a simple soldering iron is all you need. in fact using a mug, or tin can and some elastic bands will do the job, you don't need to spend a lot of money as some of the plank benders out there will not do the job any better. i managed to plank all my victory by just making the planks into bow shapes using some string and wet planks, then they dried in roughly the right shape.

Bending planks need not be a dificult task that you might at first think, and in many cases planks can be bent dry with a Plank Nipper (plank bending pliers) without recourse to soaking or steaming.
The Plank Nipper does have one limitation, it leaves marks on the inside surface of the bend but is easily suited for most hull plank bending. It is largely a case of adjusting the hand pressure according to the thickness of the wood involved and remembering that the closer the "nips" the tighter the bend produced.
http://www.cornwallmodel...catalog/amati_7381.html

Woods which have a greater reluctance to bend may be soaked for a while before use and a tall vase or similar shaped vessel filled with hot water kept on the bench will prove useful to hold several planks planks for pre-soaking the ends to be bent.

A plank nipper is unsuitable for bending the launch planking which is too thin and delicate. For this purpose and electric plank bender makes it a breeze, and is also invaluable for the very tight bends occasionally necessary with normal thickness planking http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/amati_7205.html
But the vast majority of kit built models can be constructed quite readily using a Plank Nipper or via the soaking or steaming methods. Certainly Bob's suggestion of using a soldering iron is a very cheap alternative which does work.

A compression bender is also available, such as the Mantua plank bender, which allows you to create an internal bend without marking, but this tool takes some getting used to and the wood needs be wet for the best results, some builders like it, and other's can't get on with it. http://www.cornwallmodel...mantua-plankbender.html

I'm sure others builders will post up other recommendations and experiences, because in the main it comes down to the method you prefer yourself.

I have found that soaking the planks in hot water for around twenty minutes then gently bending them around plastic tumbler or vessel that resembles the size curve that is needed..Leave to dry at room temperature..Works a treat...I've used the soldering iron method too, but beware of singing your planks!

Hi RobT

The very first ship that I constructed was the Grimsby by Constructo. She was a single planked design with hull planks made out of a stiff dark wood - Sapele? (must find the instruction book again) which were 2mm thick! I had never tried anything like this before and looked for advice myself, (long before such things as forums).
I ended up with a book called Planking Model Ships by Richard Mansir, only 16 pages long for £9.95! but very useful indeed. It went into steaming and soaking in water together with a third method - Household Ammonia, curiously didn't mention the soldering iron option though. I personally went for the ammonia method and found it ideal for the thicker planks in the kit, I only snapped about half a dozen overall and most of them were split in the grain to begin with.
The only downside to the ammonia method is that you definately need a very good source of ventilation, I was fortunate enough to have my workshop out in dad's garage at that time so I could have all the doors and windows open, if I used that method in my present attic workshop I would really need a fan and an extractor through the open skylight to be safe.
The ammonia really softened the fibres of the wood, allow really complex curves, I nailed the planks into position using brass pins through a collar of scrap plank wood and allowed them to dry overnight in position. Next day I pulled out the nails and the plank stayed in the exact shape. All I had to do then was re-nail it back with wood glue along the edge and on the ribs using the same holes from before. I haven't needed this method with my Del Prado Victory however as the wood is so soft a simple water soaking was all that was required. I would recommend the water or soldering iron methods as given by the others, the ammonia way is easier to get the planks to bend but you have to be VERY careful using the stuff!
Give it your best though, you'll probably find planking's a lot less difficult than it first seems!

Hi,
I agree that in general Ammonia is too hazardous for plank bending. But it is also worth noting that it will turn light wood dark brown.

As already posted i think simply soaking them in hot water is the easiest way, not really any bad sides too it.

Has anyone used these? http://www.ebay.co.uk/it...amp;hash=item1c275605d7

If so, are they suitable for bending the launch planking?

I have a mantua plank nipper and it works well however you need to be carefull.When bending thin planks the marks made on the inside will be visible with sanding the outside.I point this out because the outer planking is only 0.6mm thick on sos.I find the most effective way to presoak the strips for twenty minutes then ,with the ends wedged under the lid of a pan of boiling water on the hob and steam for ten minutes.I found that if you dont soak the strips first they dry too quick and you can't clamp in place before they dry out.The times quoted were for 6 x 3mm walnut wales so im sure thinner material would require only a few minutes steaming.

I just did a search on 'hole making tool' and found them there.
I've ordered one to try so will let you know how I get on.
Certainly looks the same as official plank bender and at £9.89 got to be worth a try.
Regards
Paul