Deck Options

Ok, so a balsa deck came with my VDT kit and while I had been worried it was too warped I was relieved to find out yesterday that's it no big deal. Still, I've been mulling over other options and wanted to run them by you and see if the collective wisdom around here can help me figure out the pro's/con's of each material and maybe discover a new option or three.
In researching the forum I've come up with the following deck material options (along with some notes I've made):

• Balsa: Traditional material. Needs to be waterproofed with expoxy or other sealant.
• Fiberglass Board: (p/n 8549K72 from McMaster-Carr) Waterproof. BB proof.
• Sintra: Synthetic waterproof board. Usually referenced for use in superstructure but if rigid enough then should work for decks.
• ABS: Synthetic waterproof board. Like Sintra, usually used for SS but should be suitable for decks. Should be rigid enough for decks.

Any other options y'all know about? Any pro's/con's to the above? Any advice/comments?

 

You forgot aircraft grade plywood. BB proof ... needs to be waterproofed (not a big deal if you varnish it) ... easy to work. You can also scribe your deck boards into the plywood for a neat wooden deck look.

 

I've never heard of Balsa being used for decks, I think it would be to weak even if strengthened with epoxy. I prefer 1/8" 5-ply plywood sealed with epoxy. I know some people use thin fiberglass board with good results and I think 1/8" ABS would work well. I dont really know anything about Sintra. I'd go with some decent ply wood or abs (if 1/8" is rigid enough but im guessing it is?) Fiberglass sucks to cut but the waterproofness is handy so if you don't mind cutting fiberglass go for it.

 

Hmm, I just assumed the deck included with the BC kit was balsa but it may be ply. I'll check that out tomorrow. I know the sub-deck is ply, 1/4" if memory serves with a 1/8" deck (of some material).

Mike, I assume by "scribe" the deck board you're referring to the technique djranier used on his and Don's Iron Dukes, right? Man, THAT impressed the hell out of me and I'd like to do the same thing on a future build, perhaps using ABS or Sintra instead of ply. I don't know if ABS is available in 3/8" or not but I think Sintra does come in that thickness.

 

The BC kit should have a plywood deck. It is more than enough to stand up to BBs. All of my ships use 1/8" ply decks and are holding up well.

I haven't seen Dave's deck scribing yet. I'll check his thread. I'll see if I can find the deck scribing thread I did a while back that tells and shows step by step a method for scribing decks.

EDIT: Found it right here - http://www.rcnavalcombat.com/Forum/...fault.aspx

 

that link didnt do anything Mike, sorry.
For my first build, im keeping it simple. I bought some 1/4" ply at Homeless Cheapo, aand im going to order some 3 ply birch plywood this weekend for a deck, seems the cheapest and easist way for me.

 

You can always put teak on top of your deck...
If you ask Greg, it was worth doing once... exactly once. I didn't find it as difficult (Admittedly I didn't do as much), I'll probably continue this if I become crazy enough to build another ship.

 

i think if he wants that look, that a scribed deck would be good enough.

 

I have never scribed a deck yet, I think he is talking about the 3/8 combined subdeck/deck, which I routered the inside edge, to form the lip to hold the deck on my Iron Duke build Mike.

 

You don't need a dremel... Thin teak is easy to cut with scissors... If I did it again, I'd use a paper cutter with a width 'jig'.

Then cut to length with scissors, tack in place with CA, and go over it again with clear resin.

 

The only problem I have had is not fining Aircraft ply long enough for a few of the longer ships I own.

Personally one of these days I may do a fiberglass deck.

 

I will try to post pics here of the Sintra deck I have for VDT. I have it secured to the subdeck. I am installing it as one piece into the hull. The Sintra is 1/8 thick. Secured to the subdeck it is very strong and smooth. You can scribed the deck for plank appearance. Cutting out hatches is easy. Beauty is the deck itself needs no weatherproofing. If you really want to you could attach plank strips to the sintra and stain it and seal it. That would give you a very good deck. If you do add planks and want to keep it flush just make sure the deck is countersunk in the gunwale far enough so that the planks when added are even with the top of the gunwale.

 

Where do you get Sintra? is it expensive?

 

Most hobby stores will carry ABS and Sintra.

 

I got mine from a window and glass store 8 by 4 ft sheet. 25.oo CDN for me. I still have large sections left. Goes a long way. I purchased the 1/8 some guys get the 1/4 in and use that for decking but they don't use a subdeck to support the deck. They generally bolt right through the gunwall into the edge of the deck and seal with resin. Go to Warship builds I posted the deck from my VDT there. Sorry I meant to post it here.

 

I just wante to correct myself. You can view the deck in A.R.C.C. forum under Von der Tan build.

 

Hey curt... why not put your warship build in the warship build forum... so people who aren't looking can find it?