bigcreekdad

I've usually got several builds going at one time. It helps from getting a bit burned out occasionally by just doing something different. However, once the planking and finishing of decks and hull is complete, I usually concentrate more on that build until I get to the rigging stage. Rigging, for me, is very tedious and requires a lot of concentration. I take breaks from that and work on something else for awhile.

Thanks Jim...I'll try the thin cherry. John

Hard to believe it's been 7 months since I last posted. Many reasons, but the biggest was the fishing season. From April til late October I'm up at my cabin as much as possible, or in Canada. Not that I don't do some modeling, but way less. In any case, last I posted I was working on the second planking. I used cherry, as explained above below the wales. I really was not happy with how it was turning out (lots of evidence if you could see close up), and replanked several areas. When I was finished I actually decided to copper it, but the more I thought about the time I put in, I just decided to live with it. Above the wales, I used the kit supplied wood, but, frankly, just didn't think it was very attractive. I took it off and used some swiss pear I had...what a difference! As you can see, the false keel needs work, The kit supplied wood for this is very soft and anytime I got close to it would chip. Not sure yet what I will do, and thought maybe this board can offer some ideas....ie paint, varnish, thin cherry planking etc. I often thought I would just shelve this build, but I love the lines of the ship. Far from a masterful planking job, but I'm glad I stuck it out.

I have the Proxxon mini lathe, but, honestly, I find it easier to use my drill. I mounted it upside down in a vice, and move sandpaper between my thumb and forefinger up and down until I get the right diameter and taper. Double up on the sandpaper as it gets a bit warm.

Bob...your build makes me feel like burning all my ships. Nothing short of awesome!!

I've used this sander for about a year. Here are my thoughts: 1) It will take many swipes to get even a 1/8 inch reduction. Don't be in a hurry and try to shorten the number of swipes by increasing the turn of the adjustment knob too much. 2) To avoid a potential injury from kickback do not position yourself behind the machine. 3) In order to prevent kickback I use both hands...pushing in and pulling out simultaneously. On the pulling out side, for safety sake, don't grasp the wood until you can get a very good grip. 4) Make sure the wood is completely flat on the platform during the entire process....especially avoid accidental lifting at the end on the pulling side. 5) After a swipe, turn the piece over and swipe it again before changing the adjustment knob. 6) Check your sandpaper occasionally to make sure there aren't uneven places across the width 7) Usea good micrometer or measuring tool. 8) Once more.....don't be in a hurry. 9) Once more...always be extra careful.

Bob I've done some "fixes" myself when things weren't quite right, and the troubles you encountered I could probably deal with. After some thought though, maybe you'd be doing the Lumberyard a favor by letting them know. Looking forward to see your fine build continue. John

Bob Love your build log. You are doing an enviable job. I've been thinking of putting the Halifax on my to do list, but I'm a bit leary from some of your findings re: wrong sizes and errors. Have you let the Lumberyard know about these? If I do want to buy this kit, I'd want those fixes made. Anyway...keep posting your progress...love it!! John

what did you finish the hulk with?...looks awesome!!

Don...I'm using 1/16" x 3/16" planks...seem to bend OK

Been awhile since I posted any kind of update on this build. Been filling a lot of trout fly orders....as there are deadlines on these, my ship work took a backseat for awhile. With deck planking complete, I moved onto hull planking. The first planking using the kinda cheap kit wood went ok. I then filled and sanded. After planking the wales(same cheap kit wood...but to be painted), I planked above the wails with the kit supplied "better" wood. Below the wales, I debated but decided to go with the kit wood (Ramin or Sappeli..don't remember which but the darker one). I kinda liked the look of it, and I thought it would look quite good with a couple coats of gun oil. However, after 3 planks, I found it unusable unless you were content with a lot of stealers and pointy planks. The strips are near paper thin, and cannot be bent if you want to use the planking method used by Chuck as shown in his Cheerful build. So...tear off the planks below the wales, sand again and start again. I decided to go with Cherry. Also, I was going to, for the first time, try Chuck's planking method. I've got the Cheerful built as far as the framing, but wanted some practice on his planking method before I work more on that build. I used the tick marks on the hull at different intervals, and then tapered the planks accordingly. I then bent the planks to take on the upward curve of the hull...again, using Chuck's method (look for his planking videos). I just mounted the first plank, and..voila!!....it fit perfectly. I'll post more after a bit more planking.

Awesome!!

Very nice job!!

guess not....looks good though

has anyone used this for planking?

Just starting my own Cheerful, and was quickly going through some of the builds. Not this one....read the whole darn thing. Just awesome!!....the build and the story. Great!!

Give us more info on the wood you've used. Great job so far!

Very nice! I quite enjoyed my Pickle build. You will as well. I look forward to seeing your progress.

I've used both a drill and a mini lathe. Sandpaper or a file to taper. You really need to make sure the dowel is straight before starting to taper to avoid the wobble. I've had good luck with both.

Why doesn't my post show under "New ContentT?

Work continues. Finished the deck planking (red oak), sanded and Tru Oiled (X3). The bulwarks were a but cranky to install and line up properly, but finally was accomplished. Stern piece was a real task. If I had taken a (much) closer look at the plan photos, I would have seen the deck planking at the stern extending a bit over the false deck. This was supposed to accommodate the severe angle of the stern piece. Way too late to redo the rear planks, so i sanded quite a bit to reduce the angle. Not technically correct for the real ship, but it was the best option in my mind, and looks OK. Anyway, I'm not really concerned about building exactly to a specific vessel. More interested in how it turns out. Maybe heresy for some, and thats fine. I've laid the two (I'll call them guide) planks on each side and will then proceed with the rest of the planking. I'm deviating from the plans by mounting the stem before any more planking. I think fitting the planks that touch ii will be much easier, and likely look better than adding the stem after the planking. Any contrary thoughts on this are welcome. Also need to plank the inner bulwarks....any thoughts on doing this before the hull planking? The kit wood (and the written part of the plans) is IMO low quality. I will likely use something else (maybe pear?) at least in the upper hull. Not sure about the lower hull but I'm thinking of coppering it. As always....love to hear anyone's thoughts.

Thanks Popeye....I know it ain't perfect, but I wanted to at least give it a try.

Ok....not perfect, but WAY better than my first attempt. The wood I used is red oak....amazing the different color tones from the same piece of wood. Time move on to the tricky bulwarks.

Thanks Mtaylor......I am proceeding as you recommended.

No thoughts?