My new paddle steamer

[olicana]

I 'etched' my own planking with a Stanley knife and steel rule.

For 28mm planks the ruled cuts were 4mm apart. Then I angled the bade and bevelled these cuts to create the 'gaps' between the planks freehand - this was easier than it sounds as the blade naturally follows the initial cut but you do need a very sharp / new blade for this job.

It's much quicker than gluing the planking on.

Agreed, laser etched sheets of planking would be useful. I'm pretty sure Martin at Warbases would do it (bespoke) quite cheaply and would probably add 'eyes' to make the planking even more wood-like. I've had bespoke stuff made by Martin before and was delighted at how cheap it was. My last bespoke order was for four-part 'casualty' clocks graduated to 20 - they had to be designed and made bigger than the smaller 12 point ones in the catalogue and weren't that much more expensive. Send him an enquiry by email.

[Captain Darling]

Nice work on your paddle wheeler, look forward to seeing your next boat…

[flatpack]

Lovely paddle steamer.
You’ve done a great job, in getting a useful piece of kit to the table.
Keep up the good work 👍

[frd]

Thanks for detailed explanation olicana! Will definitely try my hand at hand etching for my next deck. Did you use standard balsa or some other wood?

I'm in US, so I'll need to look for business similar to warbases on this side of the pond. I'm sure there are some small businesses here that can do custom work like that. Worst comes to worst, I can bite the shipping cost and order from Martin

[olicana]

Wood was 2.5mm MDF. For sheets, look up picture framing materials online.  Pretty cheap in ‘wargamer quantities’.

I buy in bulk from a picture framing friend. Five 3’ x 2’ sheets for around £25 ($30). Have a chat with a local art and craft store - they generally have this kind of stuff available through their suppliers and will order it for you.

[olicana]

I’ve also decided to build a dhow next. This week I made the gun and ‘Arab’ crew - an old fashioned ships cannon (redundant optional barrel from a 6pdr, possibly a 6pdr) plus some simple Perry plastic conversions for the crew.

[Westfalia Chris]

I’ve also decided to build a dhow next. This week I made the gun and ‘Arab’ crew - an old fashioned ships cannon (redundant optional barrel from a 6pdr, possibly a 6pdr) plus some simple Perry plastic conversions for the crew.

I'm quite looking forward to this. Lovely stuff, takes me right back to the days of Major General Tremorden Rederring in the very best ways.

[carlos marighela]

Lovely looking it of kit.   

World's largest pedalo.

[trev]

That's great work.  Nice details. 

[CapnJim]

That boat is most certainly impressive.  Well done!

[Cat]

Very fun model — let the diplomacy begin!