Tigersteve

I second that. Nice work!

Steve

Look forward to what you decide to do with her display. Also waiting on this surprise you mentioned.

Steve

I like the start of your base. Will you cover with glass?

Steve

Thank you everyone! I'm feeling much better about this...

Steve

I'm sure your wheel will turn out great. Too bad the ship's wheel and other things are not just laser cut wood pieces.

Steve

I've been back and forth about this all day. I'm not really happy with the nailhead effect I was going for. They seem out of scale to me and definitely not as clean as should be. I have taken off the platforms and sanded the ink off and done the same with the floorboards. I will re-stain and re-glue. Definitely been getting good practice while working on this kit! I know I wouldn't have been happy if I left it the way it was. I will post a picture when this is remedied.

Steve

Platforms are done. Nailheads are not as crisp as I wanted but they'll have to do. I glued the edges of the strips where the notches would be. Thank you Erik for the file recommendation. Huge help! Risers are next.

Steve

Beautiful!

Steve

Very nice Karl!

Steve

Looks like a solid start to me. Take your time and redo something if it doesn't look to your satisfaction. Awaiting your progress.

Steve

Little too clean- don't you think, Mike? Just kidding it looks great!

Steve

She's looking good. Very clean. Your other hobby work looks sharp as well.

Steve

Good start. Looking forward to your progress.

Steve

Well- of course! I may try to use the kits line. We'll see. I will def order from Chuck when I build the Mayflower.

Very cool. I'm interested to see how the line is that came with the kit. I cant imagine its easy to work with. Not even close to that stage yet!

Steve

Thanks for the advice. Below is the set of paper templates I had made. That basswood is tricky. Maybe notching the segments before I glue might work better. I think the extra glue should help too.

Steve

Just a quick update. I'm on attempt three at making the platforms. Notching them out kept splitting the wood. I was able to make the front platform and notch it out but when it was mounted the planks were not straight. So frustrated!

I will add some glue inbetween the planks this time and hope it will keep the notched areas from splitting.

Steve

Seems to be the name of the game. I'm on attempt 3 of making the longboat platforms. So frustrating!

Wow!

Ship looks great! How did you apply the white paint?

Steve

Have you been using water to help bend the planks? I remember you said you wanted to try without using water.

Steve

Super clean Mike! The paint job looks great and the guns. I don't notice any wood showing under your painted surfaces.

Steve

Chuck, thank you for saying so and thank you everyone for the likes. I appreciate the encouragement. This is a very challenging kit. I like how Model Expo advertises it as an intro for ship modeling. Suppose it's partially because of the excellent practicum. Anyways-I didn't expect it to be easy. Great kit, Chuck! I have your Pinnace and Mayflower next in line.

Steve

Floorboards and simulated nails are just about done. I need to erase the guiding pencil lines tomorrow. I used a fine tip black pen for the nails. Loved Bob Fs method of using black paint brush bristles but that method would have surely stressed me out. I'm pretty satisfied with the results.

Steve

Mike,

I think if you follow Chuck's photos you should be fine.

Steve