Restoration of Bassett Lowke "Albertic" by michael mott - FINISHED - Scale 1:100

[michael mott]

 

 

So you designed and created the tool to repair the part.

 

Bob the tool will serve a number of functions, I used it today to clamp on the strip of wood that is under the metal side piece first.

 

There was a fair chunk gouged out of the piece so I spliced in a bit of wood first, and shaped it.

 

 

 

 

 

The I spent at least an hour walking back and forth from the shop to the clean room getting the large section of the metal side back to conforming to the side sheer of the main deck. All the clamps are set as stops to position the side the important thing was to be able to place it and have it seat properly without any pressure. once the lower section was set then I used a card template to put the proper curve back into the upper piece using the same method that I used to get all the twists out of it in the first place.

 

 

 

Next on the list was to replace the missing posts on the upper part. On close inspection the section that was used looked a lot like some very small nickle silver "N" gauge rail so I cut up some code 70 rail filed off the head of the rail which left a t section of nickle silver basically the same size as the original posts.

 

I used the new clamp fixture to do the soldering.

 

 

 

 

Michael

 

 

[KeithAug]

Michael

 

Your clamp seems to work well - think I may have to make one if I can find the time.

 

Are you using soft solder?

 

You seem to be quite mobile so I assume the leg is hopefully on the mend?

[michael mott]

Hi Keith yes I am using soft solder, it is what Bassett Lowke used.

 

I get the stitches out on Thursday.

 

Michael

[captainbob]

Bob the tool will serve a number of functions, I used it today to clamp on the strip of wood that is under the metal side piece first.

 

There was a fair chunk gouged out of the piece so I spliced in a bit of wood first, and shaped it.

 

Michael

 

That just shows how creative the design is.

 

Hooray no more stiches.

 

Bob

[Mirabell61]

good, smart and thought trough tooling Michael,

 

and nice progress with the repair

 

Nils

[druxey]

Very nice and methodical work, Michael. When you have finished up, no-one other than your MSW followers will have any idea of the work that will have gone into the restoration.

[hexnut]

Amazing work.  What is the material of the blocks visible by your (very nicely) rebuilt aft stairs?  (they look almost like mother of pearl/Bakelite in the photo...)

[michael mott]

Thanks for the supportive comments.

 

Druxey.... yes its probably going to work out to 5c per hour. But I'm not really counting.

 

Bob they appear to be a white plastic almost bone-like in color.

 

Today I soldered the side back together.

 

 

This picture shows it just resting in place, I am pleased with the fit.

 

 

My third hand became a fourth this morning. I am really happy I took the time to make this tool, the control is beyond what I expected.

 

 

Now for the clean up and sorting out how to reassemble back onto the deck, it was originally fitted with small pins, likely pushed in with some sort of miniature pin pusher....... why do I sense another tool needing to be made?

 

Michael

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jim Lad]

Been away for the weekend, Michael.  That really is superb work that you're doing there!

 

John

[michael mott]

John thanks for the compliment.

 

I am wondering what the members think of my next issue.

 

the following picture shows a partial cross section of the hull and side wall.

 

 

What I am concerned about is the sequence of gluing the fractured part of the deck back on before I put the side on.

 

If I do that it will be difficult to put the pins in at B the pins at at A are not a problem

 

If I put the side back on first it become quite difficult to slip the lifeboat deck part back into place especially at the bow end.

 

I am thinking that Possibly I could use a clear silicone glue at the base of the side wall and slide it in after the lifeboat deck is glued and set.

 

Thoughts?

 

Michael 

[druxey]

I agree with your reconstruction of the original sequence of construction, Michael. Can you partially insert the 'B' pins so that the side wall can be moved outward at the top, the lifeboat deck secured, then the 'B' pins driven home before driving the 'A' pins? You'd need a specially bent tool and dental inspection mirror to drive the 'B' pins home, but that should be a piece of cake for you!

[cog]

Is it possible to push the B pins in when you mount the side to the main deck. I.e. you have the pins fitted to the side at a slight angle to allow pushing them in straight, then you push the side straight and fixate it to the lifeboat deck

 

Edited November 9, 2016 by cog

[michael mott]

Druxey and Carl thinking more about this after your comments and having a closer look at the pins I think that it will be possible do something very similar the difficulty is mostly at the bow end as the next illustration shows.

 

 

This come closer to what you have suggested Carl

 

Michael

[cog]

Quite Michael, that's about exactly what I meant

[druxey]

Yes, that rotation is also what I meant, Michael. If those pins are headless that should make it much easier. You would not have to push them home.

[michael mott]

No scrap that Idea, that they were locators only. The headless pins are for the lifeboats. The side sheet ones are small headed pins, it will still work though, I pushed a couple of pins in partially and the side wall will lean out.

 

So the deck will be glued first.

 

Michael

[michael mott]

Thanks for your thoughts on this area Druxey and Carl.

 

Before I glue on the lifeboat deck I still needed to fix the top part of the lifeboat deck structure.

 

 

I set up a flat plate that I could use as a guide for the pairing chisel.

 

 

 

Once the damaged area was removed I fitted a new piece of maple this will get painted on the top inside edge before it gets glued in place.

 

 

 

A lot of little steps it seems.

 

Michael

 

 

[amateur]

Little steps, but it looks like progress, though.

At all pictures, i keep seeing fractures and damages I didnt see before. That model must have hit the ground with a heavy thud.....

 

jan

[cog]

Nice fix on the deck and side, Michael.

 

Question on the area you removed. You cut at straight angles, I would have expected angled cuts (45 .. 72.5 deg), as it should be easier to fit and the join would be easier to hide.

[Mirabell61]

A good approach Michael,

 

trust you will get all damaged portions neat and tidy again, it will take the time it requires, and I think you`re not being pushed by anyone.

You`re doing a great job  

I saw the vents on the ship are a bit more modern type compared to my KWdG vent scoops, what material are the Albertic`s vent scoops made of ?

 

Nils

[michael mott]

 i keep seeing fractures and damages I didnt see before. That model must have hit the ground with a heavy thud.....

 

Jan, me too, and I have to deal with them. The fall would have been a smooth arc it was the chair in the way and the glass case being shattered then the sudden stop at the end that did all the damage.

 

Good point Carl. I shall rework it.

 

Michael

[michael mott]

 

what material are the Albertic`s vent scoops made of ?

Hi Nils, they are made of brass, I cannot see yet if they are lost wax (which I doubt) or are a composite of rods tubes and forged elements the tall open type are a combination of tube and turned parts. The shorter large scoop type appear to be assembled as well. All of the chipped paint on them have exposed a brass color.

 

Michael

[WackoWolf]

All those little steps add up. Excellent work. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[michael mott]

Thanks Joe, sometimes I wonder if I am being a little too detailed. My hope is that there are nuggets of info that will be useful.

 

Michael

[popeye the sailor]

work is in full swing......good to see your making some positive progress     great ideas with the jigs .........and even better that you were able to straighten out that railing.  superb work Michael...but yea,........there is that threat of going into too much detail {knowing you}       just eyeball it with the starboard side.......apparently,  good was good enough for them  

 

 

great job so far!  

[Jim Lad]

She's coming back to life, Michael.  Your detailed descriptions of your methods will be an absolute gold mine for others faced with restoration work.

 

John

[michael mott]

 

Your detailed descriptions of your methods will be an absolute gold mine for others faced with restoration work.

This is my hope. I have learned so much from all of the work that has been posted here by others. This site is more than a gold mine in my view.

 

Carl I think that this will meet with your approval, thanks for the thought.

 

 

I picked up my brass wire today and am doing some tests with it.

 

Michael

[cog]

Michael,

 

It is not up to me to approve, I can merely give my thoughts/insights on the matter at hand, and hope those may be of use to you. I am very impressed with the way you have been tackling challenges.

[michael mott]

 

It is not up to me to approve,

Carl, I know that of course. I said it with a smile on my face. your comment though helped me see a better way.

 

Michael

[cog]

Another nugget for the collection ...