Cap'n Rat Fink

I'm in the process of building a "work desk", and the height I'm making it is 30" with a 3' x 5' surface area. But I adjusted the height according to the rolling arm-chairs I'll be sitting in. They're not adjustable, but comfortable. I already have a few work-benches that are higher, for either standing or stool.

Richard,
   i am in the process of finishing my garage shop. I had cabinets and lowers placed in there the garage. they are set at 36". but I have workbenches at 34 inches. So those are the 2 heights I want. it works well for standing or sitting on a stool or an adjustable chair. But I also considered my height of 6 foot.
 
Mario

Hi All,
 
I wish I knew what broke me out of the slump I was in.  Then I would know what to do next time.  Anyway the mast hoops were one of the things giving me trouble.  I tried making them out of wood and then plastic, I was not happy with either.  I finally came up with the Idea that a manila folder would be the same color as wood.  I rolled a piece around a dowel with lots of glue, put it in the lathe and tore it to shreds.  Finally I cut thin strips of the card stock, tapered one end and wrapped them around the dowel covered with plastic wrap, a spot of CA at the start and a spot of CA at the end.  After all were wrapped I saturated them with CA to make them hard.  After a little clean-up I slipped them onto the mast.  Now maybe I can get on with the sail and rigging.
 
Bob
 

Strips cut 0.030” for a 1.5” thick ring.
 

Tapering the ends.
 

Strips wrapped around dowel.
 

Finished rings
 

Rings on mast.

I didn’t get much done this time. We had company from back east trying to get out of the snow and cold.
 
I added the framing for the cabin roof and a little more trim and a little more paint.  Now I’m calling the hull done.  Yes I know there is that spot on the stack that needs to be touched up but that isn’t that much. Next will be the mast, spars, rigging and sails,
 
Bob
 

 

 

 
 

Lawrence thanks for looking in.  The longer I live with the deck the better I like it.
 
So here’s where I am now.  I made a new cabin/cockpit wall.  To make the windows holes sharp they were trimmed with brass.  The walls were then painted and mounted in the deck.  The lower edge of the cabin wall was trimmed with mahogany and a piece was placed around the top to attach the cabin roof frames.  There is also a piece of mahogany trim on the top edge of the cockpit wall.  Now it’s about time to glue the deck to the hull.
 
Bob
 

 

 

 

Here’s the new deck. As it turned out I did add a king plank.
 

First I glued black paper to a .03” thick sheet of bass wood
 

I then sliced it into .03” strips
 

I then made the deck frame
 

I planked it while the frame was on the boat
 

More to come but the deck planking is done.
 
Bob

Hi Bob,
It is magnificent!
 
I am not sure, but it seems to me that at such design of the deck usually there is the board along the axial line of the deck.

 
What kind of tree you use for the deck? I like to use a light pear because it rather solid and it is possible to make accurate edges of planks. Also it allows to make seams between the planks very thin and accurate. What width of the planks which you use for the deck?
 
Best Regards!
Igor.

Zambocknee,
    As for the small multi-colored clamps at Harbor Freight. Alligator clips at Walmart. They are inexpensive. The clamps were 10 dollars for about 25 of them.
   Don't know where you live, but this is all in the USA.
 
Mario

Harbor Freight and Walmart I can do.  thanks Cap'n

Where'd you get those mini-clamps/alligator clamps?

Mario, thanks for reminding us.  I just enjoyed your build all over again.
 
Bob

thank you  Sal,  Carl,  and all you fine folks who hit the like button.   the clean table......yea,  there's a reason for doing it.
 
in putting the last few pieces in place,  I feel this would be the best time to call this build finished.   oh,  I'm sure that there are a few more aspects I could add,  but confinement of space is beginning to be a problem.   some of the aspects I've added,  and some that I still had in mind,  would have been better done,  if the trawl rig wasn't in place.
 

 
I did some modifications that wasn't on the actual boat,  but they are minor,  considering how close this build looks compared to the kit build.  I'm pretty amazed how close I got.   it's too bad I couldn't find the rigging directions for her....I could have gotten closer to that as well.   what the heck........I muddled through 
 

 
Frank......if your looking in......I tried.......I really did.   I guess George Clooney is too busy    I got the addresses for his agent and publisher,  and sent them a letter along with pictures.  I haven't heard back thus far.  I'm still holding the candle though,  perhaps I may hear something down the road......if I do,  I'll post it 
 

 
these are just a few pictures of the finished boat.  I will do some more for the gallery.......even some of the Lobsie twins.....they're about a year overdue.   I'm so very glad that you folks enjoyed the build.......I had an absolute blast in doing it!   should I add any more to her,  I will be sure to post it as well.
 
thanks for looking in and showing your support and suggestions!

thanks Augie........as Mark wrote.......the times that try men's souls.   mine is  'nuth'in to get hung about........' 
 
 
so anyway........the preservers were set aside for a short time.......and then cemented in place.  as I mentioned,  the one with the minor defect  {really minor} was put on the bulkhead wall.
 

 
the holder for this one was painted flat white.
 

 

 
I had one more plastic single block left over.  since the bead string is done,  I cut the excess off and seized the block to it.  it was then wound up in a coil and cemented with white glue to keep the coil together.   it was then cemented on the main deck under the podium.
 

 
then......something amazing happened.......all the clutter disappeared!   the several months of dust and stuff......gone!
 

 
the buoy string was cut into three sections.   the first section had a stub of rope sticking out.........white glue was squeezed into the hole,  and the stubble was tucked in to create a rope eye loop.   this one was to be placed in the top of the podium.
 

 
the other two were of equal length.  for the ends of these two,  I did something a bit different.   trimming the rope stubbles off,  metal eye bolts were cemented in.
 

 
the first one was laid lengthwise along the starboard side.
 

 
the other one was laid down however it wanted to..........
 

it's 1 Am........been quite a day.   actually......the last couple days have been busy...but.........I managed to get some table time in..........here's what I did Tuesday   { I'll do the rest tomorrow......or later on today,  whichever way you want to look at it}
 
the rest of the beads were cemented in place on the rope {string......thread......imaginative descriptions}
 

 
while I was milling about,  I caught this view of her..........had to snap a picture.
 

 
now.......for some strange reason,  the ca wouldn't stick,  as I attempted to put the rope on the preservers.  tried a few times, but heck no.......   rather than get frustrated,  I thought up a different method.   taking smaller thread,  the rope was tied to the preserver {no knot}.....kind of like the first binding when you tie your shoe.  the thread was wrapped around one more time,  and the same tie was done  {no knot}.   this allows the thread to lay flat on the preserver,  and not become too thick.  the rope being tied on,  was then adjusted,  and a tiny bit of CA was applied to the tie.  I had just enough time to make a last adjustment,  if needed.
 

 
it also helped to have the  'helping hands'........don't know how I got along before without it      great little tool!   this is the first one I did......in finishing it,  I pulled too much and pulled the rope out.  rather than redo it,  I just fixed it and left it at that.  I'll make sure this one goes on the bulkhead wall.
 

 
the other two came out good......actually have some nice loops.  this method looks better too....the rope bindings make it look a bit more real.   I don't think I'll be slapp'in 'em together any more the way I used to.
 

I have to laugh..........I love the way that hemp thread spills from one picture to the other.........that wasn't planned,  I assure you!  :D     no sooner get to the table..........and then another distraction.........I can't even get a thought in edgewise!
 
in the middle of painting the preservers...........oh.....we gotta go to the store.  never tell them that the store is temperature controlled,  and things will keep..........she learned her mother's  'death stare' quite well........
 

 
during another stint at the table,  I managed to make the 'hanger' pegs for the preservers.  one will be on each side of the pilot house.........
 

 
......and the third one will be on the main deck...
 

 
I had taken a length of Billing's thread and wiped it down with some tan paint.........that will keep the 'fuzzies' at bay.   the beads were threaded on and cemented in place.   there's still more to do with this........it may appear long,  but it will be cut into sections later on.    I had to paint up more beads for this to finish the pattern.   I may need to redo it though......they look a bit too large, now that they are all together in a row.  I will see better,   when I can dry fit it.
 

 
the preservers are still a work in progress too.
 

 
more to come soon.........work has now become my present interruption.

this past week was a bit of a let down.........I thought I would have made more progress than this.  I'm beginning to thing these last bits......are going to be like pulling teeth .....OUCH!
 
well......I did get the beads for the net floats.....
 

 
the other aspect I want to add was laid out as well.  I decided on three of them
 

 
the beads were selected....these by the way,  are wooden beads.   I didn't want metal ones, or any with a metallic finish.  the paint wouldn't stick well ........I think.  augment pattern and color...should be good.
 

 
those tidbits on the table........they're nothing......they meant nothing to me!         {just more sick ideas}.   there's a thing about the life preservers....I learned this early,  from a gentleman here,  whom I have come to look up to as a mentor.  I have met others,  who {in the past} have given me some very neat ideas.   I keep them in my mental book,  ready to use when the need arises.   those plastic ropes.......they gotta go!
 

 
 

here are a couple pictures of the build overall.
 

 

 

not much Patrick.......as mentioned,  I was saving this for the last step.   the reason is that with them on the deck,  they actually gave me the feeling that it was finished......I've already done a dry fit,  plotting which ones to show together and where.   so....I held off on showing any pictures of them on the deck.......even kept them out of sight,  so they would be forgotten.   it worked well.......no one has mentioned anything about them
 
I'm talking about the fuel drums.   I was thinking about the rack......I wanted to put a few there,  so I drilled a couple holes and made up a couple of those small hooks.   after painting them white,  allowing them to dry a bit,  the small copper chain was used to lash them in place {cemented in place as well,  of course}.
 

 

 
OK........that was enough for me.........the bow was set up.  after deciding which ones to pair up,  these too were cemented in place and lashed.   a little forethought here would have been nice......perhaps soldering some eyes to the railings or something,  but since I didn't do that,  I decided on a simpler approach.   the chain was tied to the railing with white thread,  and the excess was wrapped around the railing........works just as well in my book   I started with the starboard side,  and then moved to the port side  after.
 

 

 

 

 
now,  on the port side,  you see two further back on the fore deck........I changed that.  there were going to be too many on the port side.........may make her list,  so I moved the extra to the other side.
 

 

 
 
 
so now,  other than adding some rope coils and a few bobbles,   all that need to be done,  are the life preservers,  and what I call the floatation boundary lines.   they are in the kit,  so I will add them.  something I want to add to these lines {I may make two of them},  is something I believe 'probablynot' asked in his Bluenose thread.......a thing called  'baggywinkles' .      don't quote me....I haven't even looked into his thread,  if his is the actual thread.....but I'll be checking this out.   I'll be simply tying short pieces of thread to the line and combing the ends out so they become loose and hairy.
    I'd do this now.......but I have to wait till I get paid before I can go off on the scavenger hunt to buy the size beads I'll need.   I do still have those beads that I like to make the small floatation buoys....like the ones I made for the Nordkap, the Cux 87,  and the Mary Ann.   but,  I voted it down,  since these should be a round float,  rather than oval thingies.   I thought I had some already made still,  but I must have used them all.

this could be a new phase of insanity for me...........
 
OK......this assembled quick,   but it was very delicate......the chain broke on me once.   you'd never notice it though.
 
it all started with this hole I drilled into the podium upright post.
 

 
hard to see.....I know.   I had the idea earlier,  but the copper chain I have here is too large......I would have to drill the holes way too big.   then I thought......I have a container of chain......take a look see.   all I have is this real thin gold chain....it's enough,  but the gold color is what throws me.   I decided to use it anyway.   drilling out the holes in the blocks,  one I fastened an eye bolt,  the other a hook.   setting the blocks up on my helping hands,  I tied thread to one end of the chain and began to thread it through the blocks.   at one point it broke,  but I repaired it with thread {tiny knot}.
 

 
taking it out of the helping hands,  it was kinda flimsy.......the bottom block wanted to twist.  since it is gold chain,  I decided to match the paint with the color of the blocks and paint the chain,  making sure I got some on the blocks.  the chain adhered to the blocks and prevented the twisting. 
 

 
once I let it dry a bit,  a pick was used to separate the chains,  so they follow their paths.  it was then cemented in place, in the hole I had drilled.
 

 

 
I tried to get a close up......
 

 
anyway......there's my big idea.......a  'chain fall'.   it can even be called a  'come along',  depending what the application is it's being used for.

so to fill in the blanks with the other buoy poles,  I used flags instead.   I'm not too sure if this is right or not......so any suggestions pointing to the fact would be appreciated.   first,  was to drill holes and insert the flag poles......one is missing because it's on the table being fitted.
 

 
they were a bit yellowed,  so I touched them up with paint
 

 
the vents got the  'black hole'  detail {the one lying down shows what I mean}
 

 
after supper,  the vents were cemented in place.
 

 

 
...and the buoys are in place now too
 

 
I'm down to two more aspects and whatever detail I'll add in addition........I already thought of something else that would be neat......has to do with drilling a hole at the top of the podium post.   hopefully,  I can get it done,  so I can post a picture.

Sorry Dennis! Don't know how I missed that. (Insert senior moment here). 

thanks Crackers for the good word       and thanks to those who hit the like button.
 
a bit more was done this morning.   the decal work was done on the two buoys......given how they punched out and the shape they were in,  I didn't follow a set pattern.   I did make sure though,  that both sides matched.   I'm unsure what to do with the others,  but I have some triangular flags from past builds,  that I may sort through {solid colors for the most part}.
 

 
they were arranged in the rack......no rhyme or reason.......depends if changes are made.
 

 
the other vent was sanded and shaped......pits were filled on the other.  both got a coat of paint.
 

 
they will probably need another coat......then the  'black hole'  detail.......and then they will complete the foursome.
 
there is one other bit of detail that I must add,  aside from small things here and there.   there are three of them,  but I may add a fourth one.....I'll see how it works out.

this brings the build to what I did yesterday.   the idea I have in mind,  is to also add flags to the buoys.   seeing many types of buoys,  gives me a lot of lee - way,  as to how I go with them.   on two of them,  I added these round tabs to the tops.....on these tabs,  I will add some design.
 

 
I save all the decals that I get in kits......and even the ones I made for previous builds.  for the design,  I chose the checkerboard decals from a P-51 Mustang.  using a paper punch,  I'll center the black and white,  to create round decals.
 

 
the round tabs,  and the reason why there are only two,  is that they come from the round punch outs from other kits.  mast holes and such.......cut in half or quartered,  to make them look thinner.  the bad part is that I only had one of this particular size........the size that the paper punch will produce.  I did find out however,  is that I really need to get a new one.   this one was from when the boys were kids.......it's gone through some wear and tear.   that's what it did to the decal punch outs,  but there were some that were useable.  I had to trim them a little during the process,  so it worked out.  I'm getting ahead of myself here.   on the rack,  the copper chain that I had bought earlier was used.......nice to throw a different size chain into the mix.   buying this chain in bulk {as it were} was another good idea the admiral had.....I have more than enough to do this build.
 

 
the buoy beads were cemented on the poles,  making sure they are all at the same height.......I've done most of this by eye.
 

 
as for those last two vents.........the first one got a coat of paint.   the second one is almost finished,  and then it's off for sanding and shaping.
 

 
any pitting and gaps will be touched up as I go along.   this has worked out better than I thought....I actually this is better than trying to bend hollow round tubing.   I shudder to think how much trial and error,  would be involved with doing that.....it's such a tight bend

thanks Lawrence........been kind of a slow week for me.   been away from the table,  but I've found time here and there.   there's still a bit more to go...here is what I did in the past couple days......
 
the fore deck reel control panel is finished....added the decals,  levers and paint.
 

 
the buoy poles were painted and set aside to dry.   the parts are assembled here on the table.  I was going to try and shorted the beads,  but I didn't want to ruin them.   I'd have gone out to get them instead,  but the admiral picked them out.....she was rather proud of herself for finding them.  I had the shorter one in my hand at the time......these do look better....not as fat.
 

 
for the buoys to go in the rack,  they will need a hold down system.  to install it,  holes needed to be drilled.
 

 
I have the larger brass colored eye bolts,  but I also have copper colored smaller ones.   these were opened up to form a hook and cemented in the holes.
 

 
the control panel is now in place on the deck
 

 
the buoy beads are painted and set aside to dry.   I really need to do one of those ship like Andy is doing.......I have more than enough orange for it.
 

 
I have something I want to try,  with these buoys.   I'm in the middle of it at the moment.  when I come up with the finished product,  I'll  show you then.   you can let me know what you think 
 
 

thanks John........had to think a bit,  but it worked out 
 
I didn't get to do much yesterday.......the bow vents were cemented in place.  I have to make two more.
 

 
the starboard counter weight was hung on it's chain.  this is Model Master flat black.......I was hoping it would be less glossy.
 

 

 

 
...then the port side was hung.   I tried to keep them pointing toward the front,  but I think as time goes by, and the model is moved,  they are going to settle any way they want      I had dabbed a small section of chain with white glue,  and fashioned it into a pile.   after making another hook,  the stanchion was set up.
 

 

 
this is the last day of my vacation / time off....sad to think it's over.    quite a bit was done during this span,  but she's not finished yet.    the day is still young though