Chuck

It wont hurt anything. I do it all the time. Its coming out just great so far. Well done!!!

Any and all kits from ZHL are banned as long as they keep pirating kits from other manufacturers. They are not reputable as a company. Chuck

That is coming along very well. You will soon be caught up with me!!!!

That looks fantastic...It looks like you spent all day painted those friezes.

Dont be afraid to sand the heck out of it. You can sand all of that off and restain it. The planks are thick enough. Try t again but make sure you use a mixture of more natural stain vs golden oak. I would start with something like a 20 % stain mixture to 80% natural. See what happens. You can remove that stained layer if you just sand it off. Then sand it with a very fine 400 - 600 wet dry paper. Then apply the stain mixture. Chuck

Yes it should be...This way the caprail overlaps slightly on the outboard side only. The inboard side is flush. But that means you must go much thinner than 3/32" wide. The bulkheads should be sanded down to about 1/16" wide at the caprail or even less. The model will be surprisingly strong. Shoot for 3/64" wide along the top of the bulkheads.

Whats a separating tab.....can you take a picture? The box edges will be covered up. Chuck

I am not sure what you mean...lowered as far as recessed. Yes you can do that. You can create basically any shear you want within reason. Chuck

Al You can use the plans and use CNC to cut out the parts. As long as they are for your own personal use on this project then feel free to use any method to cut out the parts. As the hobby matures, folks are starting to use new tools and technology. Who are we to stand in the way. I happen to prefer a sharp chisel or a scroll saw but other now find CAD and CNC or even laser cutting just as much a part of the process. Its no different than someone using a Sherline Mill or Lathe vs. a jewelers saw and chisel. The project is an introduction to scratch building and scratch building techniques. CNC is just one of those techniques that are newer. CAD and CNC are fast becoming a fun part of this hobby for lots of people. They should be made to feel welcome here. So again I will welcome you to the group and forum. Build away and enjoy the project. The only disclaimer is that it be for your own personal use and you cant distribute cut parts to other builders. I will enjoy watching you progress and dont hesitate to ask me any questions. You have the complete blessing and authority from ADMIN and Owner alike. Chuck

Never a kit...just the plans and book. It will be a while to Seawatch Books dismay. But they will publish a book with plans. I will supply some materials and laser cut parts, but not a kit. Chuck

Yupp....you are correct. There is one for every station line. Four times as many in a typical kit. It will make framing the gunports easier as well. Chuck

Looking great...certainly take your time with that thinning down. That is an important step. Nothing worse than a very thick transom. Try and get into those nooks and crannies. It will pay huge dividends as far as the final model is concerned. Take your time. Chuck

Wonderful work. Its really coming together. Chuck

Looking really good....well done.

Nope...much smaller. Only large enough for the .008 line to pass through. I use a #77 or # 78 drill. Chuck

Here are some photos of the contemporary model of FA in teh rogers collection... and dont forget this link with even more photos of the model. It was in fact an actual ship..... http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/gallery/album/448-fair-american-rogers-collection-annapolis/

I just use regular packaging tape. Its slick but a pencil will write on it if you use the edge of the lead. I have also used a grease pencil and a sharpie. Chuck

Rusty...so nice to see you start on her. I am working on mine today and it will be nice to collaborate again on building. Should have more updates on the prototype real soon. Chuck

Jerry...you asked Once you have made three left-hand ropes, you then twist these to achieve the right-hand cable. Do you have to tension the laid-up left-hand rope in the opposite direction before you twist them into the right-hand cable? The answer is yes...Twist them even more to create a tight twist that will want to untwist when you are done. This "wanting to untwist" creates the tension when you wind all three in opposite direction afterwards. Its the same as when you started with the smaller ropes....You must twist the individual strands first...otherwise they have no tension.....which will soon be equalized when you twist all three together in the opposite direction. You see, when folks just place 9 strands on a rope walk (3 on each without having turned them into rope first) and just do the initial twist of the nine.....there was no tension to keep those initial twisted three threads together as rope. In fact, if this is what you have tried as Michael has.....try this experiment. Before you twist those nine strands into rope after completing the initial twists...just cut them free and see what happens to them. You will soon find that they quickly unwind. This doesnt create a good large cable because it will always want to unwind from its core... Yes it saves time, but it doesnt make the best rope. This will happen on any machine or ropewalk. It usually starts on the ends that were cut, even with a sharp blade. The three larger ropes untwist just a little bit......then the individual strands in each of those that were not laid up properly begin to untwist...then it just creeps along the whole length of rope in short order as you handle the ends with your hands. Hope that makes sense. Its much easier to show a person while they are in my shop than explain it in writing. Chuck

I just havent had time to take care of that topic lately folks. I am stretched too thin. Maybe soon or possibly I can find a volunteer.

Yes it did get smaller but its a much better rope. That will happen. If it still unravels its because your using multiple lines on each and twisting them first. Those wont stay twisted because you never twisted them individually first to create tension. That being said, it will still hold together well enough. For example, when I make a larger cable I first make three smaller cables with tension so they wont unwind. Then I take those three and make the larger rope. You end up with an opposite twist however so you have to remember to correct that by creating the first three strand with the opposite twist you will eventually require. I do understand what Gaetan is saying though. Standing while twisting is very awkward. Better if that end is on a table top as is mine. Then you are able to control the "walking" of that end better. You will also get a better "feel" for that tension. I am sure his more complex rope walk works great as well. But like I said....simple is just as good. I dont use any weights at all and I simply slide the end on a table and "feel the tension". I can adjust if needed. It will be difficult to achieve the same results over and over again without that sort of control. Standing up like that will make it very hard to replicate over and over again. Chuck

Looking at your rope I would recommend doubling your initial twists and then doing the same with the twisting of the three strands together. Chuck

Thanks I doubt the treenails would be seen under the paint. But either wau it couldnt help to seal the wood first before painting. The Wipe on Poly should be fine. No primer is needed. Chuck

Plans are only available with the kit. You can buy one at Modelexpo-online.com or on ebay. Chuck

Thats for the rigging. see the rigging plan for that....there should be another small drawing showing how that is used also... Chuck