Copper plating the Phanton
 

Chuck Passaro recommends taking the 1/4 inch copper tape that comes with the kit and spitting the 1/4 inch width into two 1/8 inch width sections and then cutting off 1/4 inch wide pieces to do the plating.

Why not just use the original 1/4 inch tape and cut off 1/8 inch pieces ? Am I missing something ?

Re: Copper plating the Phanton
 

Ken

It's a subtle thing, you have to consider the grain of the copper, the direction it was rolled and how the adhesive was applied...

...then in the end, it's personal choice, you do whatever seems easier.

It's supposed to be fun, don't overthink it.

Regards

Jim

Re: Copper plating the Phanton
 

I did it the way you suggested (cut 1/8 inch thick strips) and it worked much better for me than what is suggested in the practicum.

Re: Copper plating the Phanton
 

I thought the same thing when I coppered my Phantom, but then I realized that if you check the plans, the plates are actually a little wider than 1/4", and since the plates are laid in rows rather than columns, it's more important that each row is the same height rather than each plate being the same width. This seems to me easier to accomplish by splitting the tape, and then cutting the plates.

Re: Copper plating the Phanton
 

Now THAT makes a lot of sense. I was trying to think of a reason for not just cutting them the other way since it would seem to be easier. But you made it very clear Mike!

Clare

Re: New subject if I may
 

I'm at the first steps of building my Phantom. It says I will need to remove about 1/8" from the stern post area. So I measured and found I'll need to remove 1/4" to make my templates meet up properly at station 5. To me that's a big difference.
Then I measured the length and found it is 1/4" too long as well. So do I remove all the material from the stern area ?
Has anyone else run across this ?

Re: Copper plating the Phanton
 

Bill, depending on the hull blank that you recieved that could be correct. My first one was only about 1/8 too long. However I messed up the carving and required a new one, it was 1/4 too long as yours is. There was enough on the sturn to remove the excess and keep everything in its proper order. You should not have an issue by removing it off of the stern. Good luck and continue to ask your questions. There has been a great source of information and help for me here, as I am sure there will be for you too.
Lynn

Re: Copper plating the Phanton
 

Thanks Lynn
It did vary from the instructions and through me off. Now I'm ready to get at it.