Coffee or Craft sticks work very well .

Canabus

First off, I had to look up "biro" (ball point to us on this side of the Atlantic). Ball point on plywood, that is what I was thinking about. I did build a few models by planking, not exactly my cup of tea.

Thin plywood is getting harder to find here in Florida. Craft stores seems to have dropped them, and we all know about the downturn in hobby shops. On tip I will pass on is I ordered some from Zipp Kits (makers of the Springer "tugster" kits) (as first) - got a variety of reject sheets and cut-offs at a reasonable price.

Lew

Lew

It depends on what you want to achieve as to which method you use. Purists will want to actually plank a model, however time consuming and fiddly. Others will simply draw planking onto ply. I have used the latter method, sometimes using waterpoof drawing ink onto ply that has been sanded and given one coat of varnish before finishing with numerous coats of varnish, rubbing down with wet and dry between coats. On other occasions I have used a soft black pencil direct onto the ply, and I have also tried a black biro which can indent the surface and give a pleasing finish.😉

Not cheap, unfortunately, but SLEC have ply with laser marked planking that looks very effective when varnished. I've used some for cockpit floors.

It's what they supply in their Fairey kits for the decking.

A cheaper way is to draw the planks on with pencil or waterproof marker and then varnish.

Chris

Lew,
If you want the natural caulked look, you might try this:www.bluejacketinc.com
Look under fittings, then wood, then glued up decking. It is strip planks glued together with black glue. Thickness is around 1/16". It is available in different plank widths.

Hi Lew
Probably the easiest would be to use mirror ply (approx 1/64) but 1/16 would possibly be cheaper. You would need to scribe the planks and mark.
I have used thin veneer cut into planks of the correct size and glued in place. Looks good when dry but prone to lifting if any water gets into the structure.
If you have the machinery you could make your own plank strips from wood you may have to hand. The alternative would be to buy some strip wood but that may be above your budget.
I am at present repairing my Sea Commander that suffered water damage and requires two new side panel forrard of the cockpit and re-planking of the roofs. Might just post a quick blog to show how I proceed, so that may help.
Not sure if there is a best way to suit all needs but I'm certain we all have our own favourite method.
dave976

Following hoping for some tips for my build as well 🤞 thanks 👍