KeithAug

Thank you all for your comments and welcome, its good to be back among friends. It would have been sensible in my last post to include the drawing - in this case taken directly from the small scale plans. Having something to work from makes getting the angles correct much easier. I moved on to finishing turnbuckles as i need 3 for the bowsprit stays. Earlier (page 51) I had made the turnbuckles without completing the "U" shaped end. I made the ends out of wire - each piece cut accurately to length using a jig. The "U" shaped end was bent up by eye but i needed a jig to assist when soldering the "U" to the stem. The "U" end holds the boss around which the stay passes, these were machined from plastic rod. Followed by assembly. Unfortunately this wasn't the end of the exercise. I installed one and broke it when tensioning the stay. The solder joint between the "U" and the stem failed so I am going to have to rethink this connection.

Beautiful work on the blocks Eberhard - just thinking about them hurts my eyes. I liked the lathe saw attachment - i may do something similar one day.

An interesting subject and excellent descriptions. I look forward to following along.

it is all rather beautifully done Brian. Obviously you like the pristine look, as do I. My guess is that the original was rather more rustic, even in its as new condition. What do you think?

This looks very interesting Phil, should be fun.

Certainly one of the most unusual ship models I have ever seen ( and very nicely executed) . Moving round the harbour in a stiff breeze must have been a truly interesting experience.

The framing is looking very good and the last photo illustrates very well how good the fairing is. i am looking forward to see how the planking goes.

Turned out rather well Tom. The starting point was something that I think might have graced my wood burner, just goes to show how wrong first impressions can be.

Valeriy - such wonderful work - I think you may be making your parts look better than the originals.

Just loved all the internal detail. Absolutely fabulous. A real pleasure to catch up.

Well that was a long summer shipyard shut down. I sort of got distracted into reconnecting with family and friends and that together with a backlog of outdoor tasks kept me out of the workshop. While summer continues to hang on the days are starting to feel a bit autumnal and the winter building season has therefore opened. I recommenced by sorting out the jib stay outriggers. I cut a card triangle to the plan shape of the outrigger and marked up the hull position using a laser level. I transferred the outrigger shape to paper and used this to size the struts and get the angle correct. The soldering job was a bit better than the last effort. I glued the outrigger mounting brackets to the hull in the previously marked positions. To get the outriggers mounted horizontally I made an end support from a piece of dowel. I then sized the top arm of the tripod to maintain the correct angle of the outrigger. The bracket which holds the aft end of the jib stay to the hull was then mounted. Small pins were then turned to fasten the outriggers to the hull. To test the run of the stays I fixed a temporary line. The net job was the dolphin striker. The stem was taper turned from .093" brass rod and this in turn was soldered to a short length of tube to take the lower jib stay. The upper end loop was bent from wire and inserted into an dial hole drilled in the stem. The hoop was then attached to the hull mounted bracket (installed 2 years ago). How time flies. I now need to catch up on all your progress during my absence.

Beautifully done George.

Well worth a visit Eberhard. It was very quiet when a group of friends and I went about 15 years ago. She was in the early stages of preparation for display and a very obliging volunteer took us on a very detailed tour of the engine room -- quickly curtailed when we realised the restoration crew were hacking lumps of asbestos off the steam pipes. Clearly asbestos regulations are not always the same.

All looking very smart Pat. I enjoyed magnifying the deck photos and taking a self guided tour. Nice little bell, I guess it does not have striker at that scale?

A remarkable amount don for just a year - compared to my sometimes pedestrian progress. The hull painting turned out rather well and overall she is looking quite trim - probably a lot more so than the original. I continue to find this vessel most interesting. Condolences on the loss of your Father in Law.

Tom - I had to look up what a bow chock was. Another example of "Two countries separated by a common language".

Nice technique for the blocks Eberhard. The most rewarding part is finding a way of doing the seemingly impossible.

Hi Keith - I loved catching up on the block / shackle debate. I recall looking at some very detailed work (through a microscope) in the gold room of the Hermitage Museum in St Peterburg. The very knowledgeable guide pointed out that the work was so fine it could only have been done by children because of the visual capability they posses. I think you need to get younger or recruit some grandchildren.

Beautiful detail druxey. Wish I had a good watchmakers lathe.

Tom, At a certain age I find it best to avoid photographs and throw out mirrors. I still think I am a teenager and don't want the illusion shattered. Sorry to hear about Uncle Jon but take comfort from the pleasure he will have derived from seeing your workmanship. Best regards Keith

Excellent work. The detail makes it look like a much larger model.

Coming along very nicely Steven. The hull is a great example of freehand tin bashing and welding.

The hull planking turned out very well. Good news that the planking isn't going to be lost under paint. It will be interesting to see how the finishing deliberations turn out.

Hull looking very sharp Mark.

An enjoyable half hour catching up Valeriy, your craftsmanship is always impressive.