Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Tips, Tools & Techniques => Topic started by: Robomog on March 17, 2019, 06:38:33 AM

Title: Making internal Bulkheads
Post by: Robomog on March 17, 2019, 06:38:33 AM
Hi All

Here is an easy way to manufacture internal bulkheads to fit inside a fuselage.

This is not my original idea I'm pretty sure I picked this up from somewhere on the interwebs but I can't for the life of me remember where. Perhaps one of you guy will put me straight. I just want to pass on the technique.

First get some fuse wire and  mould it to the inside of the fuselage.......
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4894/40432070423_3b3ea8ea87_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24AQVUt) (https://flic.kr/p/24AQVUt) by Robomog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/54032744@N08/), on Flickr

Next .......

Place on a piece of plastic card and trace round the outside of the wire.......
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7820/40432062393_6e04472091_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24AQTw2) (https://flic.kr/p/24AQTw2) by Robomog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/54032744@N08/), on Flickr

Then.........

Carefully line it up and trace the other side. Obviously if the two sides are different make another profile
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7812/47344885562_837e6bdb67_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2f8GV1o) (https://flic.kr/p/2f8GV1o) by Robomog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/54032744@N08/), on Flickr

Finally.......

Carefully cut it out and adjust to fit
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4842/46674387624_7e269bf183_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2e7srk7) (https://flic.kr/p/2e7srk7) by Robomog (https://www.flickr.com/photos/54032744@N08/), on Flickr

Errrm....

yes well not the best fit but you get the picture, using a finer wire than I've use here will give you a better profile and taping the wire down will make it easier to trace.

Hope you find this useful

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Making internal Bulkheads
Post by: Kerick on March 17, 2019, 07:01:22 AM
This looks good.
I’ve never tried this but I’ve heard of using the styrofoam cut from an egg carton or such, trim it close, then press it into the opening to form it to the shape of the fuselage. Perhaps a combo of these two techniques would work.
Title: Re: Making internal Bulkheads
Post by: Brian da Basher on March 17, 2019, 09:26:38 AM
Now that's usin' the ol' noggin there Mog!

Great idea, will file away for future reference.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Making internal Bulkheads
Post by: Frank3k on March 17, 2019, 10:22:44 AM
That's a pretty cool idea! I wonder if you could use solder to do the same. Maybe scan or photograph the curve for one side, then flip the image to make the opposite side. Print the shape and cut it.
Title: Re: Making internal Bulkheads
Post by: Robomog on March 17, 2019, 10:38:13 AM
Thanks guys

Solder would work, its soft and bendy.

Cant see scanning as a solution, difficult to scan a cross section accurately

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Making internal Bulkheads
Post by: Old Wombat on March 17, 2019, 02:12:03 PM
Solder or lead wire would be perfect for this as it doesn't have the flex/springiness other metal wires do, so once formed, if handled carefully, should give you a good line to follow.

Neat idea, 'mog! :smiley:

For the "flip-the-wire" version, it would probably be best done on paper or card (&, then, only if you marked the edges of the fuselage join carefully) before being transferred to styrene. Mind you, it does give you a cheaper means of test fitting before cutting styrene if you do it that way.
Title: Re: Making internal Bulkheads
Post by: Robomog on March 17, 2019, 03:28:41 PM
Good point OW,. The final photo above is proof positive of that!   ;D

I was overcome by a rare bout of impatience  ::)

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Making internal Bulkheads
Post by: ed s on March 17, 2019, 09:05:00 PM
You can also get a contour gage like the one below.

 (https://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc250/esveum/contour%20gage_zpsosskyjpf.jpg) (https://s213.photobucket.com/user/esveum/media/contour%20gage_zpsosskyjpf.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Making internal Bulkheads
Post by: apophenia on March 19, 2019, 04:09:33 AM
Excellent technique 'mog. In effect, you have invented a miniature 'lead snake' (as old-timey draughtsmen knew their 'flexible curve' tools).

You can also get a contour gage like the one below.

Or you can make your own  ;D
Title: Re: Making internal Bulkheads
Post by: Robomog on March 19, 2019, 10:10:23 AM
That brings back memories,  the old "flexicurve" probably a bit big for fine work like this.

Impressed with the homemade profile guage, does it work well ?

I've constructed a few more bulkheads the technique works better using fine wire, haven't tested solder wire yet, I've stashed it somewhere safe. So safe I don't know where it is.

Mog
>^-.-^<
Title: Re: Making internal Bulkheads
Post by: Old Wombat on March 19, 2019, 10:51:27 AM
I'm sure I've seen some pretty small flexi-curves around, only a couple of inches long or less, for fine detail work.