Keith Simmons

Hi Cathead, 
 
       It is just a fantasy tug, I usually start out by making some crazy hull and let the build process determine where I go.In this case I was already working on a hull then I saw your post, Eureka!  a steam tug,   lol.    Thanks for your comments. 
 
       Take care, Keith

After much staring at this ship I came to the conclusion that my original sail configuration was just too busy for me. I decided to have only one mast and this is the end result. All that is left to do is finish the shrouds and some rigging....

Finally have 80% of sails made and mocked up on ship. Time to take it all apart and start final rigging, my fingers are sore just thinking about it...lol. With ships this size, once I decide it's new home I have to patch and paint walls. The work never ends...

Moved into finishing stage on my hull and masts, after several coats of lacquer I will begin final assembly. The only things left to make are the cannons, trim on sterncastle and the black sails. Then I will have a rigging session with both Blockade Runner and this one...
 
  Thanks for your interest in this ship, I believe I have chosen a style for my next ship and  going to attempt a real plank on frame build. I am in the process of designing the hull now. After seeing the great work being done out there, there was no where else for me to go..lol
 
 

Well, making a little progress on this build. Sterncastle is African Mahogany with Bubinga rails. Still have quite a bit of trim to do and some changes such as doors and possibly stairs, but beginning to look like something. Stairs and masts are Red Oak and the plan is to have a square rigged 2 master (I never know from one day till the next). I'm already thinking about my next ship...lol  Thank you all for the views and comments...    PS, I am obviously a bad photographer, hope you see what I see.

Still a lot of work to do beginning with catch up sanding, Final hull dimensions are 36"L x 7"T x 8"W, my best guess at the final overall dimensions is 54"L x 51"T x 16"W. The only thing I am sure of is that the Captains quarters will have an American cherry deck, the sterncastle is African Mahogany and it will have 9 guns....

Another horrifying frame, we'll see how it goes, The keel is Red Oak, with Black Walnut hull planking. The lightning bolt pattern in hull is quarter sawed African Mahogany. Decking is Bubinga, hard to say right now what the rest will look like, I'll see where it takes me..    By the way , that's my lumber mill in the background...lol

On the  misty morn of the Summer solstice the Quenyan priests gather at the shore of Lake Evendim to board the Kalavente for the annual crossing in prayer to Tarannon,  Lord of the Gate.....

I decided to try a more advanced style of a hollow hull and as usual with no specific theme in mind..lol. I started with some scrap pine and ran it through my table saw at a 22.5 bevel. Then just started to to glue them up to a 33.5 degree keel.
 
 At the water line I reversed the angle and extended the hull to a desired deck width. Once that was done I added cross members for the decking and strength, ran the Cherry decking and sat back looking for a theme. Then it came to me, a Timber Framed sterncastle and of I went creating an Elven Prayer Ship. Silly I know, this stuff just comes to me...lol.
 
 The ship is made of just Pine and Cherry, and the final design is still evolving, hope you like the end result and the " hollow hull " evolution. Thanks for looking...
 

Finally have the Ketch to the final detail stage.  Stairs sails and deck furniture etc....
 
 
   Thanks for looking in,   Keith

Hi all,
        
          A quick progress report on the sloop and ketch.
 
     Just a little bit more work on the sloop such as figuring a way to wire the rails, making a wheel and setting the sails....
 
     Finally finished the maple decking and started the cabin structure on the ketch.( after 3 attempts I think this is the final design, will be sure once I paint it...
 
     Thanks for looking in, have a great day,   Keith
   

Hello everyone,
 
                           Finally finished my yachts so I thought I would share the results....
 
 
 
      Thanks to all those that followed along and for the many comments of encouragement.
 
 
 
       Thanks again,  Keith

Hi guys,
 
              First I want to apologize for not keeping the build log current with the build. I was multi- tasking by working on the wheel and rails at the same time and before I knew it the exterior was done...   Anyway, let me see if I can back track a bit and make some sense of this log. Hopefully I can figure out how to sequence the photos with a description. If not I will just separate them with replies. 
 
              
 
              With the hull section I wanted to show the engine room and wheel structure. I'm still deciding what I want to do with the aft compartment, I am leaning towards a bar under construction. As for the wheel, I started off with a 1 1/2" plug of Bubinga and knowing the diameter was to be 6" I started mass producing Pine spokes 2 1/4" long. Then it was just a matter of pinning the hubs to my little living room work table and gluing the 32 spokes. Once I had 2 sides of the wheel spokes done I started filling in the perimeter with 10 degree connection pieces. Once that dried I added the Bubinga connectors also 10 degree cuts. At this point I started building the wheel hanging structure to get the overall wheel length ( 7" ). Since I wanted the wheel to turn, I cut a bunch of paddles out of pine and Bubinga then glued them in a pattern that make the wheel strobe as it was turned. Worked out pretty good....
 
 

 
 
                In this section I wanted to build a small theater so I set a stage and made several pews ( they were easier than actual seating..lol  Keep in mind, the only tools I am using are a coping saw and a drill and I want the boat to look under construction. I'm not sure the columns are apparent but that is what they are suppose to be...
 
     
 
                With this section I have the stacks and  wheelhouse . Planning on a wheel and a desk or something for this interior. As for the stacks, I have a bunch of stair pickets from my many years of home building and I just cut them apart and glue sections together to get the desired size and shape, In this case I also used some 7/8" rubber O-rings to create the weld lips which you see on this type of stack.
 

 
                  Then the top section shows the rail system which uses 220 clear push pins with a Bubinga rail. Since the wood was too hard to just push the pins into place I had to drill the holes and then cut of 80% off of the actual pin then glue a place.
 

 
                   Hopefully, I shed a little light on how I build these models, I never have a detailed plan. I get a picture in my head then try to make it come to life, With that kind of process things can and do change all the time, A good example was the suggestion by Patrick to show the framing. That turned into the starboard side being the ( under construction ) side, Thanks Patrick, good call....    Anyway, thank you all for your interest and once I start my next build I will try to make the log a bit more interesting.  Hint:  It is going to be war ship...
 
                  Thanks again and everyone have a great day,  Keith
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
              

Hi Keith, Thanks for the detailed look at how you cut out your frames, makes me less apprehensive about designing and cutting my next ship...

Hi Cathead,
 
                   Absolutely grand build. I find it quite inspirational.....
 
 
 All the best,    Keith

I thought the same thing Mike.......I'd see these kits on a shelf,  and walk away thinking that I could never do something like that.   that mentality stayed with me until I got a Nordkap kit put in front of me.   the kit wasn't even laser cut.....it had been in an attic for around 30 years.  I knew the gent,  an older co worker.......and he gave it to me.......everything!   for fun,  I looked up the kit and the cost of it.......I was astounded!
     I had zero experience......I was working on a Revell Cutty 1:96 {what got me into this predicament in the first place}.  here is what I started with:
 

 
I found the link for Billing USA......that's when I met Tom Richardson.   this gentleman felt bad and kinda tried to talk me out of it,  for fear that I would get discouraged and shy away from the hobby.  but I assured him that it wasn't going to happen.....I was build'in this bad boy!   it all boils down to....the desire.   I wasn't worried about mistakes......I made a lot of 'em!  I did a build log on blogger........if anyone wants the link...just ask     in the log,  I wrote about everything.....even the mistakes.  in the end,  I knew it would be worth it........any newbie reading it can {and could} relate any of my mistakes to any kit there is out there.  Tom helped me out a lot......I wrote the log for him.   when I found this site....well,  that's when all hell broke loose......I'm a certified wood nut now!   this site.......YOU PEOPLE.......are awesome....I learned so much,  and I continue to do so today.  I'm no expert.....but I know how to glue two sticks together      
 
today........I have build logs on Blogger and word press {wenzels wharf,  popeyesquadron,  and popeyesgarage}   I continue to write these logs......any model that crosses my table is fair game.   to me......I don't care what kit it is....it will seem impossible to a person just getting into the hobby.   build it.......don't hesitate.   no matter what happens.....no matter how it looks.....build it.  the experience you glean from it,  will enhance your second build ten fold!  we all have our learning curve.......the desire.....and a good 'can do' attitude.....you'll rise above it....you'll git 'er done!
 

 
I even did some bash and scratch stuff to her
 

I am a big fan of using Maple as decking , with the large scale of my models I can get away with the grain patterns. I have also used Mahogany, Bubinga and Brazilian cherry. So I agree with Gaetan, ( your taste , your choice )
 
Good luck with whichever decking you decide on,
 
                                                                                Keith

I am a big fan of using Maple as decking , with the large scale of my models I can get away with the grain patterns. I have also used Mahogany, Bubinga and Brazilian cherry. So I agree with Gaetan, ( your taste , your choice )
 
Good luck with whichever decking you decide on,
 
                                                                                Keith

got a little bit done with this build.   sat down and did some sanding to the gallows....clean them up a bit more and prep them for paint.    I got to thinking.........three..........really?!?!?!   I thought with two booms,  it might look a little weird......so I made a fourth one.  I had made four top pieces....wasn't hard to find square stock for the uprights.
 

 
I had made five pulleys........so there they all are.   I had also painted and dry fitted the railing aft on the ship......I mentioned I'd post a picture.........
 

 
the gallows are now painted.   all I need to do now is add the blocks near the base of the uprights.   then,  once cemented in place,  I can figure out how I'm going to make and position the winches.   the main winch you saw earlier......I'm still up in the air with it..........I might tear it apart and redesign it to handle more cables {lines}..........we'll see.
 

 
still thinking how I'm going to shroud her,  and not crowd the gallows and booms.    thanks for looking in........more soon.

thanks for the kind comments Patrick and Carl.......and thanks for all who hit the like button.   I got interrupted yesterday afternoon when my keyboard died.   at first I thought it might have gotten choked on the soldering fumes......I found out later that it was due to overfeeding........seasoned cracker crumbs!     I have another keyboard, as you can see......this one is so quiet.......no key clatter,  like the generic types      my soldering is meager at best.......but if I'm a good boy and keep at it,  I'm sure I'll get better at it     more to come........YEA!     thank you
 
hi Bob........yea....silly me jumping the gun,  wanting to see visual progress.   now I decide to do something,  and I find that I've made it harder for myself.   I guess you could say that this is my way of back tracking....I don't rip things apart......I just modify things in place      great job on that build of yours.....she's look'in sweet!  
 
 
I got the pictures from the camera today........the railing and the spot light is drying in the paint booth.   so the first thing I did yesterday,  was to add the port side single posts.
 

 
all the while this was going on,  I was bending the wire,  to get the shape of the aft border.   I got the idea to use a long piece of scrap wood  to hold the posts perpendicular,  until I can solder the posts in position.
 

 
the four singles were soldered and I worked my way to the three hole stanchions........I soldered the top rail.   then I got brazen........I tried to go lower.   bad idea.......my fear came to fruition.........the center post came apart on the bottom!
 

 
it wasn't too tough to move it back into position.....I was a little off in this picture.   I made the adjustment and took this one,  but it came out a bit blurry.   I won't make any more adjustments.....I'll just file it smooth....it's fine  
 

 
I do have to adjust the end stanchion on the port side,  but I finished the soldering here.   I took out the center rail and just have the top and bottom on the single stanchions.   I like the looks of it.......it's like blending two types of railings together.
 

 
there was some clean up and filing to do.......it's slowly taking shape.
 

 
I did fix that one over sized pulley,  so I got the fifth one squared away.    I added feet pads to the gallows and cemented the pulleys in place.   I have another block to add to the bottom,  and I may dress up the pads a little more before painting them.   the pulleys will be painted the same color.   there was more sanding and filing to the railings and I also added the spot light....had to solder that together too.   I left the post long,  since I haven't figured where or how I will position it.
 

 

 
as can be seen in some of the pictures,  there is a hole on the side of the funnel/cabin.  there's a hole on the other side too.   I have two portholes left.........I'm going to install them and use them up.   I was thinking of getting nutz with some paint.......but we'll see on that  
 
thanks for look'in in  

for those just starting out:
 
oh my........what have I done to myself.   I used to be this happy go lucky guy,  playing with my plastic models,  in the seclusion of wherever I opened the box.  I even had a solid mantra for myself.....only one build at a time.  then one day {those who have heard this before,  can start yawning now},  a wooden kit fell into my possession......and that opened the floodgates to a new and wonderful hobby {more like a Pandora's box,  in my case}.   that was in 2009..........
 
I've come away wishing it was a lot sooner...........a whole lot sooner  
 
I have evolved toward having two tables....the main table,  and a side table,  in the event I wish to do a second build.   I have gone way beyond that!   we won't go there at the moment.......I'll leave it as "I'm pre-destined"   I will never lament..........I consider them my children,  born of hair brained ideas and envisioned thought.   there are others..........but I dare not open the lid again,  fearing that they'll escape.   ..........and they will,  you know................they always do.
 
of late,  the main table is a collection of tools and cast off wood,  with metal bits scattered for good measure.    the trawler sits at one end of it,  waiting eagerly for me to add more to her............the second table has become more of a catch-all at this point in time,  as I look for suitable parts to feed the aspect being worked on.
 

 
the frenzy has also manifested itself on my desk as well,  hosting my latest idea and a build in it's own right.........the Flattie.
 

 
I sometimes daydream of a room..........a medium sized room {I'm not greedy},  with a work table,  that lines three of the walls {in my dream,  I don't even allow for a closet  }.   the fourth wall is dedicated for supplies and of course,  the entrance way into the room.   I can close that door....and leave the mortal plane behind.......and enter my own imagination.   there is a freedom here..........but before I can get too cozy,  I get roused to the present by the admiral, asking a question about something or other.........I never stay there for too long  
 
oh well........here I am      I've moved to the stern on the trawler.   there's more to do with the fore deck,  but it's a lot of small stuff.......it can wait till the mast is permanent.   I seem to have graduated from ladders to railings lately.....that's what I've begun to play with in this session.   I have only seven of the 15 mm three hole stanchions...not enough to go the entire span of the stern border.   so,  what I've done is run the seven around the center of the span,  and fill in the sides with the 15 mm single hole stanchions.   I have enough to do the stern span with these,  but I think it would look naked with them.......I'd have to try and fill them in somehow,  with a second railing.   this set up will also make it look a bit more interesting....and if I don't like it,  I can add the extra railings.   here is the stanchion positions that I have described.
 

 
my eyes were play'in tricks..........I mentioned a problem in an earlier post.   it seemed like these stanchions were a little taller that the three hole stanchions.
 

 
in order to get a better picture of this,  they were strung on a length of wire.   I was amazed that the difference is greater than I thought it was..........at least 2 - 3 mm   {I was too miffed to measure}.
 
 
 
the original though was to simply counter sink the single hole stanchions into the border,  correcting the height issue.    I can see now that this can't happen.  I want this to work........I think it will look cool...........so I entertained the thought of adding length to the three hole stanchions.
    anyone who has built billing's kits before,  have run into their idea of eye bolts {in some of the kits}.   they look like really stubby buttons with a hole in them.   I will snip off the locator pins on the stanchions and solder these eye bolts onto them......I have plenty of these eye bolts as well.
 

 
setting up the board at my desk,  the operation began.........snipping off the locator pin,  filing it flat,  and solder the additions together.
 

 
it wasn't too tough a job.......but it will pose a problem.  I won't be able to solder the wire rails in place,  the closer I get to the soldered joint.   I can do the top rail........but the middle and bottom one will be very dicey indeed.   I could do it,  but it would take an enormous amount work to retain the shape.   I can simply CA the railings as I have done before.   the big problem is that I wouldn't have an adequate heat sink....bottom line    with them all done and restrung next to the single hole stanchions,  they look much better............perhaps just a minuscule of difference.
 

 
the railings were re-posted back into their holes {I still need to do the port side}.   I did leave enough railing wire on the lower rows,  that I can solder them to the single post stanchions if I desire.   of course,  they won't be strung through a turnbuckle,  like the three hole.   I've seen Bob's railings......I like the way they look.   this will give me the opportunity to try making them......really great idea........functional and realistic.
 

 

 
now....I will get the port side laid out and solder the top rail,  to lock in the spacing.   then I can decide on the rest of the rails.   I kinda wish I didn't cement the funnel/cabin in place.....I had an evil thought {I can still do it........remember,,,it's an evil thought}......icky mae
 

Thanks  Pat, Albert,Tom, Nils, and WackoWolf,
 
Sorry that I didn't get back here sooner.  It has been a crazy week.  In addition to the two Heroine models, I'm rushing to finish a model of the Serce Limani wreck for the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology.  Heroine takes up more work days and Serce fills my nights and weekends. Hopefully, Serce will be completed soon and I'll finally have some free time again.
 
As for Heroine, this week I worked on the roof trusses.  Kevin wanted 15 inches of crown to the Hurricane deck so it didn't leave me with much depth to work with.  I decided to play it safe and go with something simple.  We wanted a light structure so the spacing between trusses is a little large but, they used tongue and groove planking that would have distributed the load and added a little strength (as well as making it a little more watertight).  The roof will be covered with tarred canvas.
 

 

 

 

 
The trusses haven't been fastened in place yet and are little out of alignment.  Started working on the floor of the pilot house.  The opening will be for a trap door to the cabin below.  I left the longitudinal timber a little long for support.  They will be cut off even with the forward edge of the corner pieces.

I posted this to show what can be done with lacquer in a very short time.  The actual time spent working was maybe 10-15 minutes and that included initially sanding the wood to 220, spraying the first few coats, smoothing down the bumps, final spraying and wet sanding with Micro Mesh to 12000.
 
I won't be using this rudder on the model I'm building, but if I did, I would have sprayed some more coats and done a better job wet sanding it.  I know a lot of modelers go to poly but, to me anyway, poly is too labor intensive and very difficult to make repairs later on.  Poly is designed for pieces that will take a real beating,  The models I see here should never be subject to that.
 
Nitrocellulose lacquer is the purist's choice on guitars and other instruments.  It brings out the beauty of the wood, lasts a long time and is easily repaired.  It would seem to me to be the perfect finish for modelers but I don't see it here.  Is there a reason for this that I am missing?   

Hi everyone
 
Well, my current project, Majellan, is nearing completion, but, I've been itching to get started on her BIG sister, 'Shadow'.
 
Shadow is based upon an actual mega-yacht called "Mary Jean II", which can be found at http://www.isayachts.com/ISA_60m_CLASSIC#60m.  
 
My model will, in my customary fashion, be fully detailed inside with all of her five decks reproduced (well...as much as realistically possible, of course).  Each deck will be fully removable in order to enable the interior to be viewed; in much the same way as Majellan's are.
 
Also, as you can see from one of the photos, Shadow looks like a giant compared to Majellan, even though Shadow's hull is only one inch longer, i.e. 8 inches, as opposed to 7 inches for Majellan's hull. 
 
In terms of Shadow's hull's construction, I will use the balsa mould of the hull as the base to bend the frames upon.  Once all the frames are bent, I'll the plank over the framework to create the hull...well...that's the plan, anyway.
 
I hope you can join me on Shadow's journey!!!! 

Thanks for all the "likes" and comments.  After getting everything else around the house done and then getting the new mill set up, i'm busily planking the lower deck.
 
The first six strakes are finally in and I'm happy with them although there's some serious sanding in my future as they aren't all the same thickness...    But I've sorted out the planking scheme that I need to lay down.  This deck is all 1 foot wide and 4" thick planking.  It's actually thicker then the gundeck which is 3" thick but mostly not as wide.  I'll fight that battle when I get to the gundeck as there are some varying widths and thicknesses there.  
 
For the lower deck, as near as I can find, the planks are all run pretty much the same width from fore to aft with hook scarfs at the bow and some tapering at the stern.  I'm going full width but with the partitions fore and aft, I'm not planking much beyond them...  One reason is that the Admirals Plaque is behind the aft partition in the gunroom.
 
Here's a pic.