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  2. Hello! so being new to the ship world and to modeling them, I thought the Polaris build from Occre was a completely random kit specifically designed to help you into the world of wooden models. I have since learned the Polaris WAS actually a real ship! And a steam one at that, so this kit is not completely accurate, from what I read this vessel was procured by the US Navy and was actually known as the USS Periwinkle prior to being an arctic expedition ship? That being said, I took a lot of artistic liberty. I have been learning some terminology in the nautical world, what parts and pieces are, how things work— but slowly. I have some learning disabilities so PLEASE don’t judge me too hard for sounding so basic with what I post! I know there’s measuring involved to make the strake planks accurate, Occre is very difficult in the sense that they just shrug and have you figure out how to hodgepodge the pieces. You’ll see I followed Occre’s instructions up to the second layer of planking, where I tried to fiddle with things a little to make it easier. anyway! I used a 90 degree ruler to make sure that the ribs were PERFECT, and of course they were! Until I tried to glue the deck on. Thankfully the wood glue I used it rather forgiving and a bit rubbery when it dries, so I could gently crack the ribs into place without breakage. I learned the cement I was used “contact glue” was garbage. I must have gotten a bad bottle because the planks didn’t stick to the wood very well. It was a frustrating process of using the glue I bought from Occre to get everything to lay down well AND HERE IS WHERE I MADE MY FIRST MASSIVE MISTAKE I followed the instructions TOO precisely. Using the varnish. That was a big whoops. It was after I applied the varnish I looked at other finished kits and saw that they stained the deck to get richer colors… Well, I guess I’ll be getting back to this—- and you can already tell what’s going to happen. All in all, I was feeling very proud and excited to be getting this far
  3. I think you've done a super job with the thatching. To me, imperfections often make things look more realistic. I would not go too overboard trying to hide tiny flaws.
  4. Quick update. I sent an RMA Request to ModelExpo requesting a refund and they approved it. I am going to ship the product back to them and buy some wood from one of the other recommended suppliers. I appreciate everyone's help and input.
  5. A masterful build. That is such a beautiful delicate model. It crosses the line into art. I think I would end up with a bundle of broken wood and string. Absolutely excellent Alan
  6. Nice, Mustafa! What was the ship's purpose for that barrel you just made? Sharp work on the lathe, sir! 🏆
  7. Rookie here. 1st Build. I learned you wax the ropes for the rigging. I experimented with paraffin wax I had. Was amazed how much easier it was to work the ropes. Is paraffin okay to use? I see bee's wax etc.
  8. Whilst waiting on the new rigging line to arrive, I decided to crack on with the oars. Drilling the holes in the shafts and handles was tricky, but I think I got them reasonably centred starting with a 0.5mm drill bit and working my way up to 0.8mm and 1.5mm. Getting tempted to purchase a small lathe to get better results. Need to figure out how much I would use on going forward before I take the plunge. Any suggestions for EU suppliers greatly welcomed. Have the oars assembled and I think they turned out OK. A bit more sanding before paint will help.
  9. Today
  10. Thanks Simon, I do the same pushing the pins fully in when I can’t pre-form the planks well enough, such as in this case. I haven’t tried ironing the planks onto the bulkheads but soak and iron them on a jig as per Chuck Passaro’s method. Usually this works very well, although I’ve never managed to achieve the perfect fit from this approach that Walter [and Chuck] have described, maybe one day…. Adder’s bow is very bluff due to her role as a gun brig, I suspect much more so than Trial and certainly more than any other build I’ve attempted. I’m not at all worried about how the end result will look on Adder. I’m not a purist, if the end result looks good, I don’t really mind how I got there! My build trajectory is likely to be similar to yours. Likely Speedy next, then Duchess unless Chris throws a spanner in the works and comes out with something else exciting like Adder. I’d strong recommend Grecian too, she’s easy to build, looks fantastic finished and the built model is quite substantial compared to Adder, Speedy, Alert, Trial, etc. I don’t think the photos online do her justice as she’s hard to photograph with those very long masts and bowsprit.
  11. That is looking great! You are whipping off those rat lines like nobody’s business. Dave
  12. Today I finished the ratlines on the main mast, starboard side. C. Marvin says that I am a little rusty , but after a dozen or so Clove hitchs they were rolling off my tweezers. Lol. I think I discovered why I like ratlines, I think it's because if I am doing ratlines that means the shrouds and deadeyes are done and installed lol. Well at least I only have 9 more upper shrouds to do . They are very small but esay to do. And they're only 9 left to do lol. CMSI has told me to straight up the deadeyes on the foremast, and get those anchors on as well. Chop chop. I am hoping to get this ship done by mid July, it will be 3 years that I have terrorized MSW, lol . I know I have way to much fun building models, and most definitely not the way it should be done but they are starting to look like ships ha ha . Now I wished I never got so excited when I finished my Santa Maria and bought 7 more ship that I thought I like to build. I still can't convince the First Mate 😪 to let me buy a Vanguard model, I told her the price to get a fully deck out Indy shipped hear and in Canadain funds lol. I can not repeat what she said lol. On to the fore mast. Then the starboard side will be done. With Easter coming up and medical updates, just to set my next surgery, so it may be awhile, right after Easter I am knot sure how much I will get done. I will update the log after the foremast is done. Thanks for stopping by looking at my Mayflower, look but don't try copying my historical correct Mayflower lol I may have changed a few things here and there lol.😅 Take care my friends, Bob M.
  13. I've seen a lot of "greening" ideas here on MSW but this looks like the best yet, looks great!!
  14. Now the Copper is Green! I experimented with high-test vinegar and ammonia, salt and Miracle grow, cleaning the foil with alcohol and, lacquer thinner. (I did not try peeing on my ship.) Nothing had much of an effect until I tried the Novacan black patina that I use for stained glass and to darken the photo etched parts. It made the foil look like a tarnished penny, dark brown, almost black. I wanted green so I took a chance on a large bottle of Jax Green patina from Amazon. It didn't do much by itself and it tended to rub off. But over top of the Novacan black - wow! The patina seemed durable but I air-brushed several coats of acrylic floor wax over it just in case. Here is a photo of all the samples I tried. No point in identifying the losers, but the Novacan + Jax + acrylic is at bottom right. Here's a shot of the chemicals. Novacan black starts to darken immediately and unevenly, but I brushed it continuously with a stiff 1" paint brush until it evened out (15-20 minutes per side.) I rinsed the hull with a sponge and water. Jax green patina paints on like water, one wet coat, and turns green as it dries. I let it dry overnight. Halloway Quick Shine is an acrylic floor wax that plastic modelers use for a clear coat. I masked above the water line and applied three light coats with an a air brush. I doubt if I used more than 1/2 ounce of anything. Before After There were gaps between the stamped plates on the copper tape that I neglected to remove towards the bottom of the hull. They are pretty well camouflaged now. The green patina is not at all what I was planning on - it's even better. I built the cabin walls while I was waiting for chemistry experiments to react. Now to attach the rudder.
  15. The model is now completed! Overhead view: Three-quarter view: Another shot of the engine / cockpit region: I want to thank everyone that has been following the progress on this model for all of your support. All the best, Greg
  16. Walter, Simon, I’m not sure I entirely agree on a warship. Looking carefully at Chris’s photos of the Adder prototype on the VM website and in the manual, there doesn’t look like there is any visible hint of planking under a very smooth white painted lower hull. That’s the look I’m aiming for on Adder, although I doubt I’ll be able to achieve it! I liked a bit of planking showing through on the VM fishing boats, as these were likely much cruder built working boats.
  17. I'm on my first build, HMS Beagle. My background, have built all cabinetry for the 8 houses I built (yeah, I'm an old guy.) Sanding is also a skill needing the proper type and gr. Your info here should be helpful to many!
  18. Good afternoon mates, it’s been awhile since last update…life has just been busy. Been working (slowly) on a set of stairs leading to above the main bridge. The real Amerigo Vespucci has wooden steps, almost ladder like, with brass handrails and brass stair tread protectors. I’ve attempted to build something similar.
  19. Here is my rigging progress. Not quite done, but getting there! ✅ Fit masts ✅ Rig lower shrouds ✅ Rig upper Shrouds (IN PROGRESS) Fit the yards (not rigging them yet) Fit the crossjack sling to the crossjack yard (at this point for accesibility) Rig the mast stays (Omit Main Stay Tackle and Fore Hatch Tackle at this stage) Add the Crowsfeet to the mast tops Rig the back stays Rig the yards Fit Sheets and Tacks Fit the Main Stay Tackle (but do not lash them yet) Rig the Yard Braces Fit the ship's boats Lash down the Main Stay Tackle and Fore Hatch Tackle
  20. First coat of Vallejo Dark Green, airbrushed on. ⁸ Now to find where I stashed my Badger fine needles/tips from my previous years of modeling armor so I can do some shading, etc. I just hope I can remember how I used to do it 😉🤔🤫. Some parts will be hand painted and/or dry brushed. Still have the 3 figures that were included to do.
  21. Photos 816-817: I wanted to try hanging weights in the center of these threads to give them a more realistic curved shape. I soaked them with water using a brush to help somewhat maintain their shape once they have dried (the 2nd photo). They will stay there as long as they can. I hope it helps. That's all for today! Thanks for watching!
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