Cathead
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Given that those are listed as stanchions with one hole, I'd bet they'd work just fine as long as the vertical dimension is correct. And I'd agree they look better than pins. -
I can't tell what you're showing in photo 2, so have no way to answer whether that item has a hole in it or whether it would work. I assume it's some kind of after-market product you found online? More context would really help with offering advice. As a broader answer, this kit makes a nice-looking model but it isn't even remotely accurate as a scale model of a Mississippi riverboat. So you're free to choose whatever visual theme looks best to you, and if you like the look of the item in photo 2, you should feel free to use it (assuming it's physically capable of the role).
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Ugh, so sorry to hear of your rotten health luck lately. I'm sure the "bum wing" doesn't make caregiving any easier. Hang in there, even one-armed, and look forward to better days soon.
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That's glorious!
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I agree with the other suggestions above: make sure you're done working with the metal piece, clean it well and handle it carefully, abrade the surface, and consider using a primer first. The biggest difference I've seen with Model Shipways paint vs. other brands is the former tends to be much thicker. This isn't necessarily bad, for example it makes a solid coat on things like metal and plastic when using a brush, where thinner paints sometimes don't coat easily. I'd also suggest, as in so many cases, practicing on some scrap material first to see what methods produce the best result. Brass blackening agents work very well, and I've also had success using a blackener followed by a coat of paint. But a warning: blackeners are fairly strong chemical agents and they will produce fumes; not something to use lightly in your living room or a confined workspace. Consider doing blackening in a garage or outdoors setting where the fumes can dissipate while you're not around. I've gotten multiple headaches from being around blackening fumes even for a short time.
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All my models have customized iron deposits as well. A sign of dedication.
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We've finished ours, and it's been really cool to see how Lego has adapted so many pieces from other kits to produce surprisingly good feature on this one. There are a lot of really well thought-out details.
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Lynn, a trick I sometimes use when trying to drill a difficult hole, is to drill a small pilot hole with a much smaller bit and then follow up with the actual larger bit. What this does is help guide the real bit not to jump or skate around as you get started. The tiny bit is easier to hold in place as it gets going. You can also try making a dimple in the material with some kind of sharp object (like a nail) that will also help hold the bit's tip in place while it gets started. It's easier to "punch" a dimple into metal than it is to get a spinning drill bit to stay exactly where it's put on a smooth surface. This is even helpful when combined with the small pilot hole trick.
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Keith, I love that re-pairing of the model's status and the original photo. Shows how well you're adapting the original design to your own vision. Just awesome.
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Since Keith mentioned it, for those interested, there are more photos from the Arabia museum in the model's pre-build research/design thread. https://modelshipworld.com/topic/15945-designing-a-model-of-the-1856-missouri-river-steamboat-arabia/
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For a "below average modeler" you sure turned out a snazzy model! I'm so glad you stuck with it and shared the journey with us. This is definitely one to be proud of and display prominently. I definitely agree on the time limit issue; I too find that my mind and hands go stale after doing any one thing too long. Again, congratulations on a job so well done. I'll miss following along.
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Keith, do you want some actual coal for your coal bin? At your scale, I could send you a tiny packet of crushed coal in a normal envelope. As you likely recall from Peerless, we have coal on our property and it wouldn't take long to crush some down for you. No worries if not, just a fun thought!
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Looks like you have a good setup!
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The storm was something of a fizzle in our part of central Missouri. 4-6" of dry snow (instead of the forecast 6-12" on top of heavy sleet), no meaningful ice, really nothing unusual. Seems it was much worse in both St. Louis and Kansas City, along with ice down in the eastern Ozarks. Hope you're well out in the harder hit western area.
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Keith, here's another source of inspiration for a steamboat hand pump. This simple pump was used on Arabia to prime her doctor engine, and as a general-purpose pump for other low-pressure needs. It sat right next to the main boiler. This is from an earlier era (1856) but might still be of interest. Here's the original (my photo from the museum in Kansas City): And here's how I recreated it at 1:64: And in position on the model:
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Lynn, so great to see you back, we'd all worried when you went silent. I've used both needle threaders and the glue method to good effect. A bit of practice and I bet you'll get the hang of either. As another Missouri resident, we're going to get slammed this weekend, so good luck staying warm and safe.
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Wait until you seen the Lego Titanic: over 9000 pieces and 54" (135 cm) long. Given the massive demand for this Endurance kit, I'd love it if Lego decided to keep doing heritage ships. I'm up to bag 12 on my Endurance and it's an absolutely wonderful project.
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The term "rubbing rail" comes to mind...not sure if it was used for steamboats specifically but it certainly refers to an extra wale-like strake that provides protection around a hull. Like Jim, I'm astonished and dismayed that it took me this long to discover your new build. Apologies! You do great and fascinating work and I'm so excited to finally be following along.
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Those are the studding-sail (generally shortened and pronounced as "stun'sl") booms (or yards), they're used to extend the regular yards to pack on more sail when desired. They support the, you guessed it, stun'sls, small extra sails set outboard of the regular ones. Only used under certain conditions. My personal feeling is you'll find it easier to do a consistent job of lashing the sails to the yards if you do it on the workbench, but whatever feels right to you. Try it on the bench, and if you're not happy, you can always undo the lashing and try again on the model. But if you start on the model and don't like that, it'll be harder to retry another way.
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Well, don't I feel terrible for forcing you to share this awful news. I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm all too familiar with how tragedies can yank you out of normal life and reset all your priorities. My most fervent best wishes for you and your family as you work together to build a way forward.
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Really nicely done so far!
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Hi there, I picked up an Endurance, too, and was considering doing a build log for fun when I thought I'd check and make sure no one else had already started, since it probably doesn't need duplication (nice to provide a record of the build, but not much room for customization). So maybe I won't do my own log but just follow yours. It's definitely a gorgeous kit. I'm extremely jealous that you got a lifeboat, as online they were gone by dawn the first day (sales started at midnight) and judging by online reactions there are a LOT of angry people out there who felt cheated that Lego didn't make nearly enough lifeboats to go along with the Endurance and are claiming they have no plans to make more. If I had known that (the marketing said they were available for a three-day peroid) I might have set an overnight alarm. So please enjoy that little kit for me and all the others who weren't so lucky. Have fun in the build! EDIT: I meant to thank you for posting about this in the first place, as that's how I found out about it. Polar exploration history is definitely a niche interest for me and I've read quite a bit on the subject. My wife has even seen the real James Caird in person, and we have a friend who is deeply involved in the US Antarctic research program (they also got a kit). Thanks for bringing it to my attention in time to order one for Christmas!
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Brian, when do we get to unwrap new photos of Caroline? Hope all is well for you, it's been a while.
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That last photo is an early Christmas present. What a great set this is going to be!
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