JTownsend

Just my 2cents. I own a computer controlled kiln that will go to 2300 deg F - they run about $1700 not including $300 for the custom computer controller - see attached photo. You really can't use that for melting brass I don't think. For one thing, although I've never tried it, if you tried to put a flask with brass inside the kiln you might have to wait forever because the total continuous heat loss of the kiln will not allow the kiln to fire the flask up to POURING temperature, which must be considerably above the melting point, like 200 or 300 deg above melting temp. Even if it did melt it, if the brass melts above the mold and dribbles in you haven't cleared off any dross at that point and it will go right into the pour with inclusions in the finished piece. But it will never get there I'm pretty sure. It just can't melt it. Let me point out that there are some great books and resources on building furnaces to melt brass and bronze to name a few: http://www.artfulbodgermetalcasting.com/7.html I think this may be the best furnace: “The Artful Bodger’s Iron Casting Waste Oil Furnace”. Title says iron, but think silicon bronze Then there's "Li'l Bertha, A Compact Electric Resistance Shop Furnace" -David J. Gingery * see my note below concerning this book "Handbook of Lost Wax or Investment Casting" - James E. Sopcak both at http://www.budgetcastingsupply.com/Books.php (I own most all the books located on that page.) The there's Building A Gas Fired Crucible Furnace - David Gingery and- “The Complete Handbook of Sand Casting” by C.W. Ammenon both on ebay or Amazon I haven't had time to really get into casting but have accumulated some theoretical knowledge for backyard casting. *about this book: I own a copy. But what you really need to read along with it is this website by Dan http://www.dansworkshop.com/2008/03/homebuilt-electric-melting-furnace-2/

What is lacking in the plans that prevents one from using them as is? Or perhaps I should ask what additional drafting would be required on my part? Thanks for your reply.

I would think that the key to the Spirits room would be vastly more important. You wouldn't want to lose that! Few if any would want to steal cartridges or gunpowder from the magazine. If on the other hand, they got into the Spirits room with that misplaced key.......

Thanks for posting that Rob. I think I will get the Ancre packet. Just for the pleasure of unfolding them and dreaming of building one, as you say; also for completeness sake since I already own the four volume set of Boudriot's 74 Gun Ship. Next on my book list for this year is Bernard Frölich Art of Ship Modeling. Thanks. Cheers. John

The number is close to 31? Really ?? I didn't get the impression from Ancre's site that there was anything close 31 sheets. I was going to buy the packet from Ancre just for completeness sake- I didn't expect that there would be that many sheets, just a one or two. But if that is the case, I think that is all the more reason. If you would be so kind then, would you please spread them out and send me an overview photo ? Thanks very much in advance.

Thanks. I'll do that. And after all it's a monograph not a four volume set (now the shipping on those is a serious problem)- John

Rob, Upon further reflection I think that I will buy the planches for 42 Euros. Just for completeness sake. Heck, in for a penny, in for a pound. Not to mention it's good thing to give Mr Berti a bit of business, now isn't it? Who else sells this kind of thing? Few and far between. I have an interest in the French 74 design of the 1780's. I take it you do as well?

Rob, Here is the link to Taubman: http://www.taubmansonline.com/ LE VAISSEAU – DE 74 CANON GUNSHIP French 74-Gunship, frames lofted from Plans. ProductID: JBP-74 LE VAISSEAU PLANS 1/72 Scale 31-Sheets Price: 90.00 Notice it says "frames lofted from plans". Hmmmm. As of yet I really don't know what I'd get for my money if I bought these. Not sure which ship they represent. Not sure if the 31(?) sheets is a misprint either (I have a feeling that's THREE sheets not 31!). See, with the Boudriot series books I KNEW EXACTLY what I was getting because I studied these books back in the early-nineties after they first came out. And they have no equal that I'm aware of. I wrote Taubman to ascertain exactly what the plans are- waiting on a reply.

Thanks for your reply Rob! No actually I didn't get the plans. I got the Boudriot series as a used set from an antique/rare bookseller---the shipping for a new set from France from Ancre would be astronomical for the four volume set. I know there are 1/72 plans from Taubman for a 74 but I don't know whether these agree with Boudriot or what time period they represent or anything. Or even where they come from. I'm aware of the Monograph for the 74 at Ancre, but I was reluctant because of the shipping costs. I'm just not sure what to do at the moment. Cheers, John

Hi Mark! That's exactly what I thought too. I'm new here BTW. It turns out that Taubman has 1/72 plans of a French 74 consisting of 31(?) sheets at 90$, or so they say. I wrote them about 15 mins ago to ask exactly what the plans are, where they came from, and whether of a Téméraire class ship like Le Superbe (1784) or what. Like I said before, I bought Boudriot Series on the 74 Gun Ship - am waiting on them to arrive. It's been a great many years since I've seen Boudriot's 74 Gun Ship volumes as most libraries don't have them. So I can't remember what the time period of the vessels covered in Boudriot was. A rather rare set of books, to say the least. But as I remember the books (almost 25 years ago), there is hardly any better. My impression back then was: with these volumes you can practically build a 74! John BTW I have been following your Licorne build -- very nice indeed! Regards, John

Chris, By "this site", do you mean this website, Model Ship World? I'm interested in plans for a French 74 but I don't think there are any plans here. At least I couldn't find any. I just bought all four of the of Boudriot's LE VAISSEAU – DE 74 CANON (English version) which I have known about for a great many years but could never seem to be able to part with 450$ to obtain them.