kurtvd19

One tip on using the tilt table.  If the saw is kept level using the tilt table is a bit awkward.  Use a couple of wedges under the saw so the tilt table is level with the bench top and it does away with the awkward working on the tilt table and the tendency for gravity to work against holding the wood against the uphill fence.

I do like the looks of the xebec, but not on my 'must do' list yet, as there are at least two kits of this out there that make up into very fine models. Right now, I want to develop kits that haven't been done before for a completely fresh range.
 
That is not to say I won't, I probably will if things are successful, but for now, I just want to concentrate on developing from my original 'wish list'..

A problem with cutting planks - or anything thin - between the blade and the fence is the rotation of the blade will send it back at the operator with the slightest amount of pinch or a twist of the cut piece.  On big saws this has injured operators severely as well as killed some.  I don't think anybody has to worry about a fatal injury from our model saws but don't think this can't injure you.  Using a push stick helps cancel this out but one chews up a lot of push sticks when doing thin strips because the push stick has to be real thin when doing real thin planks.  If you have ever had a push stick hit by the blade tooth you know the kind of shock that can be transmitted to your hand. 
 
It can all be avoided when using a tool to the left of the blade so there is nothing adjacent to the cut piece and it can fall away from the blade rather than come back at you and it's easier to use a push stick when one is pushing on the thicker part of the sheet.
 
This is something that is used with full size table saws but the fixtures/tools that work on the big saws will not work on our small saws.  I adapted the idea to a fixture I use on my Byrnes saws. 

The fixture is set to the left of the blade as shown above (Lefties you probably set your fence to the left of the blade so when I say left or right do the opposite).   Measure where to place the fixture as shown below - measuring from the blade to the tip of the fixture for the thickness you want for the strips.  With the sheet material moved into contact with the fixture on the left and the fence on the right.  Lock the fixture down.  This only locks the gauge part to the aluminum piece that fits into the groove on the saw table.  I cut the aluminum to be a tight fit that still slides back and forth within the groove until I tighten it a bit more and the aluminum piece locks into the groove - notice the slit in the length of the aluminum piece - there is a counter-bore on the underside so the flat head machine screw makes the edges spread a bit wider when the screw is fully tightened.
 
Move the fixture back towards you so there is a gap between the leading edge of the blade and the fixture as shown above and fully tighten the locking screw as described above.  Turn the saw on and use a push stick to push the wide sheet material to cut the strip.  When the strip is cut, it will fall to the left of the blade, move it out of the way and then pick up the sheet material and place it between the fixture and the fence - forward of the blade.  Move the fence over to bump the sheet material up to the fixture and cut the next strip.
 
On the Byrnes saw the thickness of each strip will be as close to exactly the same thickness as you can ever get.  When I started cutting strips this was I measured each strip to see the variation - if any - and found that +/- 0.0005" maximum was what I was getting.  Wood can change that amount or more from day to day with humidity changes in the shop.  A bit of practice on how tight to make the fit between the fixture and the fence is needed but by the time one cuts a dozen strips the variation will be what I listed or less.
 
The fixture shown below was my first generation tool that I used for several years before I made the one out of Plexiglas.
 

The first generation fixture below
 

 

This afternoon, well actually 10 minutes ago, in spite of the heat, I went out and did a bit more arranging while searching thru books for some schooner info a fellow modeler called me about. Arranging successful! Schooner info NOT!!! I may go back out this evening when things are cooler and tackle the workbench again. Here's the sitting area as of this afternoon:

After a good vacuuming, the rugs should look nicer and work until I can afford nautical themed décor for this area. The squiggly crap doesn't do anything for me!!! I think interior-wise things are getting close to being usable. I doubt there will be a commissioning gala with COVID lurking around the corner, so I may just begin using the shop without further fanfare. Although, that doesn't seem fitting.............

How about the Nat'l Museum of Toys and Miniatures in KC?  The collection they have of miniature tools, tool boxes, etc. is someplace I am going when I go to see the Arabia Museum again.

How about the Nat'l Museum of Toys and Miniatures in KC?  The collection they have of miniature tools, tool boxes, etc. is someplace I am going when I go to see the Arabia Museum again.

On the California accessibility issue, I'd just like to point out that California has excellent train service from LA up the coast. Many trains a day with stops in small towns all along the way, essentially European-style commuter rail. The last time we visited the Channel Islands, that's what we did, arrived in LA but didn't rent a car until we got off the train in Ventura. It's not difficult and traffic becomes a non-issue; just expand your mind from assuming cars are the only way to get around. We were planning to do the same thing this year before 2020 did its best Vasa impression and tentatively hope to do so in 2021.
 
As as plains/midwestern resident, I'd like to suggest that the saltwater folks expand their horizons and be open to learning something new once a decade. A dark horse candidate would be Kansas City, much easier to get to than Toledo or Duluth (bigger airport), which has a world-class steamboat museum downtown (and another one a few hours upriver near Omaha, perfect for a day trip) and a lot of affordable convention/lodging options. There are plenty of us in the midwest and a lot of good models would show up at such a central location that's within a long day's drive of everything from Denver to MSP to Chicago to Memphis to Dallas. A special conference theme could be freshwater maritime history, not just of the interior US but all over the world. There's also a lot of access to less-well-known Civil War and American frontier history (including Lewis & Clark) that would complement the broader historical interests most of us have.

Chuck:
We constantly hear from E & W coast members that a mandatory element of a NRG conf has to include salt water.
Here by the Great Lakes we like to say that Doctors are always saying to cut out salt.  Also, our waters are guaranteed to be free of sharks!
Not that you would be likely to swim in Lake Superior - it makes the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans feel like kiddie pools temperature wise.
Duluth is also one of the busiest ports in the US.

Gary:
The history is that we move the conferences so that as much as possible East and West coasts plus the Midwest are covered as close to equally as we can do so.  This is so that all members can attend a conference without having to travel clear across the country as often as possible. 
Since 2013 there have been 4 Eastern events, with the 2020/2021 being in CA that will be a third Western event.  The only Midwest event since 2013 was 2014 in St. Louis.  So, we are overdue for a Midwest conf.
The 2021 event will be in CA where the 2020 event was to be held.  We plan on the 2022 event being a Midwest event possibly at a Great Lakes location.
We have talked with the Mariner's Museum in VA and it is a likely location but there have been absolutely no plans made beyond 2022.
A membership survey will be done before we make any plans beyond 2022.
Kurt
 

Chuck:
We constantly hear from E & W coast members that a mandatory element of a NRG conf has to include salt water.
Here by the Great Lakes we like to say that Doctors are always saying to cut out salt.  Also, our waters are guaranteed to be free of sharks!
Not that you would be likely to swim in Lake Superior - it makes the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans feel like kiddie pools temperature wise.
Duluth is also one of the busiest ports in the US.

I spoke with Bob last week.  He's doing better but moving slowly.
If he got the order you will get the book.

As the speaker on the last day of the 2015 NRG Mystic Conference was getting into his talk about Black Sea shipwrecks I saw my wife coming into the conference room.  It seemed that my daughter in New York City was having difficulty delivering her daughter and they had decided on caesarian (sp?) delivery.
 
We immediately checked out of the hotel and prepared to drive to New York.  By the time that we were ready to go my son-in-law called with the news that the operation was over and mother and daughter were doing fine.
 
As our trip suddenly became less urgent we decided to stop at the nearby McDonalds before getting on the highway.  In the next booth was a lady working on some needlepoint.  My wife’s comments about her beautiful work resulted in a nice conversation.
 
She was from California and working on her needlepoint while her husband attended the conference.  The discussion led to where we were from and to my desire for a conference to be held in Duluth.  She thought that Duluth would be a wonderful place to hold a conference especially as she had little or no knowledge of the Great Lakes.
 
There has been considerable interest on the forum about non-saltwater vessels, and a freshwater venue would allow members to broaden their interests.  Otherwise, based on the models built or imagined by forum members, the most logical place to hold it would be in Portsmouth (UK)!!
 
Realistically, I have to admit that NW Ohio is a better midwestern compromise location as it is a not unreasonable drive from either Chicago or the East Coast, and weather is probably more manageable in late October.
 
We made it to New York that evening in time to hold our new gradddaughter who will start Kindergarten this fall if the NYC schools can figure things out.
 
Roger

Chuck:
We constantly hear from E & W coast members that a mandatory element of a NRG conf has to include salt water.
Here by the Great Lakes we like to say that Doctors are always saying to cut out salt.  Also, our waters are guaranteed to be free of sharks!
Not that you would be likely to swim in Lake Superior - it makes the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans feel like kiddie pools temperature wise.
Duluth is also one of the busiest ports in the US.

The dates are set for the 2021 NRG Conference.  October 21-23, 2021 at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. 

Chuck:
We constantly hear from E & W coast members that a mandatory element of a NRG conf has to include salt water.
Here by the Great Lakes we like to say that Doctors are always saying to cut out salt.  Also, our waters are guaranteed to be free of sharks!
Not that you would be likely to swim in Lake Superior - it makes the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans feel like kiddie pools temperature wise.
Duluth is also one of the busiest ports in the US.

Chuck:
We constantly hear from E & W coast members that a mandatory element of a NRG conf has to include salt water.
Here by the Great Lakes we like to say that Doctors are always saying to cut out salt.  Also, our waters are guaranteed to be free of sharks!
Not that you would be likely to swim in Lake Superior - it makes the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans feel like kiddie pools temperature wise.
Duluth is also one of the busiest ports in the US.

I spoke with Bob last week.  He's doing better but moving slowly.
If he got the order you will get the book.

Roger:
We lost the third vote for Duluth when Steve died. 
Toledo is on the short list.
You are probably correct about the CA airport situation but good spots near to airports are very expensive and already been done.  There are many of our members who can't get to anyplace on a non stop flight but they bite the bullet and do it.  Then you have a place like Boston - easy to fly to - but traffic worse than LA.
It's a real balancing act.

I spoke with Bob last week.  He's doing better but moving slowly.
If he got the order you will get the book.

Looks so good. One detail I love in original steamboat engine timbers is the scarph joints between the timbers (both between the horizontal timbers and between the slanted timber and the angled surface below it). It'd be really hard to do right in a model and would barely by seen, but it makes a lot of sense for strengthening the original assembly for the pounding it took from engine operation. You can see these in your photo above and on the Arabia's timbers as well:
 



 

Eric,
 
I did notice this little detail and really thought about adding it, but it was just one of those that I decided to forgo since it is not going to hardly be seen at all.

I am glad that you showed me the Arabia pics though. Part of the reason I decided against doing the scarps joints was that I wasn’t 100% sure that was original or just built that way on the restoration since a lot of the original timbers were missing. 
 
l guess I need to stay consistent when deciding what details to add and what not to. Mostly depends on the mood I’m in at the time I’m building it. 
 
-Brian

Kurt,
 
Although I only met him once, I enjoyed Steve’s many articles in the NRJ that described his innovative solutions to model building; Things that will have real lasting value to future readers of the Journal.
 
Grumbling aside, if it is safe to travel,  my wife and I will probably attend the 2021 CA Conference.  We BOTH enjoyed 2015 in Mystic and 2019 in New Bedford, and I have to admit, once you get there, the California Coast north of LA is a beautiful area.
 
BTW, is you have a few minutes, google Kitchi Gammi Club.  A great venue for a conference.  Maybe we could hold a virtual (nonexistent) 2020 conference there!
 
If you decide to have 2022 in Toledo, pay attention to the University of Michigan football schedule.  Lodging can be crazy in the region when there is a home game. As a native of Ohio prior to moving to Duluth, I might suggest exploring options for holding the meeting further east towards the Sandusky, Port Clinton, Marblehead area with an excursion to the Toledo Museum.  This area might be more appealing to spouses not excited about maritime history.  Visitors to Northern Ohio in October will see the region at its best.
 
I hope all is well with you and that you have fully recovered from your recent procedure.
 
Roger

AZTEK AIRBRUSH SET
This is the deluxe set of the Aztek Airbrush – I think it was produced by Testor’s.  I have never used this brush and have not tested it.  But it was formerly owned by the late Steve Wheeler and he took great care of his tools and it appears to be immaculate.
This does not include an air hose or instruction book.                                                                                      SOLD
Cost is $25 plus USPS shipping (at exact cost) US & Canada only.  PayPal preferred.
Please reply by PM.

BADGER 150 DOUBLE ACTION AIRBRUSH SET   SOLD
The Badger 150 is an exceptionally reliable airbrush made to provide the modeler with an airbrush able to spray any type of paint or finish.  It is a double action, internal mix unit.  Internal mix airbrushes provide the best finish when using an airbrush.  Double action airbrushes are not the best choice for beginners.
This airbrush set is complete with fine, medium, and large orifice spray heads and matching needle sets, a braided air hose, two sizes of paint bottles and a 1/4 oz. color cup for small jobs.
The medium needle/spray head set up is currently in place as it is the most used in painting model ships.
To purchase this new today would cost at least $150. 
I have tested this set and can assure the purchaser it works great.  It was previously owned by the late Steve Wheeler and was used to paint several models that all won gold awards in competition at the WI Maritime Museum contests.  Some of the models also won best of show awards.  YOUR RESULTS MIGHT VARY.
The price is $50 plus normal USPS shipping (at exact cost) US and Canada only.  The proceeds will go to the WI Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, WI.  PayPal preferred.  Please reply by PM.

Gary:
The history is that we move the conferences so that as much as possible East and West coasts plus the Midwest are covered as close to equally as we can do so.  This is so that all members can attend a conference without having to travel clear across the country as often as possible. 
Since 2013 there have been 4 Eastern events, with the 2020/2021 being in CA that will be a third Western event.  The only Midwest event since 2013 was 2014 in St. Louis.  So, we are overdue for a Midwest conf.
The 2021 event will be in CA where the 2020 event was to be held.  We plan on the 2022 event being a Midwest event possibly at a Great Lakes location.
We have talked with the Mariner's Museum in VA and it is a likely location but there have been absolutely no plans made beyond 2022.
A membership survey will be done before we make any plans beyond 2022.
Kurt