CPT_D

18 hours ago, Jaager said:

A search of SD's previous content yields this  " I bought 3 kits the Syren, the Marseille (C. Mamoli 1/64 kit), and the HMS Victory cross section."

Based on posts, I am guessing that Syren was the first build.

I suggest not giving any priority to the planking ambition for a while.  Since your shortcut on acquiring experience did not lead to the result that you wished,  why not follow as tried and true a course as there is at present to get up to speed?

 

The Model Shipways Shipwright Series  has a fairly low entry fee.   The finished models are attractive, small,  would look good on library shelves (in their separate "glass houses") and being boats, would give you the chops to build the boats that every large vessel carried.

 

Your model of Syren is made of wood.  It would not be difficult to acquire the raw materials to either backup to the stage where things went bad,  Or duplicate the whole K&K from raw materials and build a Syren v.2 that has superior materials.

I would actually try to continue with the Syren kit but sadly I don't have it, or any of the kits, anymore.  Should I just buy another Syren?

As happens far too often (I'm sure) I completely failed at building my first ship.  I could make all kinds of excuses but in the end, it was me simply jumping into the deep end too fast.  With that out of the way, I want to try it again but this time I think I'm going to go in a little slower.  I want a smaller ship that I can buy a full codex for that's on a beginner level.  I want to do my own planking (it's what really draws me to this hobby) so that has to be part of the ship.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

SD

Very cool.  Ordered.

looks like this is the place to buy them

Same here, 404 error.

Just curious to see if anyone has seen the TV commercial about building the Sovereign of the seas.  Apparently, the kit is sent in parts (monthly) for the hobbies to complete.  The catch is that the kit costs $99.99 a month for 12 months.

Is anyone doing this, or know anything about it?  In one way I think it's kind of cool, in that, it will bring more people to the hobby.  On the flip side, I wonder how many people will start this kit and never finish it?

For sanding I used my dermal to take off a majority of the material, for the final sanding I used the sanding blocks shown below.  I had seen the red blocks in Marsares's Syren build and liked their shape so I purchased two.  The 20mm wide sander was very handy for doing the inboard side of the bulwarks, the 40mm wide one was good for doing the outboard side with its rounded surface.  The one I made from a cardboard tube with sandpaper taped to it also worked very well for the outboard side.  The emery boards and pencil sander I used to clean up the inside of the gun ports.

 

IMG_0999.JPG

Sal, where did you get these red sanding blocks?

I agree completely, I would never buy from a bootlegger like them.  It's a shame though because it looked like a really nice model.  I would love to see a kit like this from a reputable vender.  

I came across this kit on eBay and was wondering if anyone had any experience/knowledge of the kit.  The kit is for the La Salamander 1752, and it looks like the manufacturer of the kit is CFSHIPMODEL.  Looks like a very cool kit (although very expensive).

Thanks everyone, if nothing else you all saved me some $$$.  Once I get to the rigging portion of my build I will likely determine at that time if I want/need a ropewalk at that time.  

The Admiral  told me that once I finished this kit and decide to do another, she would buy me Byrnes table saw.  I guess I could ad a ropewalk to that... I'm sure she won't mind...

Additionally, I am buying a serving machine as I completely understand the need for it.

I'm really new to the hobby and just in the first stages or my model (Syren) and I have been getting the specialized tools needed for the hobby.  I have noticed that several people on the site say that they have and use a ropewalk; but what's the point?   The kit I have looks like it has nice "rope" (string) so why would I need a ropewalk?

I'm going to order the Domanoff serving machine and I'm not sure if I should go with the powered or non-powered unit.

I know lots of people have these machines and I would really like to know if the power is needed or not.  Also if you have the non-powered version; do you wish you got the powered one (and vice versa)?

Ship looks fantastic, I'm pulling up a seat.

After some testing I found that medium hardness graphite worked fine.

My first shot at planking.  Once I got it all glued together, I sanded it with 400 the stain it with a 2:1 mix of natural to golden oak.  I like the  color.

After seeing the piece up close in the photo, it loos like I need to sand it a little more.  How do you go about sanding after it is stained and still keep the color? 

So I started to do a test planking for the lower deck.  I bought some graphite in multiple degrees of softness hoping that it would work.  The issue with the graphite is that, after i apply it to the sides, the dust from the graphite gets everywhere and makes the actual planks look dirty an smudged.

Any alternate ideas would be appreciated.

Looks great, I'm following this one in hopes that some day the Admiral will be interested enough to try it herself.

Larry, I checked out your build, very nice, but I didn't see how you did your masts or how you did your base.  Could you please enlighten me?

Thanks,

Shane

Great idea.

Gunther:  Makes since to me, I will have to try that on my next build.

I might try putting CA on the ends of the balsa to give it a little more strength if I have issues.

For the bulkheads I ended up using small mixing sticks and I put the glue in plastic lid from my calipers.  The lid worked perfectly, when the glue dried I just pealed it off.  For the CA glue I am going to use these micro tip applicators.

For the last couple of day I have been setting the bulkheads and blocks.  I had an issue with the blocks at first because I couldn't find large balsa blocks (or other soft wood) so I had to improvise.  I ended up finding strips of balsa and making blocks that were the sizes I needed.  

Got clamps

Looks straight to me

I started to use a little mixing stick (basically a toothpick with round point) and still got more glue on than I needed.  I guess I'm used to gluing my woodworking stuff here more is better.  

So boing new to this hobby I'm having a little problem with with gluing my model.  The issue I'm having is that the glue tends to be very messy.  I clean the glue as best I can when it's still wet but in the end there is always a little left.  This excess is very difficult to clean when it dry.  I am currently using titebond I, II, and III depending on how much time I need to set something.

So the question; what is the best way to apply glue to the model?

So last night I got the first 2 bulkheads set, which went rather well, but when I went to sleep I dreamed that I got all the bulkheads done and the hull was so warped that it kind of looked like a corkscrew.  Normal?

That makes a lot of since, but for now I'm going to take Larry's advice and wait a bit to start it.