Making barrels with individual staves plus what to use for iron hoops

[TK1]

Hi all,

 

Does anyone have info or instructions on making model barrels from individual staves, made from glued-up wedges of wood?

 

I recall seeing a tutorial on a scale model horse-drawn wagon forum (now defunct) many years ago.  I'm sure it was using a calculation to divide a circle into the required number of staves, then working out the angle to rip these on a mini tablesaw.  They were then glued up and turned on a lathe.  Making the barrel shape naturally gave the 'staves' a narrow top and bottom.  Looked quite convincing, and I'd like to try this vs the laminated staves on a form.  

 

I plan to try and work it out myself, but maths isn't my strong point so wondered if anyone had tried this or knew of a tutorial?  A search here and on google didn't turn up anything.  Will share if I work it out!

 

Second, maybe easier question - what's best for the iron hoops?  Given the shape, I imagine brass  would be hard to get the flare(?) to lie flat.  Perhaps black lining tape or similar?  Open to ideas 🙂

 

Thanks,
Darren

 

[Jaager]

6 minutes ago, TK1 said:

what's best for the iron hoops?

Paper?

 

I did a Google search just now for barrel making plans and a lot came up.

[MikeR]

Hello TK1

For my model of the Bluenose, these are the barrels I made.

I used a Byrnes table saw and tilt table to cut 6 strips.  The material was 24" X 4" X 1/4"  I set the tilt table to 9 degrees and cut the strips. I ran the wood through the saw and cut 1 side of the barrel stave then I turned the wood over and advanced the saw fence 3/32" then cut the other side of the barrel stave.   After I cut the 6 strips I used a black magic marker to color one side of each strip.  Then I cut the strips into manageable 6" lengths and glued groups of 5 strips together.  After the glue was set I glued 4 of the groups together to make 1 cylinder.  I then used my lathe to shape the barrels, and cut the ends of the barrel to install a top and bottom.  For the barrel hoops I used copper tape which I cut to 1/16"widths, and then liver of sulfur to blacken the copper bands.

MikeR

[MikeR]

TK1

Depending on the age or era of the model you can use wooden hoops.  I used thin strips soaked in water to make these hoops.

MikeR

[allanyed]

22 minutes ago, MikeR said:

I used thin strips soaked in water to make these hoops.

Hi MIke

These look very well done.  What kind of wood did you use for the hoops?

Allan

[MikeR]

Allan

The barrels and hoops pictured above were made out of dogwood.  I also have made them out of walnut and maple.

MikeR

[allanyed]

40 minutes ago, MikeR said:

The barrels and hoops pictured above were made out of dogwood.

This is a new one for me.   Is the wood in the photo stained or is that the natural color?   Any other applications for dogwood that you would recommend?

Thanks!

Allan

[MikeR]

Allan

Several years ago 90% of the dogwood trees in my area died off.  I cut down several trees in my yard and I have been using the wood for my models.  It is a hardwood that cuts and sands and keeps sharp angles very nicely. It turns great in a lathe also.   The color of the barrel is off do to the lighting.  The bluenose deck above is the color of the dogwood.

MikeR

[allanyed]

Thanks Mark,

I love dogwoods and it is a shame about the die off in your area,  On the plus side it appears you have a nice supply of a wood that is working well!

Allan

[TK1]

On 7/29/2023 at 2:41 AM, MikeR said:

Hello TK1

For my model of the Bluenose, these are the barrels I made.

I used a Byrnes table saw and tilt table to cut 6 strips.  The material was 24" X 4" X 1/4"  I set the tilt table to 9 degrees and cut the strips. I ran the wood through the saw and cut 1 side of the barrel stave then I turned the wood over and advanced the saw fence 3/32" then cut the other side of the barrel stave.   After I cut the 6 strips I used a black magic marker to color one side of each strip.  Then I cut the strips into manageable 6" lengths and glued groups of 5 strips together.  After the glue was set I glued 4 of the groups together to make 1 cylinder.  I then used my lathe to shape the barrels, and cut the ends of the barrel to install a top and bottom.  For the barrel hoops I used copper tape which I cut to 1/16"widths, and then liver of sulfur to blacken the copper bands.

MikeR

 

 

Thanks Mike, that's the sort of thing I was after.  Your barrels look excellent so will try your method out.

 

Cheers,
Darren