shaping a fuselage and taming the joint line!

jspitza · 15-02-2008

Hello all!
It's so nice to finally get a break from Fatherhood and post something! I'm now officially staying at home to watch my Son, left my IT career and have not looked backed, not even once! I have a few more planes finished and I'm really starting to see my problems well in advance. This leads me to my reason for posting: I have three pics of my current project-fw190 blah blah blah..... and this is where I've stopped. I'm not sure how to proceed with this seam. According to the aircraft pics I've studied, all of the fuselages are seamless and very round. Well, I've been very careful not to start sanding this yet due to the flatting effect this has cased in the past in the areas around the seems and removing all this kits wonderful detail! Also, maybe its my eyes but these seams always confuse me because even though they are seams, they mate at places BUT give the illusion that the fuselage has a large joint. If I start sanding after I've applied a small amount of putty, the roundness gets removed, I start to shape and then as I mentioned earlier the detail is removed. How do I do about doing this step in removing the seam AND retaining the shape? Is there a way to correctly sand a round area? Thanks so much guys for all of the support! Its great to be back and got some great new pics of the little one to post once cropped from my camera. Jeff

Pan_Am_Clipper_Girl · 15-02-2008

Hi there. Lucky for you I was just starting to sand down my 737.
The best way is to go across the fuselage, port-stb or vice versa, depending and try to follow the curvature of the fuselage too.
The wrong way is to go along the fuselage length from stem to stern or again vice versa.
Then just scribe back the detail if it is lost.
This works for us...hope it does for you

**wonwinglo** · 15-02-2008

Just to re-iterate what Pan Am has correctly said Jeff, go over rather than along the seam,to assist you on this invest in some flexible sanding sticks,they last for ages and can be used wet as well,the slight flex is useful as it avoids that bump effect with a rigid file or sanding stick,experience will soon show you how far to sand.
Remember it is easier to take off than it is to add.

jspitza · 15-02-2008

Thank you very much for your advice and pics!!! I was really hoping for photos! Anyway, I'm going to work again tonight and i'll be very thoughtful. I was actually sanding lengthwise! But, what would you say about that joint in the photo? Would you try to fill it in first or try to sand (in the correct direction) first? I guess I'm in a good place to ask based on the photo since both of you have just seen it.

**GEEDUBBYA** · 16-02-2008

Howdy Jeff,

I dont know if you remember me speaking of using super glue and a fingernail file (cardboard type not metal) but this is exactly the problem i was having. I simply spread a little line of superglue down the seam, and before it dries I begin filing across the seam with the file, rounding over the seam as I go.
Using the file or "flexible sanding sticks" as mentions above by someone else, you can control the distance of the area sanded. Anyway, as you file, the "dust" mixes with the wet glues and solidifies bridging the gap with a combination of superglue mixed with plastic. It does tend to ruin the file if you work too slowly because the wet glue gets on the file and solidifies.
However, this is actually just a variation on using putty and a file.....the key component of both styles is the file or sanding stick. Being small it gives you much more control over the area sanded or filed.

hope this helps,

Greg

jspitza · 16-02-2008

Hey thanks for your time! Unfortuntaly I purchased the loctite gel and did away with the thin stuff. But, I'm going to probably try the filler and very light sanding. I'll certainly post the progress(provided the little one allows

me to! Oh, forgot to ask you-what ever came of the testors plane? Thanks Greg and everyone else!

Pan_Am_Clipper_Girl · 16-02-2008

Jeff, I just used that model as it was the one that is in the early stages of being worked on. I put the red-stuff on first, let it dry well then sand it smooth. there might be a little shrinkage so put a little more on, sand again, then put primer on. let cure for a while, over night is good. Sand again then see what you have, you might need more filler, so just keep going really.

It certainly is your lucky day, I am doing a step-by step, well almost, post eventually on my first 747 build a Revell cut-away one that has a non cut away side as Pan Am N747PA. So there are quite a few pics to put up on that post, sorry for this one being blurred, that is what you get for taking them at 2am without flash, even though it's only a point and shoot digi, this one has a fierce flash for sure. I think you get the idea though and I hope it helps you. (The cat's weren't too pleased I used their food bowl for a water dish though

)
So what you are looking at is a bare stuck fuselage, MEK is the glue we get best results from, with nose weight, filled and sanded.
Hope this helps again.

jspitza · 16-02-2008

Hey thanks PACG: Ok, here is what I've done so far. I did apply Mr. surfacer (1000) along the joint line and then very lightly sanded along the fuselage in an almost barrel type manner. The seam is really coming on just fine! I'll try to get some pics up today. Take care, Jeff-your humble servant

**GEEDUBBYA** · 16-02-2008

Howdy Jeff,

The Testors HSO Gates Learjet is in line to be built. My neck has been bothering me alot recently which is why you havent seen any build by me since the POGO model. I either hurt to bad to be able to build or am to doped up on pain pills or muscle relaxers here recently to be able to see straight.
But in the past two days the pain in my neck/back has gotten abit better and I was thinking about maybe trying to build something today although it may be something that can be built quickly. I havent forgotten the learjet I just want to be able to enjoy the build when i do it.

have a good day,

Greg

Pan_Am_Clipper_Girl · 16-02-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspitza

Hey thanks PACG: Ok, here is what I've done so far. I did apply Mr. surfacer (1000) along the joint line and then very lightly sanded along the fuselage in an almost barrel type manner. The seam is really coming on just fine! I'll try to get some pics up today. Take care, Jeff-your humble servant

Sounds good. Just remember that time really isn't your enemy and if you need to do more then do so. I think my 747 has actually had 3 lots of filling