SawdustDave

Such a fun build to watch.

Very nice job indeed Adam. She looks great.

Omega....I hear both sides (NC vs SC) claimed victory (who can argue). This is the same result every year. Also, no one has ever actually seen either of their boats. Hmmmm.

Piet....seriously, your latest progress is absolutely amazing, as usual. True genius.

Dave

Piet my friend, I thought you might enjoy this photo I took this weekend while attending Wilmington's Annual North/South Carolina Submarine Races.

This action shot was taken from the deck of the battleship USS North Carolina as they crossed the finish line.

Very intense huh?

I can get you and all of our friends tickets to next year's event.

Really beautiful work Greg.

When the mind is tired, it's time to put it down and turn out the lights Augie. Seems like we should learn that after all these years. I tend to fight it a little too long sometimes.

Like Popeye says.... "I yam wot I yam".

Thanks for dropping in.

Admiral just fed me a late breakfast....ready to roll.

Cheers

Laying in bed thinking, sometimes usually helps.

Off to a better start this morning. Looks promising so far.

You're killin' me over here.....right now, I'm the one in need of show and tell.

Tomorrow's another day.

Omega / Piet / Joe / Remco & Popeye.... Always good hearing from each of you.

Those little gratings are trying to kick my arsss right now. The smaller grid strips are much tougher to make .... Scrap rate about 80%! Thinkiing I should have just placed an order, but not giving up yet

Coffee set for 6:00 am....Lights out for tonight.

All caught up on your log Popeye. Looks to me like you're having way too much fun here mate. It really does look like a fun build for sure. Nice job.

Dave

You've come a long way since my last visit Omega. That is a heck of a fine job. I am blown away with the clean lines and sharp detail you have achieved at scale 1/192. Way to go!

Dave

Beautiful work Pete. She sure looks swift....makes me want to get wet. The colors are really sharp.

Dave

Thanks Joe....you're right. Her beakhead is such a integral part of her overall profile.

Ed....We try. Don't always get it right, but we keep on trying.

Pete....Real pleased with the stanchions. "Tricky?" - Kinda' tight nailing.

Thanks for the visit guys

Progress on the beakhead construction is beginning to take shape. At least I can finally enjoy seeing the last of her decorative colors now installed. Both sides of the panels have been planked with a thin vaneer of bamboo strips.

My personal opinion, this is the most challenging part of the Mayflower construction....and possibly the most fun to do.

Thought it would be a good time to show the inboard side of these stanchions at this point, prior to pressing on with completion of the grating and adding the port side top panel.

A closer view of the stanchions. I am nailing each stanchion with steel wire to add to their strength.

Good solid mechanical method Nigel. That method works best if done prior to planking the hull, or even installing the bulkhead.

I just couldn't come up with a solid way to clamp a block to the narrow deck. Thankfully....managed to carefully "creep up" on it without doing any damage.

Thank you and Pete for your visit.

My dear friend Omega....as much as I admire your pure intentions, I personally think you concern yourself too much with an issue that only you could possibly identify. Not being a purest by nature, it is difficult for me to relate to your dilemma based on what you said regarding your abilities to modify the plans of the Ticonderoga.

Besides that, I don't see that you have any other option.

What scale?

Dave

Very nice Klaus....not too far behind you. Your log is very inspiring....thanks.

Dave

I would bet that drill bit (mine) must be at least 20 years old. Comes in real handy once in a while. Thanks for your frequent visits Popeye. I always enjoy hearing from you.

Nice work Toni....the re-painting of the wale came out sweet.

Now THAT'S Some really cool stanchions my friend. Why would we have expected any less from you?

Dave

Took a quickey shot of the re-planking of the beakhead bulkhead after I spent most of the morning drilling out the opening for the bowsprit (finally got up the courage).

Note, the shade of the bulkhead planks appears to be a little washed out....that is due to the angle of the overhead light used to get this shot. I'm not the greatest photographer.

Any of us who have ever done this knows the challenge of getting the precise angle and hole size through the planking without damaging the deck or the bulkhead. The process can definitely get a little harry.

The second photo shows the different tools I used to begin very small and work my way up to an opening large enough to insert that 18" long drill bit and begin measuring and adjusting the angle.

Final shaping was done mostly using the rat-tail file and the small Dremel rasp bit shown.

Now, we shall move forward with the entire beakhead.

Been so deeply involved with my little project (thanks for your many visits), it took me a while to catch up from my last visit Piet.

Totally blown away here. Your log is absolutely captivating. You are such a gifted story teller, along with your amazing skills as an artist. I'm thinking it will be a day of celebration, mixed with sadness when you make your final posting and declare the O 19 done.

Along with your many friends I salute your excellence.

Dave

Omega....I think I can get by with putting a thin veneer bamboo planking over top of the walnut. Might decide to leave the doors as they are. Contrasting colors might be a nice look.

Took the Admiral out to IHOP for breakfast and grocery shopping.... About to head to the shop and attack this little setback.

Finally got around to treenailing the beakhead deck and bulkhead....then realized something ain't right here. Then it hit me....the bulkhead planking should be bamboo....the same as the hull planking.

The walnut strips seen here were applied prior to my decision to use bamboo to cover the hull.

Just another do-over walk in the park.

Great to see the beakhead come together....nice job. I am coming in right behind you at this point. Starting to get a little excited here. So much ahead of us, yet so much behind us.