How to use plastic sheet

[uss silversides]

I have decided to rebuild my Gato conning tower, this time out of plastic sheet. Any recommendations for someone who's never none this before?

Jonathan

[Guest]

Make cardboard templates before committing

Make cardboard templates before committing to plastic.

Use a sharp knife for cutting, take light cuts.

Practice.

Andy

[uss silversides]

Thanks for the tip Andy!

Thanks for the tip Andy!

[skip asay]

I built the tower for

I built the tower for my scratchbuilt Type II U-boat out of sheet styrene (Evergreen) many years ago. It's a lot simpler than you would think.

Build a frame consisting of a base and deck (but slightly smaller to allow for the "skin"). Add vertical stringers front and back as well as along the sides to hold the base and the deck together, parallel to each other, and the proper distance apart. Use thin (no more than .020" thick sheet styrene as the skin and USE PLASTIC CEMENT - NOT CA! to glue the skin to the frame. But use it sparingly. Thin sheet will show enthusiastic use of cement on the outside!

To make the straight cuts, use a straight edge and an Exacto knife but cut (scribe) with the back side of the blade. It's not necessary to cut all the way through. Scribe the plastic and the bend it along the scribe. It'll break nice and clean.

Skip Asay
SubTech

[uss silversides]

Thanks Skip! Do you use

Thanks Skip! Do you use plastic for the frame too?

[skip asay]

Yes, but thicker (1/16" -

Yes, but thicker (1/16" - 3/32").

Skip Asay
SubTech