Hi Jugge,
Looking forward to seeing a build log too.

Martin555.

Hello all of you
Merry xmas to all modelbuilders out there
my new model arrived yesterday , Caldercraft Northlight puffer
im going to post some photos off the build when i started
// Jörgen

All this 'trouble with trimming' has somehow reminded me of 'Trouble with Trimbles" 😁
😎

Blacknbluedog,
No i am not it is juskiddin that is making one.
This is his thread.
You can look at my builds to see what i am working on.

Martin555.

Are you building a puffer at this time?

Hi Martin I would like to say yes, I have the model and just trying and find free time, but thought I would made a start. I don't have much spare time just now, so it is going to be slow progress I feel but I will be making a start.

Me 2 also.
Cheers Marky👍

Me 2 Martin 😉
😎

Hi Blacknbluedog,
Are you building a Puffer too?
I would like to see some photos of your project.

Martin555.

Okay! thanks for your tips/ advice

I don't like using a dremel or gel coat fibreglass hulls as it can chip very easily keeping the speed down does work but watch out for cut temperature. Use a well ventilated space and a facemask as most materials give off dust you don't want to breath.

Thanks for your thoughts on this, much appreciated 👍

I have used various surform tools to trim the top edge of the hull and they do not compare to doing it with a dremel.
My dremel and I think most, have variable speed controls and with care (which most modeller practice) you can complete this task quickly and without any damage to the hull. I usually mark my line with a permanent marker and take it down to the line with my dremel and then finally finish with a smooth flat file.

Thanks for the advice👍

Good Question!
Still feeling the wrath of Covid 19 with supplies in SA☹️☹️

If you have got quite a lot of f/g to remove off the hull Nerys ,may I suggest you use a Perma-grit tool or a surform type, as using a dremel at the speed it runs is not that accurate, and you need to take off little and often, has worked great on all my f/g hulls even Deans hulls.😊

Cheers, Pete

That's really helpful, many thanks👍

Hi Ianh,
Is there a build log of PT109 on the way ?

Martin555.

I have just got a Dumas PT109 Same thing trim the hull down but be careful with a Dremel it can soften the vac form.

Thinking about this logically, whatever hull you are working on, even wood, when you come to fit the deck, whether it sits inside the hull sides or on top of it, the hull sides will need trimming.

cheers, Nerys

"Reading the 'instructions' for my Deans LST he says that the top edge of the hull will need trimming "
Same with my Deans HMS Manxman Nerys.
Seems to be virtually the norm for FG and plastic hulls. 🤔
Only exception I have is a Mountfleet hull for a 1/72 destroyer flotilla leader HMS Hardy.
It came ready trimmed😊
Cheers, Doug 😎

I couldn't find a before and after trimming photo of the hull of my Northlight as I only had a photo of it once I trimmed it.
However, I did have a couple of photos of my Milford Star just to show you the difference - not so much to take off on the Milford as opposed to the Northlight though.

That's very helpful, many thanks👍

I ended up having to trim the hull moulding down.

I agree Nerys, any hull material other than a 'wood' build usually needs trimming to a certain extent, some more than others.
Alan

Reading the 'instructions' for my Deans LST he says that the top edge of the hull will need trimming and advises use of a Dremel I suspect this is normal in most mouldings as I've had to do it in Barge hulls from Mastman.

Nerys

I have now built 4 Caldecraft boats and on all of them I have had to trim the top edge of the hull to the correct line. Also, you may find the hull slightly distorted and you can rectify this if you warm the areas up with a hairdryer and then hold in place.
Alan

Built caldercraft Joffre did not have to trim the hull, but scale was all over the place timber decking was 1" narrower than plastic hull.contacted caldercraft to be told they have always used that size hull, so how can they claim they are to scale???

Hi Did you ever find if this is correct, i cannot find information on this either.

Thanks Doug I will try that in the future .
Rick

Hi Rick,
It would really help if you posted the link!!
Just copy (CTRL+C) it from the address bar when you are on that site.
Then paste (CTRL+V) it into your post on a line with no other characters.
Cheers, Doug 😎

I have built 3 Caldercraft models including the Northlight Puffer and am presently building the Milford Star. All their fibreglass hulls need trimming as no mould produces a finished edge of the final dimension. If I remember correctly I had to remove about 6mm all around on my Northlight The easiest way to do this is to use a Dremmel tool with the sandpaper/grit roller bit to sand the edge to the level required - do it outside and wear a mask for the resin dust.
Alan

I went on line and found the Caldercraft Northlight with pictures of the plans and build the site is RC Groups.com.Hope this my help
Rick

Hi I have half built a Northlight (about 15 years ago) and I don't remember cutting the hull as you suggest. My build stalled because I lost the instructions and like you emailing Caldercraft did not receive a response.