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kurtvd19

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Everything posted by kurtvd19

  1. kurtvd19
    Ed: Not discounting the Starrett idea, but the kit tool is not a bad tool. Match the proper holder to the drill bit and it should tighten down just fine. I got that tool when I built and reviewed the Yankee Hero kit when it came out. I still use it. I think I had commented on the quality of it when I reviewed the kit. Most "everything included" kits have junk tools. Bluejacket is a quality company - they don't provide junk. If it doesn't tighten at all call Bluejacket - you might have a defective tool.
  2. kurtvd19
    Absolutely.
  3. kurtvd19
    The model exhibit at the Science & Industry Museum was completely reworked just about 2 years ago. Models cleaned and repaired, some new and models put into dioramas. Big improvement. Kurt
  4. kurtvd19
    The cylinders shown are small but one doesn't need a gas leak of any size. My little torch is set up on much larger tanks. Tanks should always be turned off when finished.
  5. kurtvd19
    Go with the tried and true Smith Little Torch. Quality w/o questions of reliability.
  6. kurtvd19
    I was going to mention the lab in Madison but Alan's from Canada so there is probably some requirement for being a US citizen. I spent some time at the lab before I retired and it is impressive. I witnessed a test of a 4 x 4 or 6 x 6 wood piece about 10 ft long to see how much weight/force it could withstand. They do this so the charts in building code and architectural books can be developed so the minimum sizes of wood components can be determined. We were behind plexiglas several inches thick and when the post failed it was very impressive - loud and toothpicks everywhere! Something they had there that is a relevant topic for this forum was a replica of the hull of the USS Constitution. It was about 6 ft long and about 4 ft high and had appropriately sized frames and planks assembled with treenails. It was made by the shipwrights in Boston before the 1996 refit so various electronic means of testing for structural integrity could be tested while in the water to determine what planks or frames might have to be replaced. This is commonly done with metal ships and they did it to see if a similar process would work with wood. The same woods as on the 1:1 ship were used.
  7. kurtvd19
    Tooter: Do a search here for 9 inch band saws and/or band saws and you will find this is a much discussed subject with recommendations.
  8. kurtvd19
    Randy: Have you tried to find anything at the Mercantile Library at the Univ of MO - St. Louis? They have many records that might help. If you are ever nearby this is a great place to visit. I was given a tour behind the scenes just before they opened the new state off art building - very impressive. At the time they had the absolute state of art fire protection especially for their rare documents. But the library was originally started by the merchants of St Louis for business records so many shiping related records were saved for posterity. https://www.umsl.edu/mercantile/
  9. kurtvd19
    Were you disappointed with the poor quality of the cast parts or are they what you expected?
  10. kurtvd19
    I don't like them either, but this isn't a good paint finish and it's not the fault of the airbrush (unless a total piece of junk is used ie: Harbor Freight Chinese rip offs) An airbrush properly used will produce a very fine finish.
  11. kurtvd19
    Do one at a time if the model is built up to the same degree as shown on the plans. The pieces being attached are not going to put any strain on anything. No problem with doing the bulwarks on one side and then the other.
  12. kurtvd19
    I second the idea of using a Dumas type motor but with a 2:1 drive - not direct to the shaft. A tug needs more low end power than RPMs and 2:1 with a Dumas type motor works great fro a tug such as you show. CAUTION - Do not under any circumstances use a Dumas geared drive for this - pure garbage and the noise is very loud - a belt drive is great.
  13. kurtvd19
    The part you showed in post #28 is a simple jack that is placed under the blades shaft housing after it is loosened and moves the blade up or down. It is placed right where the two red knobs shown in post #30 are shown. The two red knobs were a later improvement to adjust the blade height.
  14. kurtvd19
    Use Brass wire. It can be annealed to bend the chain plates and other parts. It comes in many sizes and can be found in hobby shops, craft stores and on-line. It is easily soldered.
  15. kurtvd19
    This has been discussed numerous times. Please do a search of topics and read the prior posts - your question has been answered many times. If you need further information about a glue ask the question in the that topic and you will get the needed information.
  16. kurtvd19
    Yes it will be. I already have the post it note with "START THE RECORDING" ready to stick in the middle of my screen so I can't miss it.
  17. kurtvd19
    NRG VIRTUAL WORKSHOP PHOTOGRAPHING MODEL SHIPS Saturday, June 5, 2021 These Workshops are normally limited to NRG members only. The Board has decided to open this Workshop to members of Model Ship World. Seats are limited and it is first come first served. The Virtual Workshop is Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 10:00 AM CST. The Workshop is entitled “Photography for Ship Models”. Kurt Van Dahm, who is a retired professional forensic photographer as well as a Director of the Guild, will show us how to photograph our models. Kurt has presented variations of this talk at NRG Conferences and Seminars. Use those newly found or sharpened photo skills and add to or start a build log on Model Ship World. This will be a Zoom presentation. The cost is FREE. Preregistration is required. Click HERE to register. Please do not call or email the office – we have automated the registration process. If you plan to attend you must register no later than 5:00 PM CST on June 2, 2021. Early registration is urged as this event is expected to be heavily attended and seats are limited. All registrants will get an emailed invitation with the required link to attend on or about June 3. Please join the event with your video camera off and your microphone muted.
  18. kurtvd19
    The contest was held and the awards were presented at a virtual awards ceremony on May 15th. We have posted the slide show and the award list for the model contest on the museum website: https://www.wisconsinmaritime.org/programs-and-events/midwestern-model-ship-contest/
  19. kurtvd19
    Justin: Parts are often drawn at different scales for clarity. Some smaller parts if drawn at 1:16 would be tiny on the drawing so they are drawn at a larger scale so details can be easily seen. Many drawings will show objects at different scales on the same sheet for this reason.
  20. kurtvd19
    This isn't the type of project where templates are needed. Every dimension of each part is provided in full size so marking the parts in any scale the builder picks is able to be accomplished with more precision than printing out the plans to use as a template. The primary purpose of this project, like the half hull planking project is to educate the modeler. The NRG is chartered as an educational organization. Following the monograph will help educate builders in scales and drawing interpretations without going through unnecessary rescaling calculations. Toni's without access to the internet till next week. She may have more to add later. Take care, Kurt
  21. kurtvd19
    Do a search here as there are several discussions on airbrush use where your questions will most likely be answered. If you then have specific questions go ahead and ask for clarification or more data.
  22. kurtvd19
    A front surface mirror eliminates the gap that one sees between the half hull and the mirror's reflective surface that in a std mirror is on the back side. The front surface mirror is fragile and easilly scratched but once you see the difference the care is worth it. Front surface mirrors are expensive but a good source is scrapped copy machines - there are places that take these machines apart and sell the parts - mostly in major cities.
  23. kurtvd19
    This model won a Gold award last night at the WI Maritime Museum's 44th annual contest (virtual this year). Dan entered in the Advanced category (he's won previous Gold awards so one must enter the next higher category each time until reaching the Advanced level). The sail details received nice comments. I too like his sawhorses. I have used sawhorses before but I really like his version and I will blatantly copy his version at some point.
  24. kurtvd19
    I want to let everybody know that this model earned a SILVER award at the WI Maritime Museum's 44th Annual contest (virtual this year) last night. It was entered in the Scratch Built category. Congratulations to Eric.
  25. kurtvd19
    I have an Epsom scanner that doesn't induce distortion. Real easy to check - make a scan at 100% print it out at 100% and then using a light box or window hold the copy over the original to see how close it is. I have checked and the copy is identical. It's a home type with a maximum copy size of 9 x 14.

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