Steaming ply- good idea or not?

Started by octman
11 replies 5 likes 0 followers Last activity: 9 years ago
#12

Steaming ply- good idea or not?

So glad they worked for you, have been back to PB site and added link to all folders on OneDrive as well as google+, just to cover all the bases. Thanks for the idea 😁. Most of her cargo LCAs and LCMs and launch ramps, I did in mainly plastic card, bar the Keel of the LCAs were constructed in balsa, for ease. One or two of the LCAs had plywood sides & deck, but which even I couldn't say 😋
#11

Steaming ply- good idea or not?

Excellent, worked perfectly 👍
You sure put a lot of work and detail into her! Hats off! 😉
Doug 😎
Young at heart 😉 Slightly older in other places.😊 Cheers Doug
#10

Steaming ply- good idea or not?

Thanks for info on Damen Schelde, Doug note to self must add or change links on my PB site, this should take you to build pictures on OneDrive https://1drv.ms/f/s!ArUthhmpL1t8goVoucBJtMG1w6NKVw and this will take you hopefully to other folders relating to the ships Princess Beatrix, HMS Queen (Koningin) Emma, and other models of them - https://1drv.ms/f/s!ArUthhmpL1t8grwWEER4GPQQ5TvNVA Fingers cross this works 😎
Liked by RNinMunich
#9

Steaming ply- good idea or not?

Hi Peter, De Schelde is now part of the 'Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS)' group. http://www.schelde.com/
Since I don't have (and don't want!) a Google account I can't access your build photos 🤔 Would love to see them here in a Build Blog!😉
I know what you mean about 'never finished'! I first built my H class 1936 destroyer HMS Hotspur when I was about 14, I'm now 65, and she's currently undergoing about her 4th refit / rebuild, each time with more modern materials and electronics. in the old days I had to build a lot of electronics myself; speed controller, relay switching board etc. All good fun 😉 For Hotspur's funnel I used a similar technique to you, with 0.5mm 3ply. The original version was done with 1/32 balsa sheet! Cheers Doug 😎
Young at heart 😉 Slightly older in other places.😊 Cheers Doug
#8

Steaming ply- good idea or not?

Glad you like my efforts RNinMunich, here and on the internet, the longer link in your post, still researching HMS Princess Beatrix even know the model is built, in the process of changing her railings, from plastic to brass. I found De Schelde her, builder very helpful even sent me a 50th scale drawings of her hull, too late in the build to convert my hull shape, to match, but she turned out to be a very stable boat in the long run. Did offer them some picture of her when completed, but got no responce.
Liked by RNinMunich
#7

Steaming ply- good idea or not?

Interesting subject 👍
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Princess_Beatrix

and even more interesting story behind her build! 😉
https://sites.google.com/site/hmsprincessbeatrix/httpssitesgooglecomsitehmsprincessbeatrixhttpssitesgooglecomsitehmsprincessbeatrixScratch-built-Model-of-HMS-Princess-Beatrix
Good basis for a (retrospective!) build blog here?? 😉

I know the yard where she was built; was there several times in the last 20 years to discuss comms systems for new designs.
Cheers Doug 😎
Young at heart 😉 Slightly older in other places.😊 Cheers Doug
Liked by Peter47
#6

Steaming ply- good idea or not?

Hi Octoman, I usual soak until pliant enough, then bend and clamp over a former, leaving over night same as others have suggested then glue and clamp to prepared formers, I personally have not tried steaming them. I added some pictures of a Funnel I made for my HMS Princess Beatrix model, as you an see it takes quite a curve with out splitting. :-P
Liked by RNinMunich
#5

Steaming ply- good idea or not?

Thanks for all the replies. I had forgotten all about the rolling and scoring techniques-well over 35 years since my last model boat build. I have now rolled a couple of small parts and successfully fitted them, so thanks. Haven't worked on the transom yet but the curve is not very great so I think I will giving the scoring method a go.

Chris
#4

Steaming ply- good idea or not?

Hi Chris
Depends on how long you steam for. As has been suggested try on a scrap piece to find the best length of time to steam. You need to aim for the ply to be just soft enough to follow the curve you require then clamp over a former and allow to dry,
Sorry but it really is trial and error.
Sometimes it is better to use a solid infill and sand to shape for very sharp curves.
please let us know how you fare with the process
Dave
Live long and prosper

Dave
#3

Steaming ply- good idea or not?

But the question is- will the steaming de-laminate the ply

If you have a bit of scrap you can try.

Failing that I suggest wet with a sponge and bend in clamps overnight..
#2

Steaming ply- good idea or not?

Hi Chris, A way is to score the back of the piece to be curved with a sharp blade, depending on the thickness of the ply. Also lay a few pieces of kitchen paper on a flat surface and go over the piece with a rolling pin pressing hard to get a curve into the ply.

Wetting the ply, test some scrap ply and see if it delaminates, if not wet it and put it round a former such as a paint can hold it with bands or straps until dry.

Hope this helps

Mark
Etherow Model Boat Club
Liked by RNinMunich
#1

Steaming ply- good idea or not?

The boat I am constructing at the moment, Aeronaut Jenny, requires a few ply parts to be installed that need to be curved. These are not the hull sheeting etc as that is thin enough to curve without problems, but the transom and a few other small parts also need to be curved slightly to fit. I could glue these parts in place using clamps etc to force them into the correct shape, or steam them. But the question is- will the steaming de-laminate the ply. The other parts on the boat that I have steamed, the stringers, are not ply so there was no problem there.

Chris

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