894da9731a20dc37.jpgsanta307.jpg.8061b0f9838637a8e39f58bd44237bdf.jpg

 

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.

 

santa416.jpg.b41e0a71fb577c2b59cc6a15abb5d91f.jpg

 

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.

 

g02.jpg.2bbd60e4830cfcfb2bae1a3e4363ad29.jpg

 

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

 

k85.jpg.3f5033758d6ce2c5161ae4d2ceccd208.jpgk86.jpg.b49c6c5d4259d462c67e0e0a8bc4f007.jpg

 

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

 

edge2.jpg.c7e4a68dc6528017351cd680cd56a53c.jpg

 

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

 

edge.gif.4dbbe9a7cd1b29f4726ce49a9f0969b2.gif

 

It is a very simple method.

 

edge3.jpg.67538da871dcd5d36394c296f62d456d.jpg

 

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.

 

edge4.jpg.7adb0e4aebf63b056b636da95954a323.jpg

 

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

 

edge5.jpg.b513939645f5b4897ac24e932dafe038.jpg

 

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

 

edge6.jpg.c58300f03f9d63d99982071888e20c1d.jpg

 

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

 

edge7.jpg.1d67f20f6f5ee8fdb8f81a65f9efeedf.jpg

 

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. ;) 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

wefalck

 

panta rhei - Everything is in flux

 

 

M-et-M-72.jpg  Banner-AKHS-72.jpg  Banner-AAMM-72.jpg  ImagoOrbis-72.jpg
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...