Walter Wombat Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 My first post so please be gentle…..😀 Getting back into modelling after 30+ years and really enjoying it. I'm planning to concentrate on maritime plastic models and am currently building HMSC Snowberry. My question for you guys is - Does anyone have any great techniques they use for supporting the model so as you can work on it easily and safely, without scratching the finished surfaces. I've looked at various shop bought clamps, investigated using fare-cut foam types, PCB jigs and numerous other possibilities in an effort to come up with some form of jig. Any ideas gratefully received. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixII Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 Afternoon WW, I don't have a solution for you, but if you can wait a few days I'll have a word with one of our members and see what his 'tricks' are. The gent I refer to is Peter Hall who own's Atlantic Models and when they were running, did all the etch for White Ensign. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Wombat Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 Hi Paul, that would be great. Cheers W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 I got this foam cradle from Micro Mark here in the states. I really like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Wombat Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 Yes I’ve seen this and they will ship to the U.K. My only concern was the size being a bit too large for the smaller builds. Guess I could pad it out if necessary. My no 1 option so far... Cheers W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LotusArenco Posted May 17, 2019 Share Posted May 17, 2019 It’s been an age since I last made a ship model. I like to display full hull on wooden bases, and to facilitate this I drill holes in the bottom of the hull before I attach the decking. I’ll epoxy a small nut to reinforce the hole, or build up the area I’m drilling into with some thick scrap plastic sheet. To aid in building I use these same holes to temporarily attach the ship to a scrap of wood a bit bigger than the model. It protects the model during building and acts as a useful way of holding the kit. Mart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Wombat Posted May 17, 2019 Author Share Posted May 17, 2019 Good idea. Looks effective. Certainly worth a bit more investigation. W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixII Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 (edited) Morning Walter, had a chat with Peter yesterday. First question was, will the model be full hull or waterline? If waterline, once the hull is to the depth you want it, attach to a rigid base slightly longer and wider than the hull and your good to go. If you intend full hull, slightly more difficult, seeing @dnl42idea, above, it would work well, apart from the increase in your mortgage to bring it in from the USA! Quick fix would be to go into an electrical retailer and ask if they have any unwanted high density foam packaging, not expanded polystyrene, that they would be willing to let you have. If that fails, you can buy sheets or rolls from the internet, have a look at https://www.thefoamshop.co.uk/page/151/FOAM-GRADES-EXPLAINED it's the packaging foam towards the bottom of the page. HTH Paul Edited May 20, 2019 by PhoenixII Correcting web address. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Wombat Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 Hi Paul, thanks for getting back back to me. I’m thinking the solution provided by @dnl42 is probably the way to go. I did contact the retailer and it’s around £25 including postage from the US. My one concern is the size. I may well try the eBay store to see what’s available. I’ll let you know which option I go with and how successful. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 FWIW, on my smaller models, like a 1/72 HUNLEY or 1/35 YMS, I've done the same as @LotusArenco. Problem is that the model is sometimes at an inconvenient attitude. A couple of times, I put the base in a Panavise to enable better positions, but, that only works for those smaller model. I bought the foam cradle during this build because it will work larger models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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