help with deck gratings - Page 2

peter22 · 08-04-2008

Hi Mark
thanks for your interest - the outside framework/center stiffener is 2mm in plan * 3mm deep. The holes are1.5mm square, formed by 1mm * ???deep [I would guess 2mm, but not critical as long as less than 3mm.
thank you again
peter22

**Bluewavestudios** · 08-04-2008

Hi Peter,

The idea I had is made from a simple series of straight long spars with a small notch at the required intervals in the top edge and to about 1/2 depth of the spar.

The cross spars are simply made the same but with the notches on the bottom edge where they would locate onto the notches on the long spars.

Ok you would have to make a few of them, but with some balsa strip & a fine square file...or a mini drill to speed things up a bit, you can do these easily.

Simply glue them together and you should have a strong grate...Obviously the outer edges of the whole assembly would be thicker as per your drawings.

Hope you get the idea.

Regards.....Mark

peter22 · 08-04-2008

Hi Mark
Yes thats how I think they would be made for the original ships [cross-halving] the only mod to that idea that I was thinking of trying is to clamp, perhaps 10 spars together and try to notch them on my bandsaw, I think it's going to be a "case of suck it and see!!"
thanks
peter22

**Bluewavestudios** · 08-04-2008

Good luck and I hope it works out well for you. You should be able to do it that way as it is very similar to the sandwich rib method for model aircraft wings.

Regards....Mark.

alan2525 · 08-04-2008

Can you cheat a bit and go for slightly thicker spars and less of them? In scale modelling sometimes it's better to give the impression of the real subject without having to model exactly to scale. That'd be a real fiddle trying to cut them all to the same depth on the bandsaw, unless your bandsaw runs absolutely true. I bet it'd be great until you make a mistake on the last cut and ruin a pile of them.

**Bunkerbarge** · 09-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter22

Hi Mark
Yes thats how I think they would be made for the original ships [cross-halving] the only mod to that idea that I was thinking of trying is to clamp, perhaps 10 spars together and try to notch them on my bandsaw, I think it's going to be a "case of suck it and see!!"
thanks
peter22

That's exactly what I was trying to describe above. Another idea is a mini circular saw with a saw width the same as the width of the wood. Clamp a few together and run them across the saw blade set at half the thickness of the wood and move them across for each cut the width of the wood. They should theoretically all lock together then as cross pieces.

peter22 · 09-04-2008

Hi Alan
Your nickname is not "Jobes Comforter" by any chance HaHa, yes I know what you mean, I used a bit of artistic licence on "Sea witch" [could not get my "Dead Eyes small enough] I have a load of ice-lolly sticks [unused] and thought i'd try with them, then cut them of to the required thickness. I'll post in the future if I have any success. It will give me a break from ****** cannons
thanks
peter22

alan2525 · 09-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter22

Hi Alan
Your nickname is not "Jobes Comforter" by any chance HaHa

Uhm - not that I'm aware of - but it might be! :P

This is another little tool that might help you cut those joints, these have been discussed elsewhere on the forum too. Proxxon make really useful tools for modellers!

Proxxon KS230 Table Saw

Beesleys Tool Shop Table Top Tools

peter22 · 09-04-2008

Hi Alan
Good site I've put in my favorites for the future, I bought a metal lathe at Xmas, perhaps this Dec. I have made a sample this morning [stanley knife+file] using the cross-having method. So now I need to produce in bulk! thanke
peter

alan2525 · 09-04-2008

Where do you buy those giant sized 5p pieces from?