Western River Steamboat Heroine by ggrieco - Scale 1:24 - 1838 as she appeared before hitting a snag in the Red River. - Finished

[bobcat]

Glenn, your work is just gorgeous. Could you please update your email address on your web page so that I can contact you.

 

Thanks,

 

Bob Friedman

[ggrieco]

Thanks Albert, Steven and Bob.

 

I really appreciate the kind comments and likes.

[Gerhardvienna]

Hi Glenn

Was`nt here for some days, beautiful build! Seems to go fast with the side planks..............

 

Regards

Gerhard

[ggrieco]

This week I started tying the two decks together with the side planking  but, first I had to finish framing out the paddlebox.

 

 

Lighter vertical timbers were added between the main posts to frame out the windows and add support to the planking.

 

 

 

Before I could continue, I had to frame in the stairs.  Since all the stringers were exactly the same, I decided to let the mill do the work.

 

 

 

First stringers going in. 

 

 

 

Second stringers and starting to frame the paddlebox and forward deckhouse.

 

 

 

Planking the paddlebox and deckhouse.

 

 

 

 

Adding the stair risers and starting to plank the paddlebox.

 

 

Detail of the paddlebox planking.  There were three strakes and then a moulding that continued the run of a short rail that ran the circumference of the deck.  The rail, moulding and lower three planks were painted black.  All the planking above was painted white.

[Jack12477]

Beautiful craftsmanship, Glenn. Great photography also.

[Gerhardvienna]

Hi Glenn

 

I`m simply amazed...........

 

Regards

Gerhard

[druxey]

It's Saturday. I'm smiling - again! Lovely work, Glenn.

[dvm27]

 So how long does it take you to plank a wall. Is it one plank at a time, clamped with Tite Bond? Rapid fire planking with CA glue?

 

There was an episode of This Old House recently where they CNC cut the stringers for a staircase in a factory off site. The contracter looked green with envy!

[Mahuna]

Beautiful work Glenn.  With each post you inspire me to do my work as cleanly as possible, trying to achieve your level of craftsmanship.

[mtaylor]

Ah.. the weekly fix has arrived.   And well worth the wait, too.   Wonderful work, Glenn.. just wonderful.  

 

Is the everything being glued down the main deck at this point?  I'm assuming the boiler/mechanical works are all completed.

[Cathead]

Crisper than a perfect pickle! Glenn, you're making me want to start another steamboat instead of the sailing ship I'd intended next.

 

Is the rising sheer at the stern gentle enough that regular wall planks just bend into place, or did you have to do any shaping?

[BANYAN]

Ah the fix of the weekly update.  Simply stunning work Glenn.  That is some very clean, crisp and well executed joinery.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[wyz]

Druxey is right ..... it is a fix.  In this world some fools shoot drugs in their veins, but here in the MSW build logs we have Glenn's weekly post.  Many of us  would be jonesing without it.  I too REALLY look forward to it.  Sorry, I'm hooked!  It's just such incredibly nice workmanship.  I'm in total awe of his skills.  How can you not get a high watching this build progress?

 

Tom

[ggrieco]

Thanks everybody,

 

I can't tell you how much I appreciate the comments and likes. The building I work in has been abandoned for the summer -- everyone off working on summer projects. This last week I did not see a single person in the building. Great for progress but it is nice to have contact with individuals with the same interests. Thanks again.

 

Frank, it is your work that has inspired me to strive for clean joinery. Every time I check in on your build I am impressed with your attention to detail and precision.

 

Greg, I was able to do all the planking in two days. I am alternating between this model and the second model. I would glue on one strake with Titebond, clamp it, work on the boiler deck framing for model two, return for the next strake etc. I think I'm wearing a circular trench in the floor of the shop. I watched the This Old House that you mentioned with the pre-fab house. My wife and I were so impressed that we ordered the catalog from O'Conner Homes. I actually mentioned to my wife as we were watching it that working there would be my dream job.

 

Mark, yes, the machinery is complete except for the chimneys, breaching and steam scrape pipe but those will go in after the boiler deck planking. I still need to and the deck bollards, tiller rope, hatch coatings and capstan. Hopefully, I can finish these up next week.

 

Cathead, shaping the planking was not necessary. The sheer is so slight that the planks sit nicely with very little bending. The shape is so simple that I feel a little guilty. Bertrand must have been much more of a challenge. I feel like I'm just planking a box.

 

Once again, thanks everybody.

[Omega1234]

Hi Glenn

 

Words just can't describe.......

 

Love it!

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

[albert]

Hi Glenn very very nice work, fantastic.

[Jim Lad]

All up to your usual standard, Glenn!

 

John

[dgbot]

Glenn, I might have missed it but are you going to paint the paddlewheels. Or are you going for all natruralle?

David B

[ggrieco]

Thanks Patrick, Albert, John and David,

 

David, good question. I will be leaving the paddle wheels natural. They have already been oiled but now you have me wondering. I assumed that they were bare wood but I never confirmed it with Kevin. A large section of one paddle wheel was recovered and conserved. It was pretty worn -- the strong currents and the sand in the river scoured everything pretty thoroughly but there is a chance that some finish remained. I'll check with Kevin to see if any evidence of paint may have been found on the original.

[ggrieco]

With a three day weekend coming up, I had hoped to finish the starboard side planking and painting this week.  I didn't quite make it.  I kept finding new details that I had forgotten about - like the doors.

 

Kevin's drawing shows external four paneled doors.  I went with something simpler for the internal doors that would not be seen from outside.

 

 

Cutting grooves in the door rails.  The rails are .08 inch thick with a .031 inch groove.

 

 

 

Assembling the door.

 

Hardware for the door.

 

 

Completed door.

 

 

 

The port side will be left open with only the lowest three strakes installed.  I still have a little more framing to do for the paddle box, deckhouse and outhouse.

 

 

Planking the starboard side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mirabell61]

wonderful work Glenn,

 

the planked wall stucture, the stairs and window outcuts look great...

 

Nils

Edited July 2, 2016 by Mirabell61

[Mahuna]

Beautiful, Glenn.  I love the 'simple' doors.

[S.Coleman]

Neat job on the painting. White is the worse to get even consistent coverage in my opinion.

[druxey]

Terrific, as usual. But where are the keyholes in the lock sets, though?

[Cathead]

So pretty it gives me the shivers.

[Jack12477]

Panel doors constructed not simulated! - miniature brass door knobs! - Glen impressive and magnificent craftsmanship - Your stairs look great also - look like the real thing. An inspiration to all of us.

[cog]

Masterfull, Glenn, what;s the measurement unit of that ruler again ... Gawd that's watchmakers scale for a plate and doorknob ... had to look twice to believe it!!

 

Cheers

[albert]

Great work Glenn.

[wyz]

Glenn doing his thing ..... really well!

Tom

[kees de mol]

Stunning work!