Cathead
-
Posts
3,086 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Reputation Activity
-
Cathead reacted to ggrieco in Heroine 1838 by ggrieco - FINISHED - Scale 1:24 - Western River Steamboat as she appeared before hitting a snag in the Red River
Continuing with the flywheels..
probably one of the most frustrating soldering jobs I've had to do. All sixteen pieces of the flywheel rim had to be positioned to ensure the final shape. To add to the problem, since the segments were only machined on one face, the internal stresses in the brass cause each piece to bend slightly out of flat. I had to use lots of alligator clips to hold everything together but there was still some movement when it was heated.
Wheel 1 of 4.
I've been looking forward to building the boilers. The machining is going to take a while so I decided to jump ahead and let the mill get started while i struggle with the remaining three flywheels.
Rectangular pieces are backing for the recessed panels in the legs and sides of the boiler front.
Backing pieces in place.
-
Cathead reacted to Erik W in HM Cutter Cheerful 1806 by Erik W - 1:48 scale
I cut out the forward gun ports for the bow chaser cannons. Before I did this, I thinned the wood material to about 3/16" using a rough sanding drum on a Dremel. This made cutting and filing the ports to shape easier since there was less material to cut through. I used a fine tooth solid Zona saw blade and some different shaped diamond files to get the gun ports cut and shaped correctly.
Erik
-
Cathead reacted to chborgm in Mississippi Riverboat by chborgm - Mantua - Scale 1:50
Here is the status to date. I have the main deck structures in place and painted. I used tan for the hull. I saw it in a picture of the Bertram in Cathead's forum and I thought it look good and different.
-
Cathead got a reaction from Seventynet in Experience with BlueJacket metal toners?
I would like to learn to blacken metal properly, and have read through many threads on MWS regarding various blackening agents. A few references have been made, that Bluejacket sells their own version, but I haven't found any reviews or clear experiences stated. How does their product compare to the other options like Casey's or Jax?
The Bluejacket website is not very helpful, as it doesn't include any information beyond a title:
PN0051 Pewter Blk (blackens Britannia) $8.50 PN0052 Brass Black (copper,too) $8.50
It says "directions included", but I wouldn't mind knowing what I'm getting into before ordering blind. Are these for soaking or brushing on? How toxic or fume-producing? I do my modelling in my living room, so would like to minimize the nastiness used.
If there is a thread or clear report on Bluejacket that I missed, I'm sorry. I searched both the Paint and Metal forums for "blacken" and read all the results as far as I know.
-
Cathead got a reaction from mtaylor in Experience with BlueJacket metal toners?
Ordered some, will report on results. Travelling right now. Thanks!
-
Cathead got a reaction from Canute in Experience with BlueJacket metal toners?
Ordered some, will report on results. Travelling right now. Thanks!
-
Cathead got a reaction from reilly in Experience with BlueJacket metal toners?
I would like to learn to blacken metal properly, and have read through many threads on MWS regarding various blackening agents. A few references have been made, that Bluejacket sells their own version, but I haven't found any reviews or clear experiences stated. How does their product compare to the other options like Casey's or Jax?
The Bluejacket website is not very helpful, as it doesn't include any information beyond a title:
PN0051 Pewter Blk (blackens Britannia) $8.50 PN0052 Brass Black (copper,too) $8.50
It says "directions included", but I wouldn't mind knowing what I'm getting into before ordering blind. Are these for soaking or brushing on? How toxic or fume-producing? I do my modelling in my living room, so would like to minimize the nastiness used.
If there is a thread or clear report on Bluejacket that I missed, I'm sorry. I searched both the Paint and Metal forums for "blacken" and read all the results as far as I know.
-
Cathead reacted to Moonbug in USF Confederacy by Augie & Moonbug - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1:64
Hello all,
We all lost a dear friend, great supporter and member of our Shipbuilding family when Augie Bruno passed in December. No one was as proud of his work or shared in his enjoyment of the hobby more than his lovely wife Diane.
After being contacted by Popeye, Diane expressed how helpful and wonderful it would be if someone were able to finish Augie’s work on the Confederacy – both as a tribute to Augie, and as a way to keep us all connected with his memory. As Augie and Diane’s home is only about 15 miles from me, I was asked if I would be willing to take over Augie’s build.
I had the pleasure of sharing a cup of coffee, some delightful cookies, and even more delightful stories with Diane – and she assured me that this is indeed what Augie would have wanted.
So, it is with a warm heart, and substantial amount of humility that I’ll pick up where Augie left off.
Thanks already - and in advance to Anja, Popeye, Mark and Sjors for their support. I’ll do my best give Augie’s build justice, and do right by Augie and Diane.
As it stands – I’m embroiled in research, as this is my first American built ship, and I feel it’s important to get to know her as much as I can before I continue the build. Hope to have some actual progress to show soon, but in the meantime – here she is in her new shipyard.
- Bug
-
Cathead reacted to flyer in HMS Pickle by flyer - FINISHED - Caldercraft - Scale 1:64 - my interpretation
deadeye strops again
Another strop came apart and this time it was beyond repair. I tried but it looked awful and I had to take it out - including that backstay collar which was fixed to that strop. (Oh, I can hear you sniggering there, Mr. Murphy!)
One of the spare strops was prepared. This time I soldered it after the deadeye was inserted and glued the whole thing into the slit of the channel with a healthy dose of epoxy. It's probably now the strongest part of the whole vessel - and if I know something about Murphy's law therefore certainly the next one to break.
beyond hope and repair...
new strop soldered and installed
it was worth the effort
-
Cathead reacted to russ in Experience with BlueJacket metal toners?
I have used their Brass Black and Brass Brown. I work in a small shop just off the den and I have not noticed a lot of odor. I have applied with a brush and I have soaked.
It will tone brass, copper, and aluminum. I have always used it full strength. Quite often it is necessary to apply the toner, wait a bit, rinse off, blot dry, and reapply, repeating until you get the depth of color you want. For small parts, I usually hold the piece with cross locking tweezers and brush on the toner, dunking in water and blotting on a paper towel each time.
Using a toner takes some time and patience. It is not something to do if you are in a hurry.
Russ
-
Cathead reacted to Erik W in HM Cutter Cheerful 1806 by Erik W - 1:48 scale
I'm back in town, and back to work on the Cheerful. in the last couple of days I framed the gun ports. They still need to be faired. This proved to be a bit of a chore since each port has different sized lumber framing it. I used 1/4" square boxwood strip and cut/sanded it to shape. My fingers need a rest!
Erik
-
Cathead reacted to mattsayers148 in USS Constitution by CaptainSteve - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 scale
Excellent job there CaptainSteve!!! The sign of a great craftsman is not the absence of mistakes, it's the ability to fix it as though it never happened. I have faith in your being a great craftsman.
-
Cathead got a reaction from mattsayers148 in USS Constitution by CaptainSteve - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 scale
Instead of drilling a hole, which sounds scary, what if you filed a groove down the side, so you could set a thin rod into it, and hold it with wood glue? That way, it'd be stronger in the meantime, but wouldn't have a hole in the middle, and you could release the glue when you're ready to remove the rod. And the groove would presumably be hidden once the model's done if you put it on the proper side. Am I crazy?
-
Cathead got a reaction from mattsayers148 in USS Constitution by CaptainSteve - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 scale
Well, that explainth the lithp at leatht.
-
Cathead got a reaction from mattsayers148 in USS Ranger by mattsayers148 - FINISHED - Corel SM55 - 1:64 - 4th build, 2nd build log
That's delightful!
-
Cathead got a reaction from Jack12477 in Heroine 1838 by ggrieco - FINISHED - Scale 1:24 - Western River Steamboat as she appeared before hitting a snag in the Red River
Huh, somehow I hadn't caught on that this was a waterline model. With steamboats it can be hard to tell!
I'm running out of superlatives.
-
Cathead reacted to CaptainSteve in USS Constitution by CaptainSteve - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 scale
Thank Ye, everyone. Verily, I believe I shall step back for a day or two and re-assess me next move.
CH. I do believe that is quite a sane suggestion.
-
Cathead got a reaction from JesseLee in USS Constitution by CaptainSteve - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 scale
Instead of drilling a hole, which sounds scary, what if you filed a groove down the side, so you could set a thin rod into it, and hold it with wood glue? That way, it'd be stronger in the meantime, but wouldn't have a hole in the middle, and you could release the glue when you're ready to remove the rod. And the groove would presumably be hidden once the model's done if you put it on the proper side. Am I crazy?
-
Cathead got a reaction from JesseLee in USS Constitution by CaptainSteve - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 scale
Well, that explainth the lithp at leatht.
-
Cathead got a reaction from Canute in USS Ranger by mattsayers148 - FINISHED - Corel SM55 - 1:64 - 4th build, 2nd build log
That's delightful!
-
Cathead got a reaction from Canute in USS Constitution by CaptainSteve - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 scale
Instead of drilling a hole, which sounds scary, what if you filed a groove down the side, so you could set a thin rod into it, and hold it with wood glue? That way, it'd be stronger in the meantime, but wouldn't have a hole in the middle, and you could release the glue when you're ready to remove the rod. And the groove would presumably be hidden once the model's done if you put it on the proper side. Am I crazy?
-
Cathead got a reaction from Canute in USS Constitution by CaptainSteve - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 scale
Well, that explainth the lithp at leatht.
-
Cathead got a reaction from Canute in Heroine 1838 by ggrieco - FINISHED - Scale 1:24 - Western River Steamboat as she appeared before hitting a snag in the Red River
Huh, somehow I hadn't caught on that this was a waterline model. With steamboats it can be hard to tell!
I'm running out of superlatives.
-
Cathead got a reaction from CaptainSteve in USS Constitution by CaptainSteve - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 scale
Instead of drilling a hole, which sounds scary, what if you filed a groove down the side, so you could set a thin rod into it, and hold it with wood glue? That way, it'd be stronger in the meantime, but wouldn't have a hole in the middle, and you could release the glue when you're ready to remove the rod. And the groove would presumably be hidden once the model's done if you put it on the proper side. Am I crazy?
-
Cathead got a reaction from mtaylor in USS Constitution by CaptainSteve - Model Shipways - 1:76.8 scale
Instead of drilling a hole, which sounds scary, what if you filed a groove down the side, so you could set a thin rod into it, and hold it with wood glue? That way, it'd be stronger in the meantime, but wouldn't have a hole in the middle, and you could release the glue when you're ready to remove the rod. And the groove would presumably be hidden once the model's done if you put it on the proper side. Am I crazy?
Our Emblem ®
