James Pitt

dan........there's a reason 70 year old neophytes like me appreciate guys like you.......you've been there, I do still have a tough time using CA on knots, it leaves a white residue, the diluted white glue is better but of course slower so I guess patience is the the bottom line

james

my word sir is not enough to come close to your work here......the only itty bitty thing I can offer, is as a fisherman I use split shot to help take the tension out of line for anchors, or other  heavy  standing rigging...just take a .25 ounce and let it hang on the piece for a few days then use it after all the tension is released

appreciate your post

james

geez thibaultron..........ill look into that, I don't stand very well, and if that table can get lower than my waist then I can work from the top down, almost like stqnding up only sitting down

cw , thanks.......cotton is correct, I do plan a trip to my local hobby store for dowels, and by "Chuck" do you mean Passaro?

james

capnharv:  Im new here but mentioned that I save the Styrofoam packing blocks out of big box purchases and cut and form them to fit my project.  Stackable, light, and reusable

james

Hi james here...........getting back into this ship modeling business I bought solid hull Elsie and Sultana.  In the meanwhile Ive been "practicing on the plastic Black Swan......which I am hybridizing(sic).  At any rate I do not want to use the plastic sails or shrouds(ratlines).  So any suggestions regarding placing my own yards and spars?  Ive not done that before, but as I say, this is a practice project.  I know I can use the plastic parts for reference.  I have Jackstay, Mastini, and Lankford, but from what Ive seen here......you folks put all that to practical use.....

thanks

james

If interested, there is quite a selection of castroviejos(all quality and $ range) on amazon.  I believe they even offer the 90 degree instrument.  I know they are strong and will last, there are times when Ive walked into the ophthalmology OR and found them imbedded into the floor or the non tile part of the wall........short tempered Doc's...................I got to bring those home

james

Hi......worked in ophthalmology for several years.......also consider Castroviejo or Westcott tenotomy or iridectomy scissors,,,,,,,,these are inexpensive, incredibly sharp, and in cataract surgery are used once and thrown out.  No pesky finger loops.  For cotton or whatever line can be used over and over,

james

gezz what a load of knowledge.........and I thought I was smart(for about 10 minutes)........please let me add two things.......whenever I get something at a big box store I save the Styrofoam.....it can be shaped to make a great cradle for the hull and if you don't cut it down too far, it makes a handy place to stick your most often used tools.  #2......hard to find, but worth it..........older wine bottles had their corks wrapped in lead, this is really useful for mast banding and all sorts of small detail work

my .02 cents

james

well then, I have to say im starting on plastic to find my way around ship modeling, and working at the same time with Elsie and Sultana.  Ive done a lot of armor and must commend docidle on his washes, that's terrific stuff, and off to ccoyle, I think I might find Clint Eastwood and the Baxters around that thread somewhere.......gringo

jp, new member, old guy, new experience here with modeling.........followed your progress and you are an inspiration to a neophyte like me.....there are some great projects on this site and pretty cool folks too.....  but this build and growth, into this museum piece is terrific, im inspired and thank you for sharing

james

cw......Im working on the black swan now, just getting ready to start rigging.  I am leaving some parts off and adding others.  Trying to make a "hybrid".  Interesting to read about scratching the masts.......I'm going to try and scratch out the shrouds and ratlines as I don't like the plastic and frankly need the practice.  But please tell me about the sails.  The plastic are out for me, they hide too much and look, well, bad.  What material did you use,  I was considering furling the square sails with some very lite material.  Btw, I also went dark on the color scheme.....I'd like to send a pic, how's that done.....with a digital camera.....with a iphone?

Airfix Golden Hinde  1/72 is next for me, then on to Model Shipways

thanks    james