EJ_L

Mates,
 
Thanks so much for the likes, and just dropping in.
 
George – you are always so kind
 
Frank /Mark- Thanks - I often look back into your logs to check myself J
 
Henry - Appreciated indeed
 
-EJ – I’m so very touched by your (blush) so kind and encouraging post. I mean this very sincerely, also thanks for still following along all this time, yes it has been slow J
 
Yes – you are certainly correct rushing bits are always regrettable after the fact. We’ve certainly all been there, as you just mentioned. Hindsight is the perfect gift, isn’t it?
 
And my skills have also developed by reading and learning from other builders here at MSW. A thought that I have repeated throughout since joining, I am also very happy that some of my build ideas are useful to others as well. We so learn from each other. Again -EJ, thanks so much your inspirational post (for me as well) .
 
Regards – everyone
 
Michael

As always I find myself staring wide eyed and breathless when I look at the pictures of your build. The beautiful work and amazing attention to detail is inspiring. I find myself looking over your pictures again and again and each time I notice some new detail or feature that I missed the previous view. It makes me look at my own build which on the table next to me and take note of how it;s looking. Even though it is not the same ship I still question did I think to look into this or that to see haw it should look or how can I make something look better.
 
Throughout your build log you mention at how long it is taking. I feel that it should take as long as it takes to make it right. That is something that I struggled with a lot was slowing down and taking the time to make it right. I have several models that I have had to rebuild over the years as I was so unhappy with the job I did largely due to rushing through it that I could not bear to look at it any longer. I have had to repeatedly tell myself that I have the time. Slow down and learn a new and better way and be happy with the results. Seeing a build log like yours and seeing the fabulous work that it contains is proof that fast is not always better and the results are most definitely worth it.
 
Keep up the wonderful work as it truly is an inspiration to the rest of us.

As always I find myself staring wide eyed and breathless when I look at the pictures of your build. The beautiful work and amazing attention to detail is inspiring. I find myself looking over your pictures again and again and each time I notice some new detail or feature that I missed the previous view. It makes me look at my own build which on the table next to me and take note of how it;s looking. Even though it is not the same ship I still question did I think to look into this or that to see haw it should look or how can I make something look better.
 
Throughout your build log you mention at how long it is taking. I feel that it should take as long as it takes to make it right. That is something that I struggled with a lot was slowing down and taking the time to make it right. I have several models that I have had to rebuild over the years as I was so unhappy with the job I did largely due to rushing through it that I could not bear to look at it any longer. I have had to repeatedly tell myself that I have the time. Slow down and learn a new and better way and be happy with the results. Seeing a build log like yours and seeing the fabulous work that it contains is proof that fast is not always better and the results are most definitely worth it.
 
Keep up the wonderful work as it truly is an inspiration to the rest of us.

Ken, those carvings look great! Way better than the cast mold looks, I know cause I used it and have been seriously considering redoing it one day. Definitely worth the effort. Great job!

As always I find myself staring wide eyed and breathless when I look at the pictures of your build. The beautiful work and amazing attention to detail is inspiring. I find myself looking over your pictures again and again and each time I notice some new detail or feature that I missed the previous view. It makes me look at my own build which on the table next to me and take note of how it;s looking. Even though it is not the same ship I still question did I think to look into this or that to see haw it should look or how can I make something look better.
 
Throughout your build log you mention at how long it is taking. I feel that it should take as long as it takes to make it right. That is something that I struggled with a lot was slowing down and taking the time to make it right. I have several models that I have had to rebuild over the years as I was so unhappy with the job I did largely due to rushing through it that I could not bear to look at it any longer. I have had to repeatedly tell myself that I have the time. Slow down and learn a new and better way and be happy with the results. Seeing a build log like yours and seeing the fabulous work that it contains is proof that fast is not always better and the results are most definitely worth it.
 
Keep up the wonderful work as it truly is an inspiration to the rest of us.

As always I find myself staring wide eyed and breathless when I look at the pictures of your build. The beautiful work and amazing attention to detail is inspiring. I find myself looking over your pictures again and again and each time I notice some new detail or feature that I missed the previous view. It makes me look at my own build which on the table next to me and take note of how it;s looking. Even though it is not the same ship I still question did I think to look into this or that to see haw it should look or how can I make something look better.
 
Throughout your build log you mention at how long it is taking. I feel that it should take as long as it takes to make it right. That is something that I struggled with a lot was slowing down and taking the time to make it right. I have several models that I have had to rebuild over the years as I was so unhappy with the job I did largely due to rushing through it that I could not bear to look at it any longer. I have had to repeatedly tell myself that I have the time. Slow down and learn a new and better way and be happy with the results. Seeing a build log like yours and seeing the fabulous work that it contains is proof that fast is not always better and the results are most definitely worth it.
 
Keep up the wonderful work as it truly is an inspiration to the rest of us.

As always I find myself staring wide eyed and breathless when I look at the pictures of your build. The beautiful work and amazing attention to detail is inspiring. I find myself looking over your pictures again and again and each time I notice some new detail or feature that I missed the previous view. It makes me look at my own build which on the table next to me and take note of how it;s looking. Even though it is not the same ship I still question did I think to look into this or that to see haw it should look or how can I make something look better.
 
Throughout your build log you mention at how long it is taking. I feel that it should take as long as it takes to make it right. That is something that I struggled with a lot was slowing down and taking the time to make it right. I have several models that I have had to rebuild over the years as I was so unhappy with the job I did largely due to rushing through it that I could not bear to look at it any longer. I have had to repeatedly tell myself that I have the time. Slow down and learn a new and better way and be happy with the results. Seeing a build log like yours and seeing the fabulous work that it contains is proof that fast is not always better and the results are most definitely worth it.
 
Keep up the wonderful work as it truly is an inspiration to the rest of us.

As always I find myself staring wide eyed and breathless when I look at the pictures of your build. The beautiful work and amazing attention to detail is inspiring. I find myself looking over your pictures again and again and each time I notice some new detail or feature that I missed the previous view. It makes me look at my own build which on the table next to me and take note of how it;s looking. Even though it is not the same ship I still question did I think to look into this or that to see haw it should look or how can I make something look better.
 
Throughout your build log you mention at how long it is taking. I feel that it should take as long as it takes to make it right. That is something that I struggled with a lot was slowing down and taking the time to make it right. I have several models that I have had to rebuild over the years as I was so unhappy with the job I did largely due to rushing through it that I could not bear to look at it any longer. I have had to repeatedly tell myself that I have the time. Slow down and learn a new and better way and be happy with the results. Seeing a build log like yours and seeing the fabulous work that it contains is proof that fast is not always better and the results are most definitely worth it.
 
Keep up the wonderful work as it truly is an inspiration to the rest of us.

Hi Mates,
 
Still finishing up the foremast, and as I was looking at one of the Vasa Museum plan sheets I noticed small pins were part of the mast cap braces. These pins allowed the metal braces to be removed. (Though I realized that there had to be a way of removing broken masts)
 
It gnawed at me for a way to add these details before installing the masts. Very –super small- bit of added detail, but actually simple to make, so I thought that I would share
 
So I came up with the following; pics are pretty much self-explanatory, so I will keep the post brief.
 
1) Flattened nail heads with small pliers.
 
2) Drilled holes in the center of the flattened head.
            PS: My first attempt was way off center – so used a small center punch guide to slightly indent where I wanted the     drill bit to bite.
 
3) Then used a rotary tool to flatten the sides and front edges of the new braces.
 
Had some other small nails, and I also flattened the heads using these as the pins to keep the mast braces in place.
 
4) clipped the long pins, a little thinned paint and there….
 
So super small (prob. easy to miss) added bit of details. I’m satisfied with how this worked out.
 
As always, thanks for your continued interest in dropping by.
 
Regards,
 
Michael
 
,
 

Lawrence,
 
Thank soo much for your "over the top" (blush) - comments, given the quality of your work I'm also really touched by your post.
 
Very kind of you. Builders such as yourself, and many others here at MSW also help me to improve my work as I learn and grow with this encompassing hobby of ours. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Michael

Mates,
 
George, Nigel, Edwin, Frank thanks for your so nice comments.
 
Paul S, thanks so much for following along. Very nice of you, I have been re-miss in not thanking and acknowledging members whom are interested in this build, and have chosen to get updates J
 
Mark. Thanks, but your beautiful completed rigging along with FrankM, and Karl, will be my guides in this very new area for me.
 
------------------------
 
Frank M. YES indeed – Your post is well so perfect. Foresight was missing here for me as well. The starboard railing will survive with a couple of wood putty “fill-ins” and re drills.
 
The Port side is a mess. I knew that as I was drilling the holes too close to existing ones. I was also hoping to fix it the same as the other railing. Then noticed that the holes are not even mid-rail (rushing never works, does it?)
 
So I looked in my junk wood box and happened upon a left over railing piece that is, unbelievably,exactly the same length, to the mm, as the one that came out terribly.
 
I was out of those planks and also out of the upper top very thin cover piece. What luck!!
 
So, This should be easy. I’ll drill for the verticals first, then space the pin holes correctly Hmmmm
 
Again mates, thank so much for your interest, likes, and comments.
 
Michael

 
 
 
 
 

Hi Mates,
 
Preparing the weather deck foremast area for installation of the foremast, and then attaching the shrouds
 
1) Drilled holes in the lower railing to insert the vertical beams for the (later) upper railing trim pieces.
 
2) Discovered a 1/10th photo that showed blocks attached to the frame of the entry into the upper gun deck.
 
I also found these four blocks in the museum weather deck running rigging fastenings 53 & 57. So added those as well.
 
Some before and after shots follow
 
3) Cut the weather cover to better fit the now smaller entry to the gun deck.
 
4) Added eyebolts and a block at the foremast base. Along with a cleat on the mast (my idea ) hmmm
 
I WILL repaint those poor heads that have lost their yellow -
 
Thanks for still dropping by and looking in at this very very slow build (J
 
Cheers,
 
Michael
 

 
 

That method is from R.C. Anderson, The Rigging of Ships in the Days of the Spritsail Topmast.  While it is not the actual method used to raise a mouse, it comes very close and you probably could not tell the difference by appearance.  The actual method used nettles doubled over a loop above the mouse.  The mouse was padded out from the stay to its shape with parcelling.  The nettles were then pointed over ( like weaving, over and under each successive nettle). As the mouse shape got larger additional nettles were woven in and when the mouse narrowed nettles were cut out.  After the mouse is pointed over the ends of the nettles were laid along the stay and the stay serving covered over them.
 
I used Andersons method for my stays, and while the method takes some fiddly work with a needle to accomplish the results are great.
 
Regards,

Thanks Bob, Dave and EJ_L for your encouraging words.
And thanks Jon for the push to attempt the carvings. 
I'm working on carving the forward part of the transom and the fashion pieces.  Then everything will be glued together and, hopefully, look great.
Cheers.

Good to see this build,I have bought this kit today as I want something to do when I retire, am working on Constructo bounty at the rigging stage so hop to have her finished about middle of the year.Hope you get on ok with your build look forward to seeing some more pics!

Here's another technique for replacing metal decorative castings.  The explanation starts at 2:30 on the video: 

The walnut sheets arrived from Crown Timberland and I proceeded to create the ‘back splash’.  I made some small floral-type carvings and put a trim around the ‘back splash’.  Then glued the all carvings glued in place.  The look is similar to the transom of several models including the Confederacy and Syren.  The question is whether the carvings are one piece that extends beyond the width of the stern, or is the transom wide, like the kit supplied piece, with the carvings added.  My solution assumes the later, and I like the look.  However, I don’t know if what I did is historically accurate.  Going by the MS and Howard Hahn plans, it’s hard to get an absolute answer. 


 

Technology - what a difference 20-30 years make

Beautiful. That's all I can come up with, everything else has been said. Keep the pictures coming and Thank you for sharing this with all of us.

@dgbot: They are fantastic machines but your right at their cost they are too expensive. You can find small CNC machines for a few hundred dollars but the size it too restrictive. I've heard many people convert 3D printers into CNC's as it uses the same principles but a drill bit rather than extruder. 
 
@EJ_L: The prices will continue to drop for 3D printing until it becomes affordable. The printers are perfect for model railways. I am in fact running some testers for a friend of n-guage model carriage prints to see how they come out. HO scale is still a bit large for the printers currently as the price and time is still relatively high. I would fully recommend investing in a 3d printer, as you say - with the cad know how you have no boundaries on your creativity. 
 
The final boat parts have been on the CNC for the past week cutting away. A much slower process because of the density of the material, but the finish barely needs sanding. You can see from the images below that the spindle stepdown for the first 'roughing' pass is much more shallow. Cutting to fast - or too much at once the machine screams like a cat! I had some trouble with the part moving, so I had to drill a screw through the side of the hull to keep her steady. The only negative thing with this machine is the amount of wasted material cut away; which is why 3d printing or additive manufacturing is so interesting to manufacturing companies. The image below is how she will be cut in three separate parts. I've sliced the model near the waterline - as a clear acrylic sheet will represent the water on the final mode and fit right on the hull. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After cleaning up the shipyard a bit, here goes....   New framing wood has been ordered but due to Jeff at Hobbymill's schedule it won't be here until late (very late) April.  I'm planning on using up my existing stock of swiss pear, ebony, pear, silver maple, and cherry and maybe some boxwood if I see fit. 
 
At this stage, I'm poring over the plans and notating such things as wale, gunport, and deck clamp locations on the individual frame drawings as I'm planning on putting some reference points on the frames physically as I cut them.  This should solve some of my previous issues..  With 60 frames, this is going to take a bit.
 
I have a new build board laid out and prepped but not cut.  The frame reference board is ready to go.
 
I'm still making a final decision on whether to stick with cherry or go with boxwood for the keel, stem, and stern items.   Version 1.0 sits forlornly in another part of the shipyard waiting for various bits and pieces to be cannibalized.  I'll be re-using my old fabricated measuring tools and making some new ones.
 
Hopefully, by the time the framing stock arrives, all the plans will be annotated and scanned, all the bits and pieces from V 1.0 will be cannibalized, and bunches of new bits will be fabricated and then ready and waiting. 
 
It's time to do this beast right and proper... and to have some fun doing it.
 
Footnotes to the build:  I'm adding to this as I discover things.
The Hahn plans lack a lot of details so additional sources will be needed.
    a) Hahn's "Ships of the American Revolution" is a must to understand the building method.
    b)  I also recommend the "La Belle Poule" monograph from ANCRE.  This has period bits and pieces along with the proper rigging as Hahn used La Venus which has pointed out to me as being from a later period.
 
 

As an early birthday present I was given this book and although I have only skimmed through it so far I am impressed. I will write a full review once I have had more time to read through it. The model ships are very well photographed and the paintings have been cleanly scanned and with the pages being large it is easy to appreciate the models. I have included a few pictures from the book to show examples. I will gladly post more if anyone is interested.

Today I built the first of la Couronne's canon. I needed one that I could use for laying out the main decks gun ports. I did not care for the kits supplied carriages so I ended up building my own that I am much happier with.

Very nice work. I was in school for 3D design a while back and I fell in love with the possibilities of 3D printing in model building. I have not used it on any model ship builds yet but while I had access to a 3D printer I did make many custom parts and even a few people for my HO scale railroad. I have been thinking about buying a printer myself and trying it out for making many of the decorative sculptures on the stern or even some of the extremely small details such as hinges. I also think it would be a great tool for making sailors in the wide range of scales that we often work in and are not readily available in stores.
 
The printers are fast becoming more affordable and it is really rather easy to learn the programming to make them work. Design can be a bit more challenging but for some it may be easier to learn to design on a computer than carving or sculpting the parts by hand.

Very nice work. I was in school for 3D design a while back and I fell in love with the possibilities of 3D printing in model building. I have not used it on any model ship builds yet but while I had access to a 3D printer I did make many custom parts and even a few people for my HO scale railroad. I have been thinking about buying a printer myself and trying it out for making many of the decorative sculptures on the stern or even some of the extremely small details such as hinges. I also think it would be a great tool for making sailors in the wide range of scales that we often work in and are not readily available in stores.
 
The printers are fast becoming more affordable and it is really rather easy to learn the programming to make them work. Design can be a bit more challenging but for some it may be easier to learn to design on a computer than carving or sculpting the parts by hand.