This is probably something everyone has seen...

The round stock of Basswood is warped/bowed. What is an effective method of straightening it? Its too long to be steamed or boiled to correct it, esp for the mast lengths. And what can I do to keep it from warping again after the longer masts and yards are installed? :yikes:

Are you sure the dowels are basswood and not birch? Birch is a better wood to use for masts and yards because it's more stable, and tends not to warp or twist. Basswood is usually not well suited for masts and yards, unless they are laminated. See below:
Trying to strengthen out round dowels is not easy. You can try heating up the wood with hot water, and then clamping in a straight position until dry. Either that or go to a arts and crafts store and pick out straight dowels. I've found that if a dowel is straight to begin with it will usually stay that way.

Are you sure the dowels are basswood and not birch? Birch is a better wood to use for masts and yards because it's more stable, and tends not to warp or twist. Basswood is usually not well suited for masts and yards, unless they are laminated.

They came with the kit and look like basswood. They're unusable that's for sure. I'll have to search around for better stock. There are a few art and hobby stores around me. This will give me another excuse to shop and spend some money on something fun! yahoo! \:D/

When I go out to buy a specific item I need for a project, I usually wind up getting ten other items while cruising the aisles. I always check out the tool aisle! 8)

Just a piont relating to masts. I'm building the kit of the "Thermopylae", my first commission, and did n't like a few things - including the masts. The wood looked more like toilet roll than masting. So I've made another set of masts. A little bit of wood and a few hours give you a lot of masts.

Providing the stock is straight to start with there is only me to blame if the masts is bowed.

To each there own - I use a set of home made jigs and a small plane to make the masts.
rgds.
John

I agree with sabah. Most stock doweling you get now-a-days isn't that good. I found that laminating flat stock then turning down, like sabah suggested works very well. For the yards I still use round stock dowels (some times for the main sail yards I'll make laminated yards). But you have to watch out. Depending on how well seasoned the stock doweling is, they can twist or bow many months after you finish the model.