mojofilter
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Everything posted by mojofilter
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Since I will be relying on Longridge so much, and his build was 1:48, I made an Excel spreadsheet that converts his dimensions (always fractional) to the 1:78 of the Sergal/Mantua kit. I'm looking for brass tube for the three lower masts (and bowsprit - same as mizzen) in 3/8 and 11/32 dia. I used to be pretty good at silver soldering so this could be a clean way to outfit the lower masts. I really like his idea of the set screw height adjuster at the step of the masts. Could be the answer to saggy shroud syndrome. All this fun and I haven't even opened the box yet - well, not much more than that. - Tim- 55 replies
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Hello all - Well, it's been long enough since America was finished that mention of setting up the shipyard at the end of the dining room table again did not get me keelhauled by the Admiral. I like working there but I need a way to move it away when the table is needed for actual dining. I shall make a new table-top protector, felt on the bottom, that can be picked up from both sides and moved to a small trestle in the den. My dining table is just wide enough to accommodate her 45" LOA. I've been reviewing the Mantua plans (skimpy, inadequate, and in some places, just plain wrong), the C. Longridge books, the Campbell plans, and most importantly, the many MSW logs here. It will be a challenge to weave all of this - many times conflicting - information into a decent build. I will need your help!! The Campbell plans are a frustration because they are obviously wonderful, however my set is almost, but not entirely, illegible. They look to be copies of copies of copies . . . These came from the museum store. Is there any better source? Following the new build table will be a keel fixture of some sort. I've seen some interesting approaches here. Anyone have a favorite for a hull this large? Also considering balsa(?) blocks between bulkheads, at least at the stem and stern. Thoughts? - Tim
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Marc - This is outstanding work! You are a real inspiration. Your log will be one of my go-to references when I start my CS this fall. I have the exact same kit, and while I will no doubt have to (and be able to thanks to you) watch out for the kit's pitfalls, I do not have the skill to bash my way to perfection as you have done. I see it's been a while since you've posted. I hope you are well and able to continue your fine work. I do have a question - I see you have rigged your jib and fore staysail with a port wind. Which side will you display? Thanks, - Tim
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Hi Hamilton - Thought I'd post a quick note to say I'm still watching. Very nice work on both BN and Syren! My new doctor said "you're right handed" how do you know that? I said. "All of your scars are on your left hand". Heal fast my friend. Fall is coming. Shipyard to open soon on the end of the dining table. Cutty Sark awaits. - Tim
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Absolutely magnificent!! I see so much good info on this site, I have a hard time keeping track of it. I've started writing the post numbers down. I shall keep this for my rat lines. -T
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MESSIS - Very nice looking kit. 1/89 scale? Interesting. I assume her crew is the same scale. What will be the overall length of the ship? How is the quality of the deadeyes and blocks? I'll be watching - Good luck with her. - Tim
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Outstanding sails Peter! Can't wait to see the ship's boats mounted. It is my understanding that she crossed the Atlantic with the boats, which were removed for the race. The Mamoli kit did not show davit mount holes on the deck that I could make out. Speaking of davits, I think I saw one drawing/painting with an anchor davit in place. Anyway, can't wait to see the rest of the sails. - Tim
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Thank everyone for your kind words. This will be my final post to this log. Now I gotta figure out how to move this to "Finished Logs" and maybe post some parting shots to the Gallery. Hope to see you on my Cutty Sark log. - Tim So - parting shots.
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I'll second that plea! Please don't stop! I think people just get wrapped up in the moment and forget they're on someone else's log. I've been guilty of that myself (although not here (I hope )). I am just starting my CS and looking forward to watching your progress. Cutty Sark will challenge my rigging skills and I need all the help I can get. - Tim
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jcasini - I would think that the 'plywood' would be more stable - less tendency to warp from humidity, temp, etc. What species of solid stock would you use? My Sergal kit seems to have nicely cut bulkheads - of course I haven't framed anything up yet so I don't know how they'll fair up. We shall see.
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Need tips on deadeyes rigging
mojofilter replied to Tallsails2's topic in Masting, rigging and sails
Hi Eddie - Like others, I made some temporary 'links' to hold the deadeyes. I read somewhere here that it's best to leave the shroud lines un-tensioned until close to the end of rigging. I used paper clips that I straightened and put 90* ends on them, maybe 4mm, to hook through one of the deadeye holes, one through the chainplate deadeye, and the other end through the shroud deadeye, spaced the distance I wanted. I then terminated the shroud top end. It was nice to be able to un-hook the shroud and move it out of the way for deck work. When I was ready, I started the lanyards one at a time, from aft forward, alternating port/starboard. Definitely not tight, just 'pulled up'. In the end I pulled a fore stay just a little to pull the shrouds just barely taught. -
Thank you Nenad - I will try to post often for you. Your photos are going to be a great help. HOF - your secret is safe with me! I plan to do tree nails as I did with America, a sharp pointed HB pencil. I'll have to remind myself if there are two nails or one at the end of each plank. Also what the run was; 1,2,1,2, or 1,2,3,1,2,3. Thanks, - Tim
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Thank you Mark and HOF. Where can I get grating to correct scale? I didn't see it on Syren's site. I was hoping that blocking in between bulkheads would bring the keel into line. I've seen here that bringing blocking all the way out, and then fairing the blocking to the bulkheads really helps with planking, so I'll try it. I didn't on America and some places required a lot of filler to fair her hull. I will look at the Billings stanchions. I will go with 3mm deck planking instead of 4mm. I know GaryM plans on 2mm but I don't think I could pull that off. Cutty Sark has (and always had?) teak deck planking - what do you folks recommend that would look close? I got a set of plans from the CS museum shop in Greenwich some time ago and I will have them scaled - as soon as I can find them I also have the C. Nepean Longridge The Ship and the Model (in two volumes). And the Basil Lubbock Log of the Cutty Sark book just for fun. There are so many examples on the forum and a treasure trove of knowledge and experience to draw on - plus, she still exists. Thanks, and Merry Christmas to all!! - Tim
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Guess this time I'll start at the beginning. I'll spare the group the open box pictures. I did inventory everything in there. It's all there. The wood strips, plywood etc. look like pretty good quality. The laser cut parts are nice and clean - although I've learned here not to trust them. I'll be looking at the member logs of the same kit (Art. 789) for trouble spots. Like a lot of other kits, the blocks are terrible. The rope set and deadeyes are not too bad, but I'll replace them all with Syren model Co.'s materials. Right out of the box the keel is warped - actually just bowed. I'll probably do inter-bulkhead spacer blocks, so I figure I can straighten it at that step. As expected the cast parts will need a lot of cleanup, and the stanchions are flat etched brass, so I'll have to replace them: This thing is big!! I have no idea what I'll do with it when it's done, but I figure I have years to worry about that. Wish me luck! - Tim
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FINISHED - Well, mostly. Still need a flag. Decided I could go with anything between 1851 and 1863 (civil war - should be a common model flag). No idea where to get one. I'm going to have a brass plaque made for the base. The glass for the case arrived missing one panel. Supposed to be here tomorrow. I have learned so much on this build. As I said at the beginning, this is my first wooden model. I know that my America leaves a lot to be desired in terms of accuracy, but the experience has been priceless to me. Hopefully my next build will benefit from all the mistakes I've made here. The forum is GREAT!! You folks have been a great source of knowledge. A personal shout out to Hamilton - awesome craftsman! Thanks for your guidance and inspiration! Looking forward to seeing progress on Syren and Bluenose. I'll post pictures once the case is finished. Until then, here is how she turned out: Cutty Sark will begin when I catch my breath. In the meantime, the Admiral gets her dining room table back. - Tim
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Thanks Nils! Thanks Hamilton - Interesting is right. Everything was kinda making some kind of sense until the very end - a few leftover blocks, a few belay pins . . . Not having a sea-fareing bone in my body, I just winged it. And thanks Peter. Cutty Sark is under the bench. 1:78 Mantua/Segal - At the risk of crowding the harbor, Maybe next? I'm doing the shroud lanyards tonight. That should finish her up. Maybe tidy up some of the rope coils. Actually the base for America is in work. The glass for the case will be ready tomorrow. Going to try a frameless thing using glass glue. No Idea how this will work yet... - Tim
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Almost done with the faked running rigging. Just the main sail and top sail "sheets". The last will be the shroud lanyards. Should be ready to put on the stand very soon. - Tim
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Hi Hamilton - Thanks for posting your pictures here - Beautiful job on Glad Tidings! I believe I'll have the gaffs raised on the masts. The jib boom and flying jib halliards will also be up. I know there would be no reason for yacht to ever be in this state, but I like the look of all the rigging up there. Anyway, getting close. In the middle of building a base for her - solid walnut with Blue Jacket's brass pedestals. I've ordered glass for the case. It will be frameless with a groove to receive the glass. I should get some pictures of the progress on the base on here. Hope you can get some time on Syren. Set up the bandsaw in the kitchen and then just vacuum real well - Tim
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There is a flag halyard from the mainsail boom to the end of the gaff that is for a flag. The one that came with the kit is silly - first, at scale it would be 15' X 10'! It is also a Betsy Ross style 13 star. When America was launched in May of 1861, there were 34 states in the union (Kansas I think). So I suppose a 34 star flag? Anyone know where I can find an appropriate flag for her? Thanks, - Tim
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I'm trying to decide how to handle the running rigging with no sails. I figure a lot of it came down with the sails, but it seems that some of it remained up in order to haul sails up. In dock with sails down (or off), the gaff spars would be down, and I don't want to do that so it won't be a very realistic look. That's OK - I like the look of all the pretty rigging. As Slartibartfast said, "I'd far rather be happy than right". More pics tomorrow. - Tim
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Well the new wood shop is finished so finally some time back at the shipyard. Finished the bowsprit rigging. Now on the the rest of the rigging. Need to decide on what running rigging I will put up. I have decided against sails. I'm not good enough to pull it off. Plus I think it would cover too much of the rigging detail. Although Hamilton did a beautiful job on his sails. I may try on the Cutty Sark (next build). More soon.
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Hi Peter - Haven't dropped by for a while - your America is looking great! Reading your post on the main mast topsail shroud, I think you are justified (historically) in omitting them. I found a copy of Low Black Schooner: Yacht America 1851 1945 by John Rousmaniere. There are many drawings and paintings, and even a few early photographs and none shows shrouds running from the chain plates to the top of the topsail mast. My Mamoli kit had them and I used them, but running rigging alone would look nice. Are you planning to do the sails? I think the brass columns look great! I will order a set - much better than the supplied wooden cradle. - Tim
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Jon, Not an expert on brass but I have done this many times with sterling silver. I chuck one end (say an 8" piece) in a vice and grab the other end firmly with pliers. I then pull the wire ~ 1/4". There's a bit of a touch to it - you can feel it give, then stop! The metal is work-hardened due to dislocation and directional re-alignment of the crystalline lattice structure of the metal. The wire is slightly reduced in diameter but not much. This really works quite well. - Tim
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Hello Hamilton - This will be great! Just found it. I love Bluenose and some of the other (modern?) schooners. Looks like you are preceding in your usual, careful, meticulous manner. I know she will be beautiful. I will sit back and watch. Still haven't gotten America out from under the dry-cleaning bag. Soon, soon. - Tim
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Checking back into the site, I find that Hamilton has finished his America. She is beautiful and an inspiration to get mine back to the kitchen table. The big distraction was the new wood shop, which is now nearing completion. Benches and shelves etc. are all that's left. Doubt I will have the shipyard out there, but the sawdust-making power tools will be (much to the Admiral's relief). I need to re-investigate sail cloth as the material that came with the Mamoli kit is way too course. Still debating . . .
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