Shazmira

Well Mark, it took me most of the day, but I have now completed your log from post one to here. Wonderful work, and I am heartened to see I am not the only one who goes through the deconstructions/reconstructions phases. It looks like painstaking work so for, but I would certainly be pleased with the result!

Well Mark, it took me most of the day, but I have now completed your log from post one to here. Wonderful work, and I am heartened to see I am not the only one who goes through the deconstructions/reconstructions phases. It looks like painstaking work so for, but I would certainly be pleased with the result!

Well Mark, it took me most of the day, but I have now completed your log from post one to here. Wonderful work, and I am heartened to see I am not the only one who goes through the deconstructions/reconstructions phases. It looks like painstaking work so for, but I would certainly be pleased with the result!

Well Mark, it took me most of the day, but I have now completed your log from post one to here. Wonderful work, and I am heartened to see I am not the only one who goes through the deconstructions/reconstructions phases. It looks like painstaking work so for, but I would certainly be pleased with the result!

Well Mark, it took me most of the day, but I have now completed your log from post one to here. Wonderful work, and I am heartened to see I am not the only one who goes through the deconstructions/reconstructions phases. It looks like painstaking work so for, but I would certainly be pleased with the result!

Well Mark, it took me most of the day, but I have now completed your log from post one to here. Wonderful work, and I am heartened to see I am not the only one who goes through the deconstructions/reconstructions phases. It looks like painstaking work so for, but I would certainly be pleased with the result!

Well Mark, it took me most of the day, but I have now completed your log from post one to here. Wonderful work, and I am heartened to see I am not the only one who goes through the deconstructions/reconstructions phases. It looks like painstaking work so for, but I would certainly be pleased with the result!

Well Mark, it took me most of the day, but I have now completed your log from post one to here. Wonderful work, and I am heartened to see I am not the only one who goes through the deconstructions/reconstructions phases. It looks like painstaking work so for, but I would certainly be pleased with the result!

Well Mark, it took me most of the day, but I have now completed your log from post one to here. Wonderful work, and I am heartened to see I am not the only one who goes through the deconstructions/reconstructions phases. It looks like painstaking work so for, but I would certainly be pleased with the result!

Well Mark, it took me most of the day, but I have now completed your log from post one to here. Wonderful work, and I am heartened to see I am not the only one who goes through the deconstructions/reconstructions phases. It looks like painstaking work so for, but I would certainly be pleased with the result!

A minor update, model wise.  A biggie for me.      The stern is more or less complete.  It still needs the carvings and the taffrail needs the finials but those are in-work and may be that way for some time as I move on to other things.   I carve while waiting for glue to dry, etc.
 
I was playing with the camera and some settings... here's the inboard side of the stern unplanked and then planked in silver maple.  I'm using the maple where things would have been white-washed.  The planked version also shows part of the taffrail installed.
 

 
From the outboard side with part taffrail installed.
 

 
This is the two other pieces of the taffrail on the scroll saw using the ScrollSander to clean off the laser char and finesse the fit.  The final finessing was using a file and sanding sticks.
 

 
And with the full taffrail installed.  It needs a bit of cleanup and some wipe-on poly, but I'll that when get the carvings ready.  The quarter galleries need to be built also before finishing.  It's a  bit off (about 1mm on the port side) but I'll live with it.  
 

 
All in all, I'm pretty chuffed about this as it was a big learning curve.  I wanted the joinery perfect.. not quite there yet but to my eye, it looks good.  Next up is the rudder while I sort out the quarter galleries.  These have a bit of unusual shape in that they curve out past the stern and then back to the hull, like a half circle only not...  Hard to explain but I'm researching and sorting it out.
 
 

Thanks for the "likes" and the comments.   
 
 
 
That makes two of us waiting for other results, Sjor.  
 
 
 
The glazing is growing on me.  I like the imperfection of it and the longer it sits, the stronger it seems to have become.  
 
 
 
It actually back lite by shop light, Pat.  I opened the blinds since it was "somewhat" sunny today and killed the flash.   It almost makes want to put in LED's...  A little late for that, I think.
 
 
Thanks Chris. The windows fit nicely on the transom frames.  I think is right.. the window spacing is the "big deal".  
 
 
And I think I found the problem...  the area highlighted in red.  I'm thinking that the framing underneath is off a bit.  Since the planks edges are flush with that framing..  so it goes.  Sanding sticks at the ready.
 

It's good to see you back, Sam, even if just for a bit.  Work is hell.. 
 
Ken, I think the Microscale needs a topic of it's own out there.  I did some Googling and this might be perfect for many of us.
 
 
These pictures are some of "test" shots to sort things out.
 
The stern now has it's upper molding and the rest planked in ebony.  It still needs more sanding  
 
The main stern carving is a "bad" carving blank which is hitting the scrap box as it's served it's purpose.  I stuck it on with some double sided tape for position and appearance.  I noted that it's too low and needs to be higher to look right.  The real carving is on the workbench and slowly being attacked with various implements of construction and destruction.    I think it's a perspective issue when I stuck it on.  The transom being angled, it looks low when viewed head on.  
 
The taffrail... this one's a headache.  I've changed the drawing to reflect where this one doesn't quite fit and also to lengthen the "legs".  I originally designed it as a one piece but the legs are entirely cross-grain which weakens things (I think I've broken about 5 at this point while cleaning off the char). The other is an appearance  that I'm not happy with.  The cross-grain on the legs just looks dirty no matter how much it's sanded/scraped.  I even cut one in half and the cut area looks "dirty".   Anyway, I've reworked it so it's made of three pieces.. a crosspiece and two legs with the grain going in the proper direction.  I hope to cut another later today or tomorrow.
 
I'm noticing that things are quite perfect still in the dimension area but not much I can do at point, but I'll sort it out and tweak as best I can.  I'm about 1/32" (2") off on the level, left-to-right where the transom meets the counter.  And it's off about the same on witdth.  One side is just a bit wider at the top.   I'm thinking that the beams shifted slightly when I was reconstructing this area.  Nothing serious but I thought I'd point it out.
 
I do need to flip this beast over and plank the inside of the transom area above the deck beam so I can sand it down and shape before fitting the taffrail.  
 
I'm thinking, right now, the taffrail will be un-adorned.  I tried carving some acanthus leaves for this area, but... I need a lot more practice for some thing that tiny. I keep at it as there's no rush on the carvings.
 

 
Comments and critiques are always welcomed and yes, this is to be continued.

Hi Jose,  thanks for the comments.
 
I used Coreldraw to create a drawing and cut the windows out using the laser cutter.   They're 1/32" thick (roughly 0.5mm) and the munnions and outside framing are the same.  
 
In the photo, the frames are on top and you can see the size by comparing them to the dime in the picture.

 
To glaze them, I used MicroMark's Micro-Glaze.  It's a white liquid that when dry is is clear and thin.   Because the wood is so thin, I had to change the way I did it from the instructions because the frames warped badly.
 
I put the window frame on a piece of polyethylene bag (the stuff sticks to everything else including glass) and filled the openings with the glazing.  I put another piece of bag on top and then a piece of thick, heavy plate glass on top.  I let it sit for 24 hours and remove the top glass and bag.  At this point, the glaze was "set" but not dry and still white.  I left off the bag and glass until it was almost clear.  At this point the wood would start to warp again and I'd put the glass back on for another 12 hours or so.  
 
I hope that helps.

Thanks for the "likes" and comments.. 
 
An update..  the stern.    I'm going to paraphrase a line from a speech by John Kennedy about the Apollo program.  I think it fits with model ships...   "We do things not because they are easy but because they are hard".   I had the full quote sitting on my desk at work for many years.  I finally dug it out of the box and now have it again in place to remind me.
 
Anyway, so much for philosophy today but you'll understand it down this post a bit...      Here's the step by step...
 
I glued the previously cut light frames over the ebony filled opening for the 3 deadlights.   I made a scraper and scraped the lower molding strip to the profile on the plans.  The boxwood molding was mildly edge bent with heat and glued and secured into position with clamps.


 
I then turned to the next step, the glazed lights.  I checked locally for mica from gem/mineral shops locally.  All the locals were are the kind that sell "new age" crystals and cut stones for the chanting brigade.  So.. Google is my friend... I find bags of mica sheets but... no guarantee that any of the sheets in the bags would be clear.  Scratch that.  Back to Google..  started calling all the shops within a 200 mile radius.  No clear except one place... and it was a 10 pound chunk.  Yikes!!!
 
Time to fall back to Plan "B"... liquid glazing.  I used it and glazed the 4 lights following directions... and they warped badly.  Cut 4 more using the Deathstar (I guess scratchbuilding is called the "darkside" for a reason    ) and modified the method.  I applied the glazed, put it between two 1/4" plates of glass over night.  The next morning, I took off the top glass and let it sit until the glazing was clear and then the lights started to warp.  Put the glass plate back on and let it sit for 24 hours.  Success!!!!
 
I glued on the lights and added the ebony strips between them as there aren't faux columns between them, just plain wood.
 

 
The next steps will be to make and install the mold strip above the lights, and add the ebony planking for the rest of the transom. The lower mold strip needs to be trimmed back and the inside of the transom needs to be planked.  Then I can add the taffrail.  They do look better in real life than in macro.
 
To be continued.....

Bagged it!!!   Still needs a bit of work to strengthen, probably some knees as this is pretty flimsy.  I suspect the planking will help but I'd rather keep Murphy away....
 
First.. the deconstruction... cleaned out the debris and shaped it a bit better.
 

 
Then attached the framing.   This is where the problems hit... not that flexible and didn't get the shape of the existing frames just right.  Also, the mortises on the existing frames crumbled.. could be the wood, could be me.  And broke several frames filing and cutting them in.  Gave it up, cleared off the damaged areas and glued it in place.
 

 
Clamps removed and tarffrail set into position.  It'll need a bit of fitting shaping and all the char removed but I'll hold off until this is completely planked.
 

 
Looking a lot farther ahead in this area, will be the carvings.  Still sorting out what the NMM plans really show and also what was common in the French frigates of the time.  I suspect there will be some trade-offs because what Hahn shows would be really tiny.   Not sure if they eyeball are up to it even with magnification.   We'll see.
 
I'm going to let this sit overnight and cure out completely while looking at other things needed and maybe making the knees.  I think where the stern is now looks 100% better than where I started.   Every step is a learning step or so it seems and this way is a darn sight easier than the way Hahn did it.

De-Construction Time....  
 
The first pic shows some of the problem.. very rough, not symmetrical.  IF I had known then what I know now, it would have been done differently.  I tried to follow Hahn's method of small shaped pieces between the framing.  FAIL.
 

 
The second photo shows my solution.  This piece is the prototype out of basswood.  I'm cutting the real deal out of cherry for strength.  My plan is to remove the small bits of wood and mortise this piece onto the frames.  It's symmetrical and more importantly matches the seating for the taffrail.  The planking will cover the framing and this piece.
 

 
Here's another prototype shot.. the new frame piece and the taffrail.  The taffrail will be boxwood. I'm changing my wood choices for boxwood for the trim and decorations.  
 

 
Once the framing is in and the stern planked and sanded, I'll add the taffrail.  
 
To be continued........

A bit of an update.  First off, here's hull "right-side up".... I'm liking the way she looks.
 

 
I removed some of the build board material around the transom area to give me some working room. If you'll go back to previous pictures, the transom is actually glued to the build board.   When I removed the board, I found some problems with the transom.  Not a show stopper or a big problem.   Some fairing/sanding and maybe removal/replacement of some of the small framing will fix it nicely.  Once fixed, I can continue on with the planking and build up of the transom.
 

 
I also finally took a good look at the interior.  I held off sanding and fairing it because I knew my planking clamps were going to cause <ahem> issues, shall we say.   Now is also the time to fair it out and fix any problems.  I'm not seeing any serious problems, just a lot of sanding and fairing.  So this area, along with the transom is being attended to.  I also wanted to get this out of the way at this point as when I install the galleries, stern windows, etc. removing the sanding dust would be a real problem if I waited to sand until they were done.  Another reason is, I don't want to damage anything with the handling needed during sanding. 
 

 
I have to admit I'm pretty damn happy right now.  The problems are not as bad as I thought they'd be and overall, looking pretty good.

Thank you for the "likes", the Christmas wishes, and the comments.
 
Minor update, as such.  Added the sternpost (boxwood), and the fashion pieces and the covering board (both are ebony) for the seam between the counter and the hull planking. I've put on one coat of wipe-on-poly.
 
I'm still perturbed by the black from the gap filling, but will live with it.   A bit more care the next time (and hopefully less stress since I have bigger clue) should work out. 
 


 
Taking a break from the ship for a day or two to upgrade the laser cutter... 

Thanks for the "likes" and comments.
 
That magic milestone...  All planked, sanded, and one coat wipe-on poly.  I do have one small area that needs some work as it has a stain.  I don't think it's blood...
 
Lessons learned at this point.. many.    
 
1) I should go a bit wider than the 1/8" width even if it's out of scale.  Just for the eye appeal and the ease of working with the wood.
 
2) Use a "harder" wood, like boxwood.  Pear deforms and dings easily.
 
3) Definitely not pear for gap-filling.   Some areas went black, other areas look good.  Strange stuff.  I played with some scrap and it did the same thing.  Either that or not use the poly and sawdust in the gap filling and live with the glue and sawdust.
 
4) A bit more care in the framing and fairing. I found some areas just weren't proper and had to fiddle with the frames before continuing.
 
Now to attend to the stern... which should be fun area and not as tedious.
 

 

Thanks again for the "likes" and comments.
 
Half an update.. I guess that's what I'll call it.    I sanded, scraped, filled gaps and put on one coat of wipe on poly on the starboard side.  There's a couple of dings I'll just have to live with.  Had a weird reaction with the sanding dust and wipe on poly thought during gap filling.  Some of the gaps (most) went black. I'm not sure why.  Then again, the planking all looked one color until the poly went on.  I'm still happy with it as the color variations give it something other than solid wall of wood color.
 
Now focusing on the port side.  Here's pics of the starboard side.
 



 
And this last one is a "before" and "after" shot. 

 

While I'm updating the log...  a couple of side projects ongoing.  I've not done much with the longboat other than some sanding to the mold. 
 
I did redo the laser cut out for the stern carving in Euro Boxwood and a more appropriate thickness after a discussion the other sub-forum.  This one does look better in my opinion and won't be removing so much wood.
 

 
Another one while waiting for glue to dry on the planks was to prepare the drawings for guns and carriages.  I made two dummy guns to check the height once the deck is in and planked and couple of pieces for checking the guns after I turn them.   I'm puzzling over a duplicator for the lathe.  It'll have to self-made as there's nothing commercial that will work on mine.
 

Time to splice the main brace, methinks.   Or maybe just a happy dance...
 
Major milestone today... external hull planking (except for the transom is finished.   Still needs a serious sanding and some gap filling which I'll start on after a bit of cleanup in shop.
 



 
Next job (after the sanding is fitting the stern post, fashion pieces and doing the transom..  planking, windows, carvings, and the molding strips.
 
Time to splice the main brace, methinks.    Or maybe just a happy dance...

I appreciate the comments and insight.  We're pretty sure surgery isn't the answer.  We do need to get her off the opiates due to bowel problems and still get pain relief.  Being in Oregon, we're working on the "alternative" but her back isn't simple due to a lifetime of compensation.  We think the pain clinic is on the right path.... we'll see.
 
Back on topic... here's a pic... 6 more strakes to go and one (at the bow) will need to be a drop plank...  <sigh>  I tried to get it without one.. but not going to happen.
 

Minor update... planking is ongoing but I needed a break.  So back to the longboat.
 
Reworking again... 5th time I think, the form for making the longboat.  1st was the hand carved plug... tossed it.  2nd was the bulkheads like Chuck uses and BE did so well at 1:64...  broke the bulkheads.  3rd was the same using thicker bulkheads, still broke off the framing bits.   4th was a plug that used the laser to cut out... Something hiccupped and it came out 1" too long.  I'm still not sure what happened...  So.. number 5... in all it's glory.  Exact size and I'm happy.   Now to put it together and start adding stuff like frames and keel.