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EJ_L
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Another band of 8 strakes on each side completed. One more to go to complete the lower hull.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Planking continues with the first band on each side complete.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Royal Louis’ ship yard is open again! That break was far longer than I had originally planned, but I wanted to finish Soleil Royal. Now that she is complete I can turn my full attention back here.
With that, I spent some time taking inventory of my current wood selection and I was pleased to find that I should have enough of the mahogany wood that I used on the previous two French builds to complete the lower planking of Royal Louis. Not a lot of room for mistakes so I will need to go slow and be mindful of cuts and waste. Hopefully, with many states slowly opening back up, some of the local lumber mills may also open again and I can find new stock.
For now though I build! So, welcome back to everyone! Looking forward to getting back into this ship!
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
More progress on the hull planking. Both sides are even again to the top of the upper gun deck ports. Inner hull is planked and a coat of finish applied.
I’m going to to take a break from RL for a little while. I need to save up a few dollars for materials to plank the lower hull and finish building out the cabins so the upper hull can be closed out. In the meantime I plan on working on Soleil Royal and continuing her rigging. If you are not already, feel free to join me there and I promise to return to RL soon!
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Not a lot of progress this week but I did finish the port frames and now I am working on planking the interior.
For the port frames, I cut the liners long so that they extend past the frames on the inside and the first layer of planking on outside.
I do this so that I can cut them down to the same thickness and curvature of the hull. Once they are all in, I trim them to fit and sand them smooth. Now I can install the planks over the frames and liners for a finished look.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Here are a couple of pictures of the modified framing. I completely removed the posts in the waist area between the quarter deck and forecastle. They are far to wide and easier to just remove and replace than to try to use them. Also, by removing them I can properly align the frames around the gun ports as the jambs for the ports used the frames for this purpose.
Beneath the quarter and forecastle decks, I cut away the material to form a knee to support the horizontal beams that will hold up the deck. I then added additional frames to build the gun ports and provide planking support where needed.
With the frames modified, I can now finish planking the deck to the outside bulkheads unimpeded.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Thank you all!
The hull thickness at the upper gun deck sides are 7.5mm which at the 1:90 scale I am working comes out approx. 26.5 inches at full size. I am not certain if this is fully accurate hull thickness for this ship but I do not think it is far off and for my purposes, it looks good.
Essentially I have my frames set at 4mm, the inner planking is one piece of 1.5mm and the outer planking is made of two layers of 1mm planking each.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Thank you all for the nice words and likes. Quick update as I managed to get some more planking both inside and out the hull done on the starboard side.
Marcus, I tried to show a little better the detail I was talking about on your log concerning the false bulkhead posts that go through the deck. In the picture below, the left side shows the posts as the come stock and on the right is after I have cut them away.
As you can see, I left the deck planking back away from the slots for these posts until I was able to remove the posts after the exterior hull planking was in place. This allowed them to act as the supports for the hull to ensure proper shape till the glue set up. After the glue dried, I was able to cut free the top portions of the posts that were no longer needed and replace them with scrap wood to act as frames to provide the bulkhead support and proper thickness. In the areas where either the quarter deck or forecastle deck will go, I carved out the arched shapes to simulate the knees that will support the beams for those deck. I then installed the water boards and interior planking to close up the frames and create the finished look.
As always, thanks again for following along. Much more to come!
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Thank you all for the comments and likes. Progress update on the planking, I now have the second row of wales and middle gun deck planking in place.
Next I will work on the beakhead, installing the bulkhead and deck planking as well as cutting out the curved hull where it slopes from the forecastle down to the beakhead. This will also include more work on the stem post.
Moving aft, I will complete the planking up to the cut outs for the cabins. I will frame out the gun ports in the forward two cabins on each side. I still need to finish the build out of the Admiral’s cabin which I am still working on the designs.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Just a quick update, ran the lower wales and first band of planks for the lower gun deck on the starboard side. Now I’ve moved up the he middle gun deck wales.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
If there has been one good thing to all of the rain we have been getting here, I’ve had a lot of time to work on the ship. This was taken a few days ago as I was pulling into work. Fortunately, it hadn’t submerged the road in though a lot of places around us were underwater. We are on a slight hill which helped.
I finished he’s installing the rest of the gun port frames on the lower and middle decks. Both sides are now complete. With the frames installed and sanded to fit the contours of the hull, I was able to start the outer planking.
First the three rows of lower wales. Once those were in place, I laid the first band of planks at the lower gun deck. I’m now repeating that process on the opposite side. Then it will be a matter of repeating the pattern of Wales and planks till I reach the upper deck.
Lots of work still to go so thank you all for settling in and sticking around on these long builds! 😀
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
First two rows of gun ports have been framed. I left them sticking past the hull slightly so that I can shape them to conform to the hull curvature. Now to make the opposite side match.
The upper gun deck will go in a bit later. Part of that work will be removing the false frames of the kit and replacing them with more accurate framing for bulkhead thickness.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
I’ve finished punching the gun port openings. 92 ports are now ready for framing.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
I've loved having two projects going at the same time, but I am fortunate to have plenty of room for it, especially when considering the sizes of my current builds. There would have been no way to have done this at my old house.
Thanks to everyone for the nice words, likes and following along. I do not have any current pictures, but I have been busy punching the gun ports. I've completed the starboard side and am over halfway done with the port side. I should have them all cut out in another session or two. This weekend for sure unless life gets in the way.
Once they are all opened up, I will rip down some blood wood for the sills and jambs and start installing them. I also need to rip some more walnut strips for the wales as I will be ready to install them once the gun port frames are complete.
I promise pictures soon!
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EJ_L got a reaction from Patrick B in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Hull work has resumed. Spent some time working filler and sanding the hull and now I’ve got her to where I can start working on planking.
With that done, I laid out the wale lines and making sure both sides are an even match. Now I get to punch the gun ports. Once those are opened up, I can install the framing. I’m thinking of using bloodwood to simulate the red paint of the gun port frames and inside the lids. I would like to avoid using paints on the build with the exceptions of the carvings.
More to follow in the coming days and weeks. Good to be back on this build. 😀
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Well, your not wrong! The picture does make it look a lot worse than it actually is, but it also highlights the areas better than what my eye was catching earlier. I flipped the hull back over and ran a straight edge over the hull and while most of the areas are okay, there are a few that will get more filler. No worries about mentioning it Marc, I take critique well even if I don't always change the error, I file it away for future advise. Its hard to grow and learn if you don't listen to others and their advice!
I was far more focused on the bow and stern today that I am not completely surprised that I missed them. Pictures do a great job of highlighting bad spots and another set of eyes is even more helpful. I will take her back out to shop and do some more work. I have the time and its better to make it right now than be stuck with a bad hull later.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Beautiful weather this weekend allowed for some quality time in the wood shop. In addition to some much needed spring cleaning and work on a couple of other unfinished projects, I did get in some time with Royal Louis.
Fairing work on the hull. Lots of sanding filling and sanding and now I have the hull smoothed out to where I can begin laying out the planking pattern.
Once the pattern is laid on the hull, I can then see how much more wood I will need to order. I plan on using mahogany again for the lower hull. That is what I’ve used on the other two French builds and I think I want to keep them all the same for continuity. With that in mind, the wales will again be in walnut along with much of the trim pieces. For the upper works, I’m thinking about using yellow heart. I’m gonna rip some down and see how it finishes out alongside the other woods. We shall see.
For now, here are a few pics. Hope everyone is having a great day and for those celebrating, happy Easter!
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
After a nice vacation with the admiral followed by the past few days of being sick, I have managed to get in some more build time and now have the starboard side planked as well. Next, sanding and smoothing of the hull. A lot of work to do in that regard.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Planking is moving along fairly well. No, the planking is not the greatest job but as this is the first layer, sanding and filler will take care of the imperfections and the veneer layer will make everything look nice. It will be done correctly.
It has been a while since I have planked a round up stern, most of the ship’s I have been building are square stern. Round up takes a lot more planning on the plank widths to make it right.
I also layed out the gun ports and drilled the corners so I do not loose the locates during sanding.
The planking around the cabins has been left off in order to allow the interior builds to continue easier. These pieces will be installed later.
Now I have to repeat the process on the opposite side. Lots of work still to go.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
It is good to be back. I wasn't planning on staying away for as long as I did, but every time I finished something on Soleil Royal, I kept deciding to do one more item. Then I found myself close to finishing the hull work and had to continue till it was done. Now, I can work on R.L. for a while as I am no where near ready to begin rigging.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
At long last I’ve returned to this build. Spent some hours routing the wiring for the cabin lights where it needs to travel through the hull. This has allowed me to start the first planking layer. So tonight I cut the rabbet along the keel and have laid the first couple of strakes.
Once I get the first layer of planking up that will allow me to cut away the oversized deck and hull supports and finish deck planking and the interior buildouts and also continue.
Lots more to come as the ship starts to take shape.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Deck planking is coming along. I’ve had to make a few alterations and add some leveling fill to the sub strate as the laser cut was off center at the masts and hatch ways and the frame bulkheads created some hills and valleys that needed leveling.
Before I take the planking to the edges, I will need to adjust the thicknesses of the frames so that they will fit within the planks and also conform to the hull shape.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
No problem O.C. and Michael. The whole point is to educate and share and I'm sure that we three are not the only ones to struggle with sails!
Brief update, I have gone about as far as I can with the interior of the Admiral's cabin at till the hull is planked. Then I can build out the side walls, add furniture, secure the light and close off the stern. I'm also thinking about displaying the guns inboard and stored at least on one side. Reason being, it would give another view port into the cabin and also show how the guns would have been stored when not in use.
So with that completed for now, I am turning my attention to the deck planking. I have found it easier to install this planking before the hull and it will also facilitate getting the forward cabin bulkhead installed as well as the bulkheads for the forecastle cabin.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Welcome all! That popcorn machine is more than welcome as I can never resit popcorn!
Michael, I will be glad to take any advice and ideas you have on the sail when I get to them. S.R. is still a ways out but, I'm am certain I will be doing a mix of set and furled sails on her. I will will be in much the same place you were with first time sail construction so that is a little intimidating.
Marc, to the scales between my ships, unfortunately no, they are not the same. La Couronne was 1:100, Soleil Royal is 1:77 and Royal Louis is 1:90. I wish they were all the same as I would have been very tempted to make them waterline models and placed them in a line ready for battle. As it is, the sizes of the models and then the cases for them, may end up becoming part of a dividing wall between rooms in my basement as they are so large and take up a lot of space!
The cast decorations are indeed some of the better ones I have seen in a kit in some time. I would tell anyone, especially those who do not or cannot make their own to use them. For myself, I am planning on making my own. There may be some exceptions but, right now I am planning on carving my own. That is a skill that I want to keep developing and the only way to do it is to practice. Plus, it gives immense satisfaction in knowing I have carved them. Even if they don't look that great, they are still a point of pride.
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EJ_L got a reaction from Bill Morrison in Royal Louis 1780 by EJ_L - Mamoli - Scale 1:90
Vince - I apologize as I wasn't thinking but, I actually went through a US vendor for Hobbyzone products, Hobbyworld-USA.
It will still take you some time to get the products as they have to order them in from Hobbyzone unless they just happen to be in stock but, it will eliminate all the ordering hassles and fees etc. Hope this helps!
Michael - as always, thank you for the compliments. I do indeed spend a lot of time in the scratch build sections and some of the work there is simply breathtaking! While it can be intimidating, much like your own work on your sails for Vasa, I look at it as, if they can do it, why can't I? Then it is just the "simple" matter of learning how... 🙄
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