If time is not a problem when soaking your planks but workspace is, then you might want to consider using a 2 liter soda pop bottle.

You cut a slot just big enough in the lid so that the plank fits snug in both dimensions but not tight. Fill the bottle up about 3/4 full or so, put the lid on and insert your plank and let it soak for the desired length of time. The snug fit allows you to predetermine how much of the plank you actually want to soak

The nickel deposit (in Oregon) and the snug fit make it cheap and spill proof. If you want more productivity, either cut multiple slots in the lid or set up more than one bottle.

A possible improvement is to use an old style army canteen and put it on a hot plate to heat the water and minimize soak times.

The one caveat I have is that you have to be satisfied with soaking only one end of one plank at a time per slot or bottle. However, while you have one plank pinned and drying on the model's frame, you can already have another plank soaking for the other side.

Mike

 

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Hello Mike -- you said --

"The one caveat I have is that you have to be satisfied with soaking only one end of one plank at a time per slot or bottle. However, while you have one plank pinned and drying on the model's frame, you can already have another plank soaking for the other side. "

Having wet planks dry in position on the model frame is not the best method , and can cause problems -- the planks can shrink and distort causing problems with gaps . Also , wet planks can warp your bulkheads and keel when they dry . Better , to soak and bend your planks with a jig , let them dry and than attach to your hull . (IMHO).

cheers

 

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Mike;

I agree with Gary, I made the mistake of putting a not too dry plank in position once and the next morning I had both a slight gap as well as movement of a bulkhead. If you want to soak more planks in a small space I got some PVC plumbing pipe and cut it to length and sealed the bottom and put a threaded cap in the top. It will stand up to being filled with boiling water from the kettle and then I drop in the planks close the cap and let it sit as needed. This also holds the heat longer. Then I just sit down to a plank bending session and then set them aside to dry. Living in an apartment I just set the tube anywhere convenient while soaking.

PVC piping and fittings is very cheap and easy to source at any Home Depot or hardware store. It also has several diameters too choose from.

Cheers;

Mike

 

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I use a spaghetti cooking tube I talked myself into a couple of years ago. Two clothespins keep the plank from touching bottom (about 12 inches from the top) You don't have to worry about hot water leaking.
Maybe someday I'll use it to cook spaghetti but think about it, is using a pot all that labor intensive. Jim

 

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