Shazmira

Aaron HAHAHAHA, no! I have NOT cut the gun ports yet. I just can't bring myself to do it yet after the last fiasco!!! Yes, I used the brass nails that came with the kit, must just be the bad lighting that is making them look silver. Stupid thing up front???? I haven't dared look under the tape in over a week to see if the CA glue is going to hold it or not, I just know there is a lot of stuff that gets added to that little piece so I am hoping it wont be too fragile to hold everything. I think when I am done I need to encase this entire ship in something....something like liquid plexiglass that will dry crystal clear that way I don't have to worry about the bits falling off in 6 months or so. I wonder if there is something like that on the market .?.?.?

A bit of progress, limber boards are on now, and columns attached. Seems like there was a lot of sanding, filing and shaping needed on these and they took forever I had to redo them 3 times before I could get everything the way I wanted it. Ended up drilling a small hole through the limber board and into the bulwark, plus through the columns. Then I slid a piece of wire into these holes to hold the columns where I wanted them. I really need to invest in a micro sized drill press I have the railings attached now as well, but no pics of the finished product yet and is is all still tightly held down with tape until the glue dries. I deviated from the instructions and historical accuracy for my railings as things do not line up correctly on the SF 2, and because I want to keep going with my theme of ebony hand rails.

A few have posted pictures in my build log, but each time it was only after I had a question. I found the pictures of great help on how to do something, or fix something. I tend to learn very well by reading instructions, however, in this particular "hobby" it is pictures that illustrate words and create understanding in my mind, so I don't mind the pics at all. I have to say again, all the pics added by others were relevant to the query I posed. I have never had anyone post pics that didn't help to answer the question in some way, I might be offended if someone did, but I like to think most of the members here wouldn't just hijack someone else's log in that way. I know for a fact, those who are following mine would not.

Adrieke, Wow, she is looking very nice! I love these old paddle wheels, and am seriously thinking of heading in that direction for the next build, and leave the rigging behind for a bit. I love the idea of lighting, it adds a great amount of ambiance to the model.

TMC the SF has gone through several reincarnations. the original dbl planked, then the SFII single plank, but within that single plank they have updated many of the pieces. For example, the metal life boat has changed considerably as have the additions they have made to go with the life boat, the gun carriages, ladders, and gratings are now wood and have to be constructed instead of die cast. These are all improvements, as each of those parts was constantly being bashed, however, the instruction book has not been updated at all. Mine still shows all those parts as metal in the parts list, and there are no instructions for assembly of any of these new wooden parts that will all require assembly. I am guessing at least 2/3 of the photos in the instruction manual are those of the original SF. About the only changed photos are those of the "beak" assembly on the bow, since they completely re-did that section. In the original it was all one piece. The bulwark extended out to form that beak, but it was fragile and there were lots of complaints about breakage. Now the bulwarks stop at the forward deck, and the "beak" portion comes separate and has to be assembled. Progress is moving along, but no pics to post as it is very slow. I did get the bend I needed in my limber boards to put a cap on my bulwarks. Now I am working on constructing the railings. very time consuming and tedious little bits. I thought it was funny last night when the other half came over to look and in a shocked voice said "you have to make all those railings". I just looked at him and laughed and said "remember, bundle of sticks and strings". At the pace I am going, perhaps I will finish the railings by the weekend and be able to show some progress.

Robert, thanks for the heads up, when I get home from work tonight I will check that out and see what doesn't line up as it is supposed too. Seems there is always something on this particular model that doesn't line up quite the way the pics and drawings show it should

Very nicely done Sjors!! Be proud, she is looking beautiful!

Thanks Robert. I have decided that much of my problem is my impatience! When I started I was thinking a 10 min soak would be enough lol

DC, yes a curling iron works great for bending the strips that go on the hull. Will not work to laterally bend, at least not the thickness I was bending. I used steam from a kettle on the stove to bend most of my planking strips steaming the strip while shaping it and clipping it around a bowl that gave me the proper curve for my hull planks. That worked quite well, but when I was doing the second planking with the really thin veneers the curling iron worked like a charm! Here is a link to the quilting iron...looks nice and small and would work well on ships http://www.wishuponaquilt.com/cgi-bin/Store/store.cgi?&product=Notions&productid=mci900&tracking2=zon

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Steve I tried the iron and that worked like a charm. I did not need a sharp bend, just a gentle curve like the hull so the iron did very well. I then clamped it along the bulwark like LV suggested and am leaving it there to dry over night. Steve you are right, I won't be throwing any of the leftovers away, never know just when you might need a bit for the next builds. I wish I had the knowledge I have learned so far about wood when I first started and ordered the wood I used to double plank, I would have ordered planks in varying widths so I could spile, and add drop planks correctly, and I would have ordered spares of these other dimensions and only have to pay that shipping once. I know before I begin my next build I will do exactly that and be much better prepared!

I don't have any wider stock on hand...not in the position to try and order a piece plus pay shipping too, sorry. It is apple wood. yes, perhaps notching one side of the strip will help, I hadn't thought of that.

Okay, I am stuck. I am trying to add the limber strips and rails that sit atop the bulwarks. I need to bend these 2mm x 5mm strips laterally...meaning the curve needs to go through that 5mm width so the railings will follow the curve of the bulwark and hull. I am having no luck with this. Soaked, steamed, etc. It is like that 5mm thickness is just too much to get a curve. I can't afford to break any. Anyone know of a good way to do this? This is applewood btw

Eric, I need some help. I need to bend my limber strips laterally to follow the curve of the bulwark and hull. I just keep breaking them. How did you get yours to bend?

David, thanks for following along, the ups have been many, which more than make up for those down...even though they were fairly major. Nice thing about this hobby...even if you screw it up badly...it can still be fixed with a little elbow grease, ingenuity, and of course time

Yea, I am home. Sure was nice to go back and see the family for a couple days, nice to see a different set of four walls too, and I especially enjoyed spending time in the hobby shop and picking up some new goodies...no new kit for the shelf . was kind of hoping to see a bunch and maybe pick one up, but this particular store seemed more set up for the RC person and the model train enthusiast. Only wood boat they had was the bounty!! But my credit card I am sure is happier about that lol. Rocker...lemon beer? I don't even like lemon in my ice tea Aaron, yes, the nails provided in the kit. Ok, I have checked in, now need to go unload the new washer and dryer, and since the boat building fairies didn't do any work for me this weekend she is still sitting on the drafting table waiting for me...

Adrieke, I didn't think about inserting a dowel, that just might work, thanks for that suggestion! TMC, yes I did use the brass nails on the rubbing strakes, I really liked the contrast of the gold against the ebony. hmmm ebony balcony deck.....I was thinking about painting the spindles in gold.....I will have to think about both those ideas. I cant wait to get to the model store tomorrow...I am sure I will see some things there I will have to have, and pick up a few more ideas for extras to add.

Buck , thanks a lot! The encouragement means everything!

Sjors, I can always depend on you to make me laugh!!! I like it, "balcony at the stern" Nope, no one can blame you for the break lol. I tried wood glue last night before I went to bed...it fell right off this morning. I have reattached with CA, so I will let it sit all weekend and see how it looks when I get back from the "end of the world". Actually, I have to say northwest Kansas where I live right now is more of the end of the world....dusty, dirty, and when there is no rain the only thing that wants to grow is yucca plants, and sandburrs (stickers). I can only dream of a nice green, lush yard like I had in Nebraska!

wayne, thanks for the heads up. I looked through popeye's build and found it. It is called Testors clear parts cement and window maker. I will be looking for it at the hobby stores this weekend!

I also want to give a big shout out to TIm who very kindly mailed me his upper gun port frames to replace the ones my dog decided to eat. It is the kindness of members like that who make this site the greatest around!

Johanne, thank you for the kind words. Yes, stitches never look very pretty! Okay, the last two evenings have been filled with ship building details....it amazes me how I can set there for 4 hours, and as the hubby says only accomplish gluing on a couple of sticks. Lol the man just doesn't get it! Yes, I know...much of it looks very rough...there is still some light sanding, and filing to do in places, as well as staining. But I have learned to stain AFTER gluing!! Bow details were added, and my new door installed, I did carve through the planking so I could set my door "inside" the wall, rather than just gluing to the outside. I felt it looked more real that way. Sjors, I also trimmed down the ends of those hinge plates. It was easier to do once they were firmly affixed to the door with a light coat poly. Finished installing the last of the tracks. Yes, many will notice the lower gun ports have not yet been cut. After the last debacle I think I am a bit nervous to cut through my hull again. So I will wait until I am absolutely sure everything is where it is supposed to be. If I had to strip her down and replank her again, I am pretty sure she would just get thrown in the wood stove!!! Others may notice my little tape band-aid on that piece (???) that sticks out from the bow. I got clumsy when moving the model from my lap to it's foam cradle and clipped it on the edge of the drafting table...of course it broke. I have glued it twice...but looking ahead at what has to be attached to it I don't believe the fragile glue is going to work at all. I will probably have to remove this piece and use it as a template to cut myself a new one Added the other little details to both sides above the rubbing strakes. The stern balcony ( I don't know the correct term) is not glued on at this point, just a dry fit to see the strakes are all where they should be. Worked for hours on the stern. Got the rudder attached, that turned out to be easier than I expected. Added the chains, decorations, door and windows. No candlelight in the windows at this point. The gels I had look great when placed on the window. However, when glued to the surface of the window, the glue turns the gels cloudy. I am going home to Nebraska to see my grandbabies this weekend and celebrate the oldest's 3rd birthday, so I will make a run up to the hobby store and see if I can find another solution. That is why I have not yet glued on the rear balcony, I need the access to those windows so I can get them the way I want them to be.

Best advice I ever got from someone is "this is your build, do it the way that you are satisfied with. You are not building to please anyone but yourself!" I also echo what Randy said...I will do the research when I get to that point lol.

The planking looks great, I would be happy with that as well. And yes this stuff is fun

Thanks everyone for your input. Modeller's shipyard in Australia is my friend. When I decided to double plank and needed timbers I ordered from them as Hobby Mills here in the US was shut down for their annual winter break. I like the availability of the wood from MS, and found them very wonderful to work with, and very quick to ship. The only major thing with MS is of course the extra $30 for shipping to the US. I did do it when I ordered all my planking strips because it was a fairly decent quantity I ordered, and I needed the strips so I could start my build. I have lived by mail order for most of my adult life, was doing that 25 years ago when internet shopping was still new, but it was the only way to get the things I wanted when I was stationed in Germany. I just did not want to spend $2 for a chunk of wood stock, and $10 or more to have it mailed to me this time, plus if I am being honest, I did not want to wait for it to reach me I have a list of items I will need on hand for my next build, and when it gets closer to the time to begin it I will order everything all at once, plus some extra things that are nice to have on hand, such as varying widths of planks so that I can correctly insert stealers and drop planks, and some of those more common dimensions of wood that many models use in case I come up short, not to mention extra balsa. Yes Sjors, it seems the ends of my hinge plates are a bit oversized, but when in reality that little pointy part is only a couple of mm wide, my old tired eyes just cant seem to make them go any smaller and have any recognizable shape to them at all. So, I have decided I can live with these as they are flaws and all.

Boy this last week I have been busy every day on my build but it seems actual progress has been extremely slow. I really struggled with the tracks....learned a valuable lesson about how wood that has ebony stain on it does not glue together well at all!!!! had the tracks built, they looked great, but when I tried to attach them to the ship all the layers fell apart. I think I reworked them at least 5 times!!! I am still not real satisfied with them, but on the ship they will serve their purpose. I wish I had some stock on hand to have just carved the tracks from a single piece, but I don't and no access to any around here. I just keep telling myself, next time. I also put another coat of stain and poly on the stern balcony....it is now ready to be installed on the ship