The Model Maker: Volume 17, Issue 3 – December, 1939

— (kh =~ » G4 | a THE MODEL ENGINEERING MAGAZINE Finishing a Model Racing Yac When painting a model, the cor- rect procedure and the right materials are necessary for good results. BY WALTER K. MOSS The author finish- ing one of his yachts. HE problem of surfacing and finishing his Surprisingly, the lighter colors are less likely to model racing yacht eventually faces the en- show the ravages of usage as quickly as the thusiast as he nears the completion of every darker ones, and thus they lengthen the intervals model between refinishing. he builds; past experience probably prompts him to essay a different handling of this Friction created by a rough finish materially job than he previously pursued, as few builders slows up a model yacht; many times the wind are satisfied that they have achieved the ultimate impulse is quite on their own hulls, after an inspection of the surface product of others. complished by the use of good brushes, paint, should weak, be therefore sought. This a glass-like can be ac- Three goals are sought by the finisher: protec- enamel and varnish, dust-free and temperature- tion, appearance and speed, and all of these can correct working conditions, and proper applica- be achieved if the proper steps are followed. tions and rubbing operations. Although waterproof glue has been used, the In line with good practice, the hull, in the joints must be protected against deterioration, white, should be basically free of defects and and the wood against water absorption with the present the smoothest possible surface for the consequent expansion and shrinkage which is finisher. This point has been reached only after the forerunner of cracked surfaces and leaks. careful construction and the expenditure of con- While a beautiful appearance is not essential, siderable elbow grease with various degrees of a natural desire to make your handiwork sandpaper, ending up with 00 grade. If there still attractive, and paint, enamel and varnish can remain any minor defects these can be “stopped” do this if applied in appropriate colors in the with either of two agents, plastic wood or white it is proper places. It is conceded that dark colors (such as green, red, copper, bronze or black) lead putty, and the surplus away while still soft. hardened, wiped below the water line, and the light colors (such calking, as white, cream, ivory or gray) above the water smooth with the surface, obliterating the edges line, are best. where they start. A very narrow water line, or “boot has material When the stopping, or it should be sanded top,” of gold or aluminum should divide these About the only drawback to the use of white sections and may have a dart motif at the ends. pine as a hull material will now become ap- This stripe widens out naturally under both ends parent. It is a soft textured wood, easily dented, of the hull, but appears of an even width when and not amenable to taking a hard surface fin- Spars and deck can be ish, or retaining it; however, its advantages out- varnished natural, or enameled, as preferred. weigh this minor disadvantage. Airplane spruce viewed from the side. 80 The Modelmaker would be better from the standpoint of finish. colored spar varnish reduced by 30 per cent with If the excess casein glue has not been wiped off turpentine and applied at a room temperature of the joints during the gluing process, it has prob- 70° or more, and with a relative humidity of 60° ably stained the fibers to some extent; if a natural or less. These coats should be applied thinly and finish has been planned these stains can be re- evenly, the brush being stroked in one direction moved by a bleach of oxalic acid, but this prac- only, and each allowed to dry for 48 hours. No tice is not advisable on hulls as they are exposed sanding should be done on the third and fourth to both atmosphere and submersion, nor neces- coats, but they should be tack-rag dusted im- sary on hulls which are to be painted or enam- mediately before the subsequent coat is applied. eled, as these spots will be covered. Casein glue If the drying conditions have been normal, do stains tend to become more pronounced with not allow more than 48 hours between coats, in each application of spar varnish and this natural order to take advantage of the cohesion proper- reaction should not be blamed on the surfacing ties. varnish employed. harden if allowed to dry too long and while this There is a certain amount of moisture present in all wood (wood has little value when bone Many of the newer varnishes will case- condition is not conducive to a good undercoater job, it is ideal in the final hardness of the finish. dry), but during the gluing process more mois- When the film of the fifth coat is not affected ture is absorbed by the fibers, and this must be by the warmth of the palm of the hand (about removed. To assure yourself against blisters, checking and peeling when your workmanship 2 days) it can be wet sanded lightly and a full bodied coat of varnish flowed on. is exposed to the direct rays of the sun, you A seventh coat may be applied if desired, but should take the precaution of having your hull no rubbing should be attempted on the final kiln-dried before applying the first finishing coat. An accommodating millwork plant or lum- coat for at least 72 hours, if drying conditions are normal, or the drying has not been retarded ber yard will probably be able to serve you in by a moist atmosphere. this respect. This drying should not be overdone, however; a final moisture reading of 10 per cent should be about right. This can be checked if a Scotch (or masking) tape can be employed along the water line, over the filler coat, to divide the two colors and to assure a straight, water- sample piece of wood is used for comparative level line from stem to stern. If your draft has tests during the drying. been correctly figured you will know where to place this stripe. Chock the model up on a level After removing from the kiln, and before the wood has had an opportunity to absorb atmospheric moisture again, keel fore and aft, and from side to side, on a apply your initial coat. smooth surface. Slide an ordinary scribing block Blocking the model upside down on the work completely around the model, marking the hull bench will probably be most convenient, and you at convenient intervals as a guide for affixing are ready to proceed. The first coat should be the tape. Be sure the tape adheres closely to the “sharp” (painters’ term for little oil) and is a hull to prevent seepage of the two colors together. mixture of one-half varnish and one-half tur- To complete the process, rub down the hull pentine, with a very small quantity of raw lin- with a chamois dipped in pumice and oil, fol- seed oil added to retard drying. Apply this coat lowed by a rubbing with rottenstone and oil. warmed, both across and along the grain of the Finely ground whiting can also be used if lightly wood, until the fibers have absorbed it to the the material. Allow it to dry until the surface applied. Carefully wipe off all traces of powder and oil, and polish with a mixture of 70 per cent tallow and 30 per cent pure beeswax. This mix- has a hard feeling to the touch, or for approxi- ture should be heated over steam pipes or in a mately 48 hours. Sand down smooth again and container set in boiling water—never over a remove all traces of dust. direct flame or open electric unit. saturation point; this penetration will preserve A filler coat should now be applied, preferably Apply this liquid sparingly while warm, not hot, and rub it an oil base liquid filler, using a paste only on thoroughly into the finish—the greater degree of tool scratches or small dents. After it has com- gloss and luster being obtained with the greater pletey dried, which will probaby be 24 hours amount of rubbing. later, sand this coat thoroughly. The final sanding at this point should be done with “wet” type ishing. paper, which will not accumulate the paint parti- three coats of clear varnish, the first coat being cles on its surface, and plenty of water is the sharp for penetration. The underside of the deck secret of its successful use. should be treated in the same manner before it The third, fourth and fifth coats should be December, 1939 A number of miscellaneous items require finThe inside of the hull should receive is attached to the hull. The upper side of the 8] deck can be managed in several ways, depending bakelite base, of which there are several excel- on the builder’s ideas. If it is to be lined to rep- lent brands on the market (it is recommended resent planking, this can best be done before it that one carrying the manufacturer’s name might has been laid. A narrow “king plank” should be be more reliable than one carrying a jobber’s or marked down the center from stem to stern and dealer’s name). Drying periods must necessarily also entirely around the outer edge, or sheer. be left in a large measure to the good judgment These portions may be stained a darker color of the finisher, but the result should be a hard, than the deck proper to resemble the actual smooth, long-lasting surface if the work-room planks on the prototype. and drying-room temperatures, humidity, and Using the sheer as a guide for a roller marking gauge, such as car- freedom penters use for fitting hardware on doors, roll maintained, bearing in mind that too heavy a small grooves into the face of the deck at 14” coat of filler or varnish lacks durability and intervals so that they end at the king plank. The leaves room for cracking and peeling, that the surface is then given two coats of clear shellac to wood fibers must not be over-moist, that an prevent spreading uneven coat reflects carelessness and cannot be of the india ink which is from dust conditions are carefully penned into the grooves to represent the joints easily remedied, and that color varnishes can between boards. If the deck is mahogany or oak, more easily be applied when warm. use a good grade of non-fading oil filler stain and made especially for boat purposes are readily wipe off the surplus, then flow on three or four available almost anywhere, and they should be Materials coats of spar varnish, allowing ample time for used. drying between applications, and use only tur- weakest link—it’s no use wasting good enamel pentine for thinning. On non-porous woods such over weak, cheap or unworkmanlike undercoats. Your finish job is only as strong as its as maple, birch or pine the process is the same, but the stain filler is left out. An excellent foundation for these woods would be a 50-50 mixture of boiled linseed oil and turpentine, ap- Chucking and U ing Small Drills plied hot. Spars are similarly treated and india ink is used under the varnish coats for marking the calibrations on the boom. Joints between the deck and hull, and the keel and hull, are generally calked with white lead paste to prevent leaks. The hatch cover is always finished the same as the deck, but some builders prefer to use this space for the name of their boat and its affiliation; this is usually highly colored and lettered with oil paints before the varnish coats. The rudder, being below the water line, should be finished in the same color as the keel. As the rudder and hatch cover will probably not be in place during the finishing, they should not be overlooked, to avoid repeating the various pro- cesses for their completion. Brass parts should be lacquered after polishing, or they will quickly become tarnished. Inquiries reveal that it is al- most a unanimous opinion among boat finishers that lead and oil coats should be brushed on, and that it is optional between spraying and brushing other coats. Brushes should be kept soft in turpentine, and varnish cans closed. As can be appreciated, the method outlined is not recommended for a production job, but as If the chuck on your drill press does not hold we are dealing with the handicraft of an enthus- the real fine drills, No. 60 to No. 80, for instance, iast who wants the best regardless of any ex- use a pin vise to hold the drill and the drill press penditure of time, labor or money, we are con- chuck to hold the pin vise. A high speed drill is fident he will find these suggestions helpful. On needed with drills of this size and a very light this class of work, and if these steps are followed, feed, especially when the drill breaks through you will use the spar variety of varnish with a the work.—C. W. Woodson. 82 The Modelmaker BY C. O. BROOK regular 118; F. Bennet, 110. Atlantic M. Y. C_—W. Per- monthly column for the model yachtsmen. fect, 117; W. Barker, 109; G. Curry, 108; A. En- ELL, Skippers, we’re off to a Let’s make these columns of THE MopELMAKER glebretsen, “tops.” We can only do that if club secretaries M. Y. C. (first names not given)—Shellmer, 102; send in reports of their activities. We don’t mind Weidmer, 83; Kotlan, 79; Gynkowski, 69; Swen- if it’s only a new model designed or built, or a son, 64. Sunday club event; it is of interest to someone 68; A. Pollard, 68; W. Pierce, 57; H. Jones, 41; somewhere in this or some other country, as we W. Pentz, 0. Club totals were: Long Island, 629 105; H. Hawkins, 102. Irvington Warinanco M. Y. C.—R. P. Dezendorf, frequently get mail from skippers in Europe points; Atlantic, 541; Irvington, 397; Warinanco, and the Pacific Isles about the sport. 294. Then, too, see the fun you have with a com- plete record of your own activities as compared Ducking along to Philadelphia Oct. 22 for another ‘M” class event, we find another day of You let this light-to-moderate breezes. A. W. Greeley, presi- magazine judge as to the news value of your dent of the Model Yacht Racing Association of with what other clubs are doing. notes and we’ll give you data commensorate America, was Officer of the Day with J. Patrick with the amount of cooperation, as well as any as starter. drawings and designs we can give you as we re- M. Y. C. Again we find a close reach on one leg ceive them from designers. and a broad reach home. They are both from the Washington Over at Springfield, L.I., on Oct. 15 there was And again Tex Foster comes in the news, with a snappy inter-league race for “M” class be- first place, while Frank Snow of the South Jersey tween the Atlantic, Irvington, Long Island and M. Y. C. was runner-up; and again the Long a Island M. Y. C. was top club for the event. We trophy big enough to sail an International “A” wonder what those chaps take that other clubs class yacht in. Boy, when they start to buy silver can’t push them down the score sheet a few over in that section, they become lavish in the notches. extreme. While this is purely an assumption on lot of clubs here in the East… . Let’s hear you this scribe’s part, I believe the Long Island boys come back with either alibi or threat. Warinanco Model Yacht Clubs. took the cup home in a They had There’s a left-handed challenge to a trailer—certainly the The Philadelphia M. Y. C. gave the visitors a average car could not handle it, especially when fine time, but—this is typical—it would be news Tex Foster and the rest of the crowd crawled if it didn’t. Its hospitality need never be ques- into their car with five models stacked around tioned. them. The A. Davey of the Warinanco M. Y. C. was Offi- inter-league race between the Metro- politan League and the New England league was cer of the Day. Winds were rather “Scotch” and a “wow.” failed to give much of their strength, holding mile blow and—boy!—that’s when they slide with varied force of from 6 miles down to 2. along on their beam ends. And the average skipper, finding himself “down They piped along with a 25- to 40- This event, held Oct. 27 and 28 on the Storrow the score sheet,” can wrinkle his brow and say, Pool, “If we’d had some breeze, *twould have been a League take a real shellacking. different story” … so, any wind blows some gale like this the boats naturally pointed high good. With a broad reach on one leg and a Boston, Mass., found the Metropolitan With a near and footed fast, but the leeward boards were close disastrous to a number of the models. Sails were Long Island M. Y. C.—George Lee, 146; H. wire, and a number of the boys wondered why Martin Sr., 134; Tex Foster, 121; D. Harriman, they hadn’t built their rigging out of big boat reach returning, the result was as follows: December, 1939 ripped and sheets (and Skippers too) went hay- 103 material. . . . Ah, well, they live and learn… we hope. with … though we have known that for years. The 1940 Metropolitan League race date for Ray Horton of the Marblehead M. Y. C. was the finals has been set for Oct. 13. This, gentle- Officer of the Day with Harry Richardson of men, is setting a date far enough ahead so we the Boston M. Y. C. and Ben Chapman of the know when it will be. And Tex, as president of Lynn M. Y. C. as starters and H. Mills of Boston the Eastern Division, requests all clubs in the East to set their dates and venues before the as scorer. They sailed three rounds, and that’s enough next meeting of the division, which will be held for anyone in a real blow, but their aches were in New York City (location not yet decided) the lessened by a fine dinner at the “Fox and Hounds” and some tried to argue and feast at latter part of February. This meeting will be held at the same time as the National Sports- the same time—not an impossible task for a men’s show is held in Grand Central Palace group of model yachtsmen in any country. Those who saw this show last year will remem- The Metropolitan boys will blush with shame ber the fine array of models that were displayed and dig deep for alibis when they read the fol- by the various clubs. The first year the Sports- lowing scores: men’s show committee donated us a space 25 x New England League—Fred Pigeon, Boston, 70; D. Richards, Worcester, 63; Charles Farley, Boston, 58; Dex Goodwin, Marblehead, 50; Joe Patey, Lynn, 42; . . . total, 283. League—R. Paul Dezendorf, Metropolitan Warinanco, 24; 50 ft.; last year it was 50x 100. This year it will be still bigger. Since the time is short, any club wishing to put its models on display, with descriptive cards, club flags, etc., should contact Tex Foster, 113-13 Harry Avery, Long Island, 21; Tex Foster, Long Atlantic Ave., Richmond, Hill, L.I., N.Y. Island, 20; Harry Pierce, Warinanco, 16; Herb or bring the models to the Grand Central Palace Ship Kolb, Staten Island, 11; . . . total—ahem!—92 in care of Tex and all models will be well cared (wish I could put another digit to that, but I for. By writing Tex he will send you all the de- can’t). Well, some get bad breaks—and we can tails as to dates, etc. Models will be retained for always find a handy reason for not being tops. the one week of the show and exhibitors will be This scribe just slid down in the dark of night to change residence from upper New York to Long Island. What a welcome we received . required to meet the expense of shipping, etc. Since the winter months are on us, there . should be a great amount of building going on. we are still dizzy (or were we always so?). At If you are building, send us the dope—dimen- any rate, we found a membership card all made sions, etc. We hear that Charles Heisler of the out and waiting from the Long Island M. Y. C. Deeper Hudson M. Y. C., as well as H. Graf- We found ourselves hustled off to its meeting funder and his wife, are each building 50’s (“M” at Rockville Center, and to 18 members with a class). warm greeting and a real handclasp (and a job, models which will be ready for the water as ho-hum!). soon as the ice goes out next Spring. They held their annual election of officers and In all, we find there are a full dozen We’d like to hear from the Deeper Hudson folks and have it was like being at home. For commodore, Lester them give us particulars .. . and in the next Sythoff was replaced by Harry Avery. Fred issue we will give you a detailed drawing for a Bennet gave up the vice-commodore’s seat to beating gye that is not only simple to make but none other than himself (being re-elected). The is also neat and effective . .. one of those gyes now-commodore gave up the rear commodore’s that actually work under the most trying condi- seat to D. Harriman. Harry Martin gave up the tions without a lot of fumbling . . . and it is job of secretary and left Tex Foster to worry designed by a man who knows boats and how to about it, although he was sporting enough to sail them. offer Tex all the help he needed. The treasurer, you get the design, or, better yet, subscribe to- So order your next issue to be sure Gilbert Betts, retained both the job and the day and get the news as it comes along. . . be- finances, though we noticed several were on cause, given the response we should have from hand to “solicit” funds (some were successful, the men in the sport, there will be many useful others not so good). Their measurer is still A. T. suggestions, drawings, etc., to make the cost of Seaman, and I hope he has as much fun with the the subscription a minor consideration by com- job as I used to have. parison . . . and this is not a solicited suggestion Past Commodore George Emberton gave us a from the editor, but experience, for even the old treat with a series of motion pictures of races of timer, set in his ways, learns things from the the jungle little gems of news in the model yacht columns. thriller and a comedy. It was a fine crowd to be And that’s that… til next issue—“C. O.” 1939 104 season, interspersed with a The Modelmaker