Electric Plank Bender for Hobby Model Ships by Model Shipways - MS7205

Works perfectly

Great transaction Price is right, excellent item

This is to show my final assembly since the tool comes in pieces to assemble. The assembly can be fun if you treat it like the ship building itself. Notice I removed the char from the surfaces and sanded same, beveled the corners, glued the bottom to a strongback (for clamping to work table) and used small tack nails to hold the cooling rack. The tool works as advertised. The success or failure using it is all in the user’s skill.

I've only used this on the planking on my Model Shipways USS Constitution, which I started doing late last year. It worked fine until early last week when it stopped heating up. I took it apart to see if there was a replaceable fuse. There is not. I also could see no visible reason for this to stop working. In a rush to get a replacement, I ordered another one at Amazon. ...then it struck me that all I needed to get back to planking more quickly was to get a replacement soldering iron. Went to Home Depot and got a Weller soldering iron that allowed for the same diameter as on the bulbous end of the Model Shipways Plank Bender. (FYI, it's not the $60ish one with the stand and on/off switch, rather the $30ish one with the halo light ring (60 watt? sorry, I tossed the packaging)) The fit was better than whatever base soldering iron Model Shipways used. and the build in light helps me to remember to shut it off when I'm done using it. You'll need to order this one to get the plank bending bulb insert, but if yours fails like mine did, save yourself some money and shop soldering irons. It helps in this case to go to a brick and mortar store to make sure the hole at the end of the soldering iron accepts the shaft in the plank bender. Oh well, I now have two plank benders. With only 27 strakes to go, I should be good to go.

Well made product and a good price

Works like a charm , for bending model ship planks, excellent value.

The soldering iron is of poor quality and highly overpriced. Arrived not working and will seek a full refund. Buyers should consider purchasing the same 30 watt soldering iron for $5.99 from Harbor Freight. The Electric Plank Bender by Model Shipways represents an extremely poor value. Definitely not recommended.

Iron doesn't work, bending head works great with my own working soldering iron. First iron would now go beyond warm even after 30 minutes. Returned it and Amazon sent a replacement. Second iron got hotter but not enough to make a wet plank sizzle. Happened to have an old soldering iron of the same type. Put the bending head in it and was usable hot in 10 minutes. The bending head is not available separately so will keep and use with my old soldering iron. 2 irons did not get hot. In my own iron the bending head works great.

This is great for bending planks on model boats. First soak the plank(s) then apply the heated appliance to the plank using the pre curved formers to match the design for your ship. Once the plank is dry it should set in the curve desired. If worried you can pin the plank to a cork board or similar to retain its shape. The only criticism I have is that you will need an adapter to convert 240 volts to 120 with the requisite SQUARE contacts. Fortunately I procured one from Amazon which arrived the next day. Note that in addition there is an adaptive "spear" to replace the moulding tool for spot fusing metalwork. Some models require representative wire cabling so this is a boon.

I recommend this for model ship plank bending rather than using my wifes clothes iron,

Arrived on time works a treat

Expensive but works well

A gift for a friend who is just starting out on his hobby.