BLACKISH MANZONIA-4X5X1000 MM-10 PCS

Manzonia lengths 4 x 5 x 1000 mm

The pack holds ten lengths with a section of 4 x 5 mm and a length of one meter. A thickness of four millimeters moves this profile out of the planking class and into the structural class: such a length carries load, a groove can be cut into it and it stands being worked to shape. Manzonia is a hard African wood of a dark tone with a dense grain, which keeps a sharp edge after sanding.

Use on a model

• keel and bow members, the false keel and the leading edge of the stem
• stout wales and rubbing strips on the sides of a hull
• load-bearing beams under decks, supports and frames for superstructures
• blocks from which shaped parts are sanded out, for instance bollards or mast steps

Working with the wood

A stout profile hardly bends into a curve at all; it is shaped by taking material away. Cut the rough shape with a saw, finish it with a rasp and a file, and fine abrasive paper wrapped around a shaped block is enough to smooth it. When you need the curve of a keel, build it up from shorter segments with angled joints rather than from a single bent piece. It is bonded with PVA wood glue; clamp the joint with a clamp or a rubber band and let it dry thoroughly, which with a large section takes longer. Before varnishing, sand the whole part along the grain; hard wood polishes beautifully, and matte varnish, wax or oil will then deepen the tone further.

Who the strips are for

For builders of wooden ship models who need a load-bearing or a strongly visible profile in dark wood, and for modelers building to a plan where the structure is made from solid lengths rather than from thin strips.

The strips are supplied in their natural state, unworked and without any surface finish. Glue, abrasives and varnish are not included in the package.