Making lifeboat small mast for 1:200 Yamato

[Olaf]

Need suggestions how to make small masts for Yamato lifeboats. I think to use 0,2 wires to do this. What do you think guys? Anyone can give me some advice and tips please?

[allanyed]

What actual diameter do you need?   One idea that comes to mind if I am picturing this correctly, you can run bamboo through a draw plate to the largest diameter you need for the mast then taper as needed with sandpaper.  My preference is to start with bamboo skewers or chopsticks and split them to a workable size, then run them through the draw plate holes until I reach the diameter I need.

Allan

Edited February 20 by allanyed

[Olaf]

57 minutes ago, allanyed said:

What actual diameter do you need?   One idea that comes to mind if I am picturing this correctly in my mind, you can run bamboo through a draw plate to the largest diameter you need for the mast then taper as needed with sandpaper.  My preference is to start with bamboo skewers or chopsticks and split them to a workable size, then run them through the draw plate holes until I reach the diameter I need.

Allan

Thanks for replaying mate. I think I will try use first tooth picks. And use sandpaper make smaller diameter. Thanks for idea what can I use 😀. Will have fun with it.

[Roger Pellett]

Since you have posted this under metalworking it would seem that you are considering metal.  Metal, particularly brass can be an excellent choice for very small parts as grain is not a factor.  A piece of hard brass wire should work.

[Olaf]

6 minutes ago, Roger Pellett said:

Since you have posted this under metalworking it would seem that you are considering metal.  Metal, particularly brass can be an excellent choice for very small parts as grain is not a factor.  A piece of hard brass wire should work.

Thanks for advice. I think it will be best choice.

[Jaager]

On Amazon, a productive search term is "brass Welding Wire Rods".

[Toolmaker]

Certainly 0.4mm/0.020” sizes in straight brass wire are available as I use it myself. 

[Bill Hudson]

I use >020 brass wire in a spool.  Unwind the length you need and clamp one end in a vise and pull the pull the other end with pliers stretching it out some. It will straighten and harden the wire at the same time. 

 

Bill

[HumphreyG]

Another option would be phosphor bronze wire. It's a bit stiffer than brass, which can helpful at his diameter, and it still solders great.

 

You can buy it straightened. (There are probably other sources, but this is the one I am personally most familiar with.)

https://www.tichytraingroup.com/Shop/tabid/91/c/n_wire/Default.aspx

However I opted to buy it on a spool and straighten it. You get a fairly inexpensive wire straighting tool that does a decent job straighting the wire.

The pulling method mentioned above should also work, but does change the diameter a little and makes the wire stiffer (which can be good or bad).

[Bill Hudson]

Still at it. Progress slow yet. This time I added walnut gunnel trim.  Nothing like photos to show the screwups. Eventually it will clean up nicely. Looking ahead; what do I do for blocks? I have not calculated it out but at best guess 1/16" diameter on average. Same for cannon balls. Probably next stepwise to primer the hull to protect it from damage.

 

Bill