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Louie da fly

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  • Gender
    Male
  • Location
    Ballarat, Australia
  • Interests
    History, particularly the Middle Ages

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  1. I think this is likely to be a difficult build, but if you have the passion and patience to stick with it, and ask lots of questions, you should be able to make a success of it. I've seen other people do equally difficult ships as their first build - it's mainly a matter of not giving up when it gets difficult, but persisting, getting help and advice and also recognising that you will make mistakes - it's part of the process, and not letting that stop you. I'm pretty sure there are already build logs on MSW for the same model. Look at them carefully (you can access them via the Search bar at the top right of this page) and learn all you can from what others did. And ask lots of questions if you hit difficulty. With persistence I'm sure you will be able to produce a model you can be proud of. Best wishes, Steven
  2. Sooner you than me, mate "Penultimate" = second last - the one before the last one. "Antepenultimate" - third last - the one before the one before the last one. As in "her antepenultimate breath" at 2:04 in the Flanders and Swann song "Have Some Madiera M'dear"
  3. Beautiful work, and a beautiful vessel, Patrick. As usual your handiwork is superb. She's taking shape beautifully, and looks just like I'd imagined she would have in real life. Steven
  4. Oh, I don't know. If Woolies was gone, Coles would effectively have a monopoly. But I'm sure they wouldn't take advantage if that to hike the prices up . . . (irony). Back to the subject at hand. A-a-a-and - IT WORKED! In the event, I used a coping saw to cut it off instead of a fretsaw. It seemed like a better tool for the job. Very much heart in mouth, with the lathe at the slowest speed and gently pressing with the saw as the work rotated. But - voila! Success! (very pleased - I'd been very worried that sawing the wheel off the base would destroy it, but it's turned out just as I'd hoped.) Steven
  5. Pat, I may end up using a wider bladed saw. Depends what's available. But I also need very fine teeth if I don't want to destroy the thing. I'm using toothpicks for the posts that support the awning - at least for the smaller model - and they work well. For the larger one, bamboo skewers or something similar. Andrew, the NAAFI is of course famous from the Highly Esteemed Goon Show. But with the motorised paddles and pool I really think you're asking a bit more than I had in mind . . . Steven
  6. Coincidence - I was just watching a thing on TV of Martin Clunes (who lives in Dorset) and a self-described "lady novelist" doing the rounds of the county seeing places mentioned in various books (especially Thomas Hardy's novels). Beautiful place, Dorset. I missed out when I was in the UK - we went to Hampshire and Somerset but never got to Dorset. Looks like we need to go back sometime. A paddlesteamer sounds really interesting. Have fun with it, and make sure you start a build log so we can see your progress. The people on MSW are very friendly and helpful, so don't hesitate to ask questions if you hit problems. And photos! Post lots of photos! Steven
  7. Keith, I intend to mount it back into the lathe and slice it off (carefully) with a traditional fretsaw (very fine blade) as the lathe turns. Steven
  8. To me it looks better sailing, without the oars in the water. Nice work. Steven
  9. And here's the ship's wheel; just waiting for the glue to dry and I can cut it off its base. Should happen on Monday. Wish me luck! Steven
  10. Here are 13 hulls, awnings and 'verandahs' (promenade decks?). And the thing with all the clamps on it is the promenade deck for the big model - I'm gradually adding planks; one or two each day. Plus the deck fittings for the wheel and what I think is storage. And the wheel itself under construction. I cheated with this. I asked a fellow Men's Shedder to turn it on the lathe because I don't have the skills. You can see the little holes in the sides for the handles. Once they're in place I'll slice it off its substructure and we should have a wheel instead of a cylinder. Steven
  11. That looks wonderful, Kondzik. A build to be truly proud of. Steven
  12. Glen, 'chuffed' means pleased. You can be mildly chuffed or extremely chuffed. I think they were near the top end of the scale. One asked me if it would be possible to get his yacht model repaired, others were very interested in the idea of selling the models to the public - lots of people come here from Melbourne and have a nice trip in the lake in the paddlewheeler. What nicer than to then buy a model of the boat? Roger, I agree about the cost factor. The wood is donated - we have far more than we know what to do with, and the machinery to cut it to size. I'm hoping I can figure out a jig to make mass production easier. Oh, and 13 is just the start! Steven
  13. Thanks for the likes and comments everybody. I got into preparing multiple 1:50 hulls today - I think I have about 13 made so far. But I only have half a dozen "verandahs" and awnings so far, so I've got some catching up to do. Also working on the sort of roll-top desk thingy (see photo No. 3 in post #18 above) for the big model - it supports the wheel on the full-sized vessel, but I'm only doing the wheel for the big one. I have a cunning plan for how to make it. It remains to be seen whether it will work. Pat, 3D printing would certainly save time and effort, but as I have absolutely no experience or equipment I expect I'll just build up the seats and gates with strips of wood (and they're free!) Steven
  14. I was invited to take the almost-complete 1:50 model along to the meeting of the Golden City Paddle Steamer Museum Society (the group of volunteers who own and run the Golden City) so they could have a look at it. They were all very chuffed with it, thought it was brilliant, loved the idea of selling 1:50 models to visitors as a fundraiser. And wanted to know if the big (1:25) model would be ready to display in time for the "season" (they only run the full-sized one on the lake from October to April due to Australia being upside down and having winter in June.) I wasn't able to give a definite undertaking because of uncertainties in what problems might arise in building the big one, but just between you and me I think it's quite possible. They even have a big glass display case (museum-sized) which they recently acquired and in which they plan to display it. All rather positive. Now I actually have to deliver the goods! Steven
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