What Wood

[thewharfonline]

Ok I need to use some kind of wood on my model, it needs to be waterproof to save money on waterproofing other stuff and yet not very heavy because I don't want to "rock the boat".

I would like to preferably make everyhting out of this wood too, wheels, wheel housing, deck housing etc. And it would be nice if it was cheap!

What would should I use

[John Atwood]

The best plywood to use is 3 or 4mm okume plywood.  Any good building supply lumber yard will order it for you.  Great wood to use.  I would not use anything by 3ply 3mm/4mm Okume plywood.  
John Atwood    

[derekwarner_decoy]

hi - it really comes down to what you will be building & one type of timber may not necessarily be suitable for all model applications

Typically super tough azzie oak would be great for a keel plate or mast, useless to cut planks from - 10 mm thisk cedar wood paneling can be cut to varying thicknesses as required for hull planking or thinner deck planking

Marine ply is technically water resistant, but not water proof & would still need a water proff coating if exposed to water

The only real recomendation would be to stay AWAY from MDF board - I chose that for the frames of PS Decoy - old story if it's cheap you will only get quality of the price paid! - do you have access to a band saw or Scroll saw? - regards Derek in Wollongong

[thewharfonline]

Hmmmm you know i wouldn't have a clue...I haven't been around the world of tools for long. I live with my dad and my grandpa though so if Dad don't got one my grandpa should!

Ummm Derek I noticed the Decoy in your name...I dunno if you can help but the Aussie Decoy...is it running? coz i ahve a book that says it's a houseboat now on the Murray but yestereday I visited a site that had it still runninng...I confused!

[derekwarner_decoy]

hi "thewharfonline" - it is a bit confusing for me also - PS decoy was built in Scotland all those years ago & shipped in a knocked down form & assembled in Melbourne - then steamed to the Murray mouth & history carries on from there - she steamed to Perth WA & was converted to a show boat but finally was towed back to SA & returned to the river trade

The hulk of Decoy is at Mannum & owned by a Captain Dick Bromhead - some two years ago I spent a few hours on board - all amazing

If you search GOGGLE for PS Decoy you will find a direct link to the current replica PS DEcoy working on the Swan river in Perth & she looks pretty similar - but talk with Dick Bromhead & bad sprits abound in the real reason of Decoys return to SA - Derek ..................................... ............................................testing modification 26/08/2012?

[thewharfonline]

Ah ok! I get it now!

thanks a bundle Derek!

Well talk to everyone later
Sean