Mike Dowling

Greetings all!
 
I know I have been quiet for a while but I have not been idle.
 
The second planking is now done to the best of my limited ability. In fact the pale wood section I had to second plank twice because the first attempt was dreadful and I couldn't get it all off so I went over the top. Cunning eh?!
 
It may be of interest to some that the planking was all done with PVA glue, no CA at all. Also no pins were used because I want to keep the boat in natural wood and not paint it so I held each plank with sticky tape to measure tapering and for gluing
 
I have to trim, sand and varnish next. I am hoping that I can use the sanding process to fill some of the little gaps with sawdust and then varnish to keep the dust in situ.
 
I realise this is not museum quality planking but, it has covered the whole hull and, to be quite honest I am pretty pleased with myself seeing as how this is my first real go at it.
 






 
 
 

Hello all,
 
Thought it was time I posted an update on progress.
 
I have now finished the basic hull complete with rubbing strakes, the keel and the rudder. I made a complete mess of the rudder by gluing the hinges in the wrong places with CA glue. However, with a lot of cellulose thinner, a lot of patience and a lot of bad language I managed to get them off and start again!
 
The whole thing has had at least (!!!) two coats of satin varnish and just for good measure I veneered the edges of the bulkheads and decks on the exposed side. The time spent was worth it I think.
 
Next, all the deck accessories and fittings to be done!
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nice work Mike!

Good progress Mike, congrats! I wish I can reach that stage this summer, too. 

Lovely work Mike, love the finish on the hull, especially below the waterline.

Nice work MD. I am going slow on the second planking too on my Swift, mainly cause we are moving though and I'm trying to find another job!
 
I love it. I hope mine comes out as purty.

Greetings all!
 
I know I have been quiet for a while but I have not been idle.
 
The second planking is now done to the best of my limited ability. In fact the pale wood section I had to second plank twice because the first attempt was dreadful and I couldn't get it all off so I went over the top. Cunning eh?!
 
It may be of interest to some that the planking was all done with PVA glue, no CA at all. Also no pins were used because I want to keep the boat in natural wood and not paint it so I held each plank with sticky tape to measure tapering and for gluing
 
I have to trim, sand and varnish next. I am hoping that I can use the sanding process to fill some of the little gaps with sawdust and then varnish to keep the dust in situ.
 
I realise this is not museum quality planking but, it has covered the whole hull and, to be quite honest I am pretty pleased with myself seeing as how this is my first real go at it.
 






 
 
 

Looks great Mike - nice to see you got through the planking tribulations with such a good result....I've never used PVA for planking - always CA for a fast hold....but I use slow acting, gap filling CA in small quantities......
hamilton

Greetings all!
 
I know I have been quiet for a while but I have not been idle.
 
The second planking is now done to the best of my limited ability. In fact the pale wood section I had to second plank twice because the first attempt was dreadful and I couldn't get it all off so I went over the top. Cunning eh?!
 
It may be of interest to some that the planking was all done with PVA glue, no CA at all. Also no pins were used because I want to keep the boat in natural wood and not paint it so I held each plank with sticky tape to measure tapering and for gluing
 
I have to trim, sand and varnish next. I am hoping that I can use the sanding process to fill some of the little gaps with sawdust and then varnish to keep the dust in situ.
 
I realise this is not museum quality planking but, it has covered the whole hull and, to be quite honest I am pretty pleased with myself seeing as how this is my first real go at it.
 






 
 
 

Greetings all!
 
I know I have been quiet for a while but I have not been idle.
 
The second planking is now done to the best of my limited ability. In fact the pale wood section I had to second plank twice because the first attempt was dreadful and I couldn't get it all off so I went over the top. Cunning eh?!
 
It may be of interest to some that the planking was all done with PVA glue, no CA at all. Also no pins were used because I want to keep the boat in natural wood and not paint it so I held each plank with sticky tape to measure tapering and for gluing
 
I have to trim, sand and varnish next. I am hoping that I can use the sanding process to fill some of the little gaps with sawdust and then varnish to keep the dust in situ.
 
I realise this is not museum quality planking but, it has covered the whole hull and, to be quite honest I am pretty pleased with myself seeing as how this is my first real go at it.
 






 
 
 

Well fans!!
I have for a change had quite a good day. It has been glorious Scottish Spring sunshine all day so I managed to get outside to do the sanding. Captain Al had recommended a good tool for me which must have saved me a very long time.
 
It still took a long time. So, the beast had been sanded mechanically and then once by hand. A tiny amount of filler was required I am proud to say before a fine hand sanding again.
The whole hull has now also been painted with watered down PVA to seal it and make it even stronger than it already was. It must have been pretty strong to deal with the machine sanding!!
 
Next stage whenever is to mark out where the first second plank has to go. The lovely, wonderful, oh so helpful instructions are quite specific but be assured ship mates it will be in line with the top deck in a nice gentle curve!!!
 
Just a thought when you have finished admiring my pictures (!!!) would anyone like to suggest the best method for sticking on the second planking?
 

 

 

 

 

 
I still think it looks like a zeppelin!!
 
 
 
 
 

Nice job Mike! I like your dark part of planking! Yet, I am amazed at the what you call "the pale section". Is it really how they teach in your instruction?? Mine looks totally different! I mean my instruction teaches that pale planks start from the deck downwards, parallel to the deck, and after 6 rows changes to dark color.
Anyway, looks great! and you can see the 'guts'of the boat alright! Congrats!
It will be even better after sanding and varnish! Good luck.

she is looking good Mike,
 
nice clean planking Job...
 
Nils

Greetings all!
 
I know I have been quiet for a while but I have not been idle.
 
The second planking is now done to the best of my limited ability. In fact the pale wood section I had to second plank twice because the first attempt was dreadful and I couldn't get it all off so I went over the top. Cunning eh?!
 
It may be of interest to some that the planking was all done with PVA glue, no CA at all. Also no pins were used because I want to keep the boat in natural wood and not paint it so I held each plank with sticky tape to measure tapering and for gluing
 
I have to trim, sand and varnish next. I am hoping that I can use the sanding process to fill some of the little gaps with sawdust and then varnish to keep the dust in situ.
 
I realise this is not museum quality planking but, it has covered the whole hull and, to be quite honest I am pretty pleased with myself seeing as how this is my first real go at it.
 






 
 
 

Greetings all!
 
I know I have been quiet for a while but I have not been idle.
 
The second planking is now done to the best of my limited ability. In fact the pale wood section I had to second plank twice because the first attempt was dreadful and I couldn't get it all off so I went over the top. Cunning eh?!
 
It may be of interest to some that the planking was all done with PVA glue, no CA at all. Also no pins were used because I want to keep the boat in natural wood and not paint it so I held each plank with sticky tape to measure tapering and for gluing
 
I have to trim, sand and varnish next. I am hoping that I can use the sanding process to fill some of the little gaps with sawdust and then varnish to keep the dust in situ.
 
I realise this is not museum quality planking but, it has covered the whole hull and, to be quite honest I am pretty pleased with myself seeing as how this is my first real go at it.
 






 
 
 

I was wondering where you've been Capt Fisher. As for me, I've been plugging along slowly but surely on fairing the frames of my twisted Bounty. I've also done some filling in the bow and transom in preparation for planking. I'll put up some pictures and describe my work shortly. But I haven't been getting much response from anyone lately so I've kind of given up on my build log. I think I've read just about every relevant article and post on MSW, but I check it out daily just cause there is so much good stuff and always something new. Hope you get back to building and posting.

Thank you. For this build I am sticking to the instructions, no mitring strangely enough...

As for tarring or tallowed...really? It is a model after all. Sorry I just feel that there is a limit when it comes to accuracy...the way some of you guys talk you may as well just build the real thing

Hi Dominic
I think your planking looks great.It is super neat.If you are happy with it and you didn't set out to create a build that is historically accurate,more something that is a display piece,then good on you,it is your model.
I understand other members wanting to 'push' you in the right direction,but I think this hobby is a bit like stopping smoking,i.e. you will do it when YOU want to.
Please don't think of this as an elitist forum,because it isn't.As you know there are a great many builds on here by modelers of varied experience.Sometimes posts may come across not as intended.I left the modelspace forum because I kept getting PM's asking for advice including links to other members work allegedly showing how not to do it,this is not nice.I have been doing this longer than most members but not as long as some,I will offer help in spades to anyone that wants it,but never criticize.I don't think any of these posts are quite in the same league.
I am certainly not wanting to fuel any arguments as model building is meant to be relaxing.    
Nat is correct in what he says in that there isn't the help and experience when YOU wish to take your model building to the next level,on the other forum.You will no doubt reach a stage when you want to stretch your ability further as things do become routine,that is the only reason I push myself in terms of what I want to achieve.In the meantime enjoy what you are doing.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel
 
Oh and Mark,we will have to agree to disagree,but 99.9% of hatch combing joints were 90 degree half lapped not mitred

You are doing brilliantly Dom!! Don't worry to much about the critics, I am sure they get it wrong too sometimes. Yours looks great and you should be very pleased with you efforts!

Way to go !!!
I've already started checking out your new Jolly Boat build ... and it's coming along fine. Also noticed the little accident you had ... and the beautiful save you made to get around it.
When doing some research for my Bounty Launch build, I found something which claimed that the Jolly Boat was the mutineers first choice to cast Bligh (and the others) adrift in. But, it was riddled with holes and would most surely have sunk immediately.
So ... on the off-chance your build doesn't go so well, at least you be able to claim "historical accuracy" !!!
(Just joking, Dom)

It's a really good fix Al, I admire your tenacity and ingenuity. You are going to be so pleased when you get your planks on and find it all hidden from view!
 

Cheers Dom, I'll let you know.

Great job ;-) I'm happy for a next progress.

Grand job Mike, be proud of that hull!
 
Sod the second planking, just stain it walnut and varnish it job done! LOL no just kidding, although you'd probably be able to get away with it.
 
Me personally I use Cyano for the second planking, mainly because they sell Locktite Superglue Gel near me for a £1 a tube, instead of £5 a time! The gell is much better as the thin veneer doesn't soak it up and it does give you a few second manouvering.
 
If you're unsure though I'd stick with PVA, as once stuck...you can get it off but it can be a bit fiddly and damaging.

So beautiful. Nice work. Bravo!