OK- Here is a stupid one- (I know no stupid questions)- which is why I have come to like it here.

My questions revolves around finishing/closing shackles, I have some britannia ones that I've used pins to close by bending them over and trimming off, then rounding a bit with a jeweler file, but I don't like the look. What do you guys use?

Now something I haven't mentioned is that I was a jeweler for two years and leaned a few miniature tricks, but it takes a oxy-acetylene jeweler's torch with a tiny & very hot flame to do it. You take a wire, heat the end and it will melt and ball up, but I can't figure out a way of using a big torch close enough to make a tight fit on a little shackle without turing everything into to a silver puddle and burning my boat.

Hammering a flat end would work- but You have to hold the wire tight in a pair of pliers and tap the end down into a mushroom. Can get one end right but working on the other while on the model is a problem.

Maybe I'm being too picky here and the pin option is just fine.


How do you guys do yours?

What scale are you working with? Also what type of shackle? Are they heart, round, or 'U'? Did these shackles come with a kit, or are you making them from scrach? If it's a very small scale, it may not be worth tring to show the shackle pins in great detail. However, for a larger scale you could try brass nails, like these:
http://modelexpo-online.com/aspfiles/itemdy01_n.asp?UID=2004032408591825&T1=MS0980&Gen9=&Category=fittings&KeySearch=hdwe
One end is rounded off, and the other end you could file down like before. You could also look at small eye-bolts. Maybe try to make up the shackle before attaching to the model. IE; make the shackle and pin removable, then install on the model.
It also depends on the era of the vessel. At different times throughout ship building, improvements were made it the design of shackles and the pins. The basic idea hasn't changed all that much, but there have been improvements in the design of the shackle pins. From simple pin and key to the newer type used today, flattened head sc_rew bolt with a hole in one end. (that darned word filter again) Check out these pics:

That flat head type pin shackle might be your best bet, and they shouldn't be too hard to make up a head of time.
See below:

OK- Here is a stupid one- (I know no stupid questions)- which is why I have come to like it here..................................
RichieC, how did you make out with your shackles?

Great!, I'm a dope I guess, I figured that both ends of the pin would be a peened over half round, but of course they would be removable! Your pics were are great help and I apologize for not thanking you for your help immediately- I meant to!

For the first part of my life, I raced small sail boats- one called a Lightning (19') and 16' Hobie Cats, both of which had a lot of hardware- shackles included. Not at the scale or the more antique shapes that are appropriate for my ship that you sent. These are, and will continue to be a great help and resource for me.

Haven't decided if I'm going to make my own or not yet. It would be tough to get them all consistent- shape and size wise. But for the pin side- rounding one end then flattening the other end after it is in place ( which makes it wider than the hole in the shackle and drilling a hole will be easy!

I know the way the real ones work is to screw in the opposite end from the flat side, but I don't want to trust the connection to glue.

Thanks Again!

If you want to try glue, use a little tiny, tiny dab of five minute Epoxy, with like the end of a pin. Strong stuff and I've used it on metal parts. Drys clear and you can paint it afterword's. Rough up the metal with a small Emery board to ensure good adhesion. Try it out on a sample and see if it works. :wink:

Another *beep*, you'll all think I talk like a sailor.. The *beep* above is when you turn a threaded male bolt into a corresponding female receptor or nut- It starts with "sc"- and ends in "rew"

(boy that does sound spicy!)

The epoxy would be a good choice to try!

I don't know Richie. You seem to have a lot of trouble with the word censor. :censored: