Erik W

Really nice planking job....I think you found the sweet spot and wont have difficulty planking anything in the future.  Well done!!!

Wow, Erik, that is planking to aspire to!  Well done.
Sam

Great job on the planking.  I wish I had your patience to only install one or two planks a day.

"Show side"--"wall side". Eric, I've never done it any other way. Great work on the planking.
 
Bob

NIcely done, Erik.    I've tried that picking the "wall side"... but the Admiral usually has other ideas when the project is finished.     

Nicely done, Erik, as always. Good strategy and I think the pacing is good!
Steve

Erik, I've adopted the same approach on several builds including my current one. I like knowing that I can "practice" on one side. Everything looks great!

Looks very sweet so far, Erik. The first 'real' planking job is always slow, but after a hull or two it goes much more easily and quicker.

I finished the planking of the upper belt of strakes on the starboard side.  I'm not sure if any of you other folks do this, but I decide early on a build which side of the model will be displayed . . . and then, since I do every process twice, one on each side, do the process first on the side that will be facing the wall.  That way I have practice before I do the process on the side facing the viewer when the finished model is displayed.     The planking is turning out well for the most part, with a minimum of gaps.  I can honestly say I've given it my 100%.  There's definitely a learning curve though.  I'm learning what works for me, and how to do it.  I seem to have settled into a rhythm of getting 1 plank done a day on weekdays and 2 a day on weekends.  Slow progress, but it'll get me there.  These photos were taken after the first rough sanding.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Erik

With the need for some wider planks (see my post above), I decided to order some 7/32" strip.  Since I had ordered all my wood from Jason at Crown Timberyard for the build so far, I decided to place my order with him, which I did . . . I then decided that this would be a good opportunity to sample Wood Project Source, so I wound up placing an identical order, for 10 strips, with Roman.  I contacted them both last Monday, and received a reply from both quickly.  Crown's strips cost a little more, but the shipping was cheaper. So, the price was pretty close.  I placed my order, and both packages arrived today.  I must say the quality of the wood is identical, and has nearly the exact same color/shade range.  Both supplier's strips measured out at exactly the correct dimensions.  The photo below shows Wood Project Source 7/32" wood at the top, some of my original 3/16" wide strips from Crown Timberyard in the middle, and at the bottom 7/32" strip from Crown.  I'm happy to say that when mixed together, I couldn't tell the difference between the two. Crown gave me 1 extra strip and a 3/64" sheet.  Wood Project Source threw in 2 extra strips, and a few off size 3/64" thick strips.  Jason has been great to work with over the last year and a half, and I'm happy that Roman has stepped in to be a supplier.  Hopefully there is enough business out there for both!
 
My lamp was centered over the front of the photo, so the back may look slightly darker than it is in reality.

 
Erik

I spent the long weekend doing some planking.  The good news is I'm happy with the way the planking looks.  These photos area after a rough sanding, which I mostly did to see how the seams looked.
 
One issue I'm having (as seen in the last photo), is though I've measured everything out, and the planking strips I'm using are a full 3/16" wide, with each row I'm putting down they seem to be falling farther short of my tick marks by a small amount on the middle frames.  When I measure the space between what I've done and the keel, sure enough, I'm going to wind up with a bit of a gap (even with a wider garboard plank).  My solution is to order more of the wider 7/32" strip from Jason at Crown Timberyard (or Wood Project Source, anyone have experience with them?), and use what will probably be a couple of those in the rows where the two belts meet (where wider planks on the middle frames won't be noticed).  Otherwise, I'd have to add a 21st row of strakes, which would screw up the bow and stern.  It's weird, everything measured out when I did the tick strips and marked the hull, and measuring the plank width of what I've done so far shows the amidship planks at a full 3/16" wide.  The only thing I can think of it has something to do with how I was beveling one edge of each plank . . . but like I said, the mounted planks measure 3/16" wide.  Any thoughts?
 

 

 

 

 
Erik

I'm moving on now to defining the separation of the two belts of planks on each side.  After much measuring, checking, re-checking, and redoing certain areas, I got the drafting tape where I wanted it and drew my lines.  Now it's on to carefully using tick strips to transfer the plank widths on to the frames.
 

 

 

 
Erik

I painted the wales.  This went well, but proved to be more difficult to clean up the bleeding under the tape than I had expected.  It still looks a little rough for my liking in spots, but after days of tweaking, I'm calling it done . . . for now.  I'll probably revisit it later.  Anyway, it feels good to get some color applied.  The painted wales and counter really add some interest to the natural wood!  Up next planking, planking, and more planking. 
 
Merry Christmas everyone!  And happy Hanukah.  Enjoy whatever holiday you're celebrating!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Erik

Thanks for the comments, the "likes" and just looking in...  
 
At last, a real update as life (the Admiral's health) got in the way.  The frame extensions have been removed and she's starting to look more like a frigate.   I still need to sand them down to the sheer strake but I'll be doing that when I need a break from the gundeck work.
 
Here's the pictures...  as always, a click on them will open them to full size (or what constitutes full size on MSW).  The last two are more of a reference shot for examining things on my part but I thought I'd toss them in anyway.  Sorry about the sawdust and mess.....
 

I finished the planking of the upper belt of strakes on the starboard side.  I'm not sure if any of you other folks do this, but I decide early on a build which side of the model will be displayed . . . and then, since I do every process twice, one on each side, do the process first on the side that will be facing the wall.  That way I have practice before I do the process on the side facing the viewer when the finished model is displayed.     The planking is turning out well for the most part, with a minimum of gaps.  I can honestly say I've given it my 100%.  There's definitely a learning curve though.  I'm learning what works for me, and how to do it.  I seem to have settled into a rhythm of getting 1 plank done a day on weekdays and 2 a day on weekends.  Slow progress, but it'll get me there.  These photos were taken after the first rough sanding.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Erik

I finished the planking of the upper belt of strakes on the starboard side.  I'm not sure if any of you other folks do this, but I decide early on a build which side of the model will be displayed . . . and then, since I do every process twice, one on each side, do the process first on the side that will be facing the wall.  That way I have practice before I do the process on the side facing the viewer when the finished model is displayed.     The planking is turning out well for the most part, with a minimum of gaps.  I can honestly say I've given it my 100%.  There's definitely a learning curve though.  I'm learning what works for me, and how to do it.  I seem to have settled into a rhythm of getting 1 plank done a day on weekdays and 2 a day on weekends.  Slow progress, but it'll get me there.  These photos were taken after the first rough sanding.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Erik

I finished the planking of the upper belt of strakes on the starboard side.  I'm not sure if any of you other folks do this, but I decide early on a build which side of the model will be displayed . . . and then, since I do every process twice, one on each side, do the process first on the side that will be facing the wall.  That way I have practice before I do the process on the side facing the viewer when the finished model is displayed.     The planking is turning out well for the most part, with a minimum of gaps.  I can honestly say I've given it my 100%.  There's definitely a learning curve though.  I'm learning what works for me, and how to do it.  I seem to have settled into a rhythm of getting 1 plank done a day on weekdays and 2 a day on weekends.  Slow progress, but it'll get me there.  These photos were taken after the first rough sanding.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Erik

I finished the planking of the upper belt of strakes on the starboard side.  I'm not sure if any of you other folks do this, but I decide early on a build which side of the model will be displayed . . . and then, since I do every process twice, one on each side, do the process first on the side that will be facing the wall.  That way I have practice before I do the process on the side facing the viewer when the finished model is displayed.     The planking is turning out well for the most part, with a minimum of gaps.  I can honestly say I've given it my 100%.  There's definitely a learning curve though.  I'm learning what works for me, and how to do it.  I seem to have settled into a rhythm of getting 1 plank done a day on weekdays and 2 a day on weekends.  Slow progress, but it'll get me there.  These photos were taken after the first rough sanding.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Erik

I finished the planking of the upper belt of strakes on the starboard side.  I'm not sure if any of you other folks do this, but I decide early on a build which side of the model will be displayed . . . and then, since I do every process twice, one on each side, do the process first on the side that will be facing the wall.  That way I have practice before I do the process on the side facing the viewer when the finished model is displayed.     The planking is turning out well for the most part, with a minimum of gaps.  I can honestly say I've given it my 100%.  There's definitely a learning curve though.  I'm learning what works for me, and how to do it.  I seem to have settled into a rhythm of getting 1 plank done a day on weekdays and 2 a day on weekends.  Slow progress, but it'll get me there.  These photos were taken after the first rough sanding.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Erik

I finished the planking of the upper belt of strakes on the starboard side.  I'm not sure if any of you other folks do this, but I decide early on a build which side of the model will be displayed . . . and then, since I do every process twice, one on each side, do the process first on the side that will be facing the wall.  That way I have practice before I do the process on the side facing the viewer when the finished model is displayed.     The planking is turning out well for the most part, with a minimum of gaps.  I can honestly say I've given it my 100%.  There's definitely a learning curve though.  I'm learning what works for me, and how to do it.  I seem to have settled into a rhythm of getting 1 plank done a day on weekdays and 2 a day on weekends.  Slow progress, but it'll get me there.  These photos were taken after the first rough sanding.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Erik

I finished the planking of the upper belt of strakes on the starboard side.  I'm not sure if any of you other folks do this, but I decide early on a build which side of the model will be displayed . . . and then, since I do every process twice, one on each side, do the process first on the side that will be facing the wall.  That way I have practice before I do the process on the side facing the viewer when the finished model is displayed.     The planking is turning out well for the most part, with a minimum of gaps.  I can honestly say I've given it my 100%.  There's definitely a learning curve though.  I'm learning what works for me, and how to do it.  I seem to have settled into a rhythm of getting 1 plank done a day on weekdays and 2 a day on weekends.  Slow progress, but it'll get me there.  These photos were taken after the first rough sanding.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Erik

I finished the planking of the upper belt of strakes on the starboard side.  I'm not sure if any of you other folks do this, but I decide early on a build which side of the model will be displayed . . . and then, since I do every process twice, one on each side, do the process first on the side that will be facing the wall.  That way I have practice before I do the process on the side facing the viewer when the finished model is displayed.     The planking is turning out well for the most part, with a minimum of gaps.  I can honestly say I've given it my 100%.  There's definitely a learning curve though.  I'm learning what works for me, and how to do it.  I seem to have settled into a rhythm of getting 1 plank done a day on weekdays and 2 a day on weekends.  Slow progress, but it'll get me there.  These photos were taken after the first rough sanding.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Erik

I finished the planking of the upper belt of strakes on the starboard side.  I'm not sure if any of you other folks do this, but I decide early on a build which side of the model will be displayed . . . and then, since I do every process twice, one on each side, do the process first on the side that will be facing the wall.  That way I have practice before I do the process on the side facing the viewer when the finished model is displayed.     The planking is turning out well for the most part, with a minimum of gaps.  I can honestly say I've given it my 100%.  There's definitely a learning curve though.  I'm learning what works for me, and how to do it.  I seem to have settled into a rhythm of getting 1 plank done a day on weekdays and 2 a day on weekends.  Slow progress, but it'll get me there.  These photos were taken after the first rough sanding.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Erik

I spent the long weekend doing some planking.  The good news is I'm happy with the way the planking looks.  These photos area after a rough sanding, which I mostly did to see how the seams looked.
 
One issue I'm having (as seen in the last photo), is though I've measured everything out, and the planking strips I'm using are a full 3/16" wide, with each row I'm putting down they seem to be falling farther short of my tick marks by a small amount on the middle frames.  When I measure the space between what I've done and the keel, sure enough, I'm going to wind up with a bit of a gap (even with a wider garboard plank).  My solution is to order more of the wider 7/32" strip from Jason at Crown Timberyard (or Wood Project Source, anyone have experience with them?), and use what will probably be a couple of those in the rows where the two belts meet (where wider planks on the middle frames won't be noticed).  Otherwise, I'd have to add a 21st row of strakes, which would screw up the bow and stern.  It's weird, everything measured out when I did the tick strips and marked the hull, and measuring the plank width of what I've done so far shows the amidship planks at a full 3/16" wide.  The only thing I can think of it has something to do with how I was beveling one edge of each plank . . . but like I said, the mounted planks measure 3/16" wide.  Any thoughts?
 

 

 

 

 
Erik

I finished the planking of the upper belt of strakes on the starboard side.  I'm not sure if any of you other folks do this, but I decide early on a build which side of the model will be displayed . . . and then, since I do every process twice, one on each side, do the process first on the side that will be facing the wall.  That way I have practice before I do the process on the side facing the viewer when the finished model is displayed.     The planking is turning out well for the most part, with a minimum of gaps.  I can honestly say I've given it my 100%.  There's definitely a learning curve though.  I'm learning what works for me, and how to do it.  I seem to have settled into a rhythm of getting 1 plank done a day on weekdays and 2 a day on weekends.  Slow progress, but it'll get me there.  These photos were taken after the first rough sanding.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Erik