Proportional Dividers and Ticking of the hull

[Wawona59]

Is there any advantage of using proportional dividers for planking compared to using a tick strip and planking fan?  Does anyone on MSW use proportional dividers?

 

[wefalck]

I have a pair, but I think a ‘tick-strip’ is safer and easy to make on the computer.

[AJohnson]

15 hours ago, Wawona59 said:

Is there any advantage of using proportional dividers for planking compared to using a tick strip and planking fan?  Does anyone on MSW use proportional dividers?

 

I have just been trying them out on my current build; my last post today discusses their use.  I would say in effort/time and precision there is nothing between them, There are advantages to having both in your arsenal, a matter of personal choice really.

[mtaylor]

I have to agree with both the above comments.   At least try both out and see which you are more comfortable with.  One can find  dividers at a very reasonable cost to experiment with. If you find you don't like the results, they can be sold.   I have a bow compass that can be used similarly to dividers but seldom use it.

[Dziadeczek]

I have and use my proportional dividers throughout the years, and they work well, provided that you first properly calibrate them.

For that, get a precise set with sharp and repositionable legs (like pins). Set them into, say 1:3 scale, and make sure that the shorter legs mark a distance exactly 3 times smaller than the longer ones. If not, regulate the legs appropriately.

My set is a German one I bought from Micro Mark, like this one:  Proportional Divider – Micro-Mark

(A good set is not going to be cheap, but it will serve you well. Don't get cheap ones that look like toys! Mine at that time were 3 times cheaper than the current price. Well... blame it on progress, I guess...)

Edited October 27 by Dziadeczek

[Jim Lad]

I've always used proportional dividers - but only because I've always used them, not because I'm convinced that they're better.

 

John

[paul ron]

 

[wefalck]

It probably depends also on the size of model one is working on and on the size of the proportional dividers. I found mine just too unwieldy for my small models.

 

If you insist on the proportional dividers, you also divide the paper strips with them - you have to use the paper strip anyway to measure the total circumference of the frame.

[GGibson]

The video paul ron posted helps in understanding how the proportional divider would work in a larger scale than what we are doing with model ships at anything from 1:64 to 1:96 scales, for example.  I love seeing new tools being displayed (I'm a sucker for new tools) but would like to see an example of how the proportional divider would be used for something like our planking tasks. 

 

EDIT:  I read the instructions on the MicroMark link regarding scale discussion and that, along with Wefalck's comments below, helps understand better how it would be used in our world.  Thanks!...

Edited October 27 by GGibson

[wefalck]

That would be the main use, really. You take off the circumference of a frame e.g. with a narrow strip of paper, then you set the dividers to the number of planks you need, take with the long end the total length and, voilà you got the width of the planks at the short end. You then can transfer this to the hull directly or mark it on the paper strip.

 

Beware, this is in fact a chain-measurement and any individual error at each marking off adds up. Normally, in engineering this is avoided. That is why I would do this on a computer and print out the strips for each frame.

 

[Dziadeczek]

I don't remember the source of this drawing, but in a nutshell, it shows how to use proportional dividers for planking of a model.

You take the total space between the wale (in this case) and the batten below - with the longer legs and you get the width of a plank with the shorter ones - for ech frame separately.

For a lower plank you have to change the setting on the dividers to a lower number. And continue the same...

Edited October 28 by Dziadeczek

[paul ron]

i never used these untill i saw a post on another modeling site, ships of scale.

its not the kind of tool you need or heard of unless you knew someone with them. so of course i had to have one.

 

i saw they can be used many different ways. i tried posting the link to a nice thread on how to use them but i cant post the link here, it gets rejected. im sure there are many instructional videos.

 

 

Edited October 27 by paul ron

[Wawona59]

Many thanks to all the MSW members who responded to my post.  Those videos were very helpful and Dziadecaek's the diagram in post #11 is spot on for my question.  I guess it really comes down to personal preference.  I have a set of 8" West German dividers that I've never really used a lot.  I'll start experimenting with these.  Since 99% of my modeling is with hand tools (quality ones) I just like the idea of using the dividers.  It comes down to' "The modeler who dies with the most hand tools, wins."  LOL

 

Thank you all for your input.  It is very helpful.