Usgecko

Started on the planing for the ceilings - on both inner and outer sides of the hull. I elected to cut them individually so progress has been slow
 

I attached the planks directly to the hull at the bow, rather than pre-fabricating them as I have above
 

Started on the planing for the ceilings - on both inner and outer sides of the hull. I elected to cut them individually so progress has been slow
 

I attached the planks directly to the hull at the bow, rather than pre-fabricating them as I have above
 

Started on the planing for the ceilings - on both inner and outer sides of the hull. I elected to cut them individually so progress has been slow
 

I attached the planks directly to the hull at the bow, rather than pre-fabricating them as I have above
 

The first two lengths of planking attached to the outside of the hull progress!

The first two lengths of planking attached to the outside of the hull progress!

Good day!
 
This build log will cover the second wooden model ship I am tackling, after the Drakkar Amati.
Unlike the Drakkar I decided to do a build log of this.
 
Why the Niagara - two reasons:
My wife is from Erie PA where the reconstructed Niagara can be found, and thought that this should be my next build - who am I to disagree especially as she purchased the kit! I like the lines of the ship and it is simpler than other multi deck models out there  
Pictures of in progress build to follow - I have been working on it for a few weeks now making steady progress as work and other things allow - happy for all comments/suggestions
 
Stuart

After framing the gun and sweep ports I found there was a gap between the plank sheer where the gun ports were and the edge of the frames. Filled this in with some thin bits of wood then sanded to ensure smoother fit once the first two hull planks were attached. you can see the result below on the outside edges of the cannon ports.
 

Thanks for the comment Abelson. 
I will be honest that if I had the equipment to cut the stern timbers out of hardwood, to replace the plywood that comes with the kit, I would have.
As it is I was not willing to suffer the inevitable breakage of these parts as seems to afflict those that have posted their Niagara building logs in the past. The effect of trying to re-glue these parts, ensuring they were precisely aligned etc. and hoping they didn’t break again just didn’t make sense to me.
Fabricating the parts in plastic was not simple and will in this case be covered by wood as construction progresses and it is something that I am personally ok with for my build.
The question of use of parts other than wood in a wooden ship I will leave to others to debate.
it is an interesting question however in the context of wooden ships. Would it imply that someone who scratch builds everything from wood they have cut from the tree more of a builder than someone who assembles laser cut wooden parts from a kit? Does it really matter in any case as the goal is got self satisfaction through completing the building process. Does someone who has a lathe and electric saw to fabricate parts and turn square dowels into masts deserve less regard than those that only use hand tools.
i would note that those who have the capability, and not inexpensive tools, to complete a scratch build deserve real respect for their skills.
 
Thanks
 
Stuart
 
 

Framing for the gun and sweep ports completed, along with a lot of sanding to ensure a level fit for when planking gets attached
 

Framing for the gun and sweep ports completed, along with a lot of sanding to ensure a level fit for when planking gets attached
 

Thanks for the comment Abelson. 
I will be honest that if I had the equipment to cut the stern timbers out of hardwood, to replace the plywood that comes with the kit, I would have.
As it is I was not willing to suffer the inevitable breakage of these parts as seems to afflict those that have posted their Niagara building logs in the past. The effect of trying to re-glue these parts, ensuring they were precisely aligned etc. and hoping they didn’t break again just didn’t make sense to me.
Fabricating the parts in plastic was not simple and will in this case be covered by wood as construction progresses and it is something that I am personally ok with for my build.
The question of use of parts other than wood in a wooden ship I will leave to others to debate.
it is an interesting question however in the context of wooden ships. Would it imply that someone who scratch builds everything from wood they have cut from the tree more of a builder than someone who assembles laser cut wooden parts from a kit? Does it really matter in any case as the goal is got self satisfaction through completing the building process. Does someone who has a lathe and electric saw to fabricate parts and turn square dowels into masts deserve less regard than those that only use hand tools.
i would note that those who have the capability, and not inexpensive tools, to complete a scratch build deserve real respect for their skills.
 
Thanks
 
Stuart
 
 

Some tidying up of space between waterways and bulkheads and 3/32 square section rail attached to top of bulkhead (seen in previous builds for reason of height needed fro cannon ports



 
Next step - framing of cannon ports

Some tidying up of space between waterways and bulkheads and 3/32 square section rail attached to top of bulkhead (seen in previous builds for reason of height needed fro cannon ports



 
Next step - framing of cannon ports

Some tidying up of space between waterways and bulkheads and 3/32 square section rail attached to top of bulkhead (seen in previous builds for reason of height needed fro cannon ports



 
Next step - framing of cannon ports

Next on the list - attaching the waterway and planksheer. Some of the slots for attaching the planksheer did need widening as others have noted.
 

wrapped up the knightsheads and top stiffner

first made sure the stiffners were snug to what will be the bowsprit
 
 
 
 

Also worked o n the stern framing. Th plans didn't quick make sense to me and seemed more complicated than they need be for the quarter stanchions. Instead I decided to cut a piece of boxwood to the required shape and attached this to the horn timbers and the spacers blocks.
 

Got the corner fillers in

Working on bulkheads and shaping the front filler block attached to bulkhead A before attaching this to the hull
 

Plan is to add additional filler blocks between bulkheads B-c and C-D also. These will be from balsa wood sourced from hobby store

On to attaching the bulkheads. All were shaped, according to the plans, before attaching. Following someone else;s suggestion I had some L shaped aluminum extrusions laying around and I sawed those up to provide a right angle to try to keep the bulkheads square.
 
I also marked the center line of each of the bulkheads to try and get them aligned correctly. Had one misstep which required used of vinegar to soften the wood glue before re-attaching it more precisely.
 

On to the hull. Following a lot of advice/suggestions/good ideas I have seen on other builds - thanks to all those that have provided logs on the Niagara!
Decided to cut the rabbet before gluing the keel parts together
 



A little filler over the joins. The rabbet may be made a little deeper after I have attached the bulkheads

Some tidying up of space between waterways and bulkheads and 3/32 square section rail attached to top of bulkhead (seen in previous builds for reason of height needed fro cannon ports



 
Next step - framing of cannon ports

Some tidying up of space between waterways and bulkheads and 3/32 square section rail attached to top of bulkhead (seen in previous builds for reason of height needed fro cannon ports



 
Next step - framing of cannon ports

wrapped up the knightsheads and top stiffner

first made sure the stiffners were snug to what will be the bowsprit
 
 
 
 

Also worked o n the stern framing. Th plans didn't quick make sense to me and seemed more complicated than they need be for the quarter stanchions. Instead I decided to cut a piece of boxwood to the required shape and attached this to the horn timbers and the spacers blocks.
 

wrapped up the knightsheads and top stiffner

first made sure the stiffners were snug to what will be the bowsprit
 
 
 
 

Also worked o n the stern framing. Th plans didn't quick make sense to me and seemed more complicated than they need be for the quarter stanchions. Instead I decided to cut a piece of boxwood to the required shape and attached this to the horn timbers and the spacers blocks.
 

Next on the list - attaching the waterway and planksheer. Some of the slots for attaching the planksheer did need widening as others have noted.