Note about Glues: White or Carpenter's
yellow wood glue will suffice for most
of the model. Five-minute epoxy pro-
vides extra strength for gluing fittings.
Cyanoacrylate (Super) glue such as Jet,
can be used for quick adhesion. The best
cyanoacrylate glue for most applications
is a medium viscosity gap-filling type.
The watery-thin type is recommended
to fill a narrow crack by capillary action.
For scribed decking sheets, it is best to
use a contact cement or model airplane
type cement. White glue tends to warp
thin sheet wood and makes it difficult to
install.
The following tools and supplies are rec-
ommended for the construction process.
Modelers who have built before may
have their own favorites.
A. Knives & Saws
1. Hobby knife with No. 11 blades
2. Coping saw (or jeweler's saw
frame) and fine blades
B. Files
Set of needle files
C. CarvingTools
Small chisel and gouge for shaping
the bulwarks
D. Sharpening Stone
Necessary to keep the tools razor
sharp
E. Clamps
1. Several wooden clothespins
3. Rubber bands
F. Wire Cutters & Tin Snips
For cutting fine wire & chain; for
cutting brass sheet
G. Boring Tools
1. Set of miniature drills: #60 to #80
2. A pin vise
3. Larger bits: 1/16", 3/32", and 1/8"
H. Miscellaneous
1. Tack hammer
2. Tweezers (a few)
3. Miniature pliers
a. small round for forming rings
and eyes
b. flat nose (with serrated jaws)
4. 1/2" or 3/4" masking tape
I. Sandpaper
Fine and medium grit garnet or
aluminum oxide sandpaper
(#100 to #220 grit)
J. Finishing:
Paint brushes
a. fine point for details
b. 1/4 flat square for hull
K. Supplies:
(will be covered in detail in the
Painting & Staining section and
throughout instructions.)
1. Paints
2. Primer
3. Stains/varnish
4. White or Carpenter's (yellow)
wood glue
5. Five minute epoxy
6. Super glue
7. Model airplane type glue
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO START CONSTRUCTION
HOW TO WORK WITH
PLANS AND PARTS
Before starting model construction, exam-
ine the kit and study the plan carefully. Fa-
miliarizing yourself with the kit will serve
two purposes. First, it will let you deter-
mine that all parts have been supplied as
listed. And second, you'll be surprised at
just how quickly handling the parts allows
you to better understand the kit require-
ments. Try to visualize how every part will
look on the completed model. Also, deter-
mine ahead of time what must be done
first. The instructions will help you in this
regard, but a thorough knowledge of the
plan at the outset is essential.
It is suggested that all small fittings and
hardware be sorted into labeled boxes or
compartments to avoid loss during the
building process.
1. The Plan
One Plan Sheet is provided. However,
many sketches throughout this manual
further illustrate the various stages of
construction.
The TAURUS kit is manufactured to a
scale of 1/8" = 1'0". The plan is drawn to
the exact scale that the model is to be built.
Dimensions can be lifted directly off the
plan by using a set of draftsman dividers
or by using a "tick" strip, which is simply a
piece of paper used to "pick up" the di-
mensions (a roll of calculator tape works
very well). Lay your paper strip over the
plan and mark the lengths of items care-
fully with a sharp pencil. Then use the
strip to transfer the marks to the wood or
item to be made to scale.
2. Kit Lumber
Your kit may contain limewood, a Euro-
pean wood, as a substitute for the bass-
wood. Both woods are similar in worka-
bility and grain.
3. Cast Metal Fittings
The kit is supplied with Britannia metal
castings. The Britannia metal is a great
improvement over the white metal that
was used in some older kits. Unlike
white metal and pewter, Britannia does
not contain lead, so there are no possible
corrosion problems. The fittings, howev-
er, will require final finishing before they
are suitable for installing on the model.
Before painting the cast metal fittings,
clean them up by removing all the mold
joint flash. To do this, use a No. 11 hobby
blade to cut the flash, then file or sand with
fine sandpaper. It is also suggested that
you clean the fittings thoroughly with
warm soapy water before applying primer.
Make sure they are rinsed thoroughly and
allowed to dry before painting.
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Summary of Contents for Taurus 2021
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