Richard Bradfield

Thank you Karl.

Karl, I have been following your build of all three sections of this ship for a few years now and can only say they are all astounding! Might we see a photo shoot of all three sections together?

Karl, I have been following your build of all three sections of this ship for a few years now and can only say they are all astounding! Might we see a photo shoot of all three sections together?

Tim, Bob and Popeye,
Thanks for looking in and for the good words.  I haven't worked on the boat for about a week as I've helping my son refinish some furniture.  That project took a couple of days but turned out great.  My last post was about installing the dredge rollers and although they turned out great I had a problem with the blackened finish.  When I first blackened the parts and installed them the blackening looked great, a nice flat even finish but in about two days they turned rusty with splotches of black.  Looked kinda good actually, like they were really weathered but not in keeping with the rest of the boat.  I had to hand paint them after they were installed but they look good, so I'm happy.  I also have a tale of two sails to tell.  I made a previous post about my first try at sail making which I was quite proud of. Since then I decided to use the tan colored cloth so I remade the sails. The basic sails turned out good, nice seams, and hems. The next step was to put the bolt rope on.  I didn't think I could sew them on so I used glue.  On the jib sail I used ca glue to attach the bolt rope. It worked but stained the sail cloth and made the sail very stiff.  On the main sail I used elmers white glue to attach the bolt rope. That worked well and the sail was less stiff.
 

 
I then proceeded to put eyelets in the jib and this is what happened. The ca made the sail very brittle so I won't be doing that again. 
 

 
So back to the beginning. Since I have to remake the jib sail, I decided I will sew the bolt rope on and I also decided to take the time to install eyelets, and thimbles at all the sail lacing points.  That means I will have to remake the main sail as well, as the elmers glue made the bolt rope to hard to pass a needle through. That will be a VERY time consuming job but I think it will be very realistic and add a lot to the model.  The eyelets I am using are 1/16 dia. x 3/32 shank .  I tested whether I could do this well and these pics show the result.  The stitching on the piece of bolt rope will be much better than shown as this was just a test to see how difficult it would be.  
 

 
To maintain my sanity, I think the best plan is to work on these sails a bit at a time while also working on other aspects of the boat. 
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
 
 
 
 

Tim, Bob and Popeye,
Thanks for looking in and for the good words.  I haven't worked on the boat for about a week as I've helping my son refinish some furniture.  That project took a couple of days but turned out great.  My last post was about installing the dredge rollers and although they turned out great I had a problem with the blackened finish.  When I first blackened the parts and installed them the blackening looked great, a nice flat even finish but in about two days they turned rusty with splotches of black.  Looked kinda good actually, like they were really weathered but not in keeping with the rest of the boat.  I had to hand paint them after they were installed but they look good, so I'm happy.  I also have a tale of two sails to tell.  I made a previous post about my first try at sail making which I was quite proud of. Since then I decided to use the tan colored cloth so I remade the sails. The basic sails turned out good, nice seams, and hems. The next step was to put the bolt rope on.  I didn't think I could sew them on so I used glue.  On the jib sail I used ca glue to attach the bolt rope. It worked but stained the sail cloth and made the sail very stiff.  On the main sail I used elmers white glue to attach the bolt rope. That worked well and the sail was less stiff.
 

 
I then proceeded to put eyelets in the jib and this is what happened. The ca made the sail very brittle so I won't be doing that again. 
 

 
So back to the beginning. Since I have to remake the jib sail, I decided I will sew the bolt rope on and I also decided to take the time to install eyelets, and thimbles at all the sail lacing points.  That means I will have to remake the main sail as well, as the elmers glue made the bolt rope to hard to pass a needle through. That will be a VERY time consuming job but I think it will be very realistic and add a lot to the model.  The eyelets I am using are 1/16 dia. x 3/32 shank .  I tested whether I could do this well and these pics show the result.  The stitching on the piece of bolt rope will be much better than shown as this was just a test to see how difficult it would be.  
 

 
To maintain my sanity, I think the best plan is to work on these sails a bit at a time while also working on other aspects of the boat. 
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
 
 
 
 

Hello all, This is my first build log and my first build of a somewhat detailed wooden model boat.  I retired about 18 months ago and decided to get into building model boats. I am partial to work boats, especially those of the Chesapeake Bay, so I built a simple crabbing skiff and a smaller scale skipjack wood model to get into it a bit. This kit is far and away more difficult. I am having fun though and the hours just slip on by.  I am sorry I did not start the build log properly by documenting the kit unboxing and early stages of my build so this log picks up after I finished the basic hull. I started this build on Jan 15, 2013. I am building the boat as close to the "real thing" as I can and adding as much extra detail as I am capable of.  Comments or questions are welcome of course.
 

 
The cabins and hatches are just temporarily placed on the deck. The main cabin roof was split in two so that I can remove half to see the detail.  The cabin windows are clear plastic. The cabin mattresses are pieces of cardboard covered with old sail cloth. All doors are hinged and hatch covers are removable. Well that brings this build up to date.  The next task is to cut and install the planksheers.

Tim, Bob and Popeye,
Thanks for looking in and for the good words.  I haven't worked on the boat for about a week as I've helping my son refinish some furniture.  That project took a couple of days but turned out great.  My last post was about installing the dredge rollers and although they turned out great I had a problem with the blackened finish.  When I first blackened the parts and installed them the blackening looked great, a nice flat even finish but in about two days they turned rusty with splotches of black.  Looked kinda good actually, like they were really weathered but not in keeping with the rest of the boat.  I had to hand paint them after they were installed but they look good, so I'm happy.  I also have a tale of two sails to tell.  I made a previous post about my first try at sail making which I was quite proud of. Since then I decided to use the tan colored cloth so I remade the sails. The basic sails turned out good, nice seams, and hems. The next step was to put the bolt rope on.  I didn't think I could sew them on so I used glue.  On the jib sail I used ca glue to attach the bolt rope. It worked but stained the sail cloth and made the sail very stiff.  On the main sail I used elmers white glue to attach the bolt rope. That worked well and the sail was less stiff.
 

 
I then proceeded to put eyelets in the jib and this is what happened. The ca made the sail very brittle so I won't be doing that again. 
 

 
So back to the beginning. Since I have to remake the jib sail, I decided I will sew the bolt rope on and I also decided to take the time to install eyelets, and thimbles at all the sail lacing points.  That means I will have to remake the main sail as well, as the elmers glue made the bolt rope to hard to pass a needle through. That will be a VERY time consuming job but I think it will be very realistic and add a lot to the model.  The eyelets I am using are 1/16 dia. x 3/32 shank .  I tested whether I could do this well and these pics show the result.  The stitching on the piece of bolt rope will be much better than shown as this was just a test to see how difficult it would be.  
 

 
To maintain my sanity, I think the best plan is to work on these sails a bit at a time while also working on other aspects of the boat. 
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
 
 
 
 

Tim, Bob and Popeye,
Thanks for looking in and for the good words.  I haven't worked on the boat for about a week as I've helping my son refinish some furniture.  That project took a couple of days but turned out great.  My last post was about installing the dredge rollers and although they turned out great I had a problem with the blackened finish.  When I first blackened the parts and installed them the blackening looked great, a nice flat even finish but in about two days they turned rusty with splotches of black.  Looked kinda good actually, like they were really weathered but not in keeping with the rest of the boat.  I had to hand paint them after they were installed but they look good, so I'm happy.  I also have a tale of two sails to tell.  I made a previous post about my first try at sail making which I was quite proud of. Since then I decided to use the tan colored cloth so I remade the sails. The basic sails turned out good, nice seams, and hems. The next step was to put the bolt rope on.  I didn't think I could sew them on so I used glue.  On the jib sail I used ca glue to attach the bolt rope. It worked but stained the sail cloth and made the sail very stiff.  On the main sail I used elmers white glue to attach the bolt rope. That worked well and the sail was less stiff.
 

 
I then proceeded to put eyelets in the jib and this is what happened. The ca made the sail very brittle so I won't be doing that again. 
 

 
So back to the beginning. Since I have to remake the jib sail, I decided I will sew the bolt rope on and I also decided to take the time to install eyelets, and thimbles at all the sail lacing points.  That means I will have to remake the main sail as well, as the elmers glue made the bolt rope to hard to pass a needle through. That will be a VERY time consuming job but I think it will be very realistic and add a lot to the model.  The eyelets I am using are 1/16 dia. x 3/32 shank .  I tested whether I could do this well and these pics show the result.  The stitching on the piece of bolt rope will be much better than shown as this was just a test to see how difficult it would be.  
 

 
To maintain my sanity, I think the best plan is to work on these sails a bit at a time while also working on other aspects of the boat. 
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
 
 
 
 

Tim and Bob, Thanks for the comments. I went ahead and blackened all the parts then started to put on the boat. I immediately discovered that the axle brackets for the long roller were to tall so I had to make new ones. Here is a old and new pick.

 
After blacking the new parts I installed the dredge roller on the starboard side. Everything fit well and I am happy. Probably do the port side tomorrow.

Hello all, This is my first build log and my first build of a somewhat detailed wooden model boat.  I retired about 18 months ago and decided to get into building model boats. I am partial to work boats, especially those of the Chesapeake Bay, so I built a simple crabbing skiff and a smaller scale skipjack wood model to get into it a bit. This kit is far and away more difficult. I am having fun though and the hours just slip on by.  I am sorry I did not start the build log properly by documenting the kit unboxing and early stages of my build so this log picks up after I finished the basic hull. I started this build on Jan 15, 2013. I am building the boat as close to the "real thing" as I can and adding as much extra detail as I am capable of.  Comments or questions are welcome of course.
 

 
The cabins and hatches are just temporarily placed on the deck. The main cabin roof was split in two so that I can remove half to see the detail.  The cabin windows are clear plastic. The cabin mattresses are pieces of cardboard covered with old sail cloth. All doors are hinged and hatch covers are removable. Well that brings this build up to date.  The next task is to cut and install the planksheers.

Frank, thanks ^^ No problem in saying my technique. I used two coats of bitumen wax over sanded yelowish wood - The AL mukali wood seemed too clear to me, and something that needed some staining. Since I´m a wax fan, that´s what I used. Sanded, waxed, cleaned it with a rag, then waited for it to dry. Repeated the process to fill better gaps and holes. That´s it!
 
Sam,
 

Quinn, 1999 - Shipboarding Lighting: AD. 400 - 1900
 

 
Since I depict a ship from early Ming Dinasty, on the 15th century (well, that´s what I´m trying, at least), no candles.

I finished all the major painting, touchups and constructed the display stand today. Next step is the cap rail, install rudder linkage, and more ironwork (when my supply of brass gets here).  Here are a few pic of the where I am at the end of today.  Nothing is glued down yet. Gonna take a break for a few days and get back on it Monday.
 

Jack, What a bargin! Good luck with the build.

As always I am speechless when viewing your work. I need to find a dictionary of superlatives just to comment properly.

Adam and Bob, Thanks for the comments. I am having fun with it.  Worked on it a bit today.  Faired the deck frames, installed the planksheers and the side guards. I soaked the log rails in water a few minutes and am forming them to the hull. Only one pic to add today.
 

Hello all, This is my first build log and my first build of a somewhat detailed wooden model boat.  I retired about 18 months ago and decided to get into building model boats. I am partial to work boats, especially those of the Chesapeake Bay, so I built a simple crabbing skiff and a smaller scale skipjack wood model to get into it a bit. This kit is far and away more difficult. I am having fun though and the hours just slip on by.  I am sorry I did not start the build log properly by documenting the kit unboxing and early stages of my build so this log picks up after I finished the basic hull. I started this build on Jan 15, 2013. I am building the boat as close to the "real thing" as I can and adding as much extra detail as I am capable of.  Comments or questions are welcome of course.
 

 
The cabins and hatches are just temporarily placed on the deck. The main cabin roof was split in two so that I can remove half to see the detail.  The cabin windows are clear plastic. The cabin mattresses are pieces of cardboard covered with old sail cloth. All doors are hinged and hatch covers are removable. Well that brings this build up to date.  The next task is to cut and install the planksheers.

As always I am speechless when viewing your work. I need to find a dictionary of superlatives just to comment properly.

Thanks to all of you.  You guys are great.  It's comments like these that keep me building and posting.
 
Thanks also to those that click "LIKE" and don't post.  It lets me know you are all enjoying the build.
 
Bob

Nice design Sinan. The french cleat would be the perfect way to hang the unit.
Have you thought of making the work surface cantilevered to the back, which would negate interference from the legs? With the right bracket you could also lock it in place when on a tabletop.

HI DENIS VERY NICE JOB ON YOURS MODEL AND GOOD PICTURES THANKS JOHN

Looks great Adam! Good to see another Willie Bennett post. Looking forward to more!

Tim and Bob, Thanks for the comments. I went ahead and blackened all the parts then started to put on the boat. I immediately discovered that the axle brackets for the long roller were to tall so I had to make new ones. Here is a old and new pick.

 
After blacking the new parts I installed the dredge roller on the starboard side. Everything fit well and I am happy. Probably do the port side tomorrow.

Really really great work Richard.  I love all the detail you have done!  very impressive!

Tim and Bob, Thanks for the comments. I went ahead and blackened all the parts then started to put on the boat. I immediately discovered that the axle brackets for the long roller were to tall so I had to make new ones. Here is a old and new pick.

 
After blacking the new parts I installed the dredge roller on the starboard side. Everything fit well and I am happy. Probably do the port side tomorrow.

I put my sail making aside, while I wait for some eyelets I ordered to arrive so I could complete them. Today I have been working on the oyster dredge rollers. The picture shows the two roller assemblies prior to painting or blackening. This little project took me about 8 hours to complete to this stage and I am pleased with the result. I sorta wish I had aluminum tube to use for the rollers but only had the brass. I will likely paint the rollers with aluminum colored paint and the mounting ironwork white.

Thanks for having a look.