In another thread there is mention of litho plate being added to a hull. I have heard the term "litho plate" before but don't know what "exactly" it is and how it is used. I did a Google search and came up with a bunch of litho plate and lithography manufacturers but nothing that really got down to the basics of what it is, how it is made, and what it is used for.

Anyone care to elaborate?

From what i can remember.. .. Litho plate is a thin sheet of anodised fine grain hardened aluminium used in the printing industry. The photographically prepared (etched picture on to the aluminium) printing plate is treated chemically so the image will accept ink.
Its used for long run printing where consistancy of image is needed.

Toesup is correct. I happen to have 3000 24 x 36 litho plates here at work. They mic out to .0008 in thickness. If you need one let me know.
Manny

PM sent Manny!

.0008" is some pretty darn thin aluminum. Almost like gold leaf, don't sneeze.

Plates are not very 'bendible'. They wrap around large drums and that's about the limit of their flexibility. If you are going to turn this into hull plating you may have to anneal the metal.

Does it have photo-resist already on, and can it be etched at home? Thinking about windows in the side of pilot house...

PM

I doubt these could be etched at home. Plus anything that leaves the shop has already been exposed to a laser.

Annealing is no big deal.

There appears to be some confusion about using litho plate.

First of all, you don't need to anneal the material & it can be used for small intricate detail which is why it is used heavily for simulated riveted plate on the older warships & liners. It does appear to be tedious as hell to apply & I would consider using it in my own limited capabilities for only the most simplest applications for my own use such as a hull or superstructure with very flat sides. As you can see from the attached photos, some of these guys are wizards when it comes to using this stuff & you'll want to read their tips on preparation & what adhesives they use.

If you want to learn more about litho plate, the Brits are probably the best source so I've included a few posts along with some photos from Modelboatmayhem.

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/for...p?topic=3462.0

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/for...p?topic=3756.0

Of course, depending on your intended usages you can use other materlals such as thin brass, aluminum or styrene sheets & even heavy art paper to make the same effect. You'll see paper being used in the Darling hull build on one the links.

Chuck

I figured everyone was talking about the large press plates, those are very durable and could probably be worked into a hull shape if it was softened up first. Small plates are thinner but maybe we're talking about some different kind of litho plate here.

Ok maybe I am mising something. In those pictures above what is made out of litho plate?
The litho plates used in the printing industry are thin sheets of metal, usually some sort of aluminam alloy.

I believe everything you see that appears to be steel or armor plating has been covered in litho plate as well as some of the smaller details such as hatches & vents. There are also some excellent photos in the 1:160 Normandie post of Mauretania's hull being plated.

I used litho plate once to clad a couple of scratch-built, 30" wooden-hulled ironclad models. (The Monitor and the "Merrimac", of course.) It formed around the shapes very nicely, was easy to work with. Cool stuff!

Me thinks that gpzy meant .008" thick plate.

I found this tidbit on lithoplate https://www.alcoa.com/mill_products/...ctechsheet.pdf