WackoWolf

More like the north-bound Pony Express Rider

I've run into that with their tracking system also, Jack.  Sometimes it shows "delivered" and due to distance, that's impossible.  Othertimes, the materials have shown up at my door and the tracking doesn't show "delivered" for a couple of days.   Very strange.   I wonder if they missed the truck north? 

Russ I have a Michaels about 5 miles from here but it's supply of basswood and balsa wood is pathetic - the nearest Hobby Lobby is an hour away (one-way).  I contacted ModelExpo and they sent me an email saying the replacement parts had been shipped May 9th with a USPS tracking number. Problem is the stuff never left the USPS "Origin" center in Florida - filed a complaint today with USPS - they promised a reply in 2 business days. So we'll see. Normally the USPS is pretty good about delivering stuff from ModelExpo and others, but this time something messed up.

You do not have a Hobby Lobby or Michaels in the general area? I raid my local Hobby Lobby for basswood strips regularly.
 
Russ

Well, the resupply of my wood seems to be either lost in Opa Locka Fla in the USPS Origin Facility or it's coming up the Atlantic Coast in a dugout canoe . It was scheduled for delivery yesterday but seems to be lost. USPS is investigating so we will wait. Guess I can work on other deck structures or masts in the meantime
 

Thanks Mark, Carl, Russ.
 
Mark: No it's not operational. The entire thing is several Britannia  white metal castings I had to glue together - devil of a time doing that too - none of my clamps would work, kept twisting the pieces - finally resorted to weighting it down with a small (1"x1") steel machinist block - Used CA Medium 5-15 sec glue - glue worked fine once I could hold the parts together till the glue set.
 
Carl: I'm using the new <to me> Vallejo brand paints (oily steel for the winch) - sprayed it with a thin coat of Testors primer then applied the Vallejo paint with a brush - then hit it with Testors Dullcote to dull it down - I think I need another coat of Dullcote - still looks "shiny". I like the Vallejo paints but still getting used to using them - really miss the old Floquil paints tho, they were great.

Looking good, Jack.  Does the winch actually worK?  Looks like it might.

Small Update:
 
Finished the assembly and painting of the winder, painted the two barrels. Working on the wheel house while I wait for the re-supply from Model Expo which was supposed to arrive today according to the US Postal Service tracking site but the site hasn't been updated since May 10th when it shown the package had arrived at the "Origin Facility" in Opa Locka Fla at 1:53 AM. So I wait and fiddle.
 
Pictures follow:

Intricate work Mark, love the rudder detailing and the rudder coat looks spot on now.
 
B.E.

Thanks for the comments and likes and for looking in.   
 
I've spent the last 4 days, working on the two main windows and tweaking the frames for the galleries.  The top was too far outboard and the windows didn't lean inward.   I've also done several iterations of the two rearmost windows to get the fit.  Here's were I am this weekend.   The windows will get cleaned up more (laser char) and then glazed before installing.  I'm going with full glazing as I think it will look better.  I'll also add the planking between them and finalize the forward most window.   I'm hoping that it will have the 3 panes wide but we'll have to see.  I'm thinking that this window was overall narrower than the other two with rectangular panes instead of square-ish.
 
Here's the pictures.  The first picture shows the "lean" that I was talking about with the red lines for emphasis.  The other two just show the window placement.
 

 
 

Hello,
thanks for the comments and likes and for looking in. 
Here I show the to cut out of the raw locks
and another images of the interior works of the gig.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Thanks for that insight into how your build was, David.  I rechecked and rechecked my measurements, and every thing seems kosher here.  I thought I might have not made my counter deep enough, but it is spot on.  I did compare my unmodified transom frames with the drawing, and noticed and extra bit of length, but it shouldn't have been enough to justify the almost 1/8th inch error I have.  I think I will finish the port side gun ports while I think about it.
 
Following is a picture or two of the starboard side gun ports.  They are glued in now, and if I had it to do over again, I would probably not build the gun deck ports off-ship.  I would probably stick build them in place if I were to do it again.  There is really no advantage to making them separately, and they require a bit of adjustment while fitting each one for gluing.  I made myself more work, in other words.  But what is done is done.  I should have the port side completed to this same point in 2 days though, if nothing of momentous importance rears it's ugly head.
 
I did take a moment to stand back and really look at what progress I have made to this point, since it is 4 days short of a month since I started this build log.  I know I am not a fast builder, and I realize I am trying to take my time building this ship.  But I thought I would have been further along by now.  And then I stopped and really thought about it.  I considered how many parts had to be scratch built, and just how many there were.  I figured it was about 150 parts in the ship total to this point.  I decided that I should count them, and see how many were actually there, and figure out how many were actually needed to bring both sides to where the starboard side is now.  I was genuinely surprised.
 
In 2 more days, I will have 352 parts glued up.  That includes the transom frames.  At this moment, I have 262 parts in place, most of which have been custom cut for their unique space.  I really had no idea so much went into these ships, but it is a pleasant surprise.  It has been a very satisfying trip.  I really have to commend you all who take on this challenge.  It is a lot of work.  Fun work, nonetheless.    I know I will have a lot of fairing to do... lol.
 
Anyway, here are the pics:
 
Matt
 
 

Hi Aydin.
A excellent start to your build.
I have to agree with Keith statement regarding the none flush reinforcing bits.
Looks to be a super kit.
And nice use of your new building jig/board.
Keep the photos and comments coming.
 
Regards Antony.

On we go, with another small update and a bit of progress on the Cheerful.
 
First I completed the rabbet strip at the stern.

 
Next up I cleaned up the laser-cut boxwood parts that form the stem, and glued them together.  Frank showed me these clamps that he used from Lee Valley so I ordered some for myself.  They are really great little clamps and I believe they'll be seen a lot during my build logs!

 
Next up, I transferred the bearding line to the side of the former that didn't have the line laser-etched into it, and then using a chisel and some sand paper I did the beveling at the stern from the bearding line to the rabbet strip.  Not sure it's perfect, but it's as good as I think I'll get it, and I believe it should work fine.

 
I really didn't accomplish anything else yet, but I did dry fit the keel parts to verify that things are tracking good for a nice fit.
 
From that photo, and indeed from looking at things in person, the appearance is that the keel is pretty flat.  However, flipping the aft portion of the keel over so that it is upside-down reveals the truth!

 
Hopefully I will have time tomorrow to complete the keel and the tree-nailing that goes into it, and get it glued up to the former, after which I can start looking at the bulkheads.
 
Thanks for all the visits, likes, and comments everyone, and see you next time, whenever that is!

Hi.
I agree Bob . But saying that most of the builds on MSW are unique as people add little bits to the ships that make them special.
 
I have a change of plan... as so to speak.
Instead of having a cutaway my sons has convinced me it would be better to have the roof and the second deck lift off.
This will be easy because there are four pillars at each corner of the ship. Location of the roof and second deck will be easy.
Not sure on how the masts will cope with this... make have them fixed to the roof and second deck. We will have to work that out as the build continues.
Have put the base on temporary to allow the oars and other objects to be placed on the ship.
Started working on the roof supports. Have cut then out but made them longer to allow bispoke fitting.
No photos on this post as posting on my tablet. Will post them next time ime on the PC.
 
Regards Antony.

You are off to a great start. The kit and the plans looks to be top notch, like Antony I have pull up a chair. I like what Anthony said about the walk and not seeing any people, I could really enjoy not being bother by anyone, don't like being bother. Keep the post and picture coming,I am still in love with the building board, been have images going through my mind all the time about it. It really has me thinking LOL

You are off to a great start. The kit and the plans looks to be top notch, like Antony I have pull up a chair. I like what Anthony said about the walk and not seeing any people, I could really enjoy not being bother by anyone, don't like being bother. Keep the post and picture coming,I am still in love with the building board, been have images going through my mind all the time about it. It really has me thinking LOL

I am still to this day ASSUMING that I hit the lottery LOL

Now that even better

And from the price that Mark seen on Amazon it is more than worth it.

Thanks Mark, nice to know. I have been having dreams about that. I really like the idea of being able to turn it around. Now that to me is wicked cool.

Now that even better

And from the price that Mark seen on Amazon it is more than worth it.

Thanks Mark, nice to know. I have been having dreams about that. I really like the idea of being able to turn it around. Now that to me is wicked cool.

I just got caught up on your build and I must say that you are off to a great start. I will agree with you and others that your kit does appear to have top notch parts in it as well as the laser cut pieces. I was just having a conversation on my own build about how often times kits are missing pieces or the quality is not the best and so we often have to replace items. You do not appear to have that issue which is great!
 
I do hope you can make her "sea worthy" as it would be really nice to see her in action on the water when completed.
 
I have pulled up my chair to join the others and follow along.