donrobinson

This will be my log on building the 17th Century Battle Station based on plans by Jeff Staudt. This was a joint effort by three of us to develop this model and they are Mike Shanks, Doc Blake and myself. Doc did all the milling work on the wood, Mike supplied the expertise and skills on the cnc and laser machines and I did the turnings and whatever metal work that was required. The model is not entirely historically correct, however, does make into a nice model for display. We did do some minor changes to the plans and things, such as the grates, we did a little out of the norm but it was all out of fun and experimentation.
 Doc Blake has a log already started here so if you haven't visited his yet you may want to as his has a more detailed description of the process. His writing skills are much more advanced than mine, I am finding that with everything else with my body and mind the writing skills are also slipping away. I am not using spell check for single syllable words yet but I am sure it is not too far in the future!😉
 I must also apologise ahead of time, I did at one time have extensive pictures of what I have done(such as turning the cannons) but seem to have misplaced them. If I do ever find them I will post, in the meantime I will continue beating myself.
So let's start:

Here is a rare shot of one half of my shipyard, I say rare as it is never this clean. I am starting my build a little different while I wait for parts to come from Mike, I will be doing the cannons and carriages first.
 

 
Another rarity, and that is a picture of the cannon turning. Unfortunately I have none of the actual brass cannons being turned. With the 1/2" brass rod being over $30/ft I made several ( around 😎 of these first out of wood first, carefully documenting all steps and measurements.
 The process I finally used was to first drill the trunnion hole on the mill move to the lathe mount in chuck face the blank and drill out the bore. From this point on it is a good idea to not remove the blank from the chuck until completion. Next is to set the angle of the headstock then start turning as per the determined steps and dimensions. 

 
Here are some pictures of Mike's laser and cnc machine. I had the opportunity to visit Mike this summer in North Carolina to see these in action, they are just incredible what they are capable of. Mike's wife has a home business called "Well Written Gifts" where they are etching everything from wine glasses to cutting boards and numerous other items, to watch these in action is a real treat.
 

 
Mike sent some prototype carriages to try with the wooden barrels
 

 
And here is the final result, there are two different sized barrels both on the same sized carriages, not historically correct I'm sure but will work for this model as that is what the plans called for
 

 
Now for the real thing, cut from boxwood
 

 
Here I am drilling the quoin for the handles
 

 
And drilling the axles
 

 
Drilling the back bed that supports the cannon, this should be drilled completely through
 

 
And drilling the front support, which also needs to be drilled completely through. I did not realise until too late but I should have only drilled halfway through then flipped it and completed the drilling, these tiny bits tend to wander.
 I am at my max fifteen pics so I will be right back!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Simply beautiful Dave!! Your taste and skill in "painting" with wood is truly artistic. Congratulations!!

Simply beautiful Dave!! Your taste and skill in "painting" with wood is truly artistic. Congratulations!!

Lots of work but worth it. Looks as though it was fairly well built and would have looked not bad at one time. I am really looking forward to this restoration, but what I would really like to see is the look in their eyes when you deliver the final product.

no reason dowels would not look good Dave. You have this model looking very good!!

Nice work Dave, I just bought the plans for this model so I'll be watching close to what you are doing

Well done Dave, your choice of woods is great

Amazing work Sjors, a very beautiful ship she is!!

Thank you all for stopping in, for the likes and comments.
A small update to show:

Carving out the bow filler block for bowsprit
 

More carving to allow for future rigging to pass through and also anchor chains
 

Holes where drilled in deck for masts, this is a dry fit only. If the rake seems off compared to the plan it is only because the plan is not hung level on wall. I need a better qualified helper!!
 

Rails where installed. These were laser cut pieces, they now need to be sanded and narrowed by about 2 mm
 

Showing the pieces installed under the rail (can't remember proper name now )
 

How he looks now with the wale installed.
 
 Next is the top gallant rail and it's related pieces.
Have a good day

Good morning all. Thanks to all for your likes, comments and for stopping in.
 A month has passed and there really is not much progress to show. Time has been spent on other little projects and of course the all important holidays. As our spring is far from starting this year the next few weeks should prove to be a little more productive, I'm hoping.
 At any rate here is the progress:

The bending problem was solved by milling some walnut and cutting to shape, three pieces per side
 

The results for the freeboard, scarf joints cannot be seen but I know they are there
 

Scuppers drilled in hull
 

scuppers in deck
 

$ holes made in hull for mooring ropes
 

Hull blocks assembled
 

Hole started for block
 

Block installed
 
How it looks now with two coats of flat black paint, below waterline will be copper plates.
 
 Thanks for stopping in and have a good modelling day!!
 
 

None yet, I am just finishing up another project and will get back at Stefano soon. Thanks for dropping in

None yet, I am just finishing up another project and will get back at Stefano soon. Thanks for dropping in

None yet, I am just finishing up another project and will get back at Stefano soon. Thanks for dropping in

Wonderful review on another fine kit from MarisStella

Wonderful review on another fine kit from MarisStella

None yet, I am just finishing up another project and will get back at Stefano soon. Thanks for dropping in

None yet, I am just finishing up another project and will get back at Stefano soon. Thanks for dropping in

The day has finally arrived, my Trabakul is complete!! Thanks to all for following along, for all the likes and the great comments it was all very much appreciated. I would also like to thank Zoran at MarisStella for all his support and help and of course for producing this fantastic kit. Although, not an easy build, I would recommend this kit not only for the challenges you will face but also for the high quality of material and contents. So anyway here she is:
  That's it and I really hope everyone enjoyed and I hope to see you over at my Stefano build
 
Have A Good Weekend and do think of those we have lost at war as tomorrow is "Remembrance Day" in Canada 

A true masterpiece Nils, your skill and eye for detail always amaze me. I hope you solve the problem with room in your house as I look forward to following your next build. Until then take care.

The day has finally arrived, my Trabakul is complete!! Thanks to all for following along, for all the likes and the great comments it was all very much appreciated. I would also like to thank Zoran at MarisStella for all his support and help and of course for producing this fantastic kit. Although, not an easy build, I would recommend this kit not only for the challenges you will face but also for the high quality of material and contents. So anyway here she is:
  That's it and I really hope everyone enjoyed and I hope to see you over at my Stefano build
 
Have A Good Weekend and do think of those we have lost at war as tomorrow is "Remembrance Day" in Canada 

A true masterpiece Nils, your skill and eye for detail always amaze me. I hope you solve the problem with room in your house as I look forward to following your next build. Until then take care.

A true masterpiece Nils, your skill and eye for detail always amaze me. I hope you solve the problem with room in your house as I look forward to following your next build. Until then take care.

A true masterpiece Nils, your skill and eye for detail always amaze me. I hope you solve the problem with room in your house as I look forward to following your next build. Until then take care.

A true masterpiece Nils, your skill and eye for detail always amaze me. I hope you solve the problem with room in your house as I look forward to following your next build. Until then take care.

A true masterpiece Nils, your skill and eye for detail always amaze me. I hope you solve the problem with room in your house as I look forward to following your next build. Until then take care.