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 Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1 Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/10/2012 Posts: 66 Points: 191 Location: UK
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Andy, I am looking at your mast construction, very impressive, and I have a quick question. How did you attach the connectors between the masts? Did you use solder or glue and how did you connect the three pieces together? I have bent two pieces in what I think are the correct dimensions, but I am having difficulty in figuring the best way to connect them together. Thanks for all your previous help and I look forward to your response. Dan
Current Builds: Yamato
On the Bench: Akagi, USS Missouri
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 Hi Dan For the mast i used brass tube and rod from a model shop the tube is the type that you can slide into each other. The bottom three legs were made from 3 mm brass tube and the single forward mast was made from 2 mm brass tube the two mast arms behind were made from brass rod as was all the cross members. If you put a 2 mm collet in the top of the 3 mm tube the brass rod fits smoothly into the 2 mm tube. Make sure the three lower rods are set in position befor adding any of the top peices.The cross member sizes were taken directly from the metal frame provided and used to get the correct profile. As for the angles i used the same angle for the rear masts as was provided by the wire mast, the forward mast was then bent to accomodate the cross members . Some artistic license was also used in the construction for example if it looks right using the Skulski book and pics then its fine. I was going to solder it all together but in the end used super glue to affix all in place. Hope this helps Regards Andy  Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
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Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1 Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/10/2012 Posts: 66 Points: 191 Location: UK
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Andy, Thanks for all your tips, they have really helped me. I am sorry to say I could use another tip. I have got the rods for the back masts bent properly at least according to my eye-balls and protractor, now I am trying to figure out how to solder or glue the connecting rods (at least that is what I call them). While the fit nicely into the 3mm base tubes at the base of the structure the fit is a bit loose so they 'spin' rather than stay stable. I am wondering if you simply laid them on a flat surface and glued them to the side of the mast? If this is what you did how were the two mast positioned so that they would fit back into the brass tubes without breaking the glue joint? Did you glue the rods into the brass tubes so they would not spin? Any suggestions you have will be greatly appreciated. I really want to try this but I am getting a bit frustrated. I have enclosed two photos that show one of my issues. Thanks again, Dan
Current Builds: Yamato
On the Bench: Akagi, USS Missouri
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Hi Dave What i did was bend the tubes as you have done to get the angles right, next you will need to stabalise it all by fixing the bottom three large tubes together. When you do this you can remove the upper outer two rods to prevent them sticking together, to do this i first used superglue to fix them then a piece of very thin metal strip to go around the joint to tidy it up, the searchlight platform goes on top of this strip. Next replace the two outer rods if they were removed and prepare to add the first spreader rod, this will be the longest rod taken from the the preformed mast that came with the kit that goes across the top to each rear mast glue this in position with super glue. This will give you the correct spread and width for the rear two masts. Now these need to be attached to the central forward mast, this is done by again taking the longest upper rods and fixing them in position. Once these three rods are correctly located it will stiffen up the whole structure then you can line up the whole upper structure with the base and glue together when your happy with it. Its then a simple case of adding the remaining rods to finish the structure, to do this just take the measurements off the wire one supplied, Im not the best at explaining things so please ask if there's anything that is not clear and hopefully the above will get you on your way. Regards Andy Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
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Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1 Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/10/2012 Posts: 66 Points: 191 Location: UK
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Andy, I think I understand what you said I just have one further question. Did you build the long spreader rod from scratch, this is what the pictures look like or did you cut it out from the original part and use that? FYI, I have the same problem clearly explaining things which is why I probably understand what you said. Thanks again, Dan
Current Builds: Yamato
On the Bench: Akagi, USS Missouri
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Hi Dave The majority i cut from the original part but some were trimmed off the legs of the same part and np just glad your making sense out of my ramblings lol Regards Andy Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
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Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1 Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/10/2012 Posts: 66 Points: 191 Location: UK
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Andy, One more quick question, you mention a 2mm collet in your response of 18 August, too much travel to work on the boat recently . Where did you purchase it or do you know where I could find it. I have been looking on the net and cannot find anything that looks suitable. Thanks, Dan
Current Builds: Yamato
On the Bench: Akagi, USS Missouri
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Hi Dave The collett would have been better described as a brass insert about 4/5 mm long and glued in place inside the 3 mm tube. Sorry if there was any confusion. Regards Andy Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
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Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1 Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/10/2012 Posts: 66 Points: 191 Location: UK
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Thanks, you don't have any you want to sell? Do you know where I can get some I have been searching the web but no joy yet. Thanks, Dan
Current Builds: Yamato
On the Bench: Akagi, USS Missouri
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Rank: Semi-Pro Level 1 Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/10/2012 Posts: 66 Points: 191 Location: UK
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Thinking about your description I think I can use porthole inserts, what do you think? Dan
Current Builds: Yamato
On the Bench: Akagi, USS Missouri
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Hi Dave I think that would work very well Andy Current builds:-C57,Zero, Lamborghini Countach, Caldercraft HMS Agamemnon,Robi,R2-D2, MFH Cobra .
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