DavidM

Eamonn,
 
I'm not sure John knows what you are talking about – and wouldn't you think an introductory copy might be in order?
 
John,
 
Very nice first planking! As has been said, Sherbourne is a very good kit – either for a beginner, or a more advanced builder, since you can add as much detail as you like. Don't worry too much about the instructions, they leave a lot to be desired in most kits, but that's where MSW comes in useful – especially with the 'Sherbournites' and cutter builders among us. We're a growing breed!
 
It's worth mentioning at this stage, since you're up almost to that point, the removal of the frame tops – which are supposed to be twisted off with pliers.    I almost had kittens when I read that (oh, the damage!) so I decided to partially cut through the frame tops (about half-way) beforehand, both to make the job easier – and less stressful! It made tidying up the remainder easier too.
 
It doesn't look as though you have done that (unless I am mistaken) but if you have a Dremel you can still partially cut through the tops (using the rotary cutter) from the inside, lying the model on its side. I also hope you didn't use too much glue when fixing the gunport strip.
 
A good tip is to always look ahead of where you are, and to foresee any problems that might arise.

That was some serious 'clamping' going on there John... A new member for the 'Pegs, Pins & Clamps' magazine I think !   
 
Eamonn

waister - English     waist +? -er  Noun       waister (plural waisters)

    (nautical) A seaman stationed in the waist of a warship.

        "The largest division of a ship's company, and the most ignoble, was that of the waisters, the men stationed in the waist, the men " without art or judgment," who hauled aft the fore and main sheets, and kept the decks white." John Masefield, Sea Life in Nelson's Time, 1905.
 
If I'd have known, I would have chosen differently!
 

 
The first of the second planking laid,after heating and steaming. You can never have enough clamps......
 

 
The stern Fascia, I found a pan who's curve matched exactly the one required to fit the part without force or stress.
I boiled the fascia in it for 15 min's, and then clamped it securely to the outside. It was left to dry overnight before attaching.
 

 

 
I'm in two minds as to whether I should fit a capping rail to the top of the fascia. The NMM drawing shows there wasn't one originally, but it does look pleasing to the eye on all of those models built with one.
 

 
This is where I am today, Four strakes fitted both sides, 5mm x 0.5mm spilled, (if that's the correct term), not tapered, ready to mark out bellow from the planking plan I'm going to produce. All strakes will be produced from the 5mm, although for the majority of its length it will be 4mm down to 2.5 at the bow, this way hopefully, the stern wont require any steelers.  Anybody see a hole in my plan..?
 
I'm now going on holiday to Malta for a week, part of the Admirals 50th birthday celebrations,  should be good... bye for now.
 
John

Thanks Dimitris and Tony, and for all the likes..!
 
So, just a small area to finish off the planking -
 

 

 

 
Had to use 2 small steeler planks in the stern, with the second planking, I aim to use none, and only drop one plank in the bow. Lets hope for a bit of beginners luck.. or should that be study Chucks great posts and work out the widths beforehand in your plank plan..!
We shall see.
 

 

 
Fitted the stern counter and planked the aft bulkhead with 0.5mm mahogany strips. I plan to do the second planking in mahogany of the same thickness.
 

 
Cleaned up a bit with file and sandpaper. Opened up the rabbet line using a dremmel with a fine diamond tip burr to accept the second planking.
 

 
Tried hard with the symmetry to keep the planks even and not end up as if it was clinker built..
Gave it a good sanding outside, till it was smooth, just a few spots need filler.
 
John.

OK Folks I got a little bit more done today..
 
The Chimney is now fixed in place, and I made up some eyelets/rings for around the Masts (they have been chemically blackened)
 
Not much of an update I know.. but sure it keeps the ball rollin'  
 
All The Best
 
Eamonn
 
BTW the Mast 'Coats' (or wedges wotever) are only dry fitted as I haven't made up my mind whether to put 'canvas' on them or not.
 
 

Thanks David, the exchange rate is in my favour too    .. btw there is a section on here (MSW) dealing with some questions on Rudder Chains (I typed this into the search box in Forums and up it popped (a little way down the page)  it might help you out, there are some photos and lengthy discussions there.. pretty in-depth stuff .
 
All The Best
 
Eamonn

Excellent work Eamonn.  I've already got your address, so fiver on it's way!  You've inspired me to have another look at the positioning of my chains.
David

Hi Jim.. Thanks Mate (haven't seen you for a while now.. hope Snake is going well !) here's another photo of the stern    !
 
 
This photo was taken through my Magnifying Lamp Thingy (Brilliantly useful bit-o-kit by the way.. €35 in Lidl.. I bought 2 !)
 
The edges distort in the most amazing way when you photograph through it.. kinda cool effect, but suffice to say Ballahoos stern doesn't look this bad     (the waterline is straight for instance.. Honest..    )
 
Anyhoo it was the only way I could get a shot of the Chains etc.
 
All The Best Folks
 
Eamonn VORC 
 
PS Thanks for looking in folks and for the Likes .. Much Appreciated .
 
 
 
 
 

Weather Improved so I took that Profile Shot.. or Two      (I know.. I'm losing the run of myself with all these Photos lately..   ) They have been popped into the Latest Full Profile Section too.
 
Comments on the back of a Fiver.. address provided upon request.. 
 
Bye For Now..
 
 
Eamonn
 
 

At Long Last A Photo...   
 
As I mentioned previously there was loads of small (unworthy of individual photos I felt) work going on aboard Ballahoo for the last few weeks so I thought I'd best photograph something least ye all think I've abandoned the Build and taken up Crochet or something !!
 
Anyhoo... Here's an update of what's being going on:
 
-I made my own 'beefier' Tiller Arm as the original kit supplied one was only meant to be 'stuck' onto the front of the Rudder and I wanted it to go through the rudder as per the real world with a 'wedge' the the back to hold it in place and reinforcing pieces on the rudder above and below it.. you can see my version in the accompanying photo, some more work will be needed on it though! btw the bit of tiller arm sticking out at the back will be trimmed to size, possibly thickened up before putting the securing wedge through it.
 
-The 'Spectacle Plate' (or whatever it is called) is in place on the Rudder, you can just make it out in the photo slightly above the 'waterline'.. had a 'Moment' there cos I managed to stick it onto the wrong side of the rudder, but I spotted it after a few seconds.. There wasn't any cursing or profanity or anything over it.. Honest !! Cough Cough..
 
-I made up a couple of different sized Rings that will be needed for example to attach the Chains to the Rudder Spectacle DooDah and for use on various other Deck/Gun Eyes etc.. I chemically Blackened them
 
-Found a length of Chain which I also Blackened.. I feels the right size for Rudder Chains so I'll cut it to length shortly and fit them.
 
-I sized the 2 Gaffs and the Boom also.
 
In the Photo you'll see the Chimney and the 2 Mast Rings which may or may not be covered by a 'Mast Coat' later.. Oh and I made up a bunch of Mast Hoops also 8 or 9 per Mast (not in photo)
 
As you can see I've finished redoing the Waterline and installing the Gudgeons & Pintles so I'll be moving onto the various Deck Furniture next.. All of which is assembled and waiting to be put in place..
 
Ok then enough Writing.. It's Almost Photo Time.. Exciting Stuff eh?
 
All The Best Folks and Thanks For Stopping By.
 
Eamonn
 
 

Photo Update on Convulsion!
 
The model is mostly complete now - just slight changes and additions I will make over time now.
 
I noticed on Saturday that the model had surcome to some sun damage (it's pretty much in the sunlight all day as our living/dining room is South facing), so I bought a beginners airbrushing set and clear varnish capable of going through the airbrush. I sprayed the model with the varnish on Sunday and left to dry over night.
 
The following series of photo's are as of Monday night, when the crew figures were glued in place.
 
I hope you enjoy.....
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
I think for now I will keep the build log open on HM Mortar Vessel Convulsion until such a time when I am completely finished. You never know what the future will bring....
 
Cheers
Jonny

Hey There Bud.. Ballahoo is over the worst (the repainting of the White below the waterline caused by pretty much mixing my own colour then running out of it.. and having to fix some blemishes !! requiring me to re-mask and re-paint the bottom AHHHHH anyhoo it all want swimmingly, the rudder is complete and the rudder chains are drying having been painted, and the deck fittings are pretty much ready to glue in position) Soooo to answer your question       the end is in sight but still around 2 months off (if that makes sense) get your bitz-n-bobz ready for her (any upgraded timber, guns, rope etc.. examine some of the Sherbourne builds out there to avoid any surprises and we can kick off before Summer !)
Perhaps we (Yourself, David and yours truly) can even begin the Sherbourne assembly before our Ballahoo's are fully complete ! (but we are still talking 5 - 6 weeks or so)
 
All The Best Bud
 
Eamonn

No Worries Mate.. We'll all be here when you get back to building.
 
E

Morning Everyone,
 
Again, apologies for the extended radio silence, it's been very busy at work! I've been pulling 15 hour shifts to pick up the slack after the redundancies were made a few weeks back. And today is my first day off in ages, and guess where I am!! That's right at work, waiting for my car to pass its MOT and then it's back to it catching up on work!
 
Tonight I plan to finish off the rat lines, but it depends what time I get out of here today!
 
Cheers
Jobny

Hi guys,
 
Sorry for the radio silence over the last few days, I've spent most of my long easter weekend seeing family, and doing general maintainence around the house, and before I knew it, it was back to work on Tuesday. Work isn't exactly a pleasure at the moment either, our client has decided to sack off 150 people off the project (mostly contractors), but it means I'm doing the work of 3 people now and it's just me and my boss as the 2 other designers on our team didn't make the cut...... So busy times ahead for me!
 
I need time with Convulsion, I need to de-stress with some ratline tying! Hahaha
 
Cheers
Jonny

Afternoon Everyone,
 
I've taken a few photo's of the rat lines I've tied so far. I've got the lower main mast complete now, so it's a case of moving on up, and completing the rest over this long weekend.
 

 

 

 
Hopefully you like the job I've done so far.... I've taken Jason's comments about rat line spacing in to consideration, and I've decided for now, I'll stick to the 10mm spacings until I know I have enough spare material to continue the rat lines at 5mm spacings.
 
 
Cheers,
Jonny
 

Here are a few teaser photo's of Convulsion..... I'll post more tonight.
 
Lieutenant
 

 
Marine Captain & Drummer
 

 

 

 

 

 
Cheers,
Jonny
 
 
 

I will do mate, I've started a quick log in the Scratch Build area....
 
I was meant to get some photo's last night, but we went out for dinner in town and didn't get back til late, so I'll post a few photo's up later when I'm home from work.
 
I'm not far off finishing the rat lines on Convulsion, I've got a few bits to tidy up after that, so I've taken on this build to break up the mind numbing process of rat line tying!
 
Cheers
Jonny

Hey There Bud.. don't forget to pop a few photos of the new build in here, would love to see it !
 
Eamonn

Hi All,
 
Things have been a bit quiet in the shipyard over the last couple of days, it's been busy at work, and I've started an interim scratch built project whilst doing the ratlines on Convulsion. I'm putting together a small Edwin Monk designed Sloop for my dear old mother! She wants something to put on her mantle piece, so I thought I'd knock up the 19 footer Vagabond for her, as it is of simple design and construction, and can be rigged with relative ease. Fingers crossed, it will be a joint effort from the Admiral as well, as I am terrible at sewing by hand! And I think the sailmakers sewing machine in my Dad's garage is probably too big for this model.
 
More updates on Convulsion will be coming soon!
 
Cheers,
Jonny

Wow nice!! And is that a bowline on the foresail/mainsail heads I spot too !! Wow again.
 
Eamonn

Hi Guys,
 
This is a mostly pictorial update on progress. 
 
I've pretty much finished off the model now, there are a few odds and sods I want to clear up before handing the model over! I'm not going away with work now, so I've got a bit more time to work on the model. I thought about leaving the model as a "bare poles" model due to the fact I couldn't get canvas that was light enough for the sails at the local haberdashery, so I decided to cut up an old work shirt from a company I didn't work for any longer! It worked wonders!
 
These photo's were taken earlier in the week, so things like the cockpit benches have been finshed off! Any way, I hope you enjoy!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Cheers,
Jonny
 

Just a quick update, I've finished the deck planking on the yacht, and I've built up the pilot house.
 
I've been busy seeing family all day, so no progress today, but I'll be having a crafts day with the Admiral tomorrow (she like drawing and painting), so I'll get the deck fittings and furniture fitted and painted tomorrow!
 
Cheers,
Jonny

Hi All,
 
Just a quick update....
 
I started deck planking last night, and faired the hull a bit more with some brown wood putty. The deck needs a bit of sanding to make it look pretty, but I'm half way through the deck planking, so that will be done after I've finished.
 
I also soldered the pushpit for the bow last night. I've not soldered properly for about 10 years, so I've done the best I can with the brass tube and solder, but I'm not entirely pleased with the end result!
 
The photo's show the hull shape and the relatively shallow draught of the yacht.
 

 

 

 
Cheers,
Jonny
 

Hi Kester & Nigel ! great to hear from ye both .  Thanks for the confirmation Kester.. looks like the Mast Rest for the Fore Mast is out !! I'll have to create a Mast Hoop Anti Fallin' Downer Device though.. to be known as (cue sinister music)  'The Device' !!     
Oh and as you gathered I'll not be doing sails on this build 
 
Thanks for the Rudder bits compliment Nigel   though I fear I may have given ye all the impression that there are Huge advances on Ballahoo when in reality you'd hardly even see some of it unless there was a big Photoshop created Red Arrow pointing to it ..  
 
Got another small bit done today.. I drilled and sanded out a 'Rectangular' hole in the Rudder to take the tiller (bet ye are all breathless with anticipation to see that eh?  ) and I cleaned up the scuffed paintwork around the rudder fittings too !
 
Photos Soon I Promise   
 
All The Very Best Folks
 
Eamonn
 
Thanks Too For All The 'Likes' .. Always Much Appreciated !!