EJ_L
-
Posts
2,227 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Events
Everything posted by EJ_L
-
Great to hear that your wife is coming home! I've noticed, as have many others that rigging plans typically seem to be the most neglected part of many kits. Especially details such as where they belay. It is almost a must to have outside source material to even attempt to do a semi realistic rigging and even then the older the ship the harder it is and non English vessels harder still. Many rigging books focus on English ship rigging as they did the best job in preserving nautical practice knowledge over the centuries. As a result, many models of ships from other countries end up with "English" rigging components. As for the Vasa II, I am holding off my own build of her till that book comes out. At least that is the plan... In any case, your rigging is looking fantastic! Clean and detailed and the addition of the sail rigging adds even more. Well done!- 91 replies
-
- 2
-
-
- deagostini
- vasa
- (and 1 more)
-
Thanks O.C. and thank you all for the likes and continuing to follow along on the build. This is that stage of work where many hours of rigging doesn't add much visually but, when it is all done, the spider web of lines is a thing of beauty. O.C., I have heard of Cresswell Cycles. I've not seen one personally, only pictures but, they do make some nice folding bikes. My trike will fold up to about half the size but, is nowhere near as easy to carry as one of those. It will come in handy when need to transport two of them when my buddy and I go riding but, mostly it stays unfolded as it fits fine in the back of my truck. This one replaced my old sidewinder model which, while a fun trike was not the best for long distance riding with a rigid frame and little adjustment in the seat position. I don't ride with music and my phone is in a carry bag for emergencies and mapping my ride. I enjoy the silence when I'm riding around. I get to spend a few hours unplugged from the world which is rare and very nice.
-
Slower building progress lately. Got a new recumbent trike a few weeks ago and I have been trying to get in as much ride time as possible before winter sets in. I have made progress though as the fore top fore top has been installed along with the deadeyes for the fore topmast and the futtock shrouds. I also added the back stay for the spritsail topmast and the crows feet for the fore top. Now to repeat on the main mast.
-
Beautiful paint work on the sculptures. The effort is paying off as all the elements come together. Well done!
-
The skill of a great model maker is not just how well he creates but, how well he hides his mistakes. You are a great modeler indeed! Well done on the repair.
- 228 replies
-
- 3
-
-
- gunboat
- model shipways
- (and 1 more)
-
Progressing nicely! I always enjoy builders who take the time to add in their own details and modifications. Makes each model truly unique and it never fails that I see something new. Keep it up! To answer you question about the 2nd layer of planking, I and I think most people as well just glue the 2nd layer directly to the 1st. The main exception to this statement is that many of us will use spackle or some similar type of filler compound to even out any imperfections in the hull after the first planking. That helps to create a smooth and true surface for the finish planking to lay on. I've never had any trouble gluing on the filler compound either. I do recommend wiping the hull down with alcohol and/or a tack cloth to remove dust before gluing to prevent and bond breaking.
-
Nothing wrong with that O.C. With most of these scales you can’t really tell the difference between a clove hitch and simply looping the lines. Well I finished up the lower foremast shrouds. Also installed the cap, topmast and the lifts for the topmast.
-
Thank you all for the kind words and likes. O.C., shaping the yards usually is a nice break from detail work into something simpler however, this time I ran into an annoying snag. My chuck on my mini lathe had one of the jaws get jammed up with some small bits of metal shavings. After several attempts to clean it out, I was forced to take the chuck apart and give it a thorough cleaning. Good in the long run but, not what I wanted to do at the time. I would have simply switched to the big lathe however, I had both chucks in use on it as well for a project that I did not want to dismount as alignment was critical. So I fell back on hand shaping. Broke out the trusty Lie-Nielsen hand plane to taper the ends and then sanded them smooth. Took longer but, got it done. Will add the various details to them as I get closer to needing them. As for the ratlines, I actually don't mind tying them as it is really a very simple action. It's the several thousands of times you have to repeat tying a clove hitch that wears you down. Clamping the shrouds helps to keep the spacing and alignment and a good set of magnifying glasses combined with a couple pair of needle nose tweezers make the job go smooth. The only thing left is lots of patience....
-
Congratulations on a huge milestone being achieved! She sure looks good standing proud.
- 2,437 replies
-
- 2
-
-
- heller
- soleil royal
- (and 9 more)
-
Very nice. Padlocks are very cool indeed and something rarely seen modeled. Well done!
- 131 replies
-
- 3
-
-
- santa lucia
- panart
- (and 1 more)
-
Just a small update. Yard construction has started. Needed to get them shaped and cut to length in order to measure for sails. Trying to finish the “dirty” work and get all the wood parts created and ready for rigging.
-
Thank you Michael. It is indeed time consuming though I have to admit that Chuck's serving machine has made it faster and far easier than trying to do it by hand. On that note, I know that the serving line would normally be the same color as the shrouds but, I wanted to accent this detail for better viewing of my friends and family who would not know to look for it otherwise.
-
Hi Peter! Looks like you are off to a good start on you Vasa. I love building and watching others build these large models so I think I will pull up a chair and join you on you journey. Good luck and I look forward to seeing how she turns out.
- 61 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- billing boats
- vasa
- (and 1 more)
-
Thank you all for the nice words and likes. This is always one of my favorite milestones on a build. To see her full height, even if it is temporary, really drives home the awesome size of these ships. Running the numbers on her, from keel to tip of the main mast she would be around the equivalent of a 19-20 story building. Next up, I will disassemble the masts and apply the wood finish to the individual parts. While that work is underway, I will start to cut and shape the yards. I bought some muslin cloth a few weeks ago to attempt to make sails, most of which will be furled but, depending on how they turn out, I may go ahead and set the top sails. While I've been kicking this idea around since the beginning, I have reached the point in the build where I have to make a decision so I make sure to rig her accordingly.
-
Great tip on the fishing line indeed! It does appear to make great scale nails. As always, your work is fantastic!
-
Been building masts and have now topped out S.R.'s final height. None of them are glued in place yet, just dry fit and will be coming back down soon to allow for the rigging to continue. She is no doubt a very large model.
-
Breathtakingly beautiful! All of those long hours of tedious detail work and testing of paints have really paid off. I raise my glass in salute to you my friend!
- 2,437 replies
-
- 5
-
-
- heller
- soleil royal
- (and 9 more)
-
It is a large model indeed. My own is similar in size and now that the masts are going up and I have to work above my head, the full size is really becoming impressive.
-
Informative as always! I wonder too if some of the discrepancies could be contributed to concept vs. actual? Were either the drawing or the model an artistic concept for presentation and the other an actual representation of the ship after construction? The subtle changes in decoration, window patterns, number of windows, alignments etc., could easily be accounted for in this case. There could also be the human error of remembering details wrong. While these people were indeed masters of their art, as we all know, models and even drawings/paintings take time to build. It would not be too far off base to suppose that one was started while the ship was in port or close enough for the artist to view however, it may have left before the project was complete leaving the artist to reference notes, memories or other similar vessels for the details. Any one of these could easily result in the inconsistencies we are currently faced with. Marc, as you have said repeatedly, all we can do is make educated guesses into what these vessels looked like. I think that with what resources are available to us, those educated guesses can be supported with reasonable facts and that as long as we stay withing period appropriate methods, an accurate representation of the ship will be created. I am still thinking that I will attempt to build a model of the Monarque as one of my next builds. In doing so, I know that I will have to have a lot of guess work into her details but, much as you have been doing on S.R., I think that I will be able to recreate a reasonable representation of her, with some liberties.
- 2,437 replies
-
- 2
-
-
- heller
- soleil royal
- (and 9 more)
-
Beautiful indeed! I understand fully the frustration of rigging lines that won't hold tight. I'm getting into that battle more and more on S.R.. Hopefully, like you said they will tighten back up when the humidity decreases. Even if they don't, she still looks very nice.
- 122 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- independence
- privateer
- (and 1 more)
-
Your build is looking very nice and knowing first hand the size and difficulty of these 1st rate ships, and that this is your first build, I would tell you that you should indeed be very proud of how she is turning out. Do not get too hung up on flaws, either the kits or your own. I've seen master modelers complain about flaws in their own work. Use them as learning points for the next build. How would you do it differently and such. The varnish you have used is beautiful. I'm looking forward to seeing how it all comes together with the paint.
-
I will echo the "that is terrible news" statements. I hope something works out positively for you. Best wishes and prayers to you.
-
Another progress update on rigging. All of the lower shrouds have been created and places though not fully secured. Moving upward to the topmasts next. Once the topmasts are built and secured, the tops can be fully installed which will allow for the crowsfoot rigging on the forestays at the fore and main masts. As always, thanks for following along!
Our Emblem ®
