One of the many things I have trouble with is filing a round mast square for the tops and tapering yards. I even found some yards with a octagonal section in the middle very hard to get right by hand.
Twenty plus years ago when I had access to a machine shop l built a tool to help with these issues. Until this week I had never really used it as I didn't have the time to spend on modelling.
As it was stored in pieces it took a little while to find all the bits and work out how it went together.
It's made in 2 parts one side is for tapering and the other side for filing flats on round material. It will hold up to 12mm diameter.
When tapering thin yards I hold it in the middle and use a steady on the end while I taper it. Then I move the steady and finish the end. Bigger diameter parts only need the steady to finish off the ends. The holes in the face plate allow the part to be indexed if holes need to be drilled.
This side is for making flats on masts, basically file on the rollers until it stops cutting. I use a file with a safety edge up against the guide. The rollers can be adjusted up and down to get the correct size. Long or flexible parts can be supported with the centre.
The part can be indexed in 15 degree increments so when one side is done remove the pin and turn it to the next position.
The head can be moved to make steps.
This took about 30mins and there is less than 0.1mm variation across the flats. I wouldn't be able to do it by hand and I do not have a milling machine.
All the parts used where what I had to hand mostly from old jigs and fixtures, if I was using new materials I would have done it differently.
I am now going to make the mast and yards for my BP it's the first time it will be used to make a model.
If there are any questions or photos required, please let me know.
Twenty plus years ago when I had access to a machine shop l built a tool to help with these issues. Until this week I had never really used it as I didn't have the time to spend on modelling.
As it was stored in pieces it took a little while to find all the bits and work out how it went together.
It's made in 2 parts one side is for tapering and the other side for filing flats on round material. It will hold up to 12mm diameter.
When tapering thin yards I hold it in the middle and use a steady on the end while I taper it. Then I move the steady and finish the end. Bigger diameter parts only need the steady to finish off the ends. The holes in the face plate allow the part to be indexed if holes need to be drilled.
This side is for making flats on masts, basically file on the rollers until it stops cutting. I use a file with a safety edge up against the guide. The rollers can be adjusted up and down to get the correct size. Long or flexible parts can be supported with the centre.
The part can be indexed in 15 degree increments so when one side is done remove the pin and turn it to the next position.
The head can be moved to make steps.
This took about 30mins and there is less than 0.1mm variation across the flats. I wouldn't be able to do it by hand and I do not have a milling machine.
All the parts used where what I had to hand mostly from old jigs and fixtures, if I was using new materials I would have done it differently.
I am now going to make the mast and yards for my BP it's the first time it will be used to make a model.
If there are any questions or photos required, please let me know.