Recommended pins for planking?

[Capella]

I'd appreciate it if you guys could offer suggestions on methods of pinning planks to bulkheads to hold while the glue dries. I'd imagine they'd have to be very thin pins - not the "bulletin board" pins from the office - so they don't split the planks or make ghastly-large holes.

 

Also, when planking the second layer, is pinning recommended - especially if the hull will not be painted?

 

Thanks!

[Oldsalt1950]

If you are going to pin your planks as opposed to using clamps, Use the same pins that model railroaders use to secure their track to ties. There are a number of sizes, and your best bet in purchasing them is Age of Sails, you can either put them in using a pair of needle nose pliers or a pin pusher. I use clamps, and do all the hull planking before putting the deck planking on. Hope this helps.

 

Jim

 

[GrandpaPhil]

I use sewing pins.

[Capella]

@Oldsalt1950  what are my options regarding clamps?

 

Thanks!

[Oldsalt1950]

There are all kinds and sizes of clamps available, take a look on Amazon. You can never have too many clamps!

 

Jim

 

[allanyed]

If you pre-shape the plank by spiling or heat and edge bending, finger pressure and PVA (or CA if you choose) for less than a minute is all you need MOST of the time.   Clamps certainly come into play at times, but if the plank is shaped beforehand, pins and clamps are not usually needed.  Scale matters as well.  If you are building at 1:48, the pin hole should be the same as a trennal, about 0.03".  At 1:96 it would be 0.015.  Trennals would then fill the hole, but at scales smaller than 1:64, they are extremely difficullt to make to scale, even using bamboo.  

 

Allan

[Jim Rogers]

I use these available from Micro Mart. They work great.

[acaron41120]

Agree. I have 3 sets of those. Helps to predrill the hole in the bulkhead just smaller than the nail.

 

Jim...I have the same building jig. Works fabulous. I guess when someone comes to your workshop they enter "Mister Roger's neighborhood!" 

Edited April 19, 2023 by acaron41120

[Cathead]

I've never used pins to plank a hull. You can buy or bash all sorts of useful clamps that do the trick without compromising the plank.

[Toolmaker]

Although I have changed my methods over previous builds, these sort of pins can help with second planking as you are not putting them into the finish planks;

 

regards

 

Paul

[mtaylor]

I find there's no hard/fast rules on this.  Sometimes I use T-pins, other times clamps similar to what's been shown.   It all depends on if it's double planking or single planking. I've even used tape to hold planks in place. If I use a pin on the visible plank (outer one on double or if it's the only layer and need use a pin, then the holes get filed with a bit sawdust and glue.   

 

I have found that spilling and pre-bending to fit do save a lot of aggravation and extra work.  See the planking tutorials on how to do this.