toms10

Hi everyone.   I managed to get some time to add a few more sails this past week. I read somewhere, I believe it was in Winfield’s book about 50 gun ships that this boat has over 7 miles of rope. At first I thought “wow”. Now I am beginning to appreciate what 7+ miles of rope really means. I hope the establishment over estimated! 😂😜
 
it is getting pretty tight in some areas getting the lines tied to their respective belaying pins. In hind sight I should have waited to put on the mast backstays. 
 

 
Tom

Hi everyone.   I managed to get some time to add a few more sails this past week. I read somewhere, I believe it was in Winfield’s book about 50 gun ships that this boat has over 7 miles of rope. At first I thought “wow”. Now I am beginning to appreciate what 7+ miles of rope really means. I hope the establishment over estimated! 😂😜
 
it is getting pretty tight in some areas getting the lines tied to their respective belaying pins. In hind sight I should have waited to put on the mast backstays. 
 

 
Tom

Hi everyone.   I managed to get some time to add a few more sails this past week. I read somewhere, I believe it was in Winfield’s book about 50 gun ships that this boat has over 7 miles of rope. At first I thought “wow”. Now I am beginning to appreciate what 7+ miles of rope really means. I hope the establishment over estimated! 😂😜
 
it is getting pretty tight in some areas getting the lines tied to their respective belaying pins. In hind sight I should have waited to put on the mast backstays. 
 

 
Tom

Making some progress. All the yards and sails on the fore mast are in and rigged except for the braces and the course sheet and tack lines. As I mentioned earlier, those would seem to get in the way as I continue on.  On the fore mast I started with the royal yard and worked my way down. I think this time with the main yards I will put the furled course in before the main top staysail. It was a bit tight rigging up the truss lines on the fore course yard assembly with the jib sail installed.  I am getting better at working with a pair of tweezers in each hand to tie off lines on belaying pins. 
 
I am currently putting up the main top gallant and middle staysails. Then I will furl a sail onto the main course and mount that assembly…. I think. 😜
 
I also need to clean up all the excess lines on the belaying pins on the forecastle and then make rope coils to hang on the pins. 
 
Somebody mentioned a while ago when I finished the hull, decking and fittings that I was 50% the way to the finish line. Boy they weren’t kidding.  With sails and all I am starting to think 50% was generous. 😀. 
 
Here is a pic of where I am now. It’s not the best pic as there is a lot of background clutter and it’s a bit difficult to see the model details but hey, it was 10PM. 😀

 
Hopefully my spring chores have quieted down to a dull roar so I can make some serious progress. 
 
Tom

Hi everyone.   I managed to get some time to add a few more sails this past week. I read somewhere, I believe it was in Winfield’s book about 50 gun ships that this boat has over 7 miles of rope. At first I thought “wow”. Now I am beginning to appreciate what 7+ miles of rope really means. I hope the establishment over estimated! 😂😜
 
it is getting pretty tight in some areas getting the lines tied to their respective belaying pins. In hind sight I should have waited to put on the mast backstays. 
 

 
Tom

Hi everyone.   I managed to get some time to add a few more sails this past week. I read somewhere, I believe it was in Winfield’s book about 50 gun ships that this boat has over 7 miles of rope. At first I thought “wow”. Now I am beginning to appreciate what 7+ miles of rope really means. I hope the establishment over estimated! 😂😜
 
it is getting pretty tight in some areas getting the lines tied to their respective belaying pins. In hind sight I should have waited to put on the mast backstays. 
 

 
Tom

A bunch of people were PMing me about what he will offer.....I have this from his website under development.....wood sheets.  He is starting with just these three species as he is awaiting delivery of others like Swiss Pear and Walnut etc.   As he gets organized and gets the other stuff I will let you know.   I asked him to sign up here and he will be a sponsor of MSW too.....just takes time to get it all off the ground.

 
and strips will be for sale....
 

So all those folks who were reluctant to sign up for the Winnie project because you couldnt mill your own strips.   This should solve that issue.  Its gonna be a week or so before he opens up for orders.
 
Chuck

Just a heads up. A new company…actually a one man shop like Hobbymill is starting up in the USA.  Finally another source to by stripwood and sheets of precision milled wood.  
 
His name is Joe Volpe.  He will start off slow increasing the species he offers over time.
 
To start,  He will be offering Boxwood, Cherry and Alaskan Yellow Cedar.  Joe is the guy who currently mills all of my wood for Syren Ship Model.  He has decided to open up to everyone.  He also has some swiss Pear coming soon. 
 
He is finalizing the website and I will announce when he opens.  No online store as its going to be very similar to Jeff at Hobbymill.  You send Joe an email with what you need and he will give you a price.  You pay via PayPal and he lets you know when the order ships.  At least for now anyway.
 
Joe is a really nice guy and mills with precision.  I am very happy with his product and if you ever bought wood from me then you have seen his work.
 
I encourage you to give him a try once he opens.
 
 

Once he gets going he will join MSW as a member so he can get to know his customers.  I will keep giving updates.

Making some progress. All the yards and sails on the fore mast are in and rigged except for the braces and the course sheet and tack lines. As I mentioned earlier, those would seem to get in the way as I continue on.  On the fore mast I started with the royal yard and worked my way down. I think this time with the main yards I will put the furled course in before the main top staysail. It was a bit tight rigging up the truss lines on the fore course yard assembly with the jib sail installed.  I am getting better at working with a pair of tweezers in each hand to tie off lines on belaying pins. 
 
I am currently putting up the main top gallant and middle staysails. Then I will furl a sail onto the main course and mount that assembly…. I think. 😜
 
I also need to clean up all the excess lines on the belaying pins on the forecastle and then make rope coils to hang on the pins. 
 
Somebody mentioned a while ago when I finished the hull, decking and fittings that I was 50% the way to the finish line. Boy they weren’t kidding.  With sails and all I am starting to think 50% was generous. 😀. 
 
Here is a pic of where I am now. It’s not the best pic as there is a lot of background clutter and it’s a bit difficult to see the model details but hey, it was 10PM. 😀

 
Hopefully my spring chores have quieted down to a dull roar so I can make some serious progress. 
 
Tom

Making some progress. All the yards and sails on the fore mast are in and rigged except for the braces and the course sheet and tack lines. As I mentioned earlier, those would seem to get in the way as I continue on.  On the fore mast I started with the royal yard and worked my way down. I think this time with the main yards I will put the furled course in before the main top staysail. It was a bit tight rigging up the truss lines on the fore course yard assembly with the jib sail installed.  I am getting better at working with a pair of tweezers in each hand to tie off lines on belaying pins. 
 
I am currently putting up the main top gallant and middle staysails. Then I will furl a sail onto the main course and mount that assembly…. I think. 😜
 
I also need to clean up all the excess lines on the belaying pins on the forecastle and then make rope coils to hang on the pins. 
 
Somebody mentioned a while ago when I finished the hull, decking and fittings that I was 50% the way to the finish line. Boy they weren’t kidding.  With sails and all I am starting to think 50% was generous. 😀. 
 
Here is a pic of where I am now. It’s not the best pic as there is a lot of background clutter and it’s a bit difficult to see the model details but hey, it was 10PM. 😀

 
Hopefully my spring chores have quieted down to a dull roar so I can make some serious progress. 
 
Tom

Hi Dave,
 
I am in the midst of my Caldercraft 1:72 Victory, and had the same questions as I approached the ratlines.  I wasn't happy with the rope supplied with the kit, so I made my own using Coats Quilt+ 100% cotton thread and Chuck's Syren Rope Rocket.  The thread mics up  at about 0.010", and has little or no fuzz. The smallest diameter rope I could make with the thread is two turns, which makes a rope about 0.013" dia.  I tried that as ratlines, but it looked too big ( at scale of 1:72 it would have been almost an inch in diameter).  So, I opted to use a single thread of the Coats for the ratlines.  I developed a method (not saying it's right, but it worked for me).  I wanted to have each ratline terminate at the 1st and last shrouds with a spliced eye, and clove hitches on the intermediate shrouds.  I made the eyes by piercing the thread at one end, making a loop to form the eye.  I then wetted the line with 50/50 Elmer's School Glue and stretched it taut.  Elmer's SG has the property that it dries hard and clear, but will soften again when dampened.  To begin, I started on the right-hand shroud (only because I am right-handed) and lashed the eye in place. Note that having a pattern in the background is a must, as is placing temporary spreaders at points up and down the shroud set to prevent pulling them out of alignment.  Lightly dampen the line with wet fingers to soften it as you work. Place the clove hitches on the shrouds as you work your way towards the left.  When you get to the last shroud, lash the line in place, then pierce the thread again to make the final eye in place.  Put a dab of Elmer's at either end at the eye splices to hold them in vertical position according to your background pattern. Don't worry too much about the vertical position of the intermediate knots; they will slide up and down the shrouds slightly later on when you do the final alignment.  After all is done, a final 50/50 wash with the Elmer's darkened with a little black paint locks everything in place.
 
I know this sound involved, but I'll add a few pix to show what I mean.  If it interests you, let me know and I'll post some more details on the methods used to make and install the ratlines.
Regards,
Ted

Making some progress. All the yards and sails on the fore mast are in and rigged except for the braces and the course sheet and tack lines. As I mentioned earlier, those would seem to get in the way as I continue on.  On the fore mast I started with the royal yard and worked my way down. I think this time with the main yards I will put the furled course in before the main top staysail. It was a bit tight rigging up the truss lines on the fore course yard assembly with the jib sail installed.  I am getting better at working with a pair of tweezers in each hand to tie off lines on belaying pins. 
 
I am currently putting up the main top gallant and middle staysails. Then I will furl a sail onto the main course and mount that assembly…. I think. 😜
 
I also need to clean up all the excess lines on the belaying pins on the forecastle and then make rope coils to hang on the pins. 
 
Somebody mentioned a while ago when I finished the hull, decking and fittings that I was 50% the way to the finish line. Boy they weren’t kidding.  With sails and all I am starting to think 50% was generous. 😀. 
 
Here is a pic of where I am now. It’s not the best pic as there is a lot of background clutter and it’s a bit difficult to see the model details but hey, it was 10PM. 😀

 
Hopefully my spring chores have quieted down to a dull roar so I can make some serious progress. 
 
Tom

Making some progress. All the yards and sails on the fore mast are in and rigged except for the braces and the course sheet and tack lines. As I mentioned earlier, those would seem to get in the way as I continue on.  On the fore mast I started with the royal yard and worked my way down. I think this time with the main yards I will put the furled course in before the main top staysail. It was a bit tight rigging up the truss lines on the fore course yard assembly with the jib sail installed.  I am getting better at working with a pair of tweezers in each hand to tie off lines on belaying pins. 
 
I am currently putting up the main top gallant and middle staysails. Then I will furl a sail onto the main course and mount that assembly…. I think. 😜
 
I also need to clean up all the excess lines on the belaying pins on the forecastle and then make rope coils to hang on the pins. 
 
Somebody mentioned a while ago when I finished the hull, decking and fittings that I was 50% the way to the finish line. Boy they weren’t kidding.  With sails and all I am starting to think 50% was generous. 😀. 
 
Here is a pic of where I am now. It’s not the best pic as there is a lot of background clutter and it’s a bit difficult to see the model details but hey, it was 10PM. 😀

 
Hopefully my spring chores have quieted down to a dull roar so I can make some serious progress. 
 
Tom

Making some progress. All the yards and sails on the fore mast are in and rigged except for the braces and the course sheet and tack lines. As I mentioned earlier, those would seem to get in the way as I continue on.  On the fore mast I started with the royal yard and worked my way down. I think this time with the main yards I will put the furled course in before the main top staysail. It was a bit tight rigging up the truss lines on the fore course yard assembly with the jib sail installed.  I am getting better at working with a pair of tweezers in each hand to tie off lines on belaying pins. 
 
I am currently putting up the main top gallant and middle staysails. Then I will furl a sail onto the main course and mount that assembly…. I think. 😜
 
I also need to clean up all the excess lines on the belaying pins on the forecastle and then make rope coils to hang on the pins. 
 
Somebody mentioned a while ago when I finished the hull, decking and fittings that I was 50% the way to the finish line. Boy they weren’t kidding.  With sails and all I am starting to think 50% was generous. 😀. 
 
Here is a pic of where I am now. It’s not the best pic as there is a lot of background clutter and it’s a bit difficult to see the model details but hey, it was 10PM. 😀

 
Hopefully my spring chores have quieted down to a dull roar so I can make some serious progress. 
 
Tom

Making some progress. All the yards and sails on the fore mast are in and rigged except for the braces and the course sheet and tack lines. As I mentioned earlier, those would seem to get in the way as I continue on.  On the fore mast I started with the royal yard and worked my way down. I think this time with the main yards I will put the furled course in before the main top staysail. It was a bit tight rigging up the truss lines on the fore course yard assembly with the jib sail installed.  I am getting better at working with a pair of tweezers in each hand to tie off lines on belaying pins. 
 
I am currently putting up the main top gallant and middle staysails. Then I will furl a sail onto the main course and mount that assembly…. I think. 😜
 
I also need to clean up all the excess lines on the belaying pins on the forecastle and then make rope coils to hang on the pins. 
 
Somebody mentioned a while ago when I finished the hull, decking and fittings that I was 50% the way to the finish line. Boy they weren’t kidding.  With sails and all I am starting to think 50% was generous. 😀. 
 
Here is a pic of where I am now. It’s not the best pic as there is a lot of background clutter and it’s a bit difficult to see the model details but hey, it was 10PM. 😀

 
Hopefully my spring chores have quieted down to a dull roar so I can make some serious progress. 
 
Tom

Making some progress. All the yards and sails on the fore mast are in and rigged except for the braces and the course sheet and tack lines. As I mentioned earlier, those would seem to get in the way as I continue on.  On the fore mast I started with the royal yard and worked my way down. I think this time with the main yards I will put the furled course in before the main top staysail. It was a bit tight rigging up the truss lines on the fore course yard assembly with the jib sail installed.  I am getting better at working with a pair of tweezers in each hand to tie off lines on belaying pins. 
 
I am currently putting up the main top gallant and middle staysails. Then I will furl a sail onto the main course and mount that assembly…. I think. 😜
 
I also need to clean up all the excess lines on the belaying pins on the forecastle and then make rope coils to hang on the pins. 
 
Somebody mentioned a while ago when I finished the hull, decking and fittings that I was 50% the way to the finish line. Boy they weren’t kidding.  With sails and all I am starting to think 50% was generous. 😀. 
 
Here is a pic of where I am now. It’s not the best pic as there is a lot of background clutter and it’s a bit difficult to see the model details but hey, it was 10PM. 😀

 
Hopefully my spring chores have quieted down to a dull roar so I can make some serious progress. 
 
Tom

Making some progress. All the yards and sails on the fore mast are in and rigged except for the braces and the course sheet and tack lines. As I mentioned earlier, those would seem to get in the way as I continue on.  On the fore mast I started with the royal yard and worked my way down. I think this time with the main yards I will put the furled course in before the main top staysail. It was a bit tight rigging up the truss lines on the fore course yard assembly with the jib sail installed.  I am getting better at working with a pair of tweezers in each hand to tie off lines on belaying pins. 
 
I am currently putting up the main top gallant and middle staysails. Then I will furl a sail onto the main course and mount that assembly…. I think. 😜
 
I also need to clean up all the excess lines on the belaying pins on the forecastle and then make rope coils to hang on the pins. 
 
Somebody mentioned a while ago when I finished the hull, decking and fittings that I was 50% the way to the finish line. Boy they weren’t kidding.  With sails and all I am starting to think 50% was generous. 😀. 
 
Here is a pic of where I am now. It’s not the best pic as there is a lot of background clutter and it’s a bit difficult to see the model details but hey, it was 10PM. 😀

 
Hopefully my spring chores have quieted down to a dull roar so I can make some serious progress. 
 
Tom

Hi John,
The furled sail is actually only one layer of painted silk span folded and rolled. I am going to add the lower corners of the sail where the clew cringles are separately. I will cut out triangles of the full 3 ply thickness so I have an edge to glue the bolt rope to. I can then tie the clew block to the cringle then take the whole “assembly” and tuck the upper end into the furled  sail with some glue. At least that is plan A. 😜😁
 
Tom

Hi John,
The furled sail is actually only one layer of painted silk span folded and rolled. I am going to add the lower corners of the sail where the clew cringles are separately. I will cut out triangles of the full 3 ply thickness so I have an edge to glue the bolt rope to. I can then tie the clew block to the cringle then take the whole “assembly” and tuck the upper end into the furled  sail with some glue. At least that is plan A. 😜😁
 
Tom

Have not spent a lot of time actually working on the model the last couple of weeks. Did manage to rig most of the fore topsail and get the fore course sail bent and furled to the yard. Took a couple of shots to get the furl looking somewhat correct but I think it is passable. My original thought and attempt was to “drape” the sail about a third of the way down but I could not get it to look like it was loosely draped. It just looked too stiff. 
 
Now I can mount the fore course yard and continue on to the main mast yards.... after I finish laying the 100 feet of pavers for my front side walk, cut the grass, plant the shrubs and the beat goes on. 😜

 

 
Just looking at the top sail pic, the color or the upper sails look white. They are actually unbleached titanium which is more a hemp color. Next time I will try for a more realistic picture with my phone. 

Tom

Hi John,
The furled sail is actually only one layer of painted silk span folded and rolled. I am going to add the lower corners of the sail where the clew cringles are separately. I will cut out triangles of the full 3 ply thickness so I have an edge to glue the bolt rope to. I can then tie the clew block to the cringle then take the whole “assembly” and tuck the upper end into the furled  sail with some glue. At least that is plan A. 😜😁
 
Tom

Have not spent a lot of time actually working on the model the last couple of weeks. Did manage to rig most of the fore topsail and get the fore course sail bent and furled to the yard. Took a couple of shots to get the furl looking somewhat correct but I think it is passable. My original thought and attempt was to “drape” the sail about a third of the way down but I could not get it to look like it was loosely draped. It just looked too stiff. 
 
Now I can mount the fore course yard and continue on to the main mast yards.... after I finish laying the 100 feet of pavers for my front side walk, cut the grass, plant the shrubs and the beat goes on. 😜

 

 
Just looking at the top sail pic, the color or the upper sails look white. They are actually unbleached titanium which is more a hemp color. Next time I will try for a more realistic picture with my phone. 

Tom

Have not spent a lot of time actually working on the model the last couple of weeks. Did manage to rig most of the fore topsail and get the fore course sail bent and furled to the yard. Took a couple of shots to get the furl looking somewhat correct but I think it is passable. My original thought and attempt was to “drape” the sail about a third of the way down but I could not get it to look like it was loosely draped. It just looked too stiff. 
 
Now I can mount the fore course yard and continue on to the main mast yards.... after I finish laying the 100 feet of pavers for my front side walk, cut the grass, plant the shrubs and the beat goes on. 😜

 

 
Just looking at the top sail pic, the color or the upper sails look white. They are actually unbleached titanium which is more a hemp color. Next time I will try for a more realistic picture with my phone. 

Tom

Have not spent a lot of time actually working on the model the last couple of weeks. Did manage to rig most of the fore topsail and get the fore course sail bent and furled to the yard. Took a couple of shots to get the furl looking somewhat correct but I think it is passable. My original thought and attempt was to “drape” the sail about a third of the way down but I could not get it to look like it was loosely draped. It just looked too stiff. 
 
Now I can mount the fore course yard and continue on to the main mast yards.... after I finish laying the 100 feet of pavers for my front side walk, cut the grass, plant the shrubs and the beat goes on. 😜

 

 
Just looking at the top sail pic, the color or the upper sails look white. They are actually unbleached titanium which is more a hemp color. Next time I will try for a more realistic picture with my phone. 

Tom