Overworked724

Time to log Ridiculous Idea #942...or somewhere around that number! Work has been getting in the way of the Syren, no surprise. Better busy than not, I reckon'. I've been noodling over the carronade mounts. And once my mind grabs onto a problem, it's like an irritating terrier which won't let go of a pant leg. So, I decided to try and replace those ridiculous laser cut things they call 'parts' that came with the kit. I know some have used them, but they are so damned small, and the laser char and wood seams are simply too difficult for me to manage. So I went off the beaten path to try and make my own. Got a fairly good result. Use some 3/32" thick, 3/16" wide boxwood strips. Cut a 1/16" groove through the center using my table saw, adjusted to just enough clearance to leave a bit of wood connecting the two sides. Made sure the wooden fin on the bottom of the carronade fit into the slot. Mounted the strips sideways between two pieces of wood. I used some double sided tape to adhere the strip to the side without the slot...reason for this...you'll see later. And drilled in the mounting pin holes. Next, I drilled some 1/16" holes on either side of the mounting pin holes. Then removed from the drill press. The wood without the double sided tape was discarded. The drilled boxwood strip stayed in place on the other support piece of wood via the double sided tape. (Yay!) I used a sanding stick to round off the 'tops' of the mounts. Then I cut them apart - bit by bit - with my mini table saw... Then I test fit one of the carronades with a pin (literally) to see if the thing would work. TaaaDaaa!!! Now I can paint/stain the mounts depending on my mood. Since the mounts have a single flat bottom, I can mount the carronade/mount together on the sled, or separately. I'll probably do separately, so I am sure of good alignment between the carronade sleds. The nice thing about this approach is that the mounts are much easier to handle. I'm not certain if there will be elevation issues due to that 'spare wood' adding some height (~0.3mm) to the mounts, but if there is, the discrepancy should be too small to notice. (He said hopefully) I'll make one more set of mounts for giggles...and move on to the pintles and gudgeons. I feel like I have a clear path to victory for completing my carronade sleds now. Moving on....ever so slooooowly!!!! Copper plates made and waiting.

Dave...that’s some beautiful work!!!!

Outstanding!!!

I made my stamps a while back. See my build log post #10-11, #37, and #76. I tried the drill press option but didn't get clean bolt impressions. Opted for the hammer method instead and got some good results. Work getting in the way of my beloved shipyard! Enjoy!!!!

Well, the spare set I found are certainly largest in bore size. They are thicker but same relative length. The kit provided Britainnia piece is next largest. While the Syren provided one is same exterior dimensions as the kit provided cannon, but with a much smaller bore. In truth...I am thinking the Syren ones might be closest. But unless I could actually turn my own, I’m less inclined to try to mimic historical accuracy. So the Britannia pieces (no surprise...) are going in the trash. I’ll work up both the mystery cannon and the Syren cannon and see which look best. 😎

Gives new meaning to the term, “Clear the deck!”

Got the swivel brackets mounted. Was a bit finicky trying to get them mounted square...finally made a little mounting jig called a ‘stick’ to line them up on the edge of the ports.🤣 Moving on...

My super slo-mo build continues. Made some brass rings today. The kit only came with a small assortment of smaller rings, so used some 0.4mm thick brass wire and wrapped it around a #65 drill bit set in a pin vise. Clipped them out with a sprue cutter. Ready for blackening whenever...the brass wire I had was stiff...assumed it was annealed so used a lighter to heat up the wire first...then it bent like putty. Final outer diameter was 1.7mm. Same as the kit (shinier bits on top). Interesting find. In searching for wire, I found a set of cannon with walnut carriages and brass wheels. Compared them side by side with the Shipways kit on the far left (🤮), the Syren parts I ordered in the middle (👍🏽), and my find on the right (🤔). I can’t remember where I got that set...might have been a part of a drawing or find from my ship club, but I’m kind of liking the wider cannon. To be continued!!!

Awesome, Dave! You make really nice use of that lathe. The penny is a bit cheap...you should use a dime! 😎

Think you might be referring to another build log. The L method of making the triangular piece never gave me good results. That’s why I used two dowels glued together to hold the piece. ☺️ But as long as you got er’ dun that’s what counts! Looking good, Red!

One thing to consider on my side has been the doors. More specifically, when to put them on. I mean, theoretically, they could go on last...like even after the flags. There is absolutely no interference from other elements in the build except the chain plates. Which is why I’m questioning when I should install them. So...once I’ve completed them, I’ll just number them up and wait a bit. My figuring here is that if you install them in the open position now, the chain plates become a bit more fussy to install later. It’s a tight fit...especially those two amidships on either side. I’m not certain if I’ll install them closed or open. My carronades fit the shape of the curved opening perfectly. So I might just remake them to fit closed...but it will depend on how well the carronades come out. So...I’ll be waiting a bit before I continue with the doors. ☺️ Decisions decisions.

@WalrusGuy Ok...that is definitely worth a gander. 🤔 Thank you!!!

My super slow motion build continues. Work and some health issues keeping me from shipyard recently. Thought I’d post how I painted the little bits. Got the 1/2 doors for the gun ports painted, but the hinges/handles not installed yet. I secure them on a piece of Tamiya tape which is itself adhered to a wood support by some double sided scotch tape. It makes the painting quick. I plan to paint the carronade swivel brackets next, and start assembly of the carronades as a little side project. I did manage to complete but not yet paint the bow and stern bulkhead port doors. These are rough made and still need some work. I still need to make the stern port doors. Moving on...

The stern name plate method was mine. It was the only way I could think of to get the letters on in a consistent manner. 👍🏽

Take a look at my log - post #477. I provided the way I did it, and it was quick and easy. The triangular pieces actually turned out beautifully.

Turned out beautiful!

That reminds me...have to make my serving machine.

Dave, you are already miles ahead of me. ☺️ Besides, if my blog on the Sultana helps (not that you need it) than I’m a happy camper. 👍🏽

Nice job so far, Red! That margin was a bit of a buggy bear for me. Yours looks really good. Are you using pencil on the facing edges of the planks to simulate caulking? Looking really good!!! Can you invest in a little space heater for you garage?

Holy crap, Dave. 😳 That’s some awesome work!!! Now I’m wondering if you enjoy modeling or learning new tools to apply to modeling!? 🤔

Thanks! 👍🏽 You are inspiring me. Actually, your investment in the alternative copper plating really has me second guessing. Yours turned out beautiful, as did you pintles/gudgeons. That’s something I’ve been struggling with....

Futzed with the port doors a bit more. Cut in the rabbets on the sides. Touched up by sanding and ready for final painting. Like I said....went a bit over board! After I get the doors prepped, I’ll put them off to the side and get to figuring out the pintles and gudgeons. I really need to get those in my head before jumping on the copper plating.

Ok...so went overboard making my half doors. I softened the edges of the gun slot. Will paint the inner side before cutting them out. The stern and bow doors I’ve decided to make as a single piece and will cut them to fit.

I used my mini table saw (Byrnes saw). I just brought the level of the blade down to 1/2 the plank width (1/32') and ran it along the entire edge on both sides. The sections are made from gluing two 1'8" wide x 1/16" thick strips at the edge using some carpenter's glue. I honestly don't know why I penciled the edges...force of habit? Once I cut the doors, I'll just run the same edge along the blade to cut out the edges. The semi-circle take a few seconds with the thin barrel sander (diameter is a shade over 1/8" thick.

Work is getting in the way again. But the distraction of the gun port doors is kind of fun... I made a bunch of long sections (above). My plan was to carve the edges with my table saw and use a small diameter Dremel sanding barrel to form the rounded cut outs. Then I can paint the long section, cut the doors out, and finish and edge paint the sides to finish them up. Here was my first pass...not bad at some initial trials. Will make the doors en masse now. Some fun pics...