Making Beaded Moldings

[CharlieZardoz]

Greetings all!  I am a beginner in the field of wooden ship modeling (though I have some experience through my grandfather who did a scratch build Santa Maria years back).  My "noob" question is about beaded moldings and for clarity I took a few photo's off the Sultana Practicum (which I plan to start building shortly and very excited about).  I'm trying to determine the best method to make them, tools etc. or even better if any model sites sell beaded molding strips already complete in respective scale.  Thank you all and appreciate the learned advice.

 

Charlie 

[CharlieZardoz]

BTW the practicum states he bought the piece at a hobby shop

[Chuck]

You can unfortunately not buy the beaded molding any longer.  That was a long time ago that I bought those.   Basically you need to create a profile in a piece of sheet brass.or a straight razor.  See below...its pretty clear.  There are many ways to create the profile...needle files,  dremel cut off wheel etc.   I am sure others will chime in here.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chuck

[GuntherMT]

What do you use to cut such fine (small) shapes into the razor/scraper - just small files?  I've not been able to find files small enough for a lot of that detail, especially in a round shape.

[Chuck]

yes...i usually just use my cheap a small files because the edge will end up getting ruined over time.  I also use a small razor saw sometimes.  I prefer NOT to use the dremel.  This is what works for me but maybe others have different idea.  That file in the photo is the one I actually used.   The tip is quite small in diameter.    Careful slow deliberate strokes.  It takes a while.

 

Chuck

[GuntherMT]

Thanks Chuck.

[testazyk]

Thanks for this information.  Do you actually slice off  the scrap wood like with a  plane or is it more of a scratching and smoothing?  

[Chuck]

No it actually removed material.   If you use a soft wood it will not.  A soft wood will crush into shape.  But a hard wood actually scrapes bits from the strip.  You can sharpen the scraper edge carefully by filing on an angle.  This helps to remove wood as it scrapes.

[CharlieZardoz]

Thanks Chuck! The picture seems clear enough. Any recommendation for what woods might work best? I'm expecting this piece to be fairly small for the Sultana probably 1/16" Also best ways to keep the motion straight?

Edited October 13, 2014 by CharlieZardoz

[Jack12477]

Chuck, what thickness of brass do you recommend using to create the shaper ?

[druxey]

For small shapes, use escapement files (watchmakers' supplies or eBay). A piece of old hacksaw blade, softened by heating to cherry red and air cooled, makes an excellent and durable scraper.

 

Light cuts with little pressure to gradually form the moulding are best: heavy cuts will tend to wander.

Edited October 14, 2014 by druxey

[testazyk]

Thanks, Chuck!

[Perls]

Hi All,

 

Do you need to creat a burr on the cutting side like you do with scrapers?

 

Thanks,

Steve

[druxey]

The edge should be sharp enough to act as a scraper. It would be difficult to put an even burr on a tiny profile. If the scraper does get dull, hone the flat sides of it to restore the edges.

[Chuck]

Just as Druxey mentioned.   It takes practice but after doing a few it will get easier.   

 

Chuck

[Meredith]

Excellent info guys - thanks