Before
we get down to work, there is the question of a suitable bottle.
Now, some experts would say that the first requirement, is a
good friend, to help dispose of the contents, but don’t
let the alcohol blind you as to the choice of bottle. Ideally,
a bottle should fulfil certain criteria. |
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For instance, try to avoid bottles with a screw thread at the
end of the neck, |
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unless you can disguise it with fancywork of some kind or another,
such as a Turkshead knot..
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The
glass should be as clear and distortion free as possible. When
a bottle is full, Defects are not always so obvious. Once the
bottle has been thoroughly cleaned, and the label removed, it
may prove a disappointment. A good tip for assessing distortion
is to read a newspaper through the bottle. You will be able to
see where, and to what extent, the print is distorted, thus enabling
you to locate any problem areas. Do not forget that a fair amount
of the detail on a model can be lost through distortion in the
glass. Many bottles have side seams, where they were moulded during
manufacture. Being on opposite sides of the bottle, these can
be a nuisance too, as at least one of them is always on view. |
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The neck of the bottle is also an important consideration. A bottle
with a long neck presents a greater challenge, than one with a
short neck. It is obvious when you think about it, the longer
the neck, the greater the restriction placed on the movement of
a tool inside the bottle. Conversely, the shorter the neck, the
less restriction there is on the reach of the tool, even allowing
access close into the shoulder. |
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The
internal dimensions of a bottle are an important factor too, and
need measuring accurately. The internal diameter of the neck determines
the scale of the model, or at least the dimensions of the largest
piece that can be bottled. |
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The
interior dimensions of the body determine the largest model that
will fit inside the bottle. For taking measurements we need nothing
more sophisticated than a gauge like the one illustrated. It is
made from stiff card or Bristol board, with the arm pivoted about
its centre. Simply turn and trim, until the arm fits snugly between
the walls of the bottle. Measure the internal diameter at intervals
along the length of the body and around the circumference, for a
clear picture of the working dimensions inside the bottle. |
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Ultimately, the bottle you choose will depend very much on the look
you want to achieve, and the type of model it is to house. There
are globes, pinch bottles, round, oval, square, and triangular bottles
to choose from. You can put the model in an upright bottle, or lay
it on its side. It is a matter of personal taste, but remember,
unlike bottles with square sides, round bottles laid on their side
require a stand, to stop them rolling around.
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On this site
you will find many different types of bottle, although not
all of them may be ideally suited for our purposes. |
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When
you are looking for a suitable bottle, don’t forget the whole
array of alternatives, such as perfume bottles, laboratory flasks,
glass ampoules, and light bulbs of every shape and size.
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