M
mark williams 4
Guest
Is FISHINGmagic going to get its proofs read, so it's in the right vain, or is it too vane? Really, Graham....
While on the subject of floatmaking, I have to say I'm not as convinced as Chris of the value of balsa as a float-making material. It depends on the grade. The heavier grades aren't too bad, but a lot of lightweight modeller's balsa dowel is so soft, every dent becomes a split in the varnish/paint, and that WILL let in water, which swells the wood and splits the float further.
For my money - or importantly, for NONE of my money - expanded polystyrene is much better. You need to examine packaging to find the denser stuff with particles about 2mm diameter.
Long poly floats need reinforcement with a tube up the middle, or an epoxied strong wire (which also helps preload the float), and you can't use solvent paint or glues, but a makeshift lathe made with a clamped drill and some sandpaper, and you can knock out poly floats by the dozen.
Even better is closed-cell polyethylene and polyurethane foams - a b***er to paint but you can jump on them and they will float afterwards.
While on the subject of floatmaking, I have to say I'm not as convinced as Chris of the value of balsa as a float-making material. It depends on the grade. The heavier grades aren't too bad, but a lot of lightweight modeller's balsa dowel is so soft, every dent becomes a split in the varnish/paint, and that WILL let in water, which swells the wood and splits the float further.
For my money - or importantly, for NONE of my money - expanded polystyrene is much better. You need to examine packaging to find the denser stuff with particles about 2mm diameter.
Long poly floats need reinforcement with a tube up the middle, or an epoxied strong wire (which also helps preload the float), and you can't use solvent paint or glues, but a makeshift lathe made with a clamped drill and some sandpaper, and you can knock out poly floats by the dozen.
Even better is closed-cell polyethylene and polyurethane foams - a b***er to paint but you can jump on them and they will float afterwards.