Finally building a flying ship - The SS Argonaut

[Coronasan]

After much musing, I have finally started to build a Steampunk style fantasy flying ship.

Its going to be based very closely on the Cloudships Of Mars Locust model from Salute back in 2005.







...and then my last blade went blunt so I had to stop...

[Prof.Witchheimer]

Good start for both, LAF and ship. Good luck, welcome and keep it coming.

[OSHIROmodels]

Promising start 

You can never have to many flying things 

cheers

James

[Ssendam]

Already looking good ... please post the progress pictures

[Coronasan]

Once I get the new scapel blades, the next step will be to build the tail fins and the hull structure.

What is the generally accepted "best method" of fixing an edge of foam board to a flat surface (did I explain that ok?). I was thing of gluing some small pegs into the foam board edge and then pinning those to the flat surface. For the pegs I was either going to use thin plastic sprue or bits of paper clip.

Ta.

[Geudens]

Once I get the new scapel blades, the next step will be to build the tail fins and the hull structure.

I noticed on the pics that you have struggled a bit there.  One word of advice: always use sharp blades when cutting foam board and (first) press just ever zo gently when cutting, only cutting through the card top layer.  A second cut go will go through the foam.  Since card & foam are different materials, it is never a wise idea to cut through in one go.  Furthermore: the better the shape of the foam is in after cutting, the easier it will be to finish the edges.  Otherwise: a promising start!

[oldskoolrebel]

Looking good so far.

Just one question; is that balsa wood or coffee stirrers that you're using?

Cheers
Andy

[joroas]

Wargamers, collectively, probably own most of the world's coffee stirrers and small change. 

[Wirelizard]

...and then my last blade went blunt so I had to stop...

Spend $20 (or your local equivalent) on a 100-pack of X-Acto blades, and you'll never have to stop! I bought the 100 pack at least eight years ago, still have at least half of it, and swap blades when they start snagging even slightly. Or when I break the tip off one doing something unwise, which I seem to do regularly.

Foamcore is murder on blades. Plan on one blade per project if you're doing a lot of foamcore.

I actually have two knives going at once, one with the newer blade and one with a slightly-dull blade that's no good for foamcore but works fine on wood, card and such.

[AndrewBeasley]

For foam core I moved away from x-acto style knives and got a snap blade knife

http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?TYPE=CATEGORY&CATEGORY=SNAP-OFF+BLADE

I found the flatter blade end was better than the sharp pont of the #11 and gave a better cut in the corners.  Just be aware the cheaper ones can break at the end when you snap the blades off so spend a little more on the knife.

I do like the hull shape and am looking forward to following your progress.

[Coronasan]

Just one question; is that balsa wood or coffee stirrers that you're using?

I am using 1.5mm thick balsa cut into 5mm wide planks.

[Coronasan]

Once I get the new scapel blades, the next step will be to build the tail fins and the hull structure.

Still no sign of the blades I ordered so I have to make do with another project...turning a Star Trek model into a Grey Knight Stormraven...

What is the generally accepted "best method" of fixing an edge of foam board to a flat surface (did I explain that ok?). I was thing of gluing some small pegs into the foam board edge and then pinning those to the flat surface. For the pegs I was either going to use thin plastic sprue or bits of paper clip.

Still hope to get a tip or two on my above question please...

[OSHIROmodels]

If you mean perpendicular to the flat surface then you need to buy (unless you already have them) some engineers squares and use these whilst the peice dries. Wood glue would be the best glue to use, it's stronger than normal pva and even though a part of it is resin there won't be any deterioration to the foam board.

cheers

James

[Ssendam]

What is the generally accepted "best method" of fixing an edge of foam board to a flat surface (did I explain that ok?). I was thing of gluing some small pegs into the foam board edge and then pinning those to the flat surface. For the pegs I was either going to use thin plastic sprue or bits of paper clip.

Still hope to get a tip or two on my above question please...

If you are just wanting to finish off the edge of the board where the sponge is then using PVA/Wood Glue to attach a strip of thin card is fine. You might also consider some fine polyfiller which I've used before succesfully, albiet on building models.

Good luck!

[Coronasan]

Managed to find one last less blunt blade and so decided to build the bridge. I built it plenty large enough to accommodate 28mm figures and will work on the edges later.



With luck, my new pack of 100 blades will arrive today.