prutser

"Chains" for the shrouds on the United States are done. The chains for the stays will go in as I rig them.

Almost all of the spar deck furniture on the United States is complete, a few things are not glued down, just in place for the photos.

Hello,
the wheels are now installed and rigged.


And that is what you later will see of it. But the shipwright is pleased and spend a beer for the crew 

Hello,
the wheels are mostly ready. The paint would't dry, so it took a lot longer then normal. I don't know why 🤔

and that is what you will see when the mast is installed. When there also the binnacle stand in front of the mast, you will see nearly nothing of the wheels 

So, here they are in there full beauty 

But there is also a last problem. The rope to the tiller. In the drawing for the 1745 establishment they draw there something what I interpret as coamings with a lid. Most models have there nothing, or just two wholes in the deck, where the rope disappeared. 
I would at least build it so, but not so large and with two slits for the rope. But not with these sliding foots. I think, that they where a later innovation. But may be, someone of you know there more. 
  
 

Hello,
it is done. At least the wheels are ready build. Next to build are the two supporters for the wheels.

The masts for the United States are done. Now I will "dress" them. Which means eye bolts and cleats where needed and slings, blocks for the stays. And of course finish painting them!

Nailed it!

Starting to install the carronades and cannon. A well as some of the deck furniture on the United States.

Hello,
the wheels. They kept me busy this week, and other things like my garden. But now they are in the raw ready. I think I must not explain the pictures

 
 
 
 and then that  So, go back to start, and try again
 
This time I made the beads before I cut the rim loose. The shipwright is pleased.
In the foreground you see some of the spokes. They are from mammoth ivory. So, if you hear nothing from me the next weeks, I'm busy or I had thrown it all away. I hope not.

 

Small update, I’ve added the upper laser cut planking panels to the model, these will be the ones used in on the final model, with a few slight modifications that I’ve overlooked but corrected on my model. To begin I placed a board across the beam to ensure the proper height of the panels and I clamped them as I went along, once I was happy with their location I ran a batten underneath both of them to ensure that the planking that will follow below will have a smooth joint and continuity with the laser cut panels, once the panels were tweaked to fit right I then glued them into place using CA.

you can see below that I made some adjustments to the aft panel so the forward one would line up with the gun ports.
You’ll also notice the grey primer, I find this necessary with MDF as it’s super porous and soaked up three coats of solvent based primer. The primer also will not swell the MDF and allows it to be sanded smooth in preparation for whichever red you choose for  your port framing.

The batten ensured that I could set them right back where they belong without losing the correct position. I kept the front one clamped in its location while I glued the stern one, this ensured that there was no lateral movement of the aft panel.

The same process was repeated for the front panel.
 
I also begin the lower wales, you’ll notice the same process where I used a batten I reference to the marks on the bulkheads “W1”. The batten goes on the lower side of the line, once the batten passes the eyeball test then it’s time to start the wales, now the wales on this model are over 1/8” thick so unfortunately they will have to be done in two pieces, the first layer I’m cutting them at .080” with a significant taper in the front to fit the rabbet and allow for another layer to go over it and fit in the rabbet as well.

I’m not really concerned with the length or butt joints of the first layer of planks as they will be covered up, just get a smooth run with tight joints.
Unfortunately I can not proceed any further until I complete the counters, I have a laser cut lower counter that I will be testing soon and from there I will plank the upper counter using the laser cut lower as a guide.


 
I will be off for a month in the Himalayas, hiking to Everest base camp and beyond, so I won’t have any updates until about June, possibly one more before I go but will see.
 
Thanks for looking in.
JJ

Hello, and many thanks for the likes
Today the carpenters build the grating over the lobby. All the beams are now fast, except the two in front of the bulwark.


One question, did anybody know what these encircled parts should be? But before I start with planking, I think I build the wheels.

Hello,
the last bulwark(?) between captains bed place and the lobby is installed. 



Before I install the deck beams I have to make a decision, where to place the cannons? All sources say, there where 8 6 pdrs at the QD and 2 6 pdrs at the FC. But I never saw a model with a cannons at the FC! At least there is not so much space for cannons.
 
That cannon to the left has the problem with the shrouds, and the cannon to the right with the hight of the fife rail.

At least I could place all cannons at the QD, without one in the captain cabin. That would make the captain happy. And that is what you see at most of the models. If no one has a veto, I think I build it so.

 

Hello,
my finger is so far useable again and so I finished today the bulwark.



 

Double pumps were completed.This has been the equipment I have had the most difficulty in manufacturing and assembling so far.

The first gun deck bilge pump has been painted and installed in place.

Hello Siggi . I know what it is damaging your finger . I am in the  same situation only caused by paper when opening post. Still following your build with intrest . Soon the balsa will disappear behind the real inner planking . Regards ,Richard.

Hello Siggi . I know what it is damaging your finger . I am in the  same situation only caused by paper when opening post. Still following your build with intrest . Soon the balsa will disappear behind the real inner planking . Regards ,Richard.

I have assembled the gun deck bilge pump parts in place for testing. The brass parts will be painted black.

Hello Siggi . I know what it is damaging your finger . I am in the  same situation only caused by paper when opening post. Still following your build with intrest . Soon the balsa will disappear behind the real inner planking . Regards ,Richard.

Hello Siggi . I know what it is damaging your finger . I am in the  same situation only caused by paper when opening post. Still following your build with intrest . Soon the balsa will disappear behind the real inner planking . Regards ,Richard.

Hello Siggi . I know what it is damaging your finger . I am in the  same situation only caused by paper when opening post. Still following your build with intrest . Soon the balsa will disappear behind the real inner planking . Regards ,Richard.

Hello,
today only a short sign of life. The carpenters finished the bulwark and the painter painted it. But the windows have to wait a while, because of my damaged index finger. It't not soo serious, but without a complete fingernail I could't grab these small parts. 

Hello,
the carpenters finished the great cabin for the captain. It took some time, because the oil has to dry, some days of because of eastern and the good weather we had. But now it is raining again, so we are busy at the yard.




Here the carpenters have the first bulwark allready finished in the raw.

Since I was away from the shipyard for a while, there was no progress on the model. Let me share a few photos that I like.

Beautiful model, Congrats