hof00

Hi Rob, Thank you very kindly for your comments, much appreciated. I'll go with what I am comfortable with and with what "Prototyping" shows me. Even though not 100% I am hopeful the finished result will be acceptable. 🙂 Cheers and Regards, Harry.

Thanks Ron, I'm trying my best, my first at 1/96.... Tolerances are much "Tighter." 🙂 Yup, the "Table" has already proved its worth, edge drilling 1.5mm Lower Channels, even though they will not be used. Cheers and Regards, Harry.

Hi All, Lower Channel update.... I began by pinning the Fore Lower Channels to the Hull, easy enough. I then decided to make s Mock-Up, (Prototype), the Channels to fit the Chainplates. (I had already drawn this out....) As per my Drawing, the Chainplates were too short, esp. the Backstay Chainplates. Regarding the Backstay Chainplate with respect to the Lower Channels, the slot that I would have to cut in the Lower Channel to accept the Chainplate would leave about 1.5mm thickness where the Channel meets the Hull, far too thin. The kit utilizes a 2.0mm thick strip mounted on the Lower Rub Rail to simulate the Lower Channels. I now have to choose the way forward: Not really keen to construct/replace the Chainplates Lower Channels are not designed for this kit Not 100% accurate to leave Lower Channels off Photo, (On Box), looks just fine without Lower Channels Pushing ahead with Lower Channels risks breakages KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid Finally, what am I building this for? It is something that I enjoy, not a gift or presentation. My decision to omit the Lower Channels may upset some who are following this thread but that's just the way it is, constraints of the kit, engineering/design do not allow for modification. So, in conclusion, this model will be "Devoid" of Lower Channels I have tried and prototyped to install these items; I have to admit a small defeat.... With this attempt out of the way, I can concentrate on mounting/positioning Chainplates with only Upper Channels. In saying all of the Above, I will most probably install a 1.0mm strip on the lower Rub Rail where the Channel would have been, this will assist in Marking and positioning individual Chainplates and will be more in keeping to the kit design. Onward!! Many more challenges ahead.... 🙂 Cheers....HOF. Photos:

Hi Chap, Looking good!! I missed the scale, 1/48? I have been looking, just looking, at thr Revell 1/32 version, re-released this year. I'll be interested to see the final result. Cheers.... HOF.

Hi All, It's been a while since I last posted so here is a little progress. I am, at present, working on the Lower Channels. I have been thinking about how to approach these for some time. The solution that I have settled on, (Hope it works.... 🙂) Photocopy Channel parts from plans Paste to 1.50mm Ply Cut out parts, Scroll Saw Drill holes, (Edgewise), through Channel Pin to Hull Mark Chainplate positions Remove Channels from Hull Cut Chainplate locations Install Channels Install Chainplates Install Channel Capping strips Simple? If you have a look at #156 in the photos you can see how much the Channel deviates from the photocopy template. this is due to the changing shape of the Hull towards the Bow. (I used a Profile Guage for this. The other Channels, #157/#158 will be sanded to fit closer to the time. I eyeballed the fit of these, the photocopy template is not too bad. (I have made two of each Channel, in case I need to re-work something.) To facilitate Edge Drilling these components, I took the plunge and purchased a X Y Table and Clamping Vise. from Ali Express for NZD $142.00. (Inc shipping) This item is available from many different sites on the internet. The Table will also be useful for many other tasks, i.e. Main-Top Fairleads, etc., etc. (I have had a play at edge drilling the Channel material, its quick and easy. 🙂) Right, so that's where I am at the mo. Much more "Jiggery Pokery" to go Cheers.... HOF. Photos:

Hi Chap, Very nice work!! Cheers and Regards, Harry.

Thanks Rob.

Hi Peter, Thanks for that. Yup, you're 100% correct, "Eat the Elephant one bite at a time." 🙂 Cheers and Regards, Harry.

Hi All, Small update: Today, I finished off the Sky-Sail Yards, (Royals completed last week.), that completes the full "Suite" of Spars inc. Boom and Gaff. (I hope that my work pays off.... As mentioned in a previous post, I wasn't 100% happy with my work. (At this juncture, "It is what it is." and it's time to move on with the build. 🙂)) I feel it's time to affix the last 3 Capstans and Mooring Bitts. After this small task, it will be time to work on Lower Channels and set up Shrouds/Chainplates, not something that I am looking forward to.... 🙂 Anyway, that's me for the mo. Cheers.... HOF. Photos:

Thanks Ian, I purchased some "Tiny" Black Glass beads, (NZD $3.00 for 100) (1.0mm)), I don't think that I'll be making Ribs for these at this scale. Possible I guess but not for me.... 🙂 Cheers and Regards, Harry.

Hi Chap, Thanks for the feedback, appreciated! Many more "Challenges" ahead.... 🙂 BTW your first build is looking pretty sharp!! Cheers and Regards, Harry.

Thanks Ian, The Lower Yard Trusses are kit provided, Main and Top-Sail Yards. I should have got someone to cast some copies of these in Brass. The Castings provided are White Metal and very, very fragile until they were located and fixed, that is. (I managed to break a couple of the locating pins.) I was not happy with the way the plans/instructions fixed the Upper Yards, (Tied on), to the Masts so decided to make Parrel Jaws? to ride on the Masts. (I hope it works out ok.... 🙂) Cheers and Regards, Harry.

Hi All, Small update: More Yard work, this time the Topgallant yards are complete. Unsure if I am completely happy with my work thus far, (I don't think I'll ever be 100% satisfied though.... 🙂) If I had it over, I would be fixing the Blocks with annealed Brass wire. (I don't think I will be re-doing this, next time perhaps....) (I have, however, decided to use annealed Black wire for the Mast Block work So, a bit of a hybrid, Thread for the Yards/Boom/Gaff and wire for everything else.,) Anyway, next up the Royals followed by the Skysail Yards, six to go. I am hopeful that these won't take so long, the Block count is ever decreasing the further up the Yard and no Stunsail Booms to worry about, Nice!!🙂 Yards are painted, Jackstays installed on the Royals, no Jackstays on the Skysail Yards. I ordered a Contour Guage to assist with the Lower Channels, the Hull profile is completely different to the Upper Channels, Once the Channels are made, I will pin them to the Hull, mark and make the necessary slots for the Chainplates. Thanks to @Rick310 for the Flemish Horse idea. I have installed these on the Main and Mizzen Top-Sail Yards only, less work, less stress.... 🙂 That's me for the mo.... Cheers....HOF. Photos:

Thanks Jan, I think that sometimes I can't see the wood for the trees.... I do recall seeing this in Flying Fish instructions I downloaded years ago. I'll have a go once I have completed the remainder of the Flying Cloud Yards. The time spent on this task will give me more time to ponder my approach. Cheers and Regards, Harry.

Hi All, An issue, (Opportunity?), that I have currently, and one that has been playing on my mind is how do I install the Lower Channels and locate Chainplates within the Channels ensuring the correct angle of the Chainplate with respect to Shrouds/Backstays? Installation and placement of the Upper Channels was pretty much a "No Brainer." Kit instructions/plans show the installation of a "Chainplate Support," a 2.0 X 3.0mm strip to act as the Lower Channel. You would think this to be the simplest option. I had a tinker with this yesterday and it doesn't really seem to be.... For a start, the upper Channels are 1.5mm thick, 2.0mm Lower Channels are way too thick. Secondly, the spacing from Hull to Chainplate, (Chainplate hanging "Plumb" from the Upper Channel, varies from about 3.0mm, (Fore), 2.0mm, (Main) and 2.5mm (Mizzen)) One solution that I thought about, make a clone of the Upper Channels. (Lower Channel Width reduced of course.) The problem with this is that the slots that I would need in the Lower Channel would not allow for the angle of the individual Chainplate with respect to Shrouds/Backstays. (Chainplates would be "Vertical." The only other solution that I can think of is to omit the Lower channels altogether. (That would make my life a whole lot simpler.... 🙂) There are 72 Chainplates in total. So, what do others do? 😗 I am a bit "Stumped." Cheers... HOF. A couple of photos of the Fore Channels: (Channel Cap is "Pinned" only.)