rafine

That's my general plan as well.

Bob

First planking looks nice and smooth.

Bob

I've added the base stem piece and then added the ply bulwark pieces. I'm not a big fan of one piece bulwarks, preferring to frame them, but I chose to go with the kit parts here. They actually went on pretty easily and smoothly, after soaking in hot water and shaping around a former. 

I've now begun the first lower hull planking.

Bob

Looks great Grant.

Bob

Thanks for the comments and "likes".

Dave, I did dilute the glue, but no science was involved. My method was simply to put some glue ( Titebond) on a piece of styrene, take a brush and dip it in water, then pick up some glue with the wet brush. I'm sure the amount of dilution varied from one brushful to the next.

Bob

'. 

After wrestling with computer issues that were preventing me from posting, I can now document some progress. I have completed hull framing, added the cabin deck and the two sub-decks ,as well as the temporary bulwark cross pieces. Lastly, I have faired the hull. Now, it's on to the bulwark pieces and then the first planking.

Bob

 My first progress post. I have done the basic hull framing. Here are my initial thoughts: 1) the laser cutting is excellent. The parts come out of the carrier sheets cleanly and easily.; 2) the fit of the framing parts is generally very good, but I did find it best to lightly sand the slots on each part to ease the fitting, while not making a sloppy fit. I used an emory board for this; 3) I followed the recommendation to dry fit all of the parts and then to brush glue onto the finished assembly. This was the first time that I had tried this method and it worked very well. I used diluted Titebond; 4) the framing is as square and stable as any kit I have ever seen.

Bob

How do you think I feel Glenn, I've got 19 years on you.

Bob

Thanks all for your interest. Glad to have you on board.

Bob

I received my kit today ( likely one of the first in U.S.). All arrived in good order and looks great. For those not aware from my Winchelsea build, I am in a pause on that project ,and decided that this would be a perfect way to fill whatever time I may have before being able to resume Winchelsea. Having followed James's prototype build, I'm looking forward to getting started on this immediately. I expect to have a first progress post within a few days.

Bob

Thanks so much Sjors.

Thanks , Rusty. I must have been drunk when I was measuring the plans. You're absolutely right.

Bob

Great looking deck, Rusty.

Bob

Looking great Don.

Bob

Matt, I thought about the guns, but after checking the plans against Chuck's available guns, it seemed to me that there are none that match up well. I'm guessing that Chuck will have new guns for Winnie. I have been working on  the eyebolts and ringbolts for the deck and bulwarks, using the plans for size and placement.

I have Chris Watton's Duchess of Kingston on order, and will likely start on that when it arrives ( hopefully next week.).

Bob

Bob, I checked photos of my build ( I no longer have the model) and found that I used pre-made coils hung from the line wrapped around the rail. An easy way to do it.

Bob

Wes, I've lost enough friends in the last few years that I'm really happy just to hear from you. All the best.

Now, let's see some progress on your remarkable Essex!

Bob

Wes, great to hear from you again. Hope all is well now and we can all look forward to more of your remarkable build. Best regards.

Bob

Wonderful work, jean-Paul.Something to be really proud of.

Bob

Thanks so much Michael, Rusty, Greg, Ryland and Reg for the generous comments and the suggestions. Thanks also to the "likes",  I'm looking at some interim alternatives, but I feel like an addict searching for a "fix".

Bob

Some good news and some bad news. The good news: I've finished the deck planking and, thus, part four. The bad news: I've finished the deck planking and part four, apparently well before Chuck finishes part five. The unwanted result  may be a lengthy halt to my building.

In any event, the planking went relatively uneventfully. I tapered and curved the bow and stern planks without too much difficulty. The hooked scarph joints at bow and stern were interesting to do and required thought and care, but went smoothly. The photos show the deck planking sanded and finished with Wipe-on Poly.

Ken, sorry I haven't seen this before. She's looking very good.

Bob

Thanks so much Thomas, JJ, OC and Mustafa for your generous comments and thanks also to the "likes". 

OC, without wishing to draw this discussion out any further, I would only say that aging is a realty, and we all must live with it's consequences. Enough said.

Bob

Thanks so much Mustafa for the compliments on my build. You're off to a great start and I look forward to following your build.

Bob

Wow, that looks great.

Bob

Thanks so much Rusty, Matt, Elijah and the "likes". Although I really don't want to, I'm trying to slow down so that I don't finish the Chapter four work before Chuck finishes Chapter five. 

Bob