Jack12477

Mark, thanks. Sort of figured there had to be outside influence for some naval commanders, too. Most of my study has been on the Brown Water ships along the Mississippi, which were novel with the Army built and run City class ships.
 
I've also heard it called the "War between the States", "War of Northern Aggression" and "War of Southern Arrogance". I usually call it the American Civil War or ACW for a quick reference.

Nigel,
 
I'm in agreement.  There's something strange about this.   I rechecked the items she ticked off... bed not level, moving parts not level, mirrors way out of alignment.  They're page where they explain things, discusses that these things are tested before shipping.  This makes me wonder if the carrier dropped it.
 
My stuff was off but it did work (although not well) out of the box.  My alignments, once I figured them out, have been minor in deviation but also pretty intense since you start at one end of the mirror chain and work your way through and then go back and re-check.
 
I'm still testing and feeding my curiousity on these.   I've seen aftermarket mirrors, lens assemblies, etc. but one just doesn't know about the quality.  I think tha's the killer.. is a $100 12mm, 50.8 focal lens actually better than it's $25 competitor? Are all laser tubes the same? 
 
There's one company who will remain nameless for now, who pulls down negative comments to their forum.  Word is that they will terminate your warranty for such comments.  What's surprising is that they've been reworking, manufacturing, and selling these products for several years.  
 
And yes.... safety is priority one when adjusting, testing, etc.   The MM has one advantage in the interlocks but I've been around electronics long enough to know parts fail and many times in the "closed" or operating position.   Every tool I own has 'bit' me but this is one tool that I'm not going to let that happen.  Power is off unless the lid is closed and I'm actually making a cut. 

Hi Mark,
 
I was thinking more about your issues as well as Debbie and Charles after re-reading latest posts. You both have faced the same basic issues but their level if anything seems more severe as they aren't matching your results, even after similar debug efforts. Not sure I can suggest much new, but thoughts below.
 
As the quality control on these tools can only be described as poor at best, I am wondering if your lasers have their reflectors and output couplers correctly aligned. I would expect these would be factory set and probably aren't user adjustable on a unit sold for use by even technically very aware buyers like yourselves. Net would be markedly lower output so even well aligned optics post laser could not compensate, leading to the use of much higher power settings. Could have been a bad production run so it may be worth asking for a replacement laser assembly to test this idea out as you seem to have have worked through every other likely alignment option. Check for a much later serial number on any new unit so you know the manufacturing dates are well separated.
 
I also know you will be doing your checks carefully, but please watch the material, power handling as well as the optical specs if you try different lenses. These lasers need careful matching to their optics given the power outputs.
 
As for MM, my thought is they are probably out of their depth and don't have the training yet to really support this tool. Working with you on this debug is a good way to learn and train their staff. They should be grabbing the chance...I know I would given the tools' potential.
 
Finally, I hope you don't take this amiss, but please be very careful as you debug things. I expect the tool is fully interlocked for safety, shutting off the laser as the tool is opened and so on, but like many tools, these lasers can be very dangerous. There is an old, but actually rather non-funny, joke on the wall in most labs I've worked in where lasers were used, especially in labs with open beams . "Do not look into the laser with your one remaining eye".
 
Stay safe!
 
Cheers,
 
Nigel.

We all missed you, Nenad.

May I also add my Welcome back Nenad.  I am glad to see the healing process has begun for you.

May I also add my Welcome back Nenad.  I am glad to see the healing process has begun for you.

Oh hell, Jay... blame us all.  We push each other.  Sometimes we're just like kids back on the playground: "I double-dog dare you to put rivets in those knees!!!"    :P      

Got me.... teach me to post before proofreading.     Should be "since the rivets used on the knees were iron..."    

May I also add my Welcome back Nenad.  I am glad to see the healing process has begun for you.

When I have a few of each type, I laminate them together using wood glue. 
This fixture may be a bit unique. I use toggle clamps that apply a lot of pressure. There is a 'caul-plate' (a piece of 1/2 inch plywood coated with wax), and the two parts will be bonded like that forever. I have tried to use shims to get the right thickness, but gave up because it was not necessary.
 
Then it will be a matter of taking the 15 frame drawings, glue a copy to each frame and start cutting along the lines (that are not clearly shown on the stiff paper). 
That comes later when all laminates are done, but I do intend to cut the inside of the frames first and then the out side.
 

It's great to hear from you Nenad.  I think we were all getting worried.  When you're ready to resume Her Majesty, we'll be here. 

Great to see you back my friend.
 
Small steps taken slowly. Still reach your goal.
 
Don't rush into anything yet but so long as you move along you are not being overwhelmed by the past.
 
Pleased to hear your getting time in the fresh air and sun. Especially with those special memories.
 
Wonderful to hear from you. Take care of yourself.

That's some good news!!  Glad to hear that Nenad!!  
 
Cheers

On weekend I started working in garden and participate on MSW, yesterday I started working in office, and thinking in free time about unfinished catheads, so it seems I am close to continue working in shipyard

Thanks all.   At this point, one more row of planks, some sanding the "wide" strakes will be done.  I'll do some sanding since it's pretty rough and then some pictures.   Soon I hope.
 
I'm having a headache with where the planks roll and twist to land on the counter.  If I can get the area to look right to my eyes, I'll be thrilled.   I think I have it figured out....   I just need to do it.   Now if life would stop getting in the way, I could make some real progress.

Mark    I know first hand how much you can agonize when doing the spiling.  It's important to do it right if the run of the planking is to have that proper look.  Believe me when I say I feel your pain.  As I read the posts on your build log I'm struck with how sage like Dan (shipmodel) is when he says that the measurement between strakes and battens, while important, are just a starting point.  Battens are continually adjustable guides and not rigid inflexable borders.  Furthermore he said trust your eyes in conjunction with the battens.  He gives GOOD advise.  Doing this work, to some extent, is feel.  I always found I had to play around with the tape a good deal to get through this process and have it look right.  Stay with it friend, you'll find the answer.
 
Tom

Nigel,
 
Thanks.  You hit the problem on the head... support for questions.  I fear I got bit testy and resent my email with some choice words.  I don't really expect a response but at least I feel better.   
 
Debbie brought up some interesting points and I'm searching the web for clues...  I do hope she and her husband can get some resolution even if it's just her money back. 
 
I've got it to where the kerf is 0.03" on most woods but I'm suspecting the lens is one of low quality.   I found out that these need to be replaced periodically also.  

Hi Mark,
 
Great progress...windows are especially beautiful and the carvings look like they just need the char removing and then some relief adding to finish them off. I do see what you mean about adding some margin to allow for charring on the really thin details.
 
Looks like all your hard work is paying off and potential is really there. A pity the manufacturer can't deliver this capability level out of the box and provide the level of tech support needed to help their customers come up the learning curve smoothly.
 
Cheers,
 
Nigel.

Planking
 
As suggested in the instructions I've planked the hull of the cutter without the ribs - they'll go in later as most of them would come off the planking when the hull is removed from the plug. This pic was taken with a couple of runs left to do. I'm using Tamiya masking tape to hold the planks in position while they dry :
 

 
The cutter removed from the plug. It came out very easily :
 

 
Some pics of the outside. The planks need a "rolling" bevel both fore and aft to fit to the stem and transom :
 

 

 

 

 
There was very little excess glue inside the hull. These pics were taken before I started any cleanup :
 

 
You can see a couple of wedges in the bow which I inserted to ensure a tight fit to the plug. Isopropyl alcohol made removal of them easy :
 

 
 Danny

Finished the long boat and the rigging for it.  I ended up scratch building everything but the hull.  The oars I built seem a bit large but I am going to live with them.  With some filing and painting, the metal hull was okay.  Pics are a bit dark this time, not sure why.


 
Also put the anchors in place.


 
Now I am working on 46 chain plate and dead eye assemblies.  Seems I am always finding something to keep me from getting to the masts.  I had to jump around in the instructions with this kit or it would have been next to impossible to put together. Now I am going back through the book to make sure I did not forget anything before I start work on the "above deck" items.

Erik, Chuck used CA building the whole boat. I used Maxi-Cure extra thick 10-25 sec. Which worked fine for me. As for planking a combo of white glue and CA. Good luck, now it is time for me preparing the last before my flight to Sweden.

Add me to the spectators gallery too !

Add me to the spectators gallery too !

Grant, your little tutorial is excellent.   The dimly lit light bulb in my brain just got lit up like a fireworks display. Thanks for that explanation for doing the beams.

Some work just must be done by hand. Stunning Grant ... really beautiful work ... So now the remaining builders get an errata on the building instructions ... (proudly presented by G. Dale)