MEDDO

Small update, three more frame pairs have been installed and another gunport being framed.
 
Ben

Rudder assembly complete.  This was a little kit unto itself.
 
       Bob R.

Completed rigging the rudder into place.  So far so good.  Really enjoying this kit.
 
 Bob R.

And thank you Piet .
 
Continuing on with the Bowsprit. The Cap has been made - this one is considerably more difficult to make than the mast caps, due to the angle of each cut. The groove in one side is the seat for the Jackstaff :
 

 

 
I cut down and soldered one of my spare trunnion caps for the jackstaff capsquare :
 

 
Also made were the Bees and Bee Blocks, the Spritsail Yard Sling Cleat complete with "lead" liner, the Jibboom Saddle and a Woolding :
 

 

 
Continued next post ......

..... continued.
 
To drill the holes at an angle in the Saddle I set it up in my mill vise :
 

 
The Saddle and Gammoning Cleats fitted :
 

 
The inboard end gets a "iron" band made from thin card :
 

 
The outboard end of the Jibboom has a shoulder cut into it and a tiny sheave :
 

 
Some views of the bowsprit assembled. As with the other masts nothing has been glued yet (apart from the fittings) :
 

 

 

 

 
  Danny

Thank you Mark, Michael and Kevin .
 
Bowsprit
 
The Bowsprit is tapered like the lower masts, that is it narrows inboard from the Knightheads. It has a tapered tenon which fits into the step in the support in the forecastle :
 

 
The forward end has two flat sections for the Bees. These sections are offset from each other :
 

 
Some views showing the bowsprit fitted into the step :
 

 

 

 
  Danny

A little addendum to the story of my Druid.  Grand Rapids (here in Michigan) has hosted for the past six years an event called ArtPrize.  This is a city wide hosted event focusing on art, both professional and amateur.  There is a prize purse in excess of half a million dollars so this isn't small.  This year saw 1536 entries spread over 174 venues.
 
My wife wasn't impressed with a lot of last years entries and said she was going to enter the Druid, which she did.  So I earlier this year became an official entry of the 3-D category (with 346 of my closest friends).
 

 
I ended up being hosted by a seafood restaurant actually directly across from the art museum:
 

 
Over the course of the last week and a half I have been on site talking about my work to over a 1000 people.
 

 
I made up small business cards to advertise (standard fare for this event) but took it up a notch with a customized card holder:
 

 
I do not want to turn this into a 'what is art and what is not' topic but I was the only ~accurate model based entry (all years).  It was a little hard to keep my ego in check with the consistent outstanding comments people directed at me.  There was lots of "My Grandfather / Father / Son would love this / used to do this."  "I grew up with one of these in the house and have always loved them...."
 
The feedback was worth it if nothing else.  I did meet a special youth that I invited over for some ship modeling discussions.  Peter has faced a lot of challenges but has been working on a model of the Titanic with popsicle sticks and pictures (no plans):
 

 
There is a lot of interest out there in models, particularly ship models.  Do not be afraid to engage and put yourself out there,  I can tell you the rewards are huge.
 
Stay Building my Friends,
Mark
 
 

Morning Guys,
 
An update on progress so far, all four remaining yards are now complete and waiting to be fitted to the foremast and bowsprit, that will started this afternoon.
 
I have a series of pics showing various stages and the finished yards, I just hope I don't bore you guys with them, all you guys can run rings around me so I'm not trying to teach anybody to suck eggs.
 
These yards have been turned on my lathe but there is still work to be done trimming up.
 
 
The Octagonal is being worked on using a fine tooth file.

 
Completed Octagon
 
 
Starting to dress the yard, here I'm using black paper to form some strapping

 
Stirrups and cleats fitted
 
 
Stunsail brackets and more cleats fitted prior to painting 

 
Painted and waiting for the blocks, also the main sling is also ready.
 
 
Guess who made these blocks

 
I use my hands free to hold the yards, but the jaws are too strong so I clamp using the top of the clamp
 
 
The finished yards with all the blocks attached

 
Once these yards are attached the end is in sight, so its a matter of weeks all of a sudden, a display case still needs to be made and I want to pay some attention to a different stand, not yet designed but I have a few ideas.
 
That's it guys. Any and all remarks and comments are more than welcome.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Just continuing from the previous post, a few more shots of the finished ship:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Now, a number of you have been wondering what’s next. 
 
As you know, I’ve been leaning more and more to the “dark side”, but I also want to take on a slightly smaller project - hopefully one that won’t take 19 years to complete!  I’ve also been encouraging my very good mate Mobbsie to come with me to the dark side.  So one evening while we were chatting on Skype, we decided that it might be fun to do a “group build” together and that is what we shall do.  The subject will be a cross-section model of the Bomb Vessel Granado in 1:48 scale.  We will be using plans drawn by Jeff Staudt (available through our neighbour site Model Ship Builder), and we are using timber from Jeff Hayes at HobbyMill. 
 

 
I’ve promised Mobbsie that I won’t start until he’s finished his Aggy, which he reckons is another couple of weeks away (yeah, right - so far, he’s achieved in 19 months what it’s taken me 19 years to do!).  So for a group build with a difference (since we're in opposite hemispheres), keep an eye out for our respective logs - coming to MSW in just a few short weeks.
 
I have also had a hankering to do a non-ship related build, so I will be doing this in tandem.  It is a (relatively) small kit from OcCre of Stephenson’s Rocket. 
 

 
Of course, I won’t be able to run a log of that here, but will provide a link for anyone interested.  And don’t be surprised if you see something “rocket-like” in the background of the Cross-Section updates!
 
Catch you all on the other side.  Thanks for following.       

Well, it’s done!  After almost 19 years in the making, I’ve finally finished my Victory.      

           

       

 

 

The end wasn’t without incident though……… After taking a series of photos before placing her back in the display case, my son came over to give me a hand lifting the case cover back on.  He was at the bow end, and as we were lowering it, he managed to catch the end of the case on the tip of the bowsprit.          

 

Fortunately the damage was minor - a couple of sprung rigging lines that were easily repaired is about all - although it came very close to snapping the Fore Topgallant Mast in one of the places where it had been broken and repaired before.  Close call, but all is well now.       

 

I took a range of photos and have cut that back down to a dozen or so, so with your indulgence, I’ll split these across two posts.

 

Before I do though, as this will be my last progress update, I think it timely to make a couple of observations and offer a few votes of thanks. 

 

When I joined MSW almost exactly three years ago, I had anticipated that I would be finally finished this model in about six months from then. I was, like everyone else who joins this forum, given a very warm welcome and almost immediately the advice and encouragement started to flow in.  Although it took me three years and not six months, the end result I have achieved is light years from what would have been without MSW.  So a couple of thankyous.

 

Firstly to Chuck, for making this site possible and for giving so freely of his time and expertise to help all who venture this way.  Chuck was also kind enough to share with me his techniques for mass production of rigging blocks - a technique that I was eventually able to replicate, thanks to his tutelage.  Thank you Chuck for teaching me to fish.   

 

Secondly, to all of the Admins and Moderators, who also give freely of their time to keep this site running in the way and with the spirit it has been intended.  A more friendly and supportive site could not be imagined.  Thank you ladies and gentlemen.   

 

I’d like to make a special vote of thanks to Danny Vadas. From a very early point in my MSW existence, Danny became something of an informal mentor to me.  But it was when I was contemplating re-doing my stern and quarter galleries that Danny really stepped up to the plate.  Danny did the design work and drawings, including the design of some special jigs, that enabled me to re-make these tricky parts.  Perhaps more importantly though, he gave me the courage to even attempt this in the first place, by offering to guide me through the process via remote control and email exchange.  The results speak for themselves, but while I may have provided the labour, the kudos belongs to Danny.  Thank you Danny - I look forward to sharing a nice single malt with you again someday soon.   

 

It was through this learning experience that I started to gain the confidence to try a few other things for myself as well.  The fleet of four scratch built boats are a direct consequence of this, so again Danny’s mentoring has pushed me to much greater heights in my modelling, and I continue to learn every day.

 

And of course, I’d like to thank all of you who have followed my journey and offered words of encouragement, or have simply hit the “like” button from time to time.  Knowing that you all are watching has kept me going at times, and has also helped to keep me “honest” - there were a number of times when I’ve thought, “no, that’s not good enough - the guys will never let me get away with that”.  And some of you weren't backward in coming forward with constructive criticism - thank you all for that (you know who you are!   )

 

Enough already.  Here are some pics.  A few general shots to start with, and then some more details and close-ups in the next post.

 



 



 



 



 

This last view shows both the rebuilt stern galleries and the clinker planking on the two 25' Cutters:

 

25' Cutters Ver 2_5 continued
 
The next step for the cutters was to create some mast support bands to attach to the thwarts.  Each cutter has two of these.  I used some thin brass strap and bent them to shape by using a jig, the idea for which I "borrowed" from Ian Major's lovely Unicorn log.  Ian machined his in metal, however I cheated and used MDF for the pressing surfaces, with a brass rod inserted as the former.
 

 
After blackening, they were attached to the thwarts, which had been shaped for the other half of the "hole".  In this pic, the thwart hasn't been finished sanded yet.
 

 
After that, it was a simple matter of cutting the stern sheets, which I did using a paper template and cutting from a single piece of 1/32" pear stock, and then finessed to fit.  The remaining thwarts were cut to size and finish sanded, putting a slight bevel/curve on the upper outside edges.  The timber was left natural, only polished with successively finer grades of sandpaper.  I also installed mast steps under the appropriate thwarts - you can just make these out in the photos.  And here is a finished Cutter.  The macro lens is not my friend today!  I swear those blemishes on the cap rail aren't visible to the naked eye!!!
 

 
Here's a picture alongside the 28' Pinnace for comparison.  Note the very different hull shapes.
 

 
And here's both Cutters, with my usual "scaling" shot:
 

 
The Cutters (and all boats) are now FINISHED!!!!!!  Doin' the Happy Dance!      
 
To celebrate, I thought I'd take a few shots of my Lilliputian Fleet. I had to remove the Launch from it's home on the "mother ship" for these shots, and was surprised by how large it looks in comparison to the others.
 

 

 

 

 
And finally, one last "scaling shot"
 

 
That's it for ship's boats.  I do not intend to make either the Barge or the Jolly Boat.
 
Next up, fitting the Quarter Davits, finish and fit the Anchors, and install rope coils throughout.  Almost there..........
 
 

Thanks, Kees.  We are usually our own worst critics.
 
Now that the sheer strake is installed, it is time to attack the fixed blocks.  There are two fixed blocks that pierce the hull.  One of them has two sheaves and the other only one.  They are pretty straight-forward in construction.  First the block's shell is cut and dry-fit.  Next the slots for the sheaves are marked out, drilled and then finished with needle files.  The hole for the pin is drilled and the block is put back into the hull.  It is much easier to drill the slots for the sheaves prior to shaping the sides.  The inner and outer faces are sanded to conform to the shape of the tumblehome.  I made the sheaves from ebony that I drilled out and shaped with chisels and sandpaper.  Finally, they were sawn to thickness and installed.  In the pictures there is too much contrast between the woods to actually see the sheave withing the slot.  The blocks were removed, the sheaves and pin inserted and glued with CA, and the assembly was glued in place in the hull.
 
    
 
The first photo shows the blocks glued and sanded in place.  In the second photo the wood has been wiped down with a damp cloth to highlight the treenails.  The slots on the inboard face need a little more cleaning up.
 

 

 

 
The final appearance.  I still have to insert some of the gun port liners but overall I think it looks pretty good.
 

 

 
 

Hello friends,
new photos of the construction progress the BHR.
Karl  
 
 
T e i l   51

Thanks very much Vivian, John and Pat - no Blacksmiths in my family as far as I know .
 
Mast Heads
 
Back to the Masts, I'd made the Crosstrees earlier. They are notched halfway through to match the notches in the Trestle Trees :
 

 

 
Before fitting them I fitted the Bands around the heads. I made these from thin card which I'd stained black - the finish has a slight metallic "sheen" at this stage, probably caused by diffraction of light, which may disappear when I apply Minwax - I hope not, as they really look like iron at the moment :
 

 

 
I also cut and fitted the Battens - they are 1.2mm wide by 0.6mm thick. These run 3/5 of the way up the mast head, and needed to be notched to fit over the bands :
 

 

 

 
Next I fitted the Crosstrees - a rather straightforward operation :
 

 

 

 
Finally, I made the Caps. These took a bit of careful marking out and cutting. Their eyebolts have also been fitted :
 

 

 
  Danny

Well, for better or worse, I installed the cathead supports and eking. I still wasn't entirely happy, but I had had enough of it.  After finishing that, I had a burst of activity and did the seats of ease, the anchor billboards and the waist gang board rails.
 
The supports and eking are boxwood, as are the seats and billboards. The waist railing uses the same brass stanchions that I used for the quarterdeck ladderway, with a rope railing. 
 
The remaining work on the head is the figurehead, the iron railings and supports and the boomkins. The railings and boomkins won't be done until I've made and installed the bowsprit and done the gammoning. My Sculpey and a set of clay modeling tools just arrived from Amazon, so I'll start experimenting with the figurehead. I'll probably also start working on the bowsprit at the same time.
 
Remaining work on the hull consists of the deadeyes, the hammock stanchions and netting, the anchors, the lantern and the boat(s). It is my current intention not to do any of this until I have at least made and installed the lower masts.
 
Bob

Thanks AP, Rusty, Nils and for all the likes.
 
Rusty - it's good to see you back around.
 
So the rough fairing has been completed and frame pair K which is the first frame bend has now been installed with its spacers. I am making and installing the floor spacers from 4" Swiss pear as the square frames go in, and the frame bend spacers are 4" boxwood that I hope will give a little bit of contrast.
 
As of today, frame 14fore and frame pair J have been cut out and need assembly, hopefully over next few days.
 
Ben

Here's another little hint, when cutting very small pieces, whether on a radial saw or especially a table saw:
 
On the side where the small parts are cut away, put a vacuum cleaner nozzle near to there. But first cover the aperture of the nozzle with a piece of screening - e.g 1/4" hardware cloth - so that the sawdust can pass through, but the workpieces will be caught by the screen.

All the problem can't frames have been replaced and rough fairing inside and out has begun.
 
Ben

Finally completed the main deck planking...
 
 Bob R.

Thank you Geoff and E&T.
 
Ironwork in the Head
 
A few more eyebolts needed to be fitted in the Head for the Jib rigging. One of these (or rather two) are the Bookmin Lashing Ringbolts, which are triangular in shape :
 

 
Spanshackle Ring
 
Another interesting piece of ironwork is the Spanshackle Ring, of which I am only fitting the port side one. This "ring" is a square section piece of iron which supports the Fish Davit when it is in use. I drilled and filed the centre out from flat sheet - the lower section has a dogleg around the eyebolt which needed rounding off :
 

 

 
Fish Davit Cleats
 
And finally I made the two Fish Davit Cleats which support the davits at the railing :
 

 

 
  Danny

good afternoon 
 
thank you everyone for the comments and PM's
42 months after i bought her my build now has a name, 
apart from a repaint and fitting the emergency steering chain aft is now complete, good god i actually finished a bit - lol

Build log part 61
 
 
 
here a Little update...
 
but first  a big update...
My wife and I are proud of our first grandchild, a Little "Nina" she was Born on 10th Sept, she is so sweet, and we are so happy and thankful that all went well...., you can consider me the proudest grandpa These days...
 
One can sure wonder how many lace thread goes into the crowfoot lacing, it is 180 cm Long. I had to undo it when I was halfway through, remove the too short lace-thread and redo it, Those Little blocks for tensioning are only 2,5mm Long, was quite a  fiddling Job,.
 
Nils
 
 

Another couple of steps forward on the head ( not without a number of steps backward and sideways in the process). The main rail with its timber head and the head timbers and their cross pieces have been made and installed. The rails are laminated boxwood strip, bent and sanded to shape, following the templates provided by Sam Cassano. The head timbers are the laser cut kit pieces, modified to fit.
 
Next will be the lower rail, eking and cathead supports. These should provide even more redos than the work just completed.
 
Bob

Cutters Ver 2.5 continued....
 
Only a minor update today.  I've been painting the hulls for the last week or so.  Decided to break out the airbrush for this job and after six coats of white paint on top of the gesso undercoat, plus one coat of clear Satincote (one more to come), here's a quick sneak peak at the outside of one of the hulls - just to prove that progress is being made
 

 
As soon as I get another coat of Satincote on the external hulls, I'll move onto the interior, painting that in yellow ochre before proceeding with the fit out.  This painting lark is a slow process! 
 
In between watching paint dry, I've been working on the quarter davits to carry these Cutters.  I've mainly been working from the diagrams and description in Longridge for these.  The basic structure is boxwood, with working brass sheaves held in place with a copper wire pin.  I also manufactured the cleat for the base of each davit by silver soldering brass wire into a T-section and then cutting/filing to shape.  These have been blackened and placed temporarily in place for the photo.  The davits will be painted black prior to final fitting.  At the base of the davit, I have manufactured separately some brass swivel/hinge plates to attach the davits to the hull - these aren't shown in the photo below, but will be fitted in due course.  So here's what they look like (only 3 of the 4 davits shown in the pic):
 

Next up the stern frames.
 
dry fitting

 
making templates: I simply traced these as I did not want to cut out the plans

 
template cut out with #11 blade

 
template on the keel

 
template traced out