newbuilder101

Thanks Greg! I made a jig using a couple of pieces of wood to hold the wood still and to ensure that each piece was consistent in size, and then used a scalpel. I'm sorry I never took pictures of that process.

I finally thought I would have a chance to get back to the shipyard today, but you know what they say about  the best laid plans.
Instead I lost my father-in-law today - he was 92. He was truly a kind and great man and will be greatly missed.

Sherry I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for responding to my question.
 
Thanks
 
Greg

Dear Sherrie
 
My deepest sympathies, Sherrie.
 
These are difficult times and I wish you and your family my sincerest condolences.   Please look after yourself and your family.  Take care.
 
Patrick

My sympathies. Sherrie.  I just went through your log what an inspiration.  You picked a complex and difficult vessel and have done a fantastic job building her.  I doubt if I would have the courage to tackle such a project.  Kudos to a wonderful build.
David B

Hello Sherry,Heart felt condolences for your father-in-law, he lived to a good age, may he" rest in peace" ,Edwin

So sorry for your loss sherry

Sorry for your loss Sherry. 

I finally thought I would have a chance to get back to the shipyard today, but you know what they say about  the best laid plans.
Instead I lost my father-in-law today - he was 92. He was truly a kind and great man and will be greatly missed.

Thanks Greg! I made a jig using a couple of pieces of wood to hold the wood still and to ensure that each piece was consistent in size, and then used a scalpel. I'm sorry I never took pictures of that process.

Well, here goes……my first nervous steps into the world of the scratch build! This will be my second model and as such, I think POB is a wiser choice. Maybe the next build will be POF, but that’s in the distant future.
 
I really have admired the beautiful and ornate galleons of the 17th and 18th centuries and was finding it a hard decision as to which one to build. The problem was solved when I received the plans for the San Felipe. They were 1:75 and I changed the scale to 1:96 so it would not take up as much real estate in our home and thus be displayed more easily. I know it will be more challenging to achieve the detail I want at this scale, but I will give it my best and am sure I will have help along the way from the talented and knowledgeable members here!
 
While researching the San Felipe, I stumbled upon some doubt as to whether she really existed or not. My conclusion is this: I am satisfied that the evidence for both sides of the debate is sketchy at best, so I have no solid reason to believe she didn’t exist. At any rate, I feel she is a wonderful and beautiful example of the Spanish galleon of her time – real or not!
 
Here is some of the history I have found on her:
The SAN FELIPE, launched in 1690, was one of the most beautiful Spanish galleons of the XVII century. She was the lead ship of the famous Spanish Armada and able to take on the most formidable ships in the French and British navies. The San Felipe's was used in the war against the British and French to protect Spanish settlements and harbors, to transport treasures, and to safeguard the long and hazardous passage back to Spanish ports. In 1705, she participated in a furious and heroic battle between 12 Spanish ships and 35 British ships. After 24 hours of battle, she was captured by an English ship, but was so badly damaged that she could not be salvaged as a prize. She went down to the bottom of the ocean with several tons of gold.
 
The story goes that the ship model is based on reconstruction drawings published by the Italian Vincenzo Lusci in 1966 who referred to some 19th century Spanish historian. Lusci described the San Felipe as a first rate ship with 104 - 110 cannon that was launched in La Coruna in 1690 and was lost in 1705 after a battle with 35 English ships.

Okay....garden is in...back to the shipyard!
 
Anja: We definitely will enjoy our garden now that it is planted. We managed to plant it in one day - potatoes (65 plants), squash (3 varieties), Swiss chard, beets, carrots, lettuce (3 varieties), tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, beans, peas, onions, radish, dill and sunflowers!
 
Steve: I'm not quite finished the first planking, but it's getting close. I still need to sand and trim, but here's how she looks at the moment.....
 

 

Okay...before you-know-who does ask....here's is a modest update.
I cut these parts by hand (tedium ad infinitum) and still have some minor tweaking to do, but this is it so far.
 

 

I am still in the process of gathering materials and tools for this build, but I have made a bit of a start.
I have the 3/16 plywood for the keel and rib/bulkhead parts, as well as basswood for the knee of the head etc.
 
The first challenge was cutting thin wood with the table saw - I didn't have any bearings to use as roller guides, but came up with an alternative that gave me two very true pieces of wood. So far...off to a good start. If you can't tell in the photo they are very polished round headed brass tacks.
 

 

Well, here goes……my first nervous steps into the world of the scratch build! This will be my second model and as such, I think POB is a wiser choice. Maybe the next build will be POF, but that’s in the distant future.
 
I really have admired the beautiful and ornate galleons of the 17th and 18th centuries and was finding it a hard decision as to which one to build. The problem was solved when I received the plans for the San Felipe. They were 1:75 and I changed the scale to 1:96 so it would not take up as much real estate in our home and thus be displayed more easily. I know it will be more challenging to achieve the detail I want at this scale, but I will give it my best and am sure I will have help along the way from the talented and knowledgeable members here!
 
While researching the San Felipe, I stumbled upon some doubt as to whether she really existed or not. My conclusion is this: I am satisfied that the evidence for both sides of the debate is sketchy at best, so I have no solid reason to believe she didn’t exist. At any rate, I feel she is a wonderful and beautiful example of the Spanish galleon of her time – real or not!
 
Here is some of the history I have found on her:
The SAN FELIPE, launched in 1690, was one of the most beautiful Spanish galleons of the XVII century. She was the lead ship of the famous Spanish Armada and able to take on the most formidable ships in the French and British navies. The San Felipe's was used in the war against the British and French to protect Spanish settlements and harbors, to transport treasures, and to safeguard the long and hazardous passage back to Spanish ports. In 1705, she participated in a furious and heroic battle between 12 Spanish ships and 35 British ships. After 24 hours of battle, she was captured by an English ship, but was so badly damaged that she could not be salvaged as a prize. She went down to the bottom of the ocean with several tons of gold.
 
The story goes that the ship model is based on reconstruction drawings published by the Italian Vincenzo Lusci in 1966 who referred to some 19th century Spanish historian. Lusci described the San Felipe as a first rate ship with 104 - 110 cannon that was launched in La Coruna in 1690 and was lost in 1705 after a battle with 35 English ships.

Thank-you Frank! 
 
Well, I have another update. I've been working on the rudder with its pintles and gudgeons. 
I used copper plate and cut it into strips which I formed on a 'dummy' rudder. Soldering was tricky for me at this scale, but I managed. I still have to fine tune and add faux bolts.
 

 

 
I've also made and added the midship set of spiral stairs with railings, and belaying pins are in place here as well. There is one more set of spiral stairs fore, yet to be made.
 

 

 
Last, but not least, I made the beakhead rails and supports. I'm not totally happy with them and some adjustments may follow.....or a total redo, I just haven't decided yet.
 

 

 

I finally thought I would have a chance to get back to the shipyard today, but you know what they say about  the best laid plans.
Instead I lost my father-in-law today - he was 92. He was truly a kind and great man and will be greatly missed.

I finally thought I would have a chance to get back to the shipyard today, but you know what they say about  the best laid plans.
Instead I lost my father-in-law today - he was 92. He was truly a kind and great man and will be greatly missed.

Thanks Greg! I made a jig using a couple of pieces of wood to hold the wood still and to ensure that each piece was consistent in size, and then used a scalpel. I'm sorry I never took pictures of that process.

Sherry your ship is beautiful! How did you cut the wood strips for the planking?
 
Greg

Our family is off the cottage, up north, this weekend and we'll be staying for a week, so the build will be on hold.
I did manage to do a bit more work, but now have to prepare for holidays.
 
The stern has had a new addition, and the second planking is underway.
 

 

 
 I also decided to test the LED lighting. The "fireworks" above the ship is fibre optics that I installed earlier in the build for the stern lanterns.
 

 

 
 

It would seem that I am easily distracted on this build.    I ended up doing a little side project that was not originally on my agenda.
I wondered earlier where the great cabin would be on a ship like this. Thanks to all the responses I was able to confirm the location.....in my mind the next logical step was to "dress it up" a little. I started with a walnut table/desk and just got carried away from there. The goblet and jug are wood as well. The Captain/Admiral's bed was a perfect fit.
I'm currently figuring out the best way to have some of this room visible and I have a couple of ideas.
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

runner63: Thank-you!
 
Ronald: I think Steve had some good suggestions. My first ship was a kit build and I only used hand tools for that.
Since this is a scratch build I am using more power tools, but still make use of a lot of hand ones and I can only give advice on that with which I am familiar.
 
What I have used so far and will use in the future:
 
Scroll saw  - especially for cutting keel and bulkheads or frames. Drill and/or Dremel - can be used as a lathe and is great for masts, yards, stanchions, belaying pins and maybe even wooden canons! Table saw (milling some of my own wood) Iron for plank bending  I would love to have a micro table saw...maybe in the future.  I hope this helps.
 
Steve and Grant: Thanks for your suggestions and input!

I finished the final bits of first planking.
 

 

 
I also finished the treenails on the main deck.
 

 
At 1:96 scale I opted for simulated treenails. I experimented with real ones, but it didn't look much better than my final method and so it wasn't worth the extra work.
I tried drilling and filling with wood filler on some sample decking, but I used birch wood that I had on hand for the deck planks. The wood filler 'bled' into the birch grain and was impossible to sand off.
 
What did I finally choose as my method? I read somewhere on the forum about the use of a hypodermic needle. I filed the end off and pressed it into the wood and gave it a slight turn. Not perfect, but I am pleased with it.
 

Today I got a little distracted and decided the San Felipe needed a captain! I carved him from a tiny bit of basswood... and he is 1:96 scale to match the ship. He's standing on a practice run of planking.
 
First picture shows the unpainted and the second shows the painted.
 

 

 
For reference, I've placed him on a Canadian dime, which is our smallest coin in physical size - 11/16" or 17mm (approximately)