bryanc Posted February 27, 2015 Share #1 Posted February 27, 2015 Hi, I'm seeking advice regarding the preferred way of tapering masts and spars etc. Are spokeshaves a sensible option, and if so where (in the UK) is the best place to acquire them? Any other methods used by members? Bryan Quote Completed build Caronada Francese Completed build Posto di Combattimanto Current build Navio Rayo - Puesto de Combate Current build HMS Bounty Completed build HMS Victory Cross Section Completed build HM Brig "Supply" Completed build The Lady Nelson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robnbill Posted February 27, 2015 Share #2 Posted February 27, 2015 You would need to use a very small spokeshave. There are a number of techniques that can be used to round the masts. One is to flatten the sides evenly to the correct diameter, then round the corners out. Another method is to turn the dowel in a drill or lathe and use files and sandpaper to bring them down. This is the method that I use. Of course, for many masts and spars, you end up doing a bit of all of the methods since there are flattened sections of the spar and other areas where it tapers down to toothpicks. I would suggest that you go to the hardware store and purchase dowels slightly larger than you need and start experimenting with the various methods until you find the one that works best for you. This will also give you spare material should you break one. If you do a search of this forum using key words you will find examples of all of the above and more. geoff, popeye2sea, IgorSky and 1 other 4 Quote Bill Chantilly, VA Its not the size of the ship, but the bore of the cannon! Current Build: Scratch Build Brig Eagle Completed Build Log: USS Constitution - Mamoli Completed Build Gallery: USS Constitution - Mamoli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteM Posted February 27, 2015 Share #3 Posted February 27, 2015 Hi, I'd use a block plane preferably a low-angle model. Have a look on the AxminsterUK website. Steer clear of anything made in china though. bryanc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druxey Posted February 27, 2015 Share #4 Posted February 27, 2015 A jig to hold the square and tapered blank at 45 degrees, a small plane or chisel to make it eight-sided, then sandpaper to round is the most reliable way. I use a very well honed chisel, bevel side down, myself. grsjax, Jaxboat, Dan Vadas and 2 others 5 Quote Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series http://trafalgar.tv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryanc Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted February 28, 2015 Thanks guys, all welcome suggestions, but I've already started with my own typically rough and ready method. I've clamped my cordless Dremel 7700 securely in a vice with a sander drum in the chuck and, at low speed, wearing safety specs, moved and rotated the spars etc delicately across the drum. Its probably not a very health & safety accredited method and great care has to be taken, but its done a fair job. The spars will now be finished with sandpaper. robnbill 1 Quote Completed build Caronada Francese Completed build Posto di Combattimanto Current build Navio Rayo - Puesto de Combate Current build HMS Bounty Completed build HMS Victory Cross Section Completed build HM Brig "Supply" Completed build The Lady Nelson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exwafoo Posted March 2, 2015 Share #6 Posted March 2, 2015 There's an article in the attached e-magazine I downloaded a number of years ago. It was free without registration, so I don't think there should be any problems with attaching it, especially as the site has now closed. Its in a 'booklet' format, so you have to go 'page by page. It may be of use Al 001_Journal.pdf zoly99sask and sonicmcdude 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff Posted March 2, 2015 Share #7 Posted March 2, 2015 Hi Bryan, I see you live in Buxton, are Tabwell tools in Bakewell still in business ? If so you could try there for a spokeshave. personally I use a mini lathe & sandpaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgbot Posted March 2, 2015 Share #8 Posted March 2, 2015 Use a small block plane and shape the spar then I put in a mototool and with sandpaper smooth it out this works for me. David B Quote Work in progress USS Maine in cardstock.http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/7446-uss-maine-by-dgbot-hmv-card/#entry220003 Completed Blockade runner Teazer http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/6063-blockade-runner-teazer-by-dgbot-card-stock/#entry175967 Completed The Monitor Lehigh http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/6920-the-monitor-lehigh-by-dgbot-card-model/#entry203680 Completed Kingston Class MCVD http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/forum/10-kit-build-logs-in-progress/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitzilla Posted March 12, 2015 Share #9 Posted March 12, 2015 (edited) I would suggest that you go to the hardware store and purchase dowels slightly larger than you need and start experimenting with the various methods until you find the one that works best for you. This will also give you spare material should you break one. I'm using this practice method myself right now to get down a technique. Home Depot has dowels in the mouldings section that are the exact right sizes for masts and spars, and are perfect practice material. For those that do want to go with block planes or spokeshaves, Lee Valley has a particularly fine collection of mini wood-shaping tools perfect for working with small dowels and wood shapes. http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=70138&cat=1,41182 Edited March 12, 2015 by Kevin M thibaultron and Jack12477 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tadeusz43 Posted March 12, 2015 Share #10 Posted March 12, 2015 Hi, Mast and yards tapering with use drill or power screwdriver and sander.It's work!Tadeusz dgbot, Brian the extraordinaire and thibaultron 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack12477 Posted March 12, 2015 Share #11 Posted March 12, 2015 For those that do want to go with block planes or spokeshaves, Lee Valley has a particularly fine collection of mini wood-shaping tools perfect for working with small dowels and wood shapes. http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=70138&cat=1,41182 I have that exact set and they work well. Very well sharpened also. Quote Jack "No one is as smart as all of us" - Is ón cheann a thagann an cheird The craft comes from the head --------------------------------------------- Current build: US Constellation Non-ship builds: USCG UH-65A Dolphin M16 Multi-gun motor carriage diorama M4A3 Sherman Tanks dioramas 1936-1939 Mercedes Benz 540K 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II JSDF Light Armor Vehicle Figures: The Last Bridge: Raider Reaper Edge of Universe: Ianis The Last Bridge: Vadim with cart Completed build log(s): 18th Century Longboat , Marie Jeanne, Willie L Bennett 1888 50 ft Gaff-rigged Ice Yacht Scratch Build The Sullivans (DD 537) Liberty Ship SS John W Brown USS England (DE 635), Artesania Latina Titanic Lifeboat Gallery: Swift , Armed Virginia Sloop, Santisima Trinidad Captain's Launch , 18th Century Longboat , Marie Jeanne Other: Rhinebeck Aerodrome Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbshan Posted March 12, 2015 Share #12 Posted March 12, 2015 (edited) There's an article in the attached e-magazine I downloaded a number of years ago. It was free without registration, so I don't think there should be any problems with attaching it, especially as the site has now closed. Its in a 'booklet' format, so you have to go 'page by page. It may be of use Al The group isn't defunct. The Journal, now titled 'Warships to Workboats' is available at http://modelshipwrights.wikispaces.com/W2W_Archives though I don't think the very first one or two are there. The purpose of the Journal is to spread information. Please give the URL if you post anything, so more people can learn about the existence of this free, downloadable journal. Please also be aware that some of our authors make their living through their writing so don't publish anything from the Journal without permission as the authors own any copyright, not the Journal. At least two of our authors are members here also. Edited March 12, 2015 by jbshan zoly99sask 1 Quote Joel Sanborn http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/9953-lexington-by-jbshan-dlumberyard-164-from-the-seaways-practicum-by-clay-feldman/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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