toms10

Hello again MSW,
After finishing my first build (Constellation) by AL I finally decided on a second adventure.  I finally mustered up the courage and decided to do a scratch build of the HMS Leopard.  I had come across the plans and for a first scratch build it seemed to have all the ingredients to test my abilities.  There seemed to be plenty of information available to guide me along with my MSW friends so I went for it.
 
Naturally, I have the 50 Gun Ship book by Rif Winfield.  I took the 1:96 plans that came with it and enlarged them up to 1:85 scale.  The 1:96 was just a bit small to me.  I scaled it up to 1:72 and it was bigger than I have room for so I split the difference and ended up at 1:85... same as my Constellation.  Working in an engineering office, I have access to the CAD program Solidworks so I transferred the 1:96 measurements from the drawing to the CAD and just played with the scale until I liked it.  I have been researching, planning and drawing frames for the past month so there is not much to show at this point. Scratch building is forcing me to learn tons of information on ship building practices which is not a bad thing.
 
My plan is to build the model with both frames and bulkheads.  The reason is I want to cut away the center area of the hull on one side to show some of the Orlop and Lower deck arrangements.  I figured I have the plans/layouts so why not use them.  I will use frames in the area of the cutout and bulkheads on both ends since these areas will not be seen inside.  Below is a sketch of my thoughts.  The area inside the heavy outline will be the cut away area.

 
Here also are some pics of the frame work I am playing with now.  Band saws and belt sanders will be busy!


 
Next is to design the fore and aft bulkheads and the deadwood layout.  If I do this right, the summer when the shipyard is open as much,  will be spent designing and roughing out the skeleton.  Then when the New England winter sets in I will have plenty to keep me busy.
 
Hope you enjoy the build,
Tom
 

Jack,
Very sorry to hear the news about your brother.  My condolences to you and his family.
Tom

Jack,
Very sorry to hear the news about your brother.  My condolences to you and his family.
Tom

Jack,
Very sorry to hear the news about your brother.  My condolences to you and his family.
Tom

Jack,
Very sorry to hear the news about your brother.  My condolences to you and his family.
Tom

Good morning.

Good morning.

Hi  Aviaamator.

Good morning.

Hello all,
 
after building the Dragon, I'm starting now the blog about building the Tiger from 1747.
 
The Tiger was a 60 gunner after the 1745 establisment. Last year I ordered the plans for the 60 gunners of the 1745 establishment, but learned later that all the 6 ships, build after that plan, where all a little different. So I decided to build the Tiger and that, because it was the only plan that shows also the artwork of the ship. Interessting is also, that they moved the captains cabin sometimes down to the upper deck! There was more space.
http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections.html#!csearch;searchTerm=Tiger_(1747) Here you could see the plans.
 
Then last fall I went to Chatham to see two models of 60 gunners, the Centurion and a unspecified ship (SLR0442 SLR0472). Both ships from the 1730s, but the models are made ca. 1745/47. They will be my reference for the Tiger.
 
And because I had build the Dragon already with frames, I decided to be lazy and build in the bulwark technique. So I started early this year with the hull and that he is.
 

 

 

 
 
 
But before I started with the hull, I made the figure head. Just to see if I could do it after pause for a year. 
 

 
And before the questions come, with what did you do the carving, here is most of it to see. Just with hand tools. To the right you see Leo the second.
 

 
And here is Leo III. From toe to crown hi is 9 cm high, in reality he was 4,5 m high  
 

 

 

 
Here Leo did a sit sample. The guy in the background it's me. 
 

 

 
The next steps would be to close the counter and then made the cannon ports. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Agree that is a great price BUT refusing to ship is a let down.  Why not just advertise locally so you don’t raise the heart rate of us old farts.

His site is up and still at the "old" address:   http://www.crowntimberyard.com/

Cornwall is my "go-to" supplier for many of my modeling needs. Excellent service, reasonable prices.

Hi Jim,
Really nice idea and job on the cross trees.  The overall look of the project is really coming out nice.  Someday I will start rigging but not anytime soon.  Especially at the pace I am going.  On the bright side your log is making a great reference for me.  Thanks for sharing.
Tom

Hello Tom   It’s been awhile  but have to say your ship is absolutely brilliant  great job on all the fine work    I may not be modeling but I try to keep looking at a few projects 

Very ingenious, Tom.  Looks good and since it works well..that makes it great.     Try some sealer on the guns..might help with the grain problem. I ran into that recently on a none ship project.

Hi Tom,
 
Great work on that lathe.  Sliding dovetail for different lengths of workpiece . . . and I particularly like your hi-tech, super-sophisticated  variable speed control!
If it works, it works! . . . so why any need for expensive machinery when sometimes basic is best.

I finally got around to finishing up the on/off switch on my homemade lathe.  Attached are some pics and a video.  As I mentioned earlier, total cost was $15 for the drill from Harbor Freight and a $7 on/off outlet switch.

 
 
Tom

I finally got around to finishing up the on/off switch on my homemade lathe.  Attached are some pics and a video.  As I mentioned earlier, total cost was $15 for the drill from Harbor Freight and a $7 on/off outlet switch.

 
 
Tom

Thanks Louie,
Yeah, I can't see spending all that money on a purchased lathe with all the bells when simplicity and basics will more than do. I guess all that design and manufacturing engineering college stuff is finally paying off!    The cannon barrels are 24 pounders at 1:85 scale.  The pic below is a prototype assembly.  After painting with a satin black acrylic paint you can still see the wood fiber if you look close.  This barrel was only done with a fine file and minimal sanding.  I am sure that with more care sanding with a 320 grit they will come out much smoother.  These cannons are first attempt and will be on the main gun deck. They will only be seen through the breakaways in the upper deck and side of the hull so the finish will suffice.

Tom

I finally got around to finishing up the on/off switch on my homemade lathe.  Attached are some pics and a video.  As I mentioned earlier, total cost was $15 for the drill from Harbor Freight and a $7 on/off outlet switch.

 
 
Tom

Hey Jack,
Another ice boat... you are a trend setter!
Tom

Hi Jim,
Really nice idea and job on the cross trees.  The overall look of the project is really coming out nice.  Someday I will start rigging but not anytime soon.  Especially at the pace I am going.  On the bright side your log is making a great reference for me.  Thanks for sharing.
Tom

Hey Jack,
Another ice boat... you are a trend setter!
Tom

After several attempts I finally have a stern balcony... at least the center section.  The ends and side spindles just attached on the side windows should be much easier, at least that is what I keep telling myself.  Just need to mount the balcony to the stern, sure, that should be easy.

Tom,
 
Hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday season!