rafine

Thanks so much Rusty. I guess that this time I hated the idea so much that I tried to do something about it. 

Bob

Rich, another trick that you might try, in addition to using progressively larger drills, is to put a piece of masking tape over the area to be drilled. It seems to help in woods that tend to splinter.

Bob

Thanks Scott.

Rainy weather has cut down golf time and increased modeling time. As a result, I have made and installed the quarterdeck pin rails and also have done the quarterdeck hances and related moldings.

The pin rails are boxwood and were pinned and glued to the bulwarks. For the hances, I used the laser cut kit parts for the sculpted curved portion, but cut off the additional laser cut "molding" portion and replaced it with half round molding. The kit parts were nicely done, but very fragile, and it just seemed easier to use a less fragile alternative.

Now, I will do the cap rails for the bulwarks and transom.

Bob

Thanks very much Michael. I'm enjoying your Halifax as well.

Bob

That is just incredible Grant. A truly beautiful piece of work. 

Bob

Thanks so much Hamilton.

Thanks Sam. That's an interesting idea for the deck, but I don't know if it would appeal as a kit. I'm still a way from the head rails (actually I've never liked doing them and probably will put them off as long as possible ), but it would be a help to have the figure head for fitting purposes if that's not too much of an imposition.

Bob

Thanks Alistair. The feeling is mutual. The great thing about this site is that we inspire each other.

Bob

I added the simulated bulwark sheaves for the main braces.

I then made up the quarterdeck bulwark ringbolts and blackened them and a bunch of eyebolts. I also made up two sizes of cleats from boxwood. I then drilled the bulwarks and transom for all of them and installed them (with the exception of the ringbolts for the four guns that I will mount).

I then made two transom knees from boxwood and installed them. Lastly, I made a traveler for the boom sheet from wire and installed it in the transom with drilled holes.

The pin rails remain to be made and installed to complete the quarterdeck bulwark work.

Bob

Thanks Augie and Sir Charles Edward and thanks also to all of the "likes".

Augie, The vacuum is a necessity now. Hopefully, the glue will continue to hold on the lower deck.

Bob

Very nicely done Rich.

Bob

Thanks Grant. I really just didn't like the way the "usual" ways of doing it looked. 

Bob

Deck planking on the quarterdeck is now complete. I began by doing the center section of planking. This provided coverage around the hatches and masts and a base for the capstan and wheel. I left the aft section open to give a view of the cabin. After completing this , I tried out a variety of options for additional planking to mount guns. To my eye, the best was to do enough planking to mount the forward two guns on each side. I'm sure that others would probably come to different conclusions, but that is the choice I made. I did also add two small planking strips at the stern to support the transom knees.

I also made up the hatches and the ladderway coaming from boxwood with the kit gratings. As before, the deck planking is holly with pencil "caulking" and golden oak filler "treenails", finished with Wipe-on Poly.

I'm in the process of making up cleats, ringbolts and eyebolts for the quarterdeck bulwarks. Drilling for them and mounting will be next.

Bob 

Thanks so much Scott and Nigel.

Bob

I ended up using a boom rest and parrals because I felt that arrangement was more appropriate for the time period .

Bob

You should be more than pleased Augie. The floor looks fabulous.

Bob

Nice work on the guns Michael.

Bob

Thanks so much Ben. I'm taking it all the way -- full masts and rigging.

Bob

Thanks Rich.

Tim, I'm delighted when anyone even wants to try something I do.

Bob

Tim: The bulwarks planking is boxwood. The filler is Elmers.

Bob

You have every reason to question your sanity Grant -- the pinnace is just crazy good.

Bob

Thanks Grant. I'm sorry that I've never taken any pictures to show how simple a procedure it is.

Bob

Thanks so much Remco, Joe and Thomas for the kind words and also to all the "likes". 

Remco, I try to avoid the need for trimming or sanding by the painted areas. I make up multi plank units to fit the space between the ports and do all of the trimming and sanding off the ship. It takes a little longer to fit the pieces, but in the end I think it saves time and it definitely saves aggravation.

Bob

I got into a couple of those days when I just couldn't stop and completed all of the internal bulwark planking for the quarterdeck, including the transom. I also did the deck margin planks and waterways. The bulwark planking and waterways are boxwood and the deck planking is holly. I followed my usual procedure on this build with pencil "caulking" and golden oak filler "treenails".

I'm going to do the center strip of deck planking before making a decision on how much more planking to do for gun mounting. I've narrowed it down to three choices: all of the guns on one side and none on the other; all of the guns on one side and a couple on the other side; a couple of guns on each side.

Bob

Thanks Sam for both the nice words and the offer. It's funny that you should mention the head rails, because I was just starting to think about how I would do them. I'm sure that it would be helpful to have those images. Thanks again.

Bob

Thanks so much Rusty. I'm still debating with myself about how I will do the quarterdeck planking. I favor the minimal, but I've got to make some provision for mounting guns.

Bob