TBlack

Bruce, the pages on my edition don't match yours. I have found the "man overboard" incident on page 285, but I cannot find the reference to the launch and cutter. Additionally, a jolly boat is about the same size as a cutter; could they be one and the same?

Bruce, the pages on my edition don't match yours. I have found the "man overboard" incident on page 285, but I cannot find the reference to the launch and cutter. Additionally, a jolly boat is about the same size as a cutter; could they be one and the same?

Yeah, some of that time probably stems from that "I delude myself that I am still a bit of a catch" 

Bruce, the pages on my edition don't match yours. I have found the "man overboard" incident on page 285, but I cannot find the reference to the launch and cutter. Additionally, a jolly boat is about the same size as a cutter; could they be one and the same?

Take all the time you want, Keith. It validates my own off times.
Tom

Take all the time you want, Keith. It validates my own off times.
Tom

04. Get those planks on
 
Steel out of wood.  Hopefully it's not something new.  My plan is the age-old trial-and-error approach.   I will plank with 1/32 basswood and add liberal coats of glazing putty then sand and putty and then sand.  Then add the outer strake to represent the look of a riveted hull.  I will not try to replicate rivets. Considering there is no attempt to see the planking, the planking installation is expedited. 
I broke up the sides into 4 bands. The full side was 24/8” [ 3”] most of the way. Each end tapered to 20/8”.  I used a razor blade to chop down and taper both ends of the planks for most of the runs.  The planks were milled to be 5/64…..shall we say more than 1/16 but not quite 3/32.  I have the right tools and most of the planks were right on but…I used the ones that weren’t too.   

First up was to solve the underpinning.  I added soft pine blocking bow and stern and carved it to shape using a Dremel and careful sanding.  The stern block is not all the way up to the top rail, as believe from looking at Erik Ronnberg, the master’s model, the aft bullwork up to the taft rail was ultra-thin.  I think that is better built after we have access, and avoid having to carve back out the blocking.   Similarly, the height of the fore deck and thin bulkhead suggest completing that work after removal from the building board.  Again, we’ll see when we get there and hopefully not regret the approach.

To work.  
 
1   here I have added the five intermediate bulkheads. They are the ones that do not reach the building board.  It was a bit of a challenge but we did it and the first four planks are in. The placement is one below and three above the upper band marks. [ sorry only pencil]  I did not spile these 4 planks, but all the remaining ones were tapered.  
2   some more progress.  Clamping is always an adventure.  
3    here the top band is completed.  
4   here I have the garboard and extended planks and bow coming along.  
5   here we are working the tricky double bending of the stern.  Thank goodness this is not to be exposed wood.  
6   ta da.  All in  
7   I see here that the keel needs a hair added on...oh well     8.    and quickly let’s get a coat of filler to cover it up.  I decided to use a first application of two-part filler since there were quite a few defects, especially on the stern areas and such thin planking.  Once we have two, if not three, applications in place, I will move to one part glazing putty for smoother finish.    
Happy Thanksgiving.   
 

Take all the time you want, Keith. It validates my own off times.
Tom

I can not explain how devastated I am to be announcing this.  My dear and close friend Jim Byrnes has passed away way too soon.   Many have you know and have met Jim.  He was a fantastic guy and true original.   Many of you own his tools which are second to none in the hobby.    I have been speaking with his wife Donna who many of you also know.  Jim was diagnosed with ALS in February.  ALS is a nasty disease and there is no cure.  Jim had a particularly aggressive type of ALS and he passed away last month in October.  He was just 64 years old.
 
This news will be devastating to many...but Donna has asked if everyone would have patience and give here and their family time to grieve.  As you might expect,  the business will continue to be shut down,  but will reopen at some time in the near future.  Donna will continue supporting the hobby and their customers when the time is right.   But please have patience and allow the family to grieve at this sad time.  Donna will let me know when the shop will reopen.  I will make an announcement at that time.  
 
I am so devastated by this...I just spoke to him not too long ago and it breaks my heart.  His obituary is below.
 
Jim is survived by his wife, Donna; son, James William (Krystal) and grandchildren Julian and Sloane; brother, Peter (Cindy) Byrnes and sisters, Mary (James) Hayman, Catherine Byrnes, Veronica Byrnes and Elaine Byrnes (Robert Campbell); brother-in-law, Eddie (Marcia) Grissom; brother-in-law, Frank Marzovilla, and many cherished nieces and nephews. Not to be forgotten is his beloved English Springer Spaniel, Becky, who is waiting every day for him to come home to her!

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lorraine Byrnes; brother, Robert Byrnes; nephew, Michael Byrnes; brother-in-law, Pete Stuffer; and mother-in-law, Opal Grissom.

Along with restoring vintage cars, from a very young age Jim had a true passion for model ship-building. For many years he had done extensive research on the U.S.S. Constitution and was in the final phase of completing his scratch build of the Constitution as it was originally launched in 1797. Following a career of working with Defense contract companies, Jim worked many years with and became a partner with Conceptual Engineering in Sanford FL. In 2002 Jim and Donna formed Model Machines LLC. Jim designed and developed small modeler’s machines that are now purchased worldwide and used in many high school and college machine shops and in museums for their restorations. There have been numerous reviews and articles written about Jim which were published in various modelers’ magazines. Modelers using Jim’s machines range from ship, railroad, doll houses, doll house furniture, pen turners, segmented bowls and architects. In recent years guitar, harp and violin makers were added to this list. Jim was a remarkable craftsman and had many more machines in development stage for modelers. He was always ready to help and mentor others, many of whom soon became his very close friends.

 Jim was also a member of the Nautical Research Guild and attended conferences throughout the U.S. for 20 years, developing many close friendships within this organization.

Jim was a humble, quiet man who was deeply loved and will be missed by so many. Our hearts, as a family, are broken. Thru this profound loss, if we can ask one thing from this place of despair, it would be to embrace your loved ones every chance you get.
 
 

Just an up-date. I'm on my 4th attempt at the ship's wheel. No point in showing you my failures. But the issue is using the right wood (I tried cherry; no good). I'm reluctant to use boxwood because the color is not what I want to see, so I'll try pear next (Ed Tosti recommends it as a substitute). And it also turns out that the glue is critical; not only its application, but also the type. Here's a photo of my last effort:

Just an up-date. I'm on my 4th attempt at the ship's wheel. No point in showing you my failures. But the issue is using the right wood (I tried cherry; no good). I'm reluctant to use boxwood because the color is not what I want to see, so I'll try pear next (Ed Tosti recommends it as a substitute). And it also turns out that the glue is critical; not only its application, but also the type. Here's a photo of my last effort:

Just an up-date. I'm on my 4th attempt at the ship's wheel. No point in showing you my failures. But the issue is using the right wood (I tried cherry; no good). I'm reluctant to use boxwood because the color is not what I want to see, so I'll try pear next (Ed Tosti recommends it as a substitute). And it also turns out that the glue is critical; not only its application, but also the type. Here's a photo of my last effort:

Tom,
I have two daughters; and it is true there will be more, but it will be fun for you. Remember that she will have a husband, but you will always be THE DAD!

Tom,
I have two daughters; and it is true there will be more, but it will be fun for you. Remember that she will have a husband, but you will always be THE DAD!

Tom,
You aren't the only one who can't say no to daughters. Besides, your work on those items is spot on; now all you have to do is walk her down the aisle!
Tom

Tom,
You aren't the only one who can't say no to daughters. Besides, your work on those items is spot on; now all you have to do is walk her down the aisle!
Tom

Here is our hero:

Here is our hero:

Here is our hero:

Here is our hero:

Here is our hero:

Thanks and looking very sharp in that shirt Chuck!
Frank. 

Here is our hero:

Here is our hero:

Here is our hero: