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Ol' Pine Tar

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  1. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to mhaas2 in Willie L Bennet by mhaas2 - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1/32 scale small boat   
    Made the gear guard out of brass and plastic strip
     

     
    Added a fan and motor to the radiator
     

     
    Did some more painting and added a fuel line, water pipes, and fuel fill. Ready for rigging line, The leveling platform and final pint touch up. I am pretty happy with this, as I have never done this kind of work before.
     

     

  2. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to Laxet in US Brig Niagara by Laxet - FINISHED - Model Shipways   
    I haven't been able to work much this week so slow progress. Here are the top masts so far. I'm working on the tops now. Haven't decided how to deal with the fid yet. I guess nobody has any comments on the top mast sheaves?

  3. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to mhaas2 in Willie L Bennet by mhaas2 - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1/32 scale small boat   
    Push Boat is done. Rigging is not yet pulled tight as I am waiting for more cleats to get here. The kit has only 6. Needs about 16.But they give you 2 water barrels when you only need 1.
     

     

     
     
  4. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to rafine in Frigate Essex by Rafine - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Kitbashed   
    Well, I finally had to bite the bullet and start the work on the head. I made and installed the hair and scroll brackets, the upper and lower cheeks and the bolsters. These were all made from boxwood using a sheet of drawings from Sam as templates. Given my lack of success in the past scribing molding lines on small scale pieces, I chose, as I've done on other models to create the moldings by using laminated parts with rounded edges. The bracket pieces were bent to shape before laminating. 
     
    I also drilled the holes for the mainstay collar in the gammoning knee and for the bobstays in the stem.
     
    Next up will be the rails and head  timbers. As a note for the future, I tried to fit the kit casting for the figurehead, but decided that it is unacceptably too large ( and not very good). I'm now unsure what I'm going to do about a figurehead. My choices would seem to be a wood carving or using Sculpey, neither of which I've ever done. Sam had once offered to do a resin casting, but I've been unable to reach him by PM or e-mail. Does anyone know if he is alright?
     
    Bob
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     




  5. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to Mundie in USS Constitution by Mundie - Model Shipways   
    Finished planking upper gun ports- started lower gunports.


  6. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to Jason in US Brig Syren by Jason - Model Shipways - 1:64   
    Thank you Scott,
     
    It has been awhile since the last post, and a lot has happened in the interim.  Though the happenings have little to do with ship building, and mostly to do with big life changes, including an out of state move.  So we have been really busy.  One of the many good things to come out of the move, is our new house, when we can finally move in, has a conditioned outbuilding that will be the new model ship yard.  Looking forward to that!
     
    In the interim, I was able to do a few things model related.  Such as paint the quarter galleries.  For quite some time I thought that I was going to scratch build the quarter galleries.  However, the more I thought about it, the more using the kit supplied pieces appealed to me.  I now have a supply of premium woods available to me, but there was something about the idea of a certain tradition that won me over.  When I was growing up, any exposure to these kinds of kits always had their white metal pieces.  And for some reason I was always enamoured of them.  I feel that they are a part of the tradition of model ship building going back at least a century, and for some reason I find a sort of resonance in my being toward that kind of thing. 
     
    That being said, in the future, I plan on doing scratch builds, using traditional and cutting edge materials and techniques.  So I do not see these types of castings in my future.  But, I am proud to have them on my first serious model.
     
    Now, on to the painted quarter galleries...
     
    I employed the same technique used in painting the transom molding.  Using three close shades of the same colour.  However, I varied from the prototype in that I wanted to add some colour to the galleries.  I painted the drop and the roof as if they were real quarter galleries on a frigate.  With the roof, I scumbeled together black and a very little German field blue.  These pictures are of the process, and an almost finished product.  This was literally the last thing I did before all of my hobby stuff was packed away.  Once it is unpacked, I will edit the post with the finished product. 
     

     

     

     

     

  7. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to Carlmb in Niagara by Carlmb - Model Shipways - 1/64   
    I am hoping that doing the stern on this ship is the hardest part of the build. Looked at a bunch of builds on this board and finally figured it out. Thanks to everyone in the Niagara club for the guidance.










  8. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to scott larkins in Rattlesnake by scott larkins - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Scale 1:64   
    Continueing the life boat work.
     
    Here I've started the ribbing on the inside of the boat at the bow.  The pencil marks are lining up where I'll be putting future ribs.
     

     

    Bow ribbing is all done.  Instead of soaking the wood in water or a water ammonia mix I'm making tiny crinckles in the wood by pinching the wood between my thumb nail and index finger.  Makes just enough of a bend as you progress.  I'm also only ribbing half way into the boat instead of using one whole piece.  Saw the frustation of others and came up with a different process.
  9. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to scott larkins in Rattlesnake by scott larkins - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Scale 1:64   
    Okay, making progress on the cannons.
     

    Here are the cannons with the blocks added.
     

    Here is the blocks added to the walls.  Nothing really to say about either step.  Simply tie on and add a small dab of CA glue to hold in place.
     

    Here is the process of roping the cannons into place.  Not that easy considering the small confined spaces on deck.  I used a my big lit magnifying glass and two pairs of tweezers to get this done.  Again, a small dab of CA and let dry.  Then a dab of CA glue on the deck and droop the rope into place.  Let dry and cut as close to the glue as possible.  Then the next step of adding the coiled rope.
     

    I tried this step of putting the cut off tip of a tooth pick in a plastic lid and coiling the rop around the tip.  Didn't work so well.  I had a game change next.  I ended up putting a dab of CA on a plastic lid and letting it dry.  Once dry I then used some Sobo glue and ran the glue on the rope and let slightly dry.  Then I used a magnifying glass and started coiling the rope around the CA glue point.  I would use my finger to push the rope down and squeeze the glue out to glue the rope together.  Again, let dry.  Then I used a chisel excel blade to pry the coiled rope off.  Cut off the access rope.  Done.
     

    Add coil to rope on the deck and glue in place.
  10. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to augie in USF Confederacy by Augie & Moonbug - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1:64   
    Never let it be said that I kept Popeye waiting------
     
    The installation of the gun deck has been completed
     
    Just to review (since it's taken so long), the deck is Swiss Pear supplied by Jeff at HobbyMill.  Fantastically uniform material  -- BIG thanks to him.
    The planks are all scale length of about 25 feet.  The meeting of the deck planks to the margin planks was carried out using hooked scarph joints.  I received some queries on these:
     

     
    As I came to discover, Swiss Pear is pretty tough stuff but it holds an edge very well.  After going through several Social Security checks worth of Exacto blades, I came up with the following procedure:
     
    A card stock template was carefully fitted into the spot to be filled and, using double-sided tape, attached to the plank.  The outline was then cut using a fine belt on a belt sander.  Takes a steady hand.  Given my aversion to power tools, I was surprised how well it worked.
     
    So here are a series of photos showing the deck from different perspectives:
     

     
    The treenailing was created using the 'drill and fill' method using #75 pin vise drills.  There are about 1200 holes (but who's counting).  The fill material is Hobbylite that I dyed with some acrylic paint to get just a tiny bit of contrast with the deck itself.  The entire deck was finished using the sequence of Minwax Pre-Stain followed by Natural stain, 2 coats of WOP and 2 coats of Testor's Clear Flat Acrylic:
     
     

     
     

     

     

     
    A lot of this deck will be obscured by the partial upper decks and deck beams.
     
    I need to do some touching up here and there on the ship and install some ladders in the hatchways.  At that point the shop will be closed for about a month as the Admiral and I are off to do some globetrotting  After that it will be on to the cannons.
     
    Thanks to all for stopping by.  Enjoy the upcoming change of the Seasons !
     
     
     
     
  11. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to mhaas2 in Willie L Bennet by mhaas2 - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1/32 scale small boat   
    Getting there with the push boat
     
     
     
    and just because, an  overview of the whole thing!
     

     
     
  12. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to mhaas2 in Willie L Bennet by mhaas2 - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1/32 scale small boat   
    Push boat is starting to look like a boat;
     

  13. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to Laxet in US Brig Niagara by Laxet - FINISHED - Model Shipways   
    Today I worked on the top masts. Here they are laid out & with one almost finished.


  14. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to Laxet in US Brig Niagara by Laxet - FINISHED - Model Shipways   
    Am I the only one installing the spanker sheet horse? I've only seen one other build that included it, & he did it different than I did. Not even sure if it"s used, but it is called out on the print.

  15. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to GaryKap in Fair American by GaryKap - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Scale 1:48   
    Hi all -
    Walt, I think I have restored the missing photos.  Stuntflyer, thanks for dropping by and for your kind words.  I would encourage you to start a build log for your project.  You will get lots of helpful advice and encouragement.  And you should also check out the build logs from KenW and Rafine.  Both are excellent.  They use better quality wood with natural finish and their results look great. 
     
    Its probably time for a progress report, although there has not been much progress.  I have been dealing with a carpal tunnel kind of wrist problem that limits what I can do.  In addition, I used a very old bottle of  Floquil "Swedish Oil" to varnish the masts... and it has taken WEEKS to dry.  I have attached some pictures.  The masts are stepped but not glued in.  They are not completed yet.  I need to do some painting and hang some blocks under the main top as well as other places.  The deck furniture is not glued on either.  I just placed it to give myself an idea of how she's looking.  The skylight is a "prototype" and will be replaced with something better in final.  I think the quartrdeck looks naked without it.  The stern lantern is just stuck on for now.  You get the idea.  But that's the progress to date.
    <<Gary>>
     




  16. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to Carlmb in Niagara by Carlmb - Model Shipways - 1/64   
    Thanks for the offer Laxet, I have been watching your build. One thing I have found in the instructions is that they do not list specifically what strips go to what. On my previous whaleboat build they listed what the strips fit.
    Just finished adding the supports between the bulkheads and working on carronades and structures in between.


  17. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to rcmdrvr in Willie L Bennett by rcmdrvr - FINISHED - Model Shipways - SMALL   
    Final step of the weekend was to add the copper plating to the hull.  I think this is to protect the hull from ice in the winter.  Used the self adhesive copper plumbers tape.

  18. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to rcmdrvr in Willie L Bennett by rcmdrvr - FINISHED - Model Shipways - SMALL   
    I was able to get some time at the workbench.  Completed most of the cabin housing. 

  19. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to rcmdrvr in Willie L Bennett by rcmdrvr - FINISHED - Model Shipways - SMALL   
    I spent a few hours building this waterline marker.  Seems to work well

  20. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to mhaas2 in Willie L Bennet by mhaas2 - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1/32 scale small boat   
    davit built! Need to paint and rig. Really surprisingly strong assy.
     

     

     

  21. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to mhaas2 in Willie L Bennet by mhaas2 - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1/32 scale small boat   
    Completed the rudder and the boom travelers. I am getting better at silver soldering. Practice does improve you.
     

     
    and the jib club traveler
     

     
    The next big project is the davits and push boat. I have the main davits done. I am ready to install them and then add the braces. Another new skill is flattening the end of the brace so they can ship into the brackets on the davits and then use a small wire to pin them to the bracket. Simulates a bolt and nut.
     

     
    and the beginnings of the push boat.
     

  22. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to Mundie in USS Constitution by Mundie - Model Shipways   
    Ok, attached the cat aheads and began planking the gunports.


  23. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to Laxet in US Brig Niagara by Laxet - FINISHED - Model Shipways   
    Here is the bow after I added the cathead rods & the anchor chafing blocks. Still have to paint those.

  24. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to Laxet in US Brig Niagara by Laxet - FINISHED - Model Shipways   
    Finished adding the sea stairs. Installed the boarding ladders.

  25. Like
    Ol' Pine Tar reacted to KenW in Fair American by KenW - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1:48 Scale   
    The main topmast is installed with its standing rigging.  I wasn’t pleased with the location of the topmast backstay.  It is too close to the topmast shrouds and the top itself.  I think this is due to my moving the gun ports closer together, which forced the channel location to be modified, which moved the deadeyes for the backstay.  But I’m not going to change all that now. 
    Another issue was the rigging of the top yard lifts.  The plans have them attached to a ‘thimble’ lashed between the first and second top shrouds.  This makes the yard lifts part of the standing rigging rather than the running rigging.  So if the yard is ever raised, the yard lifts won’t offer any assistance and, in fact, would be left dangling in the wind.  So I changed the thimble to a block and added shroud cleats for both the top yard lifts and the topgallant yard lifts.  This seems more correct to me.
    I rigged the topmast stay as per the plans, lashing some extra line above the block in case the stay ever needed to be loosened.
    Also, I’m glad I didn’t glue all of the deck furniture in place until they are necessary.  I have a lot more space to work in.


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