David Lester
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Posts
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David Lester got a reaction from UpstateNY in USS Constitution by David Lester - FINISHED - Model Shipways
Hi Everyone,
Here's an update of where I'm at at the moment. The deck is refinished and most of the details have been added. Missing from this picture are the skylight, capstan and wheel, all of which are all ready and just need to be added. I'm going to build the horse blocks too, but will wait until the rail has been added, because they attach to it. I'm still undecided about the flemish coils. I might make a few and set them in place without gluing them before I decide.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from mrshanks in USS Constitution by David Lester - FINISHED - Model Shipways
Hi Everyone,
Here's an update of where I'm at at the moment. The deck is refinished and most of the details have been added. Missing from this picture are the skylight, capstan and wheel, all of which are all ready and just need to be added. I'm going to build the horse blocks too, but will wait until the rail has been added, because they attach to it. I'm still undecided about the flemish coils. I might make a few and set them in place without gluing them before I decide.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from Elijah in USS Constitution by David Lester - FINISHED - Model Shipways
Hi Everyone,
Here's an update of where I'm at at the moment. The deck is refinished and most of the details have been added. Missing from this picture are the skylight, capstan and wheel, all of which are all ready and just need to be added. I'm going to build the horse blocks too, but will wait until the rail has been added, because they attach to it. I'm still undecided about the flemish coils. I might make a few and set them in place without gluing them before I decide.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from CaptainSteve in USS Constitution by David Lester - FINISHED - Model Shipways
Hi Everyone,
Here's an update of where I'm at at the moment. The deck is refinished and most of the details have been added. Missing from this picture are the skylight, capstan and wheel, all of which are all ready and just need to be added. I'm going to build the horse blocks too, but will wait until the rail has been added, because they attach to it. I'm still undecided about the flemish coils. I might make a few and set them in place without gluing them before I decide.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from GuntherMT in USS Constitution by David Lester - FINISHED - Model Shipways
Hi Everyone,
Here's an update of where I'm at at the moment. The deck is refinished and most of the details have been added. Missing from this picture are the skylight, capstan and wheel, all of which are all ready and just need to be added. I'm going to build the horse blocks too, but will wait until the rail has been added, because they attach to it. I'm still undecided about the flemish coils. I might make a few and set them in place without gluing them before I decide.
David
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David Lester reacted to GuntherMT in USN Picket Boat #1 by GuntherMT - Model Shipways - scale 1:24
Another itty bitty update.
I beveled the stern bulkheads and glued them in place, then added a few little bits that don't show up in the photo's very well (side braces between the 2nd and 3rd bulkhead and a brace between the pieces on either side of the keel under the last stern bulkhead).
Then I got the rest of the bulkheads cut out and cleaned up some of the laser char. For those building this kit in the future, *warning* these things are extremely fragile and if you forget to support the side of the bulkhead you are working on and try to hold it from the other side, they absolutely WILL break at the center. Don't ask how I know this.
Primed with Vallejo Air grey primer, and then painted with Vallejo Air "US Blue Grey" using an airbrush.
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David Lester reacted to DocBlake in Independence 1775 by DocBlake - Artesania Latina - 5/16" scale.
The quarterdeck treenailing is complete.
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David Lester reacted to KenW in Rattlesnake by KenW - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Scale 1:64 - American Privateer
I’ve planked the forecastle deck and I’m pleased with the results. I think that the tree nailing is the best I’ve managed to do - certainly the best on this model. (In the photo, the yellow coloring means I have to do more sanding.) So, it’s on to the next challenge.
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David Lester reacted to GuntherMT in USN Picket Boat #1 by GuntherMT - Model Shipways - scale 1:24
As promised at the beginning of this log, very slow progress!
I've beveled the bow bulkheads and the two pieces that go forward of the first bulkhead, and glued them all in place and added reinforcements to the bulkhead joints.
I did the beveling for the bulkheads on my 1" belt sander with 300 grit belt, and then finished to the lines with a sanding block by hand. For the bow pieces ahead of the first bulkhead I used a sharp chisel and then finished with a sanding block.
I'll do the final fairing in place using planking strips.
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David Lester got a reaction from Elijah in Independence 1775 by DocBlake - Artesania Latina - 5/16" scale.
That looks really beautiful Dave.
I also took a good look at Clare Hess' build log which you referred to. It's a very nice build too. I'm probably a good year away from finishing Constitution, then I have the Rattlesnake waiting in the wings and now you're causing me to think about my next one after that. Oh dear.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from WackoWolf in Independence 1775 by DocBlake - Artesania Latina - 5/16" scale.
That looks really beautiful Dave.
I also took a good look at Clare Hess' build log which you referred to. It's a very nice build too. I'm probably a good year away from finishing Constitution, then I have the Rattlesnake waiting in the wings and now you're causing me to think about my next one after that. Oh dear.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from mrshanks in Independence 1775 by DocBlake - Artesania Latina - 5/16" scale.
That looks really beautiful Dave.
I also took a good look at Clare Hess' build log which you referred to. It's a very nice build too. I'm probably a good year away from finishing Constitution, then I have the Rattlesnake waiting in the wings and now you're causing me to think about my next one after that. Oh dear.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from mrshanks in Independence 1775 by DocBlake - Artesania Latina - 5/16" scale.
Hi Dave,
Your planking is looking great. I really like the look of this ship. For some reason I'm always most drawn to the American ships of this era. With your attention to detail this will be a really beautiful model.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from mtaylor in Independence 1775 by DocBlake - Artesania Latina - 5/16" scale.
That looks really beautiful Dave.
I also took a good look at Clare Hess' build log which you referred to. It's a very nice build too. I'm probably a good year away from finishing Constitution, then I have the Rattlesnake waiting in the wings and now you're causing me to think about my next one after that. Oh dear.
David
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David Lester reacted to DocBlake in Independence 1775 by DocBlake - Artesania Latina - 5/16" scale.
I finished the boxwood planking on the quarterdeck and poop deck and gave the planking a rough sanding. I'll finish up the fo'c'sle and then add the treenails. I figure about 600 in all for the 4 decks.
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David Lester got a reaction from Elijah in USS Constitution by MEPering - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 (5/32"=1'0") - First build
Looks like you're in great shape. Those chisels (and the skill to use them) are ideal for this job.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from Bill Hime in USS Constitution by MEPering - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 (5/32"=1'0") - First build
Hi Matt,
The notches on the bow blocks are a pain to do, but there is another approach that I discovered and it works well. Make the blocks about 1/8" too short, then make a new piece 1/8" thick with the same profile as the top of the block and cut the notches into this separate piece. After the notches are cut, just glue it on top. That way you'll get very crisp edges on the notches. The picture below shows what I mean.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from Elijah in USS Constitution by MEPering - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 (5/32"=1'0") - First build
Hi Matt,
You'll find a couple of things like this throughout the build where the plans don't seem to line up with reality exactly right. I had a bit of trouble with the profile of the counter and another area where you will find this problem is the side galleries. They aren't especially difficult to build, but the piece that is the roof of the gallery is too short as shown on the plans. I debated what to do and in the end decided to make and add a filler piece at the aft end of the roof. It's about 1/8" if I remember correctly. I decided I wanted the front end of the roof to line up more or less where I thought it should in relation to the gunport that it's very close too. Overall though, I agree with you that it's a pretty nice kit and it gets easier as you find the "work arounds" for these little issues.
Davdi
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David Lester got a reaction from Eddie in Trabakul by donrobinson - FINISHED - MarisStella - 1:32 scale
Hi Don,
The trellis turned out well. Thanks for asking. I used a plan I've had kicking around for a long time. It's a pyramid freestanding trellis, technically call a "tuteur", but that seems a bit too lah-di-dah, so I'm just calling it a trellis.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from Eddie in Trabakul by donrobinson - FINISHED - MarisStella - 1:32 scale
Hi Don,
I've been following along with interest.
I noticed your comments about balsa vs basswood. I prefer basswood regardless of the price. I ordered some balsa for my Constitution filler blocks, but quickly abandoned it. I find it hard to carve, despite its being soft. It tends to break off in chunks unless you're very careful. I went back to the basswood which isn't hard to carve and gives pretty nice results.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from CaptainSteve in USS Constitution by MEPering - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 (5/32"=1'0") - First build
Looks like you're in great shape. Those chisels (and the skill to use them) are ideal for this job.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from EJ_L in USS Constitution by MEPering - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 (5/32"=1'0") - First build
Looks like you're in great shape. Those chisels (and the skill to use them) are ideal for this job.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from WackoWolf in USS Constitution by MEPering - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 (5/32"=1'0") - First build
Looks like you're in great shape. Those chisels (and the skill to use them) are ideal for this job.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from Elijah in USS Constitution by MEPering - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 (5/32"=1'0") - First build
Hi Matt,
The notches on the bow blocks are a pain to do, but there is another approach that I discovered and it works well. Make the blocks about 1/8" too short, then make a new piece 1/8" thick with the same profile as the top of the block and cut the notches into this separate piece. After the notches are cut, just glue it on top. That way you'll get very crisp edges on the notches. The picture below shows what I mean.
David
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David Lester got a reaction from MEPering in USS Constitution by MEPering - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 (5/32"=1'0") - First build
Looks like you're in great shape. Those chisels (and the skill to use them) are ideal for this job.
David
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