Haliburton

Thanks all for the likes, and Thunder thank you for looking in, there don’t seem to be many logs of this kit and I’d definitely appreciate your input and insights as I proceed.    Scott 
 
And so begins the sawdust - prepping the prow, keelson and rudder post ahead of gluing 

Hi everyone, I’ve been semi-active on the site for a while now but this is actually my first build log. I’ve previously completed one prior build, Endeavour’s Longboat.  Onward as they say.   I’ve selected Chatham Yacht as a level up in complexity.  I’m attaching some initial kit photos for reference.    Scott

I’ve used of all things a pencil crayon from my daughters supply and hopefully rather than making a bigger mess with the wood colour discrepancy between fore and aft decks have made the difference less obvious. Again it seems things that aren’t as visible with the naked eye stand in sharp contrast when you look at a photo. 

A tiny update with all cap rails now installed.   Scott

Well, my Zulu, BF 1479 Fidelity is finished.  
 
This has been a really fun and informative journey, which began when I received this kit at the end of last August.  Despite a very busy professional and family life, I’ve managed to prioritize enough time to keep construction moving forward, slowly and steadily, and it paid off.
 
Since my last update, I snugged up all of the rigging, fixed it in place using the clear nail polish, completed the sheet and line tails, and trimmed all lines to proper length.  
 
I am really feeling good about how she turned out.  Although there are scores of things I would improve, and all sorts of things I’d do differently next time, I think that Fidelity came out really well, and is a pretty authentic representative of the Zulu type.  The way the sails are set,  she appears to be charging home on a close reach, in the early morning breeze, her hold full of fish ready for market.
 
I hope that this build log and these photos are helpful to those who may be building this kit in the future.  I can’t speak highly enough about the quality and thoughtful detailing and engineering in this kit from Chris Watton at Vanguard.  I think this is a perfect first project for someone wanting to get into this hobby, and it’s designed to help set that person up for success.  I’ve learned so much from building it, and absorbing the wisdom embodied in the design of this model.
 
Many thanks to all of those who have helped me along the way, notably Chris Watton, James Hatch, Bob Garcia, Rik Thistle and Blue Ensign. Here’s some photos of Fidelity, including one showing her in her new home on the console table in the entry of our house.  
 
 

Hello. I am not all that new to modeling or woodworking for that matter, but I am now retired and decided to take up a new hobby. I have always loved tall ships and admired their models so I decided to try one myself. I have been a professional musician for decades, owned a computer repair shop for years, taught myself lampworking (solid glass work) and been a professional artist (graphite) One of my drawings is on the cover of a book at Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M65CKO0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Hopefully a link like that is allowed here ... I only share that to show I have an eye for details. I am a moderator at an art site teaching drawing so I am comfortable with WIPs (works in progress) which you call logs on this site. In any case, I am ready to start my first wooden ship model. To that end I purchased Model Shipways' USS Syren and have been carefully reading the instructions by Chuck as well as going over the logs here. Some unbelievable work!! I can only hope to complete the kit but not to have skill on the level you guys do ... I will undoubtedly need assistance along the way so I hope to interact with some of you.
 
Ken

I haven't been making a whole lot of progress on my model, but I thought I'd post what has been done so people don't think I've given up. 
 
Lately I've been working on the boat davits: They are highly-detailed little pieces and I've run out of the 3mm square light-coloured wood so I have only made eight out of twelve of the vertical posts. They fit into little sockets I have made from slices of brass tube, and brackets on the rail made of brass strip. I've also made the actual davit arms, which I bent after steaming them in the rice-cooker and laminated, but I'm leaving them off for the time being because I still need to make the brackets they fit into. 
 
Using "Lee's" book, I worked out the taper ratio for the lower masts, and tried it out on the main mast first. I thought it turned out OK so I proceeded to apply the hounds and cheeks, and paint, hoops, and bands. It think it looks pretty good so I will proceed with the other two. 
 
I don't have a lot of time for model-building lately, because of work, but I spend a lot of time reading Lee's and thinking about how I want to depict certain parts. 
 
I like photographing the model in the sunbeam through the kitchen window, now that it's early spring and the sun has come back.
 
 

I’ve been super slack at the moment. But generally doesn’t take too long of a break to get back into it. Been spending more of my time doing Astrophotography and will have to knuckle down and keep going with the ship soon... it’s a hobby after all!
 
I did add some more details to the deck, just got to get into the PE mindset and get the superstructure underway. 
 
 

 

 
will blend them in once the rest of the deck furniture is complete too. The wood deck is glued well and I’m happy with the hull so it’s been fun.
 
here are some of my Astro shots I’ve been taking and distracting me from my build haha!
 

 

 
I shall be back into the ship building in the next little while though 
 
 

Part 003


 
Finally got started on the actual model today. I printed out the frame drawing scans, one per sheet, onto cardstock. I measured to make sure the size was correct, then taped the sheet for Frame 6 onto the glass sheet on the workbench.

 
I went through the wood sheets, until I found the two shims needed for this frame. They glue at the tops of the frame drawing. I brushed some glue onto them, put them in place then put weights on each to keep them flat, while it dries. I’ll go back, hopefully, tomorrow, and start on the actual frame construction.

 

 

 
 

 


 

Greetings! Love this website. Amazing info. I read several members blogs for the Lowell Grand Banks Dory (Model Shipways) and the kit looked like the one for me, so I've purchased it and made it as far as opening the box!  I'm going to start a build log (although I'm not quite sure how to do that!)  Any advice?
Meanwhile, I'm going to go read some more logs... I'm kinda scared to get started (so I went out and bought some more tools recommended in the instructions, but now I've got to bite the bullet and start the project!)

Hi All,
 
Thank you for allowing me to join.  I have a confession to make right out of the gate.  I suspect the moderator(s) (ccoyle) started his "For Beginners -- A Cautionary Tale" thread with me in mind.
 
After being captivated by some of the big museum quality model sailing ships I saw as kid, I decided to try building one on my own.  Why not go big I thought!  After all, the smaller ones aren't nearly as impressive.  I recently surprised myself by successfully installing some shelves in our bathroom closet, so, I'm obviously more than qualified, and it would be a shame to let all this new-found hubristic confidence go to waste. (I thought again...) Hmmm...  HMS Victory looks really cool!  'Shame Amati still has not released their 1:64 scale; DeAgostini's kit is only 1:84 scale, and their manuals seem to include very detailed instructions with far too many photos that leave almost no room for that sense of "creative freedom" I so cherish.  This is how I became the proud (and upon opening the box, extremely intimidated) owner of a JoTiKa Caldercraft HMS Victory kit.  Please note that while all member commentary is welcome here on this specific subject, (Not to mention admittedly deserved.) my wife of many years has already addressed me about this with what she considers to be both a necessary and commensurate level of alacrity, volume, and redundancy. (ad nauseam)
 
That said, I am enjoying the build of my first ship, have finished second planking, and will be starting a build log tonight with current photos.  I have questions and greatly appreciate everyone's input and guidance. 😉
 

Thanks Rob!  It’s amazing how the photos show imperfections that don’t seem visible to me when I look at it.  Scott

She's coming along very nicely do keep posting. It's great to see your build coming together.

Well time has certainly zipped by.  I have been working on Chatham yacht on and off. In hindsight I wish I had posted in progress pictures to benefit from comments. While the second planking wasn’t a total disaster (in my humble opinion) it is not a sight of beauty either. I’ve learned a lot, and next time will apply lessons learned to the spiling and bending process.  Parts of the hull will be painted so that may mask some of my many errors.   Live and learn!  Scott
 

Well time has certainly zipped by.  I have been working on Chatham yacht on and off. In hindsight I wish I had posted in progress pictures to benefit from comments. While the second planking wasn’t a total disaster (in my humble opinion) it is not a sight of beauty either. I’ve learned a lot, and next time will apply lessons learned to the spiling and bending process.  Parts of the hull will be painted so that may mask some of my many errors.   Live and learn!  Scott
 

Hi everyone, I’ve been semi-active on the site for a while now but this is actually my first build log. I’ve previously completed one prior build, Endeavour’s Longboat.  Onward as they say.   I’ve selected Chatham Yacht as a level up in complexity.  I’m attaching some initial kit photos for reference.    Scott

Thank you Thomas,😃
Thank you JJ! I'll let you know as soon as I finish some more parts and preparations. Many thanks to MSW and Chuck. In fact, Cumberland used to be the background map of MSW's website. This project was proposed by me and was supported by Chuck immediately. I followed his suggestion. This project will cooperate with MSW for promotion, so more information will be released--when we(True Image model) finish the negotiation with MSW on some details.I need to follow MSW's rules about business content.
 
Jack

Hi everyone!
 
I've been looking around in the build logs now for a while and have to say I'm very impressed with the builds here! Particularly I liked the Pickle build by Blue Ensign and off course some of the scratch builds makes demonstrate how much there is to this craft.  I'm new to this and have just received the Havmågen / Norden litt from Billing that I am looking forward to build 🙂
 
Looking forward to getting in touch with you!
 
Best regards,
Halvor in Norway

Just had the test sheets arrive for the five sheets of photo etched brass for Sphinx, which I shall get shipped to Jim. these are quite big...

Been a busy weekend at chez-Hatch.
 
I wanted to het the hull skeleton as far as I could so I can fit the laser deck and red bulwarks/spirketting this week. Work starts on the first and last bulkheads which are fitted with their bow and stern patterns respectively. The first bulkhead is dry fitted to the false keel so the two adjacent patterns sit snug to the keel. A clamp was deployed until fully set, then the assembly was removed from the keel and a sanding block/Dremel used to shape. I really do recommend a rotary tool for shaping the stern. It will be make things much, much simpler. 
 



Before shaping the stern, the assembly was slipped back onto the keel and glued to the bulkhead which sits adjacent to it. Shaping was done after removal. The tape on the stern assembly issued to protect the filler panel from breaking away.


 
With so many bulkheads and interlocking slots, I always like to dry-fit all parts where possible, and then paint wood glue into the joints afterwards. This method works perfectly well, and you can dilute your glue too if you wish. Modern wood glues seem to set too quickly that I see this as a way of making sure everything seats before the glue turns.
 
With the bulkheads slotted into position (minus the bow and stern assemblies I just made), the small orlop deck section is slotted into place, followed by the laser engraved ply lower deck. Care needs to be taken not to damage the bulkhead ears. If you look closer, you'll see the bulkheads have safely gates on the outside, protecting the ears somewhat. These are removed later, before fairing the hull. 
 




The model is now turned upside down and supported while I paint wood glue into the various joints between the MDF and ply parts.
 
The bow and stern sections are now finally slotted into place and glued.


 
It's important that the bulkhead ears are protected from quite early on in the build, so I changed the sequence so that the longitudinal gun port strips are now glued into place. These are labelled 'TOP' and 'BOTTOM' to remove any confusion.


 
The blanking/strengthening section on the rear bulkhead can now be carefully twisted away as the bulkhead ears are now protected. We also need to later fit the stern gallery timbers which will run through this area.

 
The first pear wood is now used with the grate coamings. These are assembled and the outer edges have their char removed. I also remove star from the two open sections that won't have grates fitted.

 
Now, the deck beams can be glued into position. Clamps ensure they are aligned and vertical. With these in position, the coamings and gratings are glued into place.


 
Four longitudinal deck support strips are now fitted, with one pair being 'OUTER' and the other 'INNER'.


 
Finally, for this update, the ply deck is fitted. These sections clip into the bulkhead ears so they are self firmly at that point. All you need to do is to pin them down in the middle. I also chose to paint glue into the joints after fitting the deck parts.


 
More as soon as I have something to show you. 😃
 
 

Yeah, i have some advice.  Don't forget to have fun and don't be afraid to screw it up - all models get screwed up in one way or the other.  Just accept and enjoy!   

Well Ladies and Gents, I’m calling this puppy done! Waiting on 2 gangway ladders and one anchor to dry and install then the plexiglass case goes on top. I really do appreciate all the likes and comments. They kept me motivated when down. I can’t name all the build logs I took ideas and inspiration from but I thank you all for them. 
 
Not sure what’s next. There are some leatherwork and woodwork projects that are calling me so it will be a while before I start something new. Besides, the weather here is good and the fish are biting! It’s time to dust off the fly rod. 
 
thanks again for all the help,
Mark
 

 

 

Wasn't quite finished as I was waiting on railing stantions to arrive.  I think this looks much better than the pins supplied by the kit. However now complete and on display in my cabinet.
 

 
 
As stated before I'm going to display with interiors exposed. No point doing all that work to hide it.

 
 

 

 
All done onto next project.

Hi everyone
 
Been off forum for  awhile as I hit a mental block with my Agamemnon build.  Got to rigging stage and lost my get up and go.  It will come back eventually.
 
Meanwhile for a significant birthday (I can now get a bus pass) my family gave me vouchers for Cornwall Boats from which I bought the Occre Kit for the Spirit of Mississippi.
 
A nice kit but with a few issues.  A lot of the supplied metal parts required some work to fit (or the wood parts to make fit) like the window frames.  The paddle hubs in particular needed drilled out to 6mm (supplied 4.5mm!!) see photo.  Annoying.  I also didn't like the pins to be used for railing supports.
 
Hasn't taken too long to get to nearly complete (awaiting better looking rail supports). 
 
A few errors made such as assuming the precut slots for structure and deck were accurate but they were off by a couple of mm so later on in the build the external stiffening ribbing on the port (display) side had to be finessed. 
 
Enjoyable few weeks doing this and has resulted in getting some of my mojo back.  Moving onto Occre cross section of Santimisa Trinidad next and then hopefully back to Aggie.
 
As said nice kit but not sure about the historical accuracy (if any) of the model.  Perhaps the title "Spirit.." gives that away.  I installed some left over Christmas lights to provide internal illumination.  It should display well.  More photos later once paddle wheel and rigging complete.
 
Day 1.
 

 
Moving along nicely.

 
Hull complete. Iplanked under the overhang deck rather than just painting it as given in the instructions.

 
Getting gtehre but didn't notice that upper decks were ever so slightly off to one side.
 

 
Built my own lower deck ladders as not enough metal parts provided.  Also upper deck ladders finished with wood to covers the metal joins.

Nearly there.  Christmas lights working well.  I also used eyelets in removable sections to give me something to grip with but will probably display with the  interior exposed all the time.

 
Very carefully drilling out paddle wheels to 6mm.

 

I had a long chat with the owner and he reminded me that we were on a budget with this refit so I mentioned that I would try to find a used copper sink, I found one on MYBAY it was the right price.
 

 
Checked the fit
 

 

 
Ok so here's how I did it
 

 
Cut out a bit of copper sheet

made up a former from some scrap maple 2x1.5x 3/4 then sanded it smooth.  Annealed the copper and started bashing
 

 
Many annealings and bashings later with a leather mallet
 

and more bashings couple of different hammers but mostly with a too big ball pein.
 

 
A couple of clean up hammerings and then cleaned up the top and dropped it into the pickle .

 
I picked up the gauntlet Druxey you have a habit of dropping it.😉
 
I'm not going down that other rabbit hole
 
Greg I think I read an article about that Model in a Scale ships or similar magazine I seem to recall it had gold and silver fittings.
 
Eberhard, I have not figured it out yet I will be doing a bit of searching to see if I can find some better pictures of the type that is in Integrity.
 
Michael