NMBROOK

This side now planked between wales,gunports roughed out and given a rough sanding.Final finish sanding a little later when the other side is complete.I am kind of liking the 'clean' look,I may rethink the treenailing
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

OK a little bit of an update
Planking work is progressing extremely slowly.All boxwood planks have been glued with aliphatic resin but I have reverted to epoxy for the Ebony 'Black strake'.Slow going as it works out at four parallel planks from lower chainwale down to the black strake.These planks have to conform to the sheer and many compound curves of the hull.Some severe clamping techniques have been employed to allow this.Various 'dogs' have been spot glued to the hull allowing the use of wedges and 'stops' have been spot glued to get the planks to follow the sheer.These are only obechi so are easy to break off and sand flush.The pencil line represents the waterline,which is in abeyance yet as to whether I will splice the ebony/boxwood along this line.
Received my Brynes drawplate this week ,fixings will be boxwood on boxwood and copper on the ebony.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

It has been a little hectic at work,but I have managed to finally get in the shipyard this weekend
After much deliberation and the fact I now own a Brynes drawplate,I have decided to proceed with treenailing .This is being done exclusively in boxwood and includes the areas of Ebony.This contrast I noticed on the upper areas of Dr Mike's L'Ambiteux and is a feature I particularly like.I did a small area to get an idea of the finished result and have now started the mass drill and insertion.The idea with doing this as I go along is that I have the bulkheads as a guide and also to relieve what would be a mega monotonous job when the hull is fully planked.Also it is easier to sand smooth prior to fitting the wales above and below this section.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

It has been a little hectic at work,but I have managed to finally get in the shipyard this weekend
After much deliberation and the fact I now own a Brynes drawplate,I have decided to proceed with treenailing .This is being done exclusively in boxwood and includes the areas of Ebony.This contrast I noticed on the upper areas of Dr Mike's L'Ambiteux and is a feature I particularly like.I did a small area to get an idea of the finished result and have now started the mass drill and insertion.The idea with doing this as I go along is that I have the bulkheads as a guide and also to relieve what would be a mega monotonous job when the hull is fully planked.Also it is easier to sand smooth prior to fitting the wales above and below this section.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Thank you Brian and Bob I purchased boxwood 'stringing' from Original Marquetry in the UK.It comes in various square sizes from 3.2mm down to 0.8mm which is what I used in this instance.It easily fits in the drawplates largest hole.It comes in 1 metre lengths.The first ten or so holes in the drawplate progressively remove the corners,then the diameter starts to be reduced.Had I wanted larger nails,then I would have to use larger section.These nails are 31 thou which is a reasonably snug fit for a 0.8mm hole.I plan on taking the nails down to whatever works best in a 0.5mm hole for the decks etc.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

It has been a little hectic at work,but I have managed to finally get in the shipyard this weekend
After much deliberation and the fact I now own a Brynes drawplate,I have decided to proceed with treenailing .This is being done exclusively in boxwood and includes the areas of Ebony.This contrast I noticed on the upper areas of Dr Mike's L'Ambiteux and is a feature I particularly like.I did a small area to get an idea of the finished result and have now started the mass drill and insertion.The idea with doing this as I go along is that I have the bulkheads as a guide and also to relieve what would be a mega monotonous job when the hull is fully planked.Also it is easier to sand smooth prior to fitting the wales above and below this section.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

treenailing Looks really nice Nigel,
 
Nils

Nigel,
 
Lovely work. Treenails are a perfect addition to this already excellent build.
 
Michael

It has been a little hectic at work,but I have managed to finally get in the shipyard this weekend
After much deliberation and the fact I now own a Brynes drawplate,I have decided to proceed with treenailing .This is being done exclusively in boxwood and includes the areas of Ebony.This contrast I noticed on the upper areas of Dr Mike's L'Ambiteux and is a feature I particularly like.I did a small area to get an idea of the finished result and have now started the mass drill and insertion.The idea with doing this as I go along is that I have the bulkheads as a guide and also to relieve what would be a mega monotonous job when the hull is fully planked.Also it is easier to sand smooth prior to fitting the wales above and below this section.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Thank you Brian and Bob I purchased boxwood 'stringing' from Original Marquetry in the UK.It comes in various square sizes from 3.2mm down to 0.8mm which is what I used in this instance.It easily fits in the drawplates largest hole.It comes in 1 metre lengths.The first ten or so holes in the drawplate progressively remove the corners,then the diameter starts to be reduced.Had I wanted larger nails,then I would have to use larger section.These nails are 31 thou which is a reasonably snug fit for a 0.8mm hole.I plan on taking the nails down to whatever works best in a 0.5mm hole for the decks etc.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

It has been a little hectic at work,but I have managed to finally get in the shipyard this weekend
After much deliberation and the fact I now own a Brynes drawplate,I have decided to proceed with treenailing .This is being done exclusively in boxwood and includes the areas of Ebony.This contrast I noticed on the upper areas of Dr Mike's L'Ambiteux and is a feature I particularly like.I did a small area to get an idea of the finished result and have now started the mass drill and insertion.The idea with doing this as I go along is that I have the bulkheads as a guide and also to relieve what would be a mega monotonous job when the hull is fully planked.Also it is easier to sand smooth prior to fitting the wales above and below this section.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Good looking nails.  What size stock do you start with and how do you get it down to a rod to use in the drawplate?

Looking great Nigel. I'm glad that you went with the treenails. It's a look that I like.
 
Bob

It has been a little hectic at work,but I have managed to finally get in the shipyard this weekend
After much deliberation and the fact I now own a Brynes drawplate,I have decided to proceed with treenailing .This is being done exclusively in boxwood and includes the areas of Ebony.This contrast I noticed on the upper areas of Dr Mike's L'Ambiteux and is a feature I particularly like.I did a small area to get an idea of the finished result and have now started the mass drill and insertion.The idea with doing this as I go along is that I have the bulkheads as a guide and also to relieve what would be a mega monotonous job when the hull is fully planked.Also it is easier to sand smooth prior to fitting the wales above and below this section.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

This side now planked between wales,gunports roughed out and given a rough sanding.Final finish sanding a little later when the other side is complete.I am kind of liking the 'clean' look,I may rethink the treenailing
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Excellent work Nils  The propshaft housings look fantastic as does the rudder.Plating the housings will no doubt create a different set of 'fun and games'
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

It has been a little hectic at work,but I have managed to finally get in the shipyard this weekend
After much deliberation and the fact I now own a Brynes drawplate,I have decided to proceed with treenailing .This is being done exclusively in boxwood and includes the areas of Ebony.This contrast I noticed on the upper areas of Dr Mike's L'Ambiteux and is a feature I particularly like.I did a small area to get an idea of the finished result and have now started the mass drill and insertion.The idea with doing this as I go along is that I have the bulkheads as a guide and also to relieve what would be a mega monotonous job when the hull is fully planked.Also it is easier to sand smooth prior to fitting the wales above and below this section.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

It has been a little hectic at work,but I have managed to finally get in the shipyard this weekend
After much deliberation and the fact I now own a Brynes drawplate,I have decided to proceed with treenailing .This is being done exclusively in boxwood and includes the areas of Ebony.This contrast I noticed on the upper areas of Dr Mike's L'Ambiteux and is a feature I particularly like.I did a small area to get an idea of the finished result and have now started the mass drill and insertion.The idea with doing this as I go along is that I have the bulkheads as a guide and also to relieve what would be a mega monotonous job when the hull is fully planked.Also it is easier to sand smooth prior to fitting the wales above and below this section.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

It has been a little hectic at work,but I have managed to finally get in the shipyard this weekend
After much deliberation and the fact I now own a Brynes drawplate,I have decided to proceed with treenailing .This is being done exclusively in boxwood and includes the areas of Ebony.This contrast I noticed on the upper areas of Dr Mike's L'Ambiteux and is a feature I particularly like.I did a small area to get an idea of the finished result and have now started the mass drill and insertion.The idea with doing this as I go along is that I have the bulkheads as a guide and also to relieve what would be a mega monotonous job when the hull is fully planked.Also it is easier to sand smooth prior to fitting the wales above and below this section.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Nigel,
 
thank you for your nice words....., very much appreciated,
I am momentarily considering the ponce-size for the "riveting"......
my favorite Ponce structure is like I did for the "Heinrich Kayser" Steamer, but that was in scale 1:96. For scale 1:144 it might be a wee bit too large, but it would Show a clear riveted Skin structure, even when the paint is on later.
 
Nils

Build log part 13
 
 
a little update...
 
applying a bit of filler for blending out transitions and putting on the transom knee-rail around the stern...
 
Nils
 
 

 
pencil mark for the transom rail
 

 
 

 
 

 
nice smooth hull now...
 
 

 
blending out of the propshaft housings
 
 

 
the lines of an early  "Blue Riband racer"
 
 

 
the transom knee rail is of brass, in order to resist / avoid later dents from knocking against...
Glued and fixed to the hull with 15 brass anchors 0,6 mm diam.
 
 
 
 

update....
 
some trials for promenade-deck  / boat-deck windows.....
 
This one of the pics that Peter (Mr. Hollom) sent me with the old couple in front of the deckhouse with the windows concerned, inspired me at least to try do it in scale 1:144 and in brass.
 
This is the result of the first trial (yet without glassing)..., before the glassing comes in, the background of the "pans" are painted silver-grey, for glassing I intend to place resin into the frame, that cures without shrinking and remains completely transparent in the frames
 
The window is a vertical doubleframe with common mounting flange and 3 hinges sidewise for the larger frame and 2 hinges on top of the smaller frame. Its completely made of brass, if I could, and had the capability,  I would have etched it out of plate....
 
The reason for doing this trial now, is because there may come some ideas for improvements for better looking, and when the lot is made, there will be round about 80 - 100 windows to make in repeatable mode
 
Nils
 

 
double-frame window type
 
 

 
common frames are made from hollow brass square rod resp. rectangular rod, I soldered both together and cut slices....
 
 

 
soldered onto a common plate (mounting flange) and glued the hinges on (three sidewise , two at the top)
 
 

 
the two horizontal pencil-lines resemble the deck levels on the little mock up sample and the handrail is directly under the window
 
 

 
the model figurerine is only 12 mm high

Update...
 
its time to get the rudder further on..
two cladding brass sheets are soldered together on the aft edge, top and bottom a narrow triangle piece is soldered in, and that fits on the already installed hinged skeleton.
 
Nils
 
 

 
the rudder is preliminary mounted. The propshaft housings are faired down to a smooth and a little smaller diameter
 
 

 
here the tapered rudder can be seen
 
 

 
rudder full starboard....
 
 

 
and midship....
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
ready for primering, now the portside rudder must be done to the same status...

Build log part 12
 
 
 
today I did some preliminary trials for the portholes, Size, glassing, mounting in plated planked hull...... It suits scale 1:144, whereby the actual porthole inner diameter, when opened should pass a man through (in case of fire on the ship)
 
The hollow rivets are from brass with galvanized tin coating. The hollow inside diameter is 2,4 mm
The "glassing" is cut from a 2,4 mm diam. grass trimmer line, where the cut surface face becomes tranparent. A mini drop of low viscosity CA at the far end secures the safe fit to the hollow rivet tube
 
The critical part is to drill through the plating foil without destorting it, by cutting a clean round hole through plating-foil and wood of the hull
 
I`m quite happy with the results so far
 
Nils
 
 

 
The figure`s hight is 12mm, the hight from deck to deck will be 19-20mm
The "glassing" stands back appr. 0,5 mm from the outer rivet face
 
 

 
it is important to get a clean cut through the plating foil
 
 

 
 

 
a little cutt off end of the grass trimmer line goes into the hollow rivet, secured with a tiny drop of CA
 
 

 
for cutting through the foil I use a brass tube with sharpened end on one side, slid over a centering drill....., the function is: cut the foil clean, center and drill through the models planking with the other side of the centering drill
 
 

 
remove the cut out foil piece from the tube with a pointed tweezer
 
 

 
my special "tool"
 
 

update, deckstringers glued in...
 
will have to adjust the sheerline a bit bothsides before cutting the "waists" fore and aft, where portiones of  "one deck lower" will be installed. These deckportions in the sides outcuts area will be pre-planked before mounting.... The forecastle deck outer area will be remarkably rounded downwards to the sides sheerline, which is characteristic for this liner
 
 
Nils
 
 

 
all the wooden beams that are under the deck later on will not be visible, therefore no need (exept for the hight related outcuts and slots)  to have precision joint fittings here
 
 

 
the upper sides of the deckbeams will be excactly faired to suit the deck curvatures, resp. rest on the side sheers
 
 

 
I just weighed the hull at this stadium : 1550 Gramm
 
 
 
 

the rather narrow bowpost (2mm) is blended out to transit into the  keel (5 mm), flush with the planking
 
 

 
the transition area (vertical planking to horizontal planking) will be further faired shortly before the plating takes place
 
 

 
one of the three sleeve holes through the keel for the M4 galvanized steel pedestal spindels of the stand