Chuck

Really shaping up....nice work Rusty.

I am often asked by folks who own my Serving machine how to use it to seize blocks or make a mouse etc. Truthfully it was never designed to do those things but because it is a very simple tool it can be modified/augmented very easily. In fact I have written directions to dozens of folks about how easy it is to make a jig of sorts that can be used to hold and seize blocks using the serving machine. So I figured to save time I would also post it here. As you know it is very simple "Amish" technology to say the least. The jig/attachment for holding and seizing blocks or even making a mouse is equally as simple. I will not include these devices with the machine because they literally cost only pennies to make but will take about 20 minutes in time. The cost isnt the issue, its the time and folks would probably balk at having to pay me for that time when they could make these on their own for literally pennies. So here is how it is done...or at least one method. So first...to make a block fixture..... You will need a wooden dowel that fits snug in the 1/4" tube of the serving machine.....two alligator clips or any other clips.....and some glue. That is it, although you could get fancy and use another brass tube or rod and fancy clips. For me it isnt about the materials used but the functionality. The brass tubes that are used on the serving machine protrude just a bit from the handles as shown. This was done on purpose because I always knew the extra meat would be used for stuff like this, I am just surprised nobody has done so yet. Drill a small hole through this tube protrusion...straight through so it goes through both sides. You will use it to insert a pin and secure the dowel/block holder. I actually just use a length of 22 gauge wire. It works great. Then take a short wood dowel and drill another small hole through the end as shown. You can slide the pin through the tube and dowel to secure it....easy-peasy. The dowel should be a snug fit in the tube. The other end of the dowel is cut to length so after attaching say....an alligator clip....it will be close to the side and gears. The back of the alligator clip is opened up and crimped onto the dowel....also secured with glue. That is it. very simple. Its so simple in fact that its easy and more economical for you make these on your own rather than pay me to make them. This same concept can be used to make a jig for making a mouse too!!! Just use another brass tube rather than a dowel or rod. I am sure that you have seen these... It makes the Serv-o-matic an even more versatile , low cost and simple machine to own. If you have other jigs and modifications that you have made to your serv-o-matic.....please share them here. I am sure that everyone could benefit from them. Chuck

No they are never removed. As you said they will be bumped off when someone post new photos. That banner just shows the latest images uploaded. Your photos will also still remain in the gallery along with the thousands of other photos that have been uploaded over the years after someone new posts new images.

You are getting there and its looking very good Rusty. Well done. Chuck

Click the button under the last question that says see results.

That planking looks outstanding.

Based on a suggestion this topic was moved to this forum. A very good suggestion, thank you.

I understand, but you need not actually build some of these kits to know about their details. For example, I have never built a Dusek kit before. But I have seen them up close, both here on MSW and in person. The quality of the laser cutting and the materials supplied is excellent. Some of the best I have seen in a kit model. So I would be very comfortable voting for them. Other than that I think folks should just vote their experience....whatever the reason. For example, if you did buy an AL kit because its all that was available to you and you found the plans and instructions terrible, dont vote for them. A "NO" vote is just as important as a "Yes Vote" I have never bought or seen a Soclaine kit up close. I dont know anything about them. So I will not vote for them but instead I will just vote for what I do know about to the best of my knowledge. You dont need personal experience with all of the brands on the list. These results shouldnt correlate with the number of build logs for that exact reason. More of one brand in a lot of build logs could be about availability while this poll is about other aspects for the brands based on the best of your knowledge, whether from online viewing or from personal experience. In addition, the internet allows us to buy other brands that might not be available locally. Hopefully that will help give folks an introduction to these kits. As far as Australia is concerned, that explains a lot about why the Chinese kits are so prevalent there. Right or wrong but availability is a huge consideration and the expense to ship products there. In the states here I have not bought a hobby kit or product in any brick and mortar store for ten years. I have always bought them online and had them shipped. There are zero hobby shops within 100 miles of me that actually carry anything ship model related..... I think it is understood that most people wont have experience with many of the brands listed. Rather than have them list which ones they have had experience with I think maybe a question asking which kit brand you have had a bad experience with would be better. You can select those you thought had poor materials, plans and instructions.

Do you see a button to show vote options.....then just select again. I think. This poll stuff is new in this version. Let me see.

You should be able to change your votes.

Please select up to three choices for each question. This will help model builders trying to decide which brands are worth looking into. Companies no longer in business or making kits. Let me know if I missed any and I will add them to the list. This is a list of Legitimate ship model companies.

I think I will stick with paper on these but just give the file for folks to "bash" a bit and use their own decal paper of choice. Here is the file. dolphinsweeps.pdf

You are referring to this stuff right? I have seen it but have not used it yet. http://www.decalpaper.com/category-s/4.htm Chuck

Thanks This isnt the best image but you can see them on these oars for the prince Fredrick Barge. Also note how thin the blades are. They also seem to have a metal protective band on the edge which I did not show. I painted it like it is sometimes shown on other contemporary models. Lots of ways to make your oars/sweeps unique.

Thanks No its just paper. You cut them out carefully with a #11 blade and glue them on. Really simple. They are dolphins/sea creatures based on the typical decorations shown on sweeps of that time period. I basically tried to repeat what Druxey painted on his sweeps for the Hospital Barge. His sweeps as decorated inspired me to do the same. I think it adds a nice touch. Here is one of his painted sweeps. Although he painted all of his directly on each sweep. I cheated and made one and then scanned it, printed it .....cut them out and glued them on.

Just a quick update. Even though I only have to make 5 more sweeps I can tell you that they take a long time to complete. I finished the sweeps for one side of the display so now you guys can better see what the finished presentation will look like. While working on these last few parts I am also finalizing the plans and gearing up to start making kits in just a few weeks. I am also busy writing the instruction manual. I am looking forward to the Winnie soon after !!! Chuck

Indeed it is. Its just another scammer way of selling the brands we already know. They change up names quite readily. There really isnt a Nidale company. Its once again just ZHL scamming under a new name as they do often. See below. They are used interchangeably. I will add this new alias to the list. Think of it like a distributor more than a MFG. Even though they use these alias as a BRAND on many sites they are basically the same company. As far as I can tell there are three actual companies that make kits and they are sold under countless names. Its just a ploy as nobody believes there are 20+ individual ship model manufacturers in China with two or three new ones propping up every month. We currently have 20 Chinese names on the list that all sell the same stuff listed as a Brand Name on EBAY or Aliexpress etc.. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/ZHL-all-scenario-version-of-the-black-pearl-ship-model-kits/32759016135.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.49.6XaTPY&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_5570020_10152_10065_10151_10130_10068_10344_10342_10343_10340_10341_5560011_5550020_10307_10137_10060_10155_10154_10056_10055_10054_5470020_10059_100031_10099_5460020_10338_10339_10103_10102_440_10052_10053_10107_10050_10142_10051_10324_10325_5380020_10326_10084_513_10083_10080_10082_10081_10178_10110_10111_10112_10113_10114_143_10312_10313_10314_10078_10079_10073,searchweb201603_30,ppcSwitch_2&btsid=bbd2ef87-74f5-48fe-be13-e0e856049302&algo_expid=f8791d81-32fd-4368-a065-c16307eed895-6&algo_pvid=f8791d81-32fd-4368-a065-c16307eed895 The other prevailing theory is that any shmo in China with a laser cutter and other capabilities will steal the pirated kits of other chinese pirates. This includes photos used on many websites. It is so rampant that although you think you getting a pirated ZHL kit which is usually crappy unto itself, but instead you get an even crappier pirated version of the pirated ZHL kit. You never know what you are getting til you open the box. It is literally a crap - shoot!!! LOL

All of the build logs have been moved to the "Build logs for kits" area. The group was shut down long ago. But all of the build logs remain. Click here to see most of them after I did a search in that forum. https://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/search/&q=longboat&type=forums_topic&nodes=10&search_in=titles&sortby=relevancy

His email is woodprojectsource@gmail.com

Ron I just spoke to Roman. I placed another order from him myself. He said your order that was placed yesterday, went through just fine. He will get back to you soon but is away this weekend. His website and order page is working just fine..my own order went through with no issues at all. Chuck

Nicely done Dan.....I know how hard that must have been to hold your interest making two identical models one after the other. It certainly didnt effect the quality at all second time around. Well done. I would have been banging my head against the wall.....like groundhog day.

The hull is just a hair longer than 18". Its about 3" wide. Its not a small model. Its a pretty good sized project.

Thanks guys, I hope so too!!! As an aside, I just spent the day revamping my site a bit. I needed to upgrade some parts. So please click around and if you have any trouble placing an order please let me know. I have tested the cart and all seems well. But just in case please let me know if you see some screwy text I may have missed or broken links. This was something I needed to do for a while although it doesnt look too different which I hope is good thing. www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com

Spent some time making a base. Testing how to display the sweeps. Still only one sweep completed. Wont get to the others until next week. Even so, this project is in the home stretch. At least the model is. I still have to carve the decorations for the port side too!! The sweeps will be displayed 5 per side on laser cut racks. I just taped them to the base for this test but I like how it will look. Then I have to finalize the plans, write the instructions, think about packaging and start manufacturing. So still lots to do before these are shelf-ready. But at least now the long to-do list is shorter and more manageable. Chuck

Prototyping the sweeps for the barge..... One down and nine more to go. Each sweep is made from four pieces. Each piece is shaped accordingly. It is either turned and rounded off or tapered and steamed bent. I will of course elaborate more in the instructions. But they seem to go together well enough and are pretty straight forward.