NMBROOK

Got the old girl outside today for a few pics, it was such a gorgeous day.  Rigging will probably continue to look a bit scrappy until everything is in place (maybe thats why this tends to be a less photographed stage of any build).  I'm following the principle of avoiding tying things off until absolutely necessary to try to avoid things getting in the way, and continuing to work from stern to bow - its serving me well so far.
 
The main topmast with the shrouds and stays rigged, its quite the stack.  Backstays have not been finally secured.

 
Main stay and preventer stay arrangement - these will be finally tensioned and tied off later.  The violin blocks do look rather clunky despite trying to round these off.

 
Couple of overall shots - she does still look as if she has her curlers in with all the loose line!

Thanks for kind words and likes guys.  The garden/yard and kids sports seem to be taking up most non-working hours, but little progress.  I have all the top and topgallant masts shaped and finished, but before rigging the various shrouds it seems to make sense to get the slings in place as these would be challenging with shrouds fixed.
 
Followed Lever pretty closely on this, and again used a bullseye from BlueJacket.  The other advantage doing this now is that the sling can be made off of the ship a slipped over the topmast cross trees once finished.  I followed the plan and used 0.75mm line,  but was initially thinking it would not look bulky enough.  Once served it looks better and I think in keeping with something capable of supporting a main yard (?)
 
One question I noodling over - I've definitely seen in pictures of other (larger) vessels where there is a shaped, grooved saddle that helps the lie of the sling over the hard cap edges.  Lever however simply shows the slings resting on the mast cap, as I have here.  Is one any more correct than the other, or is it possibly a big ship/small 'ship' thing?
 

 

 
 

Have been working to get the fine tuning fit and shape of the various masts.  Its definitely taking some time to fine tune the fitting of the masts with the various modifications, its amazing how things that seem to be square single result in quite a bit of skew when finally assembled.
 
Picture to close out on the jeers, although I still have the foremast ones to finalise.  These seem to be easier to do before the top masts go in.
 

 
One possible problem that has come to light after getting the mizzen topmast in place.  Everything seemed to be looking good until I put the shrouds in place (these go through holes in the cross tree rather than ending in a deadeye).  I followed the rigging on plan 3 closely which shows the position of the futtock stave.  However,  then end result looks very odd, with the shrouds being too vertical below the cross tree.
 
After seeing this I double checked to plan 5 which shows the position of the various spars, and it appears that these are possibly inconsistent.  My understanding is that the futtock stave would be placed at the level of the yard so the catharpins can most effectively keep the shrouds from interfering with the yard operation.  Taking all that into account, I think what I need to do is relocate the futtock stave higher to be level with the placement of the cross jack yard.  This would then give the futtock shrouds a better lie (see added red lines below).
 
Before I commit to this (it probably involves some risk as well) I did want to see if I'm misunderstanding this or looking at it the wrong way, or just others thoughts/opinions.  As always, comments are most welcome.
 

 
Futtock shrouds look very odd with currently positioned staves, proposed relocation in red...

I have had a bit of an eye opener.Whilst 'mocking up my stern to see how the Quarter gallery castings match up to the transom,I had a bit of a shock.What appears to be one single casting is around seventeen individual pieces hand riveted together!!!!That care and attention to detail I find astounding in the kit market.To think I was going to discard the castings     .
Pictures to follow tomorrow to illustrate the point.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

I have had a bit of an eye opener.Whilst 'mocking up my stern to see how the Quarter gallery castings match up to the transom,I had a bit of a shock.What appears to be one single casting is around seventeen individual pieces hand riveted together!!!!That care and attention to detail I find astounding in the kit market.To think I was going to discard the castings     .
Pictures to follow tomorrow to illustrate the point.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Sorry to hear of your redos Dave and your ear problems.
I can share my personal experience of ear problems with you to put your mind at rest.I was continually plagued with ear infections since birth and had gromits fitted many times.When I was 18 I approached a specialist to see what could be done.The infections had destroyed my left ear drum almost entirely and I am nearly stone deaf in my left ear.However,I was referred to a surgeon,he grafted skin from above my ear and reconstructed my ear drum.It hasn't cured the deafness,that is attributed to damage much further inside,but,touch wood,I haven't had an ear infection worth mentioning in twenty five years!!
Still no good at swimming though,that was the ones games activity I always had to be excused from as a kid!
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

I will have to agree to disagree with you on that one Dave   Personally I use a preposterous number of coats of paint with flatting in between to achieve the glass like finish you are trying to avoid Shiny not good but smooth yes is my preference.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Sorry to hear of your redos Dave and your ear problems.
I can share my personal experience of ear problems with you to put your mind at rest.I was continually plagued with ear infections since birth and had gromits fitted many times.When I was 18 I approached a specialist to see what could be done.The infections had destroyed my left ear drum almost entirely and I am nearly stone deaf in my left ear.However,I was referred to a surgeon,he grafted skin from above my ear and reconstructed my ear drum.It hasn't cured the deafness,that is attributed to damage much further inside,but,touch wood,I haven't had an ear infection worth mentioning in twenty five years!!
Still no good at swimming though,that was the ones games activity I always had to be excused from as a kid!
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

I have had a bit of an eye opener.Whilst 'mocking up my stern to see how the Quarter gallery castings match up to the transom,I had a bit of a shock.What appears to be one single casting is around seventeen individual pieces hand riveted together!!!!That care and attention to detail I find astounding in the kit market.To think I was going to discard the castings     .
Pictures to follow tomorrow to illustrate the point.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

I have had a bit of an eye opener.Whilst 'mocking up my stern to see how the Quarter gallery castings match up to the transom,I had a bit of a shock.What appears to be one single casting is around seventeen individual pieces hand riveted together!!!!That care and attention to detail I find astounding in the kit market.To think I was going to discard the castings     .
Pictures to follow tomorrow to illustrate the point.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

I have had a bit of an eye opener.Whilst 'mocking up my stern to see how the Quarter gallery castings match up to the transom,I had a bit of a shock.What appears to be one single casting is around seventeen individual pieces hand riveted together!!!!That care and attention to detail I find astounding in the kit market.To think I was going to discard the castings     .
Pictures to follow tomorrow to illustrate the point.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Thank you Patrick and Nigel In fact,thanks to everyone again who has commented or hit the like button.Your support and understanding has made me feel comfortable with decision.I think I need to be realistic and put the quest for historical exactness and fully framed builds on hold till I retire Just get back to basics and enjoy this great hobby for what it is,I no longer have the freetime to take things as seriously as I have been doing and actually complete something in a realistic timeframe.
Far too many models I wish to make,infact I just bought some plans for a vessel the other day They had to go in the stash as the kit manufacturer has gone down the pan due to fire,but if I do build her it will be in a decent scale to match Chris Watton's Victory.The kit was pretty bang on for authenticity,Mamoli just got the date and history wrong Do also wonder whether she is supposedly the vessel featured in Les Miserables as she was indeed wrecked in drydock
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

I will have to agree to disagree with you on that one Dave   Personally I use a preposterous number of coats of paint with flatting in between to achieve the glass like finish you are trying to avoid Shiny not good but smooth yes is my preference.
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Sorry to hear of your redos Dave and your ear problems.
I can share my personal experience of ear problems with you to put your mind at rest.I was continually plagued with ear infections since birth and had gromits fitted many times.When I was 18 I approached a specialist to see what could be done.The infections had destroyed my left ear drum almost entirely and I am nearly stone deaf in my left ear.However,I was referred to a surgeon,he grafted skin from above my ear and reconstructed my ear drum.It hasn't cured the deafness,that is attributed to damage much further inside,but,touch wood,I haven't had an ear infection worth mentioning in twenty five years!!
Still no good at swimming though,that was the ones games activity I always had to be excused from as a kid!
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Sorry to hear of your redos Dave and your ear problems.
I can share my personal experience of ear problems with you to put your mind at rest.I was continually plagued with ear infections since birth and had gromits fitted many times.When I was 18 I approached a specialist to see what could be done.The infections had destroyed my left ear drum almost entirely and I am nearly stone deaf in my left ear.However,I was referred to a surgeon,he grafted skin from above my ear and reconstructed my ear drum.It hasn't cured the deafness,that is attributed to damage much further inside,but,touch wood,I haven't had an ear infection worth mentioning in twenty five years!!
Still no good at swimming though,that was the ones games activity I always had to be excused from as a kid!
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Thank you Patrick and Nigel In fact,thanks to everyone again who has commented or hit the like button.Your support and understanding has made me feel comfortable with decision.I think I need to be realistic and put the quest for historical exactness and fully framed builds on hold till I retire Just get back to basics and enjoy this great hobby for what it is,I no longer have the freetime to take things as seriously as I have been doing and actually complete something in a realistic timeframe.
Far too many models I wish to make,infact I just bought some plans for a vessel the other day They had to go in the stash as the kit manufacturer has gone down the pan due to fire,but if I do build her it will be in a decent scale to match Chris Watton's Victory.The kit was pretty bang on for authenticity,Mamoli just got the date and history wrong Do also wonder whether she is supposedly the vessel featured in Les Miserables as she was indeed wrecked in drydock
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Build log part 8
 
 
starting with the geometry of the hinge mechanism of the underwater- rudder.....
 
 
Nils
 
 

 
first the obligatory handscetch....
 
 

 
the skeleton of the rudder bears the frame and will be sidewise cladded with brass sheet
 
 

 
the other part (flat post) goes to the sternpost. 
 
 

 
Here I pushed a 1 mm drill in as preliminary pivot-pin
 
 
 

 
The permanent fixed bilgekeels are mounted
 
 

 
four 13 mm planks are put on each side
 
 

 
will fit the raw, hinged rudder skeleton in place next, and then mount the tail cone filler pieces
 

well Popeye,
 
in that case you need some strong arguments, for saving money, and for making the planks in the dimensions you need (thickness, width, length, etc...     
added are some pics I shot under my carport, where I do the plank sawing now and then.
The electric circular hand saw has a blade with tungsten teethtips, and I mount everthing on my mobil work bench. I`m taking in account, that the automatic shut-off is disabled when I "pull the trigger" with this big clamp-peg I put on it, when it runs.
 
cheers,
 
Nils
 

 
the raw material for cutting the planks from are kept under my carport roof
 
 

 
the handsaw "converted" to a table saw (mounted from underneath)
 
 

 
The desired width of the planks is subject to the raw plank thickness chosen for cutting from
 
 

 
to activate the trigger I have to reach under the workbench
   
 
 

 
This clamp peg I put over the trigger in the saw`s handle (for safety reasons this ca`nt be recommended, utmost caution must be given during operation !!     ​ )
 
 

Sorry to hear of your redos Dave and your ear problems.
I can share my personal experience of ear problems with you to put your mind at rest.I was continually plagued with ear infections since birth and had gromits fitted many times.When I was 18 I approached a specialist to see what could be done.The infections had destroyed my left ear drum almost entirely and I am nearly stone deaf in my left ear.However,I was referred to a surgeon,he grafted skin from above my ear and reconstructed my ear drum.It hasn't cured the deafness,that is attributed to damage much further inside,but,touch wood,I haven't had an ear infection worth mentioning in twenty five years!!
Still no good at swimming though,that was the ones games activity I always had to be excused from as a kid!
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Sorry to hear of your redos Dave and your ear problems.
I can share my personal experience of ear problems with you to put your mind at rest.I was continually plagued with ear infections since birth and had gromits fitted many times.When I was 18 I approached a specialist to see what could be done.The infections had destroyed my left ear drum almost entirely and I am nearly stone deaf in my left ear.However,I was referred to a surgeon,he grafted skin from above my ear and reconstructed my ear drum.It hasn't cured the deafness,that is attributed to damage much further inside,but,touch wood,I haven't had an ear infection worth mentioning in twenty five years!!
Still no good at swimming though,that was the ones games activity I always had to be excused from as a kid!
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Thanks Mark and Matti Yes I do enjoy my new position although some nights when things don't go to plan and I pull my hair out,I question why I applied for the position .
I feel happier in myself that I have a clear 'vision' for this model and although I will be using the kit castings,I feel the small changes and the choice of timbers should produce something unique.I am keeping it under wraps for now things will be revealed as I progress .
I even toyed with fitting the kit 'dummy' cannons but as I have a full lower deck,reasoned this was a step too far back.Complete cannon assemblies have now been ordered.They won't be rigged as I am now fully planking the decks,but do look better when viewed through the gunports.
My game plan is to sort the transom framing out and dowelling for these cannon carriages,then bond in the deck beams.I should then be able to progress with the hull planking
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Progress report.... (kinda?)
Where shall I begin?
 
The good news first.... Finally managed to get the mess I created with the starboard side gun ports cleaned up....

 
More good news....
Finally finished the second planking of the hull.... Which leads to the bad news.
I concluded that the second planking of the hull below the gun wales has got to be the worst job of planking I have ever done.  So bad, in fact, I shall not show it here on MSW.  REALLY BAD!
My biggest mistake was in thinking that, since the entire area was to be painted, I didn't need to be all that careful.  A little filler and white paint would completely cover my sins.  NOT!
So, as usual, I will now set about fixing the problem.... just another day in the old shipyard.... Right mates?
 
More bad news to report.... personal.
Developed a very serious inner ear infection several weeks ago, which led to severe vertigo issues along with periods of double vision.  So, pretty much every thing I have done in the shop over the last month has been rather challenging. 
 
Then the good news.... Lot's of really powerful meds have cleaned up the infection to the point I am able to function pretty normal again. 
 
And finally.... We found a surgeon in Chapel Hill who is confident he can repair the large hole in my left ear drum that has been the cause of the recurring infections. 
Surgery is scheduled in five weeks.

Thank you Patrick and Nigel In fact,thanks to everyone again who has commented or hit the like button.Your support and understanding has made me feel comfortable with decision.I think I need to be realistic and put the quest for historical exactness and fully framed builds on hold till I retire Just get back to basics and enjoy this great hobby for what it is,I no longer have the freetime to take things as seriously as I have been doing and actually complete something in a realistic timeframe.
Far too many models I wish to make,infact I just bought some plans for a vessel the other day They had to go in the stash as the kit manufacturer has gone down the pan due to fire,but if I do build her it will be in a decent scale to match Chris Watton's Victory.The kit was pretty bang on for authenticity,Mamoli just got the date and history wrong Do also wonder whether she is supposedly the vessel featured in Les Miserables as she was indeed wrecked in drydock
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Thanks Mark and Matti Yes I do enjoy my new position although some nights when things don't go to plan and I pull my hair out,I question why I applied for the position .
I feel happier in myself that I have a clear 'vision' for this model and although I will be using the kit castings,I feel the small changes and the choice of timbers should produce something unique.I am keeping it under wraps for now things will be revealed as I progress .
I even toyed with fitting the kit 'dummy' cannons but as I have a full lower deck,reasoned this was a step too far back.Complete cannon assemblies have now been ordered.They won't be rigged as I am now fully planking the decks,but do look better when viewed through the gunports.
My game plan is to sort the transom framing out and dowelling for these cannon carriages,then bond in the deck beams.I should then be able to progress with the hull planking
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Thank you Patrick and Nigel In fact,thanks to everyone again who has commented or hit the like button.Your support and understanding has made me feel comfortable with decision.I think I need to be realistic and put the quest for historical exactness and fully framed builds on hold till I retire Just get back to basics and enjoy this great hobby for what it is,I no longer have the freetime to take things as seriously as I have been doing and actually complete something in a realistic timeframe.
Far too many models I wish to make,infact I just bought some plans for a vessel the other day They had to go in the stash as the kit manufacturer has gone down the pan due to fire,but if I do build her it will be in a decent scale to match Chris Watton's Victory.The kit was pretty bang on for authenticity,Mamoli just got the date and history wrong Do also wonder whether she is supposedly the vessel featured in Les Miserables as she was indeed wrecked in drydock
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel