"Masts on 1/2400 DDs" Topic

Does anyone else add masts to their DDs?

Last weekend I added wire masts to a batch of WW2 DDs, and I liked the effect, so I did the same to a group of 9x M class C-in-C DDs. These are smaller models, so not only was drilling the holes significantly more painful, but the 0.7mm wire I'm using looks much too overscale. I'd rather not do any more that way.

My next idea is to go for "flexible and springy" instead of "too stiff to bend", and try plastic or nylon bristles. Any suggestions where to look for fine, straight sources of nylon bristles?

- Ix

Have you looked at fishing line?

Toothbrushes are a treasure trove of nylon bristles.

I haven't looked at anything yet. I'll try a toothbrush first, and a dollar store hairbrush second. Other suggestions very welcome.

- Ix

I use .010 plastic rod and a .80 drill bit.

I start the hole with a needle chucked into a pin vise.

Position the needle tip where you want the hole and press down with even pressure: this will give you a 'starter hole' and ensure your drill bit won't slip.

Drill the hole and insert the mast.

For years I used brass rod and once I tried/switched to plastic rod I never went back.

Prep: I put full pieces of rod into large locking tweezers and prime them with cheap Wal Mart Gray Primer. This makes them easier to see/handle.

When dry, I cut to the length required.

I prime (airbrush) with White and it's easy to apply to much paint to the mast area and clog it up: since the masts are Gray I know to stop spraying as soon as the Gray disappears.

As Joes Shop says, the starter hole is key. The rest of his advice is sot-on, too.

Always. I have a substantial suite of hand drills. I have tried lots of wires. Don't dismiss staples and paper clip metal. They work just fine. Springy can work, but I have seen too many Navis/Neptun 1250 models that use soft plastic for the upper masts. They seldom look right. They usually get bendy and look poor, especially with almost any handling.

I usually use steel banjo strings, which come in very thin flexible steel alloy of various thickness. Other steel instrument strings would probably work as well. Avoid wire-wound strings, though. Also, de-grease the strings before using. Drill hole, adjust position if needed with old exacto blade, including narrowing hole by jamming blade down on side you want to move in, but slightly outside the hole. You want the hole tight enough to hold the mast at the desired angle. Then epoxy.

MH

For ships that small I use the same as above – .008 guitar strings. For larger ships I use .020 brass wire. Gap-filling superglue works fine for me.