Trimable Decks

The First Deck:

The first deck had a new design strategy applied also. You see, the sectioned-hull design caused a slight problem for the first deck:

Each of the actual hull frames would necessarily be slightly larger or slightly smaller than the design’s 1mm. This error would also necessarily build up over the eight butt-joints that comprise the hull’s length. Therefore, the length of the hull will vary slightly depending on what thickness of paper is used.

To get around this, the first deck was designed to be trimable. Ie, after the hull assembly was completed, I laid out the pieces for the first deck onto the hull assembly, marked the exact length, and then cut the pieces to fit perfectly. Here is the Part-Sheet Drawing for the First Deck:

(The image is shown in reduced scale;
Click on the image to see actual sheet at 4-times resolution.)

The first deck is 1mm thick, so there are three layers to be built up. However, notice that the top layer is made up of three separate pieces. The procedure is as follows:

· Cut out parts 14A, 14B and 14C.

· Lay out parts 14A, 14B and 14C (with 14B on top) onto the hulk.

ü Position 14A and 14C to the ends of the hull.

ü Position 14B so that the axle line matches up with the hull’s axle holes.

ü Mark where 14A and 14C needed to be trimmed.

· Trim 14A and 14C.

· Bond 14B to the second layer, 14D, matching up on the center-lines.

· Add 14A and 14C to the second layer, 14D, again, matching up on the center-lines.

· Bond the 14A-D assembly to 14E (making sure that 14E’s colored side is facing down)

· Re-cut out 14A, 14B and 14C’s combined pattern through the two added layers.

· Glue the completed first-deck down onto the hull assembly.

Adding hull-sides, 20s and 20p:

Since the hull-sides, parts 20s and 20p, run the length of the hull, they need to be trimable also. It is always easy to trim the bow, so the starting point for these pieces is the stern. And there are little trimable tabs at the point where the first deck balloons out amidships.

Here is a picture showing the hull sides after the trimming was done.

Notice that the hull-side pieces covered over the axle-holes. Therefore, using a pin, I punched holes for the axle in parts 20s and 20p at the appropriate place. Next, I glued the axle-plates, 21, into place over each hole.