ChrisLBren

Thanks for the feedback - I cut this piece out a lot quicker this AM - I spend most of my time adjusting the scarf joint - its not bad - the other side looks even tighter. Most importantly the assembly is following the plans to specifications for now

Too funny - the 3-4 speed setting was the sweet spot I found this AM when cutting out the scarf joints on this 1/4 inch thick piece - the blade was much more precise vs the higher speed I used to cut out this part out a few days ago from the billet. Im curious to try out this setting tomorrow AM when I cut out the next keel part. I purchased most of these tools after Confederacy was just about complete so Im still getting used to them and having fun in the process.

Good Morning Group, I have cut out the first piece for the keel assembly - approximately two hours using most of my tools - the Byrnes Thickness Sander for final dimensioning of the billet, the DeWalt Scroll Saw, Spindle Sander and Byrnes Disc Sander. I am hoping to become more efficient with the scroll saw - which would have cut down the amount of sanding time therefore producing the piece in less time. I have noticed slowing the speed down on the scroll saw (at least for me) produces a more controllable cut. It still felt great to be back at building and having fun with my new tools ! First observations - this new pear cuts cleanly and will finish beautifully - this piece is only sanded to 220. Its a bit harder and lighter than the wood I used for Confederacy - which I prefer. If i could just get my kids to sleep in I wouldn't be interrupted after only an hour of work. 4am to 6am is my workshop time - and they've been getting up at 5 for some reason - probably to torment me....

For me it comes down to the trouble of breaking down a board - if I can pay someone 60 dollars to do it for me faster and better than I can who is 15 minutes away - why not ? As is it I have limited time to model - I get up early to sneak an hour or 2 in if I can before the kids wake up. I got an hour into cutting and sanding the first timber on my next build (its Le Renommee in 1/48th Mike) - before being interrupted !

Yeah it really is the way to go Mike - my guy here charges me 60 per hour - which is more than enough time to reduce you lumber into useable billets. These are industrial machines - super efficient and do a way better job in less time than I would - not too mention spares me the dust. Good luck - Hearne has beautiful wood

Hey Mike, I would go to these guys - they are my wood source - first class service and product: they have a huge selection http://hearnehardwoods.com/ Buy a larger board and take it locally to a milling service and have them dimension into standard sizes - 3/8,1/4, 3/16. Your Brynes tools can handle these dimensions and its way more cost effective. I have racks of Pear, Ebony and some Box enough to handle a few scratch builds.

First steps - with the Byrnes thickness sander created some billets for the keel parts and knee of the head - both Ebony and Pear to approximately 6.5 mm. I am using my new solar powered Mitutoyo calipers (recent b day gift) to measure in metrics - it makes more sense to me than Imperial. My Proxxon mf70 arrived as well - hoping to create some dust his weekend !

Yeah I love my Dewalt too ! Its on its own stand and cuts vibration free. Way better than the crappy Delta i used to own to build my Confederacy....

Sorry to hear guys - thanks so much for your support over the years. Im glad you will have more time to be in the shop though !

Damn the dark background really makes your 74 "pop" Beautiful !

Thanks Gaetan and Ben ! This ebony will either succeed or be my folly. It cost me 100 USD for one board foot. To reduce the dust - I will have my facility mill it into 1/4 inch thick boards and Ill use separate blades to cut it to specific dimensions for my ship vs the ones I use to cut my Pear. I want to at least give it a try - Ive been getting some tips on how to use it/bend it successfully with laminations. We'll see.... This one won't be rushed Ben - it took me 8 years to finish Confederacy - this one will probably take 16 years ! Hopefully I will only have to build it once - LOL

Thanks everyone for your comments and encouragement. I have just sourced some beautiful Gabon Ebony to accent the Pear I bought from France earlier this year (I am fully aware of how tough it is to work with and its toxicity - nothing replicates its appearance though). I really want to push the envelope and challenge myself with this build.

Nice work Gaetan !!!

Hey Group, I am excited to announce my next project - a fully framed build of the French Frigate La Renommee in classic 1/48 scale. After a couple of false starts (Le Gros Ventre in 1/36th and a 74 in 1/48 - I have deleted those logs) I have fallen in love with this ship. This will be a 6500 hour plus build as I intend to mast and fully rig her. I have spent several years amassing the amount of tools necessary not to mention building out a workshop to handle a project of this degree. The reason I chose her over Le Gros Ventre and the 74 (I love both of these ships) is she embodies the best elements of French Naval architecture (extreme tumblehome, elegant sculptures, inner oblique planking and racy lines) and is scalable for a first fully framed build. Boudriot's Monograph of La Renommee landed last week (it took less than a week from when I placed the order from France to arrive at my door) and its spectacular. The figurehead and stern is intimidating and right now I am by no means a "carver". But this is a skill I want to master - and done right, in my opinion La Renommee's sculptures are some of the most beautiful in all of naval architecture. For reference I have volumes 1-3 of Boudriots 74 Gun Ship Series and David A's The Fully Framed Ship Series for "how to" techniques. My goal is to build the construction board/site and begin work on the keel by year end. Stay tuned....

I'll send you a PM

Hey Group, If anyone is looking to upgrade and or wants to sell their current mf70 in good condition with any accessories - send me a PM. US only. Thanks !

Thanks for the kind words Kurt and Adam - really appreciate it. It was a really fun build. Chris

Yes thats the French ship with the curves. Have a look at Patricks log here on MSW to see how beautiful this hull is - he's done an amazing job. I can't wait to see how he handles the sculptures. As far as the twins - yes it may be time to update their photos - they will be 5 in January !

Thanks Mark - I will have to up my game with carving - but that's a skill I'm interested in mastering. To me - sculptures are the very thing that transforms a ship model into art. I can't wait for the Monograph to arrive !

Hey Group, I just ordered the La Renommee Monograph from Ancre. I have fallen in love with this French ship. The extreme tumblehome, oblique inner planking, and sculptures seduced me. I will be figuring out the case situation for Confederacy while I wait for the Monograph to arrive. Thanks again for your likes and compliments regarding Confederacy. Chris

Spectacular !!!

Thanks guys - just like anything with this hobby - you fixate on certain "elements" during construction - always the most recents ones. With a little perspective/time away - those "elements" tend to blend into the background. The bands stay as is. This one is FINISHED. Per Gaetan's advice I will shoot some photos on a black background for the finished model section. I have two more pressing decisions - a display case and the next build....

Thanks so much for the flattering comments gents. Here's a close up of the anchor and its bands - should this be re worked with thinner/narrower metal or even artist tape painted ? I feel like they look clunky - but then again maybe Ive been staring at them too long. Any tips feedback is appreciated.

Thanks Michael and Mark - both of those questions will be answered soon. Im a big fan of photographing your model - thats how I noticed a molding off the quarter gallery in the second shot crooked - its fixed. I really have issues with CA and won't use it on future builds unless absolutely necessary. I may have a second go at those anchor bands this weekend - they are an eyesore to me - cutting them thinner would make a big difference and not an issue to re rig them to the knightsheads.

Put a pin in this one - Confederacy is completed ! I wrapped it up earlier this week than I thought this evening - here are the latest photos. I think the area I want to improve the most with the next build is metal work - my anchor bands look a bit chunky. Johann is an inspiration in that area. But overall very satisfied with the build and the enjoyment it gave me over the last 8 years. Thanks again for all of the support/encouragement and comments. And thank you Chuck for second to none plans and guidance with this build.