lamarvalley

Welcome to MSW Alex, and Antony, the more the merrier. 
 
Building a kit is great fun and satisfaction. Take your time in the build and ask questions of the more than 14,000 members which are more than happy to help.
 
Good luck with the Black Queen.

Well done Alex, well done!  You and Antony have a right to be proud of her.
 
Rigging is hard and I think everyone struggles with it from time to time. The more you do it tho the better and easier it becomes so keep at it.
 
What is the next build?

A little bit of progress.  Moving quite slowly at the moment between work and some car trouble I just haven't spent much time working on the ship.
 
I got the second wale on, and only after editing the pictures to post here did I see the gap I left at the stem.  Close up photo's are the harshest critic.  I used a batch resizer for this group of photo's, so hopefully they come out at least reasonably close to the previous photo's for quality.

 
Next is the spirketing plank, which includes the scuppers that were discussed here over the last week.  I've decided to just build them in per the plans and not worry about the water sloshing around on the deck for the non-existant tiny sailor-men.  Given the type of ship, chances are fairly high that if it was taking enough water over the bulwarks to need the scuppers, it would be heeled over pretty good and the water would drain over the waterway anyhow.
 
I started by fitting the wood to the top of the waterway, and getting it cut to size and sanded properly (rounded the inside edge, and put a slight bevel on the bulwark side for fitment, as well as getting the angle against the stem right).  I clamped it down with a whole bunch of clamps after soaking it, and then continued to use an eye-dropper to add water in the areas that had the most severe bend, and then left it overnight.  The next day while it was still in place, made marks in the center of each section where a scupper needed to go, and then removed the plank from the model and used a compass to mark the height of the scuppers, and marked 1/16" on either side of my center marks to define the basic location of each scupper.  I was pretty worried about trying to trim these little guys out with a razor knife, as they are really tiny and I am not that great with depth control when using a knife - I tend to overdo it.
 
Luckily, as I was playing with different tools I discovered that I had a small square file that was exactly 1/8" wide to the outside of the cutting edges.  Bam, solution!  I cut the basic rectangle to depth with the square file while the plank was clamped in a vise, and then used the smallest round file I have to shape the scuppers.

 
Pretty happy with how they came out.  Next of course, I had to get the thing back in place and glued.  I used regular PVA from a syringe to get the glue along the back and edges of the plank without getting any into the areas of the scuppers, and then clamped the crud out of it again and left it to dry.

 
After it dried, I removed the clamps, and it's pretty decent.  I would have liked to have it fit perfectly against the waterway, but there is a small gap there.  It snugs up against the bulwark extensions nicely though.

 
I am now doing the same thing for the other side.  I've got the plank cut to size, and it's currently soaked and clamped in place.  I'll keep it wet for a bit longer until I head to bed.

 
While I was waiting for things to dry (either water or glue) I also embarked on a bit of a planking experiment to try out two things:
1 - caulking with the method outlined in a thread by Nigel (found here: http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/7445-plank-caulking-using-tissue-paper-tutorial-by-nigel-brook/) using tissue paper.
2 - Tree nails.
 
I made a huge mess with the tissue paper and glue, but the results were surprisingly good given my first try, and how much of a mess I made.  Note that as can be seen in the photo, I didn't measure anything for this experiment, so the butt's don't really line up very well.

 
Tree nails on the other hand, were a bit of a failure.  I drilled 0.024" holes, which are about 1.15" in scale, and then tried to draw bamboo to the correct size, and failed badly at the hole 3 sizes above what I needed to get them down to.  I don't know if the draw plate is bad, or if that's just the smallest I can get with the materials I have.  The draw plate is from the Reno trip and I have no idea of it's source - the size that failed is the size he was using for his final size on the Hannah model, so maybe it's just worn out?  I may get another plate (Byrns?) or try it with another material later. 
 
Since the actual tree nails failed, I fell back to the method that Alistair (I think) said he used, and tried my wood filler putty.  It worked, but I'm not happy with how well it fades into the holly deck.

 
I think I'll use larger holes than these, even though they are already slightly over scale, and then try to get real tree nails to work down to the size I need, or use a darker filler of some kind, or possibly go with the mono-filament line that's been mentioned by other builders here.  Either way, I do plan to tree nail the deck, and while I don't want them to be obnoxious, I do want them to be visible when looking at the deck from a couple feet.
 
Until next time, cheers! 
 
 
 
 
 
 

As promised gents here is my latest update.
 
SHE IS FINISHED, well to be truthful she has been for the last two weeks but I have been waiting for the display case to arrive, no luck yet so I'll post without the case and base.
 
I want to thank everybody who has followed this build and those who pressed the like button, to get 75,500+ hits has really taken me back and I thank you all for the support, help comments and advice, there has been plenty along the way and it's all been good.
 
This will be last big build for a couple of reasons, the first being space, I don't have enough space at home to display them properly, the museum has taken the smaller ships but it still leaves me with a problem, secondly is the repetitive work that these big ships require, there's a huge amount of planking, plating, gun making and gun rigging and so it goes on, so from now on it's only small stuff.
 
Hopefully this will be a one time only event, but I have a few shots of my first build, HM Brig Badger alongside Agamemnon, both are 1/64 scale and the difference is really surprising. Badger took me 4 months from start to finish and the Aggy has taken 19 1/2 months.
 
Anyway enough talk, lets see the pics, first up the two together.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I'm going to close this post and I'll open another with just the Agamemnon, I hope you enjoy these shots.
 
mobbsie
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Looks good Sjors 

Can finally update some pictures on the progress.
 
I decided to plank before adding the keel to see how it would work. Most ships have a rabbet line, but the Swift doesn't so am pretty happy with the way it went. This picture was taken right after I sanded and filled some small gaps in between the planks. It was a little difficult to do, sometimes, had to lay on my lap to iron planks on.
 

 
This is how the keel line looks. The false keel was beveled and the finish planks were put on almost to the top of false keel.
Then sanded all the way down for the keel to fit.
 

 
Thought I screwed up the bow, I should have ran the planks closer together at the bow. I was afraid the Keel wouldn't go over the gap. But it came out fine.
 

 

 
After sanding the keel line. Attached the bow piece of the Keel. This piece needs to be done first. I put a dab of ca on to hold in place, and used wood glue on all the rest of piece. BTW, I did put on a coat of poly before sanding the keel line. Figured that would help bond everything together.
 

 
After it dried, did the same for the rest of the keel.
 

 
There were a couple of small places, I filled in with thinned wood glue and sanded dust from the left over walnut pieces.
 

 
Overall, it came out real well. Now can get started on some fun stuff on the deck.
 

 
 
 
 

OK........like Dr. Dafi,  I've gotten the urge to dystroy..........y.......because it's a dysfunctional thing.  the necromantic view of the rack and podium is wrong.   the appendage is in the wrong place........I will cut it off and reposition it.  HA.....Ha..to rip...to cut!   it's all good!   finding the right place......the deed was done.
 

 
I was going to join the side support bars to the foredeck stanchion,  and negate the front uprights,  but after looking at the plans,  I see that they are there.......makes it all the better!  the podium floor was cut, fitted,  trimmed,  and filler was added around the uprights.
 

 
in place on the deck puts it right where I want it.
 

 
to get up there from the main deck,  it needs a ladder  {oh no......not again!}.  I had another idea for it that I wanted to try.   using the same idea as the staple ladder,   holes were drilled.....one side of the uprights will be longer than the other.   you can see that I'm using the improved method for drilling  
 

 
to scale down the rungs a bit more,  I did as I mentioned earlier......I used brass.
 

 
after sanding the uprights to a rounded shape,  along with smoothing out the sides,  the ladder looked good enough to use 
 

 

 
in the Billing's plans,  the ladder does not touch the main deck.........I may also put some flooring on half of the lower level....it's a thought.......I think it would look better as well.   it was time to locate the rack back in place.   with it on the deck,  I was able to see the proper place.
 

 

 
I failed to take into account for the flooring.......there is a bit of a step up from the foredeck.  I think I will cut that bar and make an entrance for this side too......I can always add a small piece of square stock to clean it up......there are railings there already {in the plans}.  there is still a little more to add....then to clean up all the joints and get some paint on it.  I can deal with the foredeck later,  when the assembly is cemented in place.   this will happen,  after the hull gets painted.
 

Morning John. I have not read the book but a quick search yielded a good description of the book on Amazon: 
 
http://www.amazon.com/Before-Mast-Death-Aboard-Archaeology/dp/1842175041
 
From the description it doesn't sound at all technical about construction but about how the sailors lived… their tools, food, life in general. It may not give you details about how planks fit or the precise spacing on ratlines but it sounds fascinating to read about what their life was like.. and from that, who knows what  knowledge you could take away from all that.
 
I'm not building the ship but I am buying the book… sounds too interesting to pass up.

Thank you Brian, and others for visiting and all the likes..
 
Unfortunately mainly because of other duties at home & work the build is/will be pretty slow for some time to come.. 
 
Here's what i did so far..
The stern bench is now fixed in place.
 

 
I made brass mast clamps and fixed them on the thwarts.
 

 
Added mast steps (1) and added decking (2) and a breasthook (3) and started working on the windlass mount (4).
 

 
...

You mentioned this being a 'practice' run it was a bit of a failure,… hmmm, I guess we have different meanings in mind. Personally, I think it looks pretty darn good Brian. Besides, dropped planks and stealers were 'invented' for a reason… as a fix!

the stern has some vertical rails.   they taper at the top and bottom.
 

 
first,  the filler rails were added in
 

 
then the upper and lower rails were added
 

 
the little cracks and gaps were dabbed with white glue.  after allowing it to set for a min or so,  it was sanded to blend them together and the upper and lower rails were tapered.   they come out looking like this.
 

 

 
the port side was done son after
 

 

Thanks Laurence for your visit and your kind words, very appreciated and motivating..
 
Next fase..
With the cannon carriages and hatches in my head I re-developed the “sandwich veneer” technique I used.
 

 
But instead of using thin cardboard I used thin stripes (0,6 + 1,0mm)  veneer and sandwiched/glued these into a lath.
 

 
Also embedded/added a stripe of veneer into the stern sheet.
 

 
I dry-fitted the components in the next picture, to verify positions and scale.
..but i think it looks promising..
 

 
..

I have made up my mind for the details/fittings..
I found a drawing on the internet which i (more or less) will use as a guideline..
 

 
I prepared paper templates for the floorboards and made sure they fit.
 

 
To secure the laths, I used a sheet of transparent foil with double sided tape and placed it over the templates.
 

 

 
Floor boards adjusted and installed
 

 
..

Hello everyone,
Well I've finally crossed the finish line and have completed my whaleboat. On my previous post you've all noticed that the majority of the items were complete with the exception of the sail and the final dress up of everything stowed on board. The following pictures will show you the how she came out. Thanks to all those who've looked in on my build and I hope that a few of you will take on this build. 

Today I moved on from the stern.  I'll revisit it later once I decide what I really want to do as far as trim, paint, name, etc.
 
No warship is complete, not even a small sloop, without gunports!  So today I did upper bulkhead outer planking, first layer.  I quite enjoyed this part of the project, and other than the fact that it's apparently completely impossible to eliminate all the fuzz from basswood, I'm pretty happy with the outcome.
I took a ton of pictures, but when I started to edit them to post I realized that they are all really pretty much repeats of each other just on the next section, so I cut it down to just a few.
 
First section, and then with three sections completed:

 
The stern required a bit different approach, as I there is no way to get clamps on the planks, so I used some pins.

 
One of the things I may possibly have spent a fair chunk of that money mentioned earlier on, a little bit at a time, is clamps.  For the first month I was doing this new hobby, I would grab every clamp that looked like it might possibly be useful, and that I didn't already have.  Some people would say I now have far too many clamps, but I say, there is no such thing as too many clamps!

 
Cut to the chase, as it's past my bedtime now, and nobody likes a grouchy ship builder at work on Monday morning.

 
Hrmm.. looking at that last picture, I didn't get the earlier planks on quite even at the bottom.  I'll have to measure and fix that before I begin lower planking.
 
Until the next time, happy modeling everyone, and thanks for the looks, likes, and comments!
 

Thank you for the wonderful morning entertainment. A good cup of coffee, a soft seat and a bevy of Jeronimos' close up photos. Priceless!

I would never add up all the loot that I used, spent, wasted, expended or otherwise watched slip through my fingers in worthy ventures. I see it all as the cost of living. 
 
Love the windows Brian; they give a nice thick appearance kind of similar to old float glass.

I would never add up all the loot that I used, spent, wasted, expended or otherwise watched slip through my fingers in worthy ventures. I see it all as the cost of living. 
 
Love the windows Brian; they give a nice thick appearance kind of similar to old float glass.

Thank you for the wonderful morning entertainment. A good cup of coffee, a soft seat and a bevy of Jeronimos' close up photos. Priceless!

Thank you for the wonderful morning entertainment. A good cup of coffee, a soft seat and a bevy of Jeronimos' close up photos. Priceless!

Thank you for the wonderful morning entertainment. A good cup of coffee, a soft seat and a bevy of Jeronimos' close up photos. Priceless!

I think your sloop is coming along nicely and I couldn't agree with Alistar more...
 
...More annoying things are coming…. more IS certainly coming but that is kind of the fun of it… challenges and pitfalls and eventual (hopefully) learnings eh?.
If every piece was perfect and it went together like a kit from NASA  what fun would that be? That would be as much a challenge as putting gas in a lawn mower… boring! 
 
Keep moving forward, I at least am having fun from this seat.

I concur with Rich, sapele is a unforgiving bender although a good soak and heat will do it as long as the curve is not too extreme. Sapele is a form of mahogany and the grain is somewhat coarse and prone to snap suddenly. It's always a downer to be at the last tiny bit and about to breathe a sigh of relief for a great bend when a unsatisfying snap occurs. 
The walnuts from the kit looks darker and more evenly grained than the black walnut and that stuff should smoothly bend if needed… again with moisture and heat. Walnut also finishes so nice. 
Cherry is a fun wood too and the more the heartwood is exposed to light the darker it gets until it has a nice rich natural brown. Natural cherry is gorgeous when aged and clear coated.
 
But at this point it doesn't  matter what you do with it cause it's always a necessity and a pleasure to have excess wood… always.

Hello,
thanks to all for the kind compliments !!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
E.  Quarterdeck
Construction end,
the forward gun ports were only as needed with 12-pdrs.cannons armed.
 
Karl
 
 
 
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