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US Brig Niagara by cdrusn89 - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1/64 scale


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Main Topsail Yard blocks and lines appear to be:

   1/8 S - brace (P&S) on 10mm pendant - at chocks

   3/32 S Top Gallant Sheet (P&S)  - inboard

   3/32 S Top Gallant Sheet (P&S) - at chocks seized into TopSail lift line

   5/32 SB Topsail Clew (P&S) with Topsail Clew line in Becket - inboard

   Topsail Lift (.018) line  (P&S) - seized at chocks

   Topsail Reef (.018) line (P&S) - knotted at sheave at yard end (not included until later)

 

   So here is the Main Topsail Yard in its resting place until needed. I have not gotten the parrel/truss figured out yet. I built the yard assuming no batten but am beginning to thing maybe I should have included it.

 

   I will work on the other yards while I reconsider that decision.

 

Main Topsail Yard.jpeg

Edited by cdrusn89
typo

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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Forgot the Topsail Yard Halyard - three 5/32 S blocks, two in the topsail mast cross trees and one in the center of the yard. I also added the Topsail yard truss although it needs to be completed when the yard is hung on the mast. I have all the pieces there just needs to be adjusted to fit the mast. Needs to be big enough now to slide up from the bottom of the topsail mast.

 

While adding the halyard block on the yard and the truss I decided to modify (actually I built a new one from scratch) my yard holder to provide for holding the yard in the center or on either side of center.

Main TopSail Yard Halyard blocks.jpeg

Main Topsail yard 2.jpeg

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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Having resolved to maintain the topsail yards without the batten I am proceeding to "populate" the Fore Topsail yard. I cannot find anything in the plans or instructions that would indicate a difference in arrangement/requirements from the main except that the brace blocks tend aft instead of forward so am proceeding accordingly.

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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I am having trouble posting photos for some reason. When I try to upload a photo (taken with the same camera (iPhone X) in the same way as every other photo I have taken for this site I get the "There was a problem processing the uploaded file. -200" notice. I can (apparently - i.e. the file uploads normally to the preview box) photos taken before yesterday but nothing since. I am going to use a different camera and see what happens then.

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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I took a photo with my iPad and emailed it to myself and then tried to post it and it successfully got to the upload box. I will press submit shortly and we will see what happens.

IMG_0559.jpeg

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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So that seems to indicate the issue is with my iPhone. I am updating my iPhone to the latest software version. I find it hard to believe that could be the issue but I am running out of other potential causes. This may force my hand to buy a macro lens for my Canon EOS 60D. Although even clearer sharper pictures (which already seem to exaggerate the flaws) may not be all that good a thing.

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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SW update to iPhone did not resolve the problem. At a loss for what to try next.

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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CDRUSN, I have found out that you have to change the pixel settings on cell phones to take pictures and post onto this site. I have used my Android phone a few times to post pictures, have always had to make pictures with fewer pixels to upload. Not sure how computer is better able to upload a picture instead of cell phone. Just my experiences and two cents.

 

Brian :)

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Brian,

 

    I have been using the same cell phone with (as best I know) the same settings since I started this build last June. I am at a complete loss (and I fancy myself somewhat of a computer geek) to explain why the pictures uploaded one day and then not the next.

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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I turned the "Auto HDR" button (under Settings/Camera) off and the "Keep Normal Photo" on.

In settings/camera/formats I changed from "High Efficiency" to "Most Compatible". Turned HDR off with the controls at the top of the camera screen.

 

I took a photo and it loaded successfully - I made the above notations, took another photo without changing anything and this one failed to load.

 

On my way to Amazon to get a macro lens - this is maddening.

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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I also tried using both Safari and Firefox and got the same results with both so it is not a browser issue. Something is different with the photo images but I have no idea what that might be.

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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I tried to upload some old photos from my Canon EOS 60D (about 4-5 Megs each) and have run in to the same problem. Not sure what I can do at this point but assume it is a site problem that hopefully gets fixed sometime soon.

 

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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Gary, 

Hope everything has resolved. 

But, In the section "the Captains Quarter", Its the section right above the kit and scratch member build log sections.

There's a section about how to use the site.

There are some folks over there having the same issue.

The Admin's have been looking into it. 

 

Tom E 

 

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I took a few days off to accompany some friends from the frozen North (Minnesota) on a short cruise to the Bahamas and upon return found that whatever the issue with the pictures has apparently been resolved. I can get the pictures into the preview frame successfully at any rate.

I did however get the Canon 100mm macro lens for my digital SLR but it is going to take some practice (and finally reading the camera manual) before I can get the picture I intend.

So no work has gotten done for a week but the shipyard has reopened and I think I remember what I was doing - yardarms I think.

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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Spent most of the day (except for that afternoon nap) working on the Fore Top Gallant Yard. I think I got all the blocks and line required installed and will move to the Main TG Yard tomorrow. Two pictures below show the yard in two stages of completion. With and without the lift and halyard. I used .010 annealed steel wire for the stirups on this yard instead of the Syren line as I did on the lower yards. Seems to look okay and I will consider this for future builds. Getting an eye in the Syren line that is small and not too noticeable is something I have not mastered. Especially difficult when you get to the smaller (.012 and .008) sizes.

Fore Top Gallant Yard 2.jpeg

Fore Top Gallant Yard.JPG

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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I got the second TG Yard outfitted today so I have the two Royal yards yet to go. Based on a preliminary look at the plans they should be the easiest of all. Here are both yards with the lift lines and halyards already attached.

 

I spent part of yesterday putting the bunt and leach line thimbles on those yards. I have decided to put the blocks for these lines on the mast/shrouds but tie off the lines at these thimbles (so I have 6 more thimbles on each course yard, and two on each TG yard which I thought I just finished). On the Top Sail yards I used .010 wire and a 1/16 Bluejacket bull eye for the thimble. That was a challenge getting the wire threaded around the bulls eye. If I have to do 18 more I think I will just form an eye in the end of the wire. It seemed like it was way more effort than is warranted.

 

So on to the Royal Yards

Top Gallant Yards.jpeg

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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Completed one (Fore since the braces lead aft) Royal Yard. Included the parrel, halyard, lifts and the clew blocks. One more yard to go. I also started to serve the shrouds. I decided to completely serve the forward most shrouds at all three levels on both masts. These are the ones most likely to be chafed by the yards. For the others I will serve the portions that wrap around the mast and over the bolsters.

 

Am considering what to do about serving the stays. The Main and Fore Stays and Preventers were, I think, served their entire lengths so I am preparing to do that. I would think the stays that actually carry sails (like the Flying Jib Stay) would have at least the portion of the stay that carries the sail served as the hanks would be a constant source of chafe with each variation in the wind speed or direction. Also some of the stays (Fore Top Gallant for instance) have a sheet line that crosses of the stay which would also tend to chafe the stay as the sheet lines move with the sail.

 

I have the Syren Servo-Matic and can serve a 15" length of .035 line (shroud size) in about 15 minutes. I hang the lines up with a 4oz fishing sinker attached and apply another coat of 50/50 glue-water and let it hang while it dries. You have to coil the line on the Servo-Matic (it does about 7" of line at a time) and this leaves some bends in the served line that seems to come out if you let it hang awhile.

 

One more yardarm to go!!

IMG_2695.JPG

Hanging served line.jpeg

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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The final yardarm (Main Royal) complete, or as complete as I am going to make it before it is installed on the mast. And this is the first picture not taken with my iPhone X.

 

Form now on I will try and capture photos using my Canon 60D with 100mm Macro Lens. Hopefully my model making skills will  be forced increase since the pictures are more likely to show the flaws with the increased resolution and sharpness (I can't tell much difference on the computer screen but maybe those of you with higher resolution displays can see some difference. According to the site this picture is about twice the size (4 Meg) of the typical iPhone photo (2 Meg).

 

I am going to concentrate for the next few days on serving the line needed for the shrouds, starting with the topmast shrouds since I in tend to assemble the masts from the top down, at least until that proves unworkable for some reason.

Main Royal Yard.JPG

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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When I assembled the "fighting tops" and started adding the blocks under the top for the clew, leach and bunt lines my intention was to use some extra blocks that I made up when rigging the cannons. Those blocks used wire strops and had hooks (made from twisting the wire on either side of then block together at the top and then forming a hook from the twisted wire.

 

After thinking about it again, I decided to use rope strop and rig the blocks through the eye bolts instead of hooks. I can imagine a block coming unhooked or the hook breaking (don't ask me how I know about these things) at some point near the end of rigging where getting in there would not be very easy. The lower shrouds, topmast shrouds, carpathians, and some other stuff will all be in the way.

 

So here are the blocks under one side of the platform, doubles on the outside per the plans. Still working on getting the depth of field worked out on the macro lens. At about two feet from the subject I can't get both the front and back of the platform in focus at the same time.

Main Mast Blocks 1.JPG

Main Mast Blocks 2.JPG

Main Mast Blocks 3.JPG

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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Finished adding the ten 1/8" double blocks to the underside of the Fore Mast top. Eight for bunt, clew and leech lines and two for the course yard lift.

 

Now on to the Topmast where there are eight 1/8" singles - four on each mast.

Fore Mast blocks.jpeg

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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I added the four additional 1/8" single blocks for the bunt and leech lines to the fore and main top masts. It is getting pretty crowed up here. Should be fun at rigging time.

 

I am reviewing the drawings again to see what additional items are required on the upper masts.

 

Experimenting with techniques for incorporating the thimbles and blocks that are integrated with the TG and TS shrouds. This will be a first for me. All my previous builds had blocks attached to shrouds not integrated into the shroud as is done here.

IMG_2699.jpeg

Main Topmast.jpeg

Edited by cdrusn89

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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Test fit of first TG shroud to TG Mast. In the first image the served shroud is on the left. Since these are .018" line thr serving makes a significant difference in the overall diameter. I used 80 WT quilters thread as the serving thread. I used 100% polyester to seize the eye and "thimble" (actually a 1/16" wooden deadeye) in the shroud.

 

Now all I need is to serve another TG shroud (there are only two so I get off easy on this one).

 

Still having problems with depth of field. I'll see if I can get a clearer picture of the shroud eye and thimble.

TG Shroud 1.jpg

TG Shroud 2.jpg

Edited by cdrusn89

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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  • 2 months later...

It has been almost two and a half months since I last worked in the shipyard and posted on this site. Unlike those in more temperate climates we Floridians have to get our outside work done in what is typically winter elsewhere. Otherwise you battle heat, humidity and afternoon thunderstorms trying to get those outside projects completed. Down here we do those in February - April. So now that the outside (other than the routine maintenance that has to be done on a more or less continuous basis) work list has been completed it is time to get back to ship building.

 

I completed the lower shrouds for the main mast. Following the lead of others on this site I served entire length of only the forward most lower shroud (which is a single shroud with a Burton Pendant). On the others I served the center 2" which covers the portion that goes around the masthead and down to just below where they are joined. I did a test fit with the lower main mast and that is shown below. I am not going to step the masts until I have them as complete as I can get them (less the yard arms) which is going to be awhile yet.

Main lower shrouds 1.jpeg

Main lower shrouds 2.jpeg

Main lower masthead.jpeg

Edited by cdrusn89
typos

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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Since restarting work last Saturday I have been concentrating on getting the shrouds and stays served (using the Syren Serv-O-Matic) and otherwise ready for installation. That effort is now complete (pending one more review of the plans) and the shrouds and stays are shown hanging over the work bench getting the kinks introduced by the serving pulled out. The main mast's are on the left with blue masking tape labels, the fore mast on the right with tan labels. The shrouds are on the extreme right and left and at this stage are interchangeable between the masts.

 

The plan going forward is to now focus on adding all the additional items to the hull (mostly eyebolts and such and finish the outfitting of the spanker gaff and boom. After that I intend to start putting the shrouds and stays on the masts, stating from the top and working my way down. I have not figured out yet how to keep all the lines from creating a huge mess and would appreciate any suggestions the followers might have.

Standing Rigging.jpeg

Edited by cdrusn89
typo

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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Continuing to work my way down the seemingly never ending "yet to do" list.

 

I got one of the two course yard slings completed although I believe I have to wait until it is installed to adjust the final length. Since it passes through the forward most opening in the mast top I think it goes on the masthead after all the stays and shrouds are in place and thus it is hard to know exactly where on the masthead it will lay, and thus exactly how long it needs to be. I have the line for the other one served and am waiting for the 50/50 glue mix to dry before working the other sling.

 

While studying the drawings for what seems like the 1000st time I noticed that the course yard lifts have blocks attached to the mast caps. These 5/32" blocks are the starting point (aka the blocks have beckets with the standing end of the running rigging attached) for the lift lines so I used some 5/32" blocks that I had stropped with wire and put eyebolts in the mast caps to hold the blocks. That is not exactly as shown in the plans but as has been stated many times "it is MY ship". The running lines (attached to the toilet paper tube) are extra long.

Main Course Lanyard.jpeg

Course Yard Lifts.jpeg

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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Continuing to work down the to do list.

 

Fabricated the Main Preventer Stay connection to the bowsprit bitts. I used the Syren closed heart instead of the kit provided heart. The eyebolt goes through the stbd side bitt. I am going to put a bolt head (similar to what I used on the top of the capstan) on the other side of the bitt. There is enough strain on this eyebolt to justify bolting it completely through the bitt IMHO.

 

I also completed the hardware on the Spanker boom. The two toilet paper tubes hold the running line for the boom sheet and the boom guys. The tan line on the left is the spanker outhaul which will be knotted off when the boom is installed. The black line with the Britannia bullseye (aka thimble) is one of the two spanker boom topping lift "trusses" (the other can be seen on top of the upper paper tube. Although not visible the foot ropes and the rest of the outhaul tackle are also installed. I will work on getting a better picture of the boom when I have to gaff done as well (hopefully tomorrow - but there is that "other" to do list...).

Spanker boom.jpeg

Main Preventor stay eyebolt and heart.jpeg

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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Here are some better pictures of the Spanker Boom and the Bowsprit Bitts as they will be installed.

 

I also completed the Spanker gaff, including the parrel beads but will have to "undo" them to get the gaff installed on the Spencer mast so I left plenty of wire so the beads don't fall off during install.

 

The dreaded "To DO" list

Bowsprit bitts.jpeg

IMG_2928.jpeg

Spanker boom detail.jpeg

Spanker gaff.jpeg

Spanker Gaff jaws.jpeg

To Do List.jpeg

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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I started working on the capstan bars. Not having a lathe, and not will to try to freehand turning 1/16 X 1/16" stock into 3/64 diameter I decided to use the poor mans lathe (aka drill press). I cut stock well over size, marked a spot sufficiently down the piece to allow for the possible manging of the piece by the drill chuck and used a 100 grit sanding stick (actually made from a tongue depressor) to take the square section down to a circle (more or less). I finished with a 220 sanding "stick then cut to length and rounded the end. 

 

It took several tries to get an acceptable bulkhead bracket but I finally succeeded. Here is a before and after in the drill press and the first side as installed.

 

Looking at this area again and noting that two blocks (boom guy and tiller tackle need to attach approximately where the gun train tackle is and that the eyebolt that is there is too far aft to support these items I added and additional eyebolt just aft of the gun train one. Hopefully this will make getting the blocks for the tiller and boom guy easier to install. Not sure how I would have gotten three blocks one eyebolt without it looking very strange.

 

 

Port side capstan bars.jpeg

Capstan bar after.jpeg

Capstan bar before.jpeg

Edited by cdrusn89
additional comments

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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Continuing to work off the to do list items at the stern. Got the stbd side capstan bars installed but need to get the line on that side rigged. Also installed the horse and ring for the spanker sheet, the tiller with the blocks for the tiller tackle installed. Am working on fabing the aft bitts and will install them before rigging the tiller tackle.

tiller.jpeg

transom pre bitts.jpeg

Edited by cdrusn89
typos

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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Here is the completed (I think) stern area.

I added the tiller tackle (and boom guy blocks - although those are hard to see in these photos).

The stern bitts

The tiller running rigging

The spanker sheet fairlead

 

I took several more pictures but am having depth of field issues with my 100mm macro lens. I guess I need to get the manual out now that I have exhausted my very limited knowledge of the multitudinous setting on the camera and lens.

Transom complete 4.JPG

Transom complete 1.JPG

Thanks,

 

Gary

 

Current Build -  HMS Sphinx 1775

 

Prior Builds:  HMS Winchelsea

                       USF Confederacy

                     

 

 

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