Measure the height of the tallest frame, add 1/2 inch and rip the
plywood to be used for frames into strips.
The full size frame patterns are now cut out and mounted on the
plywoodfor cutting. Place a straight edge ruler across the top of the
frame and cut across from one top outside edge to the other. Some ship
plans indicate the actual camber of the ships deck. By cutting across the
outside edges we eliminate the camber giving us a flat deck. Cut away the
extra paper from the patterns about 1/8 inch outside the frame lines. On
the Stern keel draw a parallel line about 1/2 inch inside the Xeroxed line.
This is the interior cut line for the part.
Using 3M #77 spray adhesive apply the frame patterns to the
plywood strips. Place the top edge of the pattern along the cut edge of the
plywood. Doing this ensures the frames will be square when cut out.
Repeat the process until all the frame patterns have been applied to the
wood. Ensure that all frames have their identifying numbers clearly
indicated in a place that will not be cut out later. Mount the Stern Keel and
Bow patterns to the plywood.
Using a band saw or scroll saw make only the outside cuts on all of
the frames.
Cut out the stern keel and bow at this time.
Center the first frame on its transverse line on the subdeck. On both
sides of the frame mark a point on the outside of the frame on the
subdeck.. This mark is to help realign the frames correctly after the
insides are cut out. The accuracy of these marks is critical for the
assembly process. Plot all the frames on the subdeck.
At this point we are ready to cut the outside of the subdeck. If you
draw a line connecting the dots of each frame location you have the rough
shape of the ship. As we know there are almost no straight lines on a ship
hull. As a general rule of thumb if you draw another line about 1/4 inch
outside the frame lines you can shape the hull after it has been assembled.
Another choice is to carefully plot out the subdeck outline by scalingit
off the plans.. If you had full size plans you could have transferred the
shape to the plywood with carbon paper. Use the method you are most
comfortable with.
a sabre sawthe center needs to come out now. Save the center cut out. It
will be temporarily put back in when weset the hull up on the building
board. The width of the subdeck again depends on the size of your ship.
Usually 1 1/4 inches wide will work. Mark a line 1 1/4 inches in from the
outer edgeall the way around except in the bow. The subdeck cut out line
should cross the frame that joins the bow piece.
Next the insides of the frames must be cut out. Depending on the size
of the ship you are building the frame widths will vary from 3/8 inch to 1
1/4 inches. Select the appropriate size for your ship and layout the inside
cut line.
If you are building a ship with a step deck you may not want to
remove the top of the frame that falls where the deck drops down. You may
also select to leave certain frames intact across the top to serve as
handles. With careful planningthe interior bulkheads for water tight
engine rooms can be left intact when removing the inside of the frames.
Cut some (two per frame) small square or triangle stock into 3/8
inch wide pieces. These will be used to provide better adhesion when
gluing the frames and subdeck.
Preparation for Hull Construction phase of the
