leginseel

Hi Vinnie the build is looking good, nice one.  I'm currently working on the Bounty but I'm at the rigging stage.  As for finishing I'm afraid it's sandpaper and good old elbow grease as there is no substitute.  Good luck and I'll enjoy watching your progress.
 

I build a plywood form about 3/4 of an inch thick that matches the curvature of the bow, you should be able to trace this from plans, I then epoxy this to a plywood base. I only steam bend so I clamp the planks to the nose of the frame and apply steam to the plank using a stem cleaner with nozzle. Steam it and began bending right behind the first clamp. Add another clamp and so forth then let them dry and remove from form.  I can usually do 4 at a time. 8 if you do a Port and Starboard form. System works well

Question for any experts.....I've installed some bow and stern blocking and am ready to start planking this beast....wouldn't it be better to install the keel, stem and stern post before planking rather than trying to fit it after? The AL instructions leave it till later but I'm inclined to plank up to an already fitted keel etc... Is there a best practice on this point?

Epoxied the stem and keel and planking underway...made a jig as suggested from 3/4 ply, and after a short soak the 2mm basswood was easily moulded. After they dried a few dots of gel superglue, 3 frames at a time and a few seconds of finger pressure to fix the planks. Tapered the planks progressively to the bow, backfiled the top edge and did the graphite treatment before gluing.

Hi Tim.
Yea nice bending jig.
And your base board is the right width allowing you to place the model on her side to do the planking. (Never thought about doing this before)
 And a very good start on the planking. Because you graphite'ed the joints does this mean you are not painting the hull?.
Now you have the first 4 planks in place it's time to think about getting the planks to lay with out the lateral curve.
Some nice tutorials on MSW. Worth a look. The idea is to lay the planks without too much lateral bending.

Image taken from http://modelshipworldforum.com/ship-model-framing-and-planking-articles.php
 
All the best with your build Tim.
 
Regards Antony.

Thanks Antony. Keen on getting back to Blighty and visiting Devon some day, I'm from Preston originally before we emigrated to Canada. I'm not sure if I want to paint the hull yet so decided to do the graphite treatment in case not. Just completed some nailing which turned out pretty well once I worked out a system. Going off for a holiday shortly and will tackle the main planking in walnut when I get back.

Hi Rob...I use a soft pencil (5b or anything like that) and rub it along the edge of both sides of the plank just before gluing it on. Looks a bit messy when you do it but once you give it a light sanding it gives definition to the planking or decking, and replicates the caulking between boards in the real thing.

I originally chose this kit because it’s supposedly a good kit to learn with. And I’ve learned so much already. Firstly. I made the mistake of assuming that all the materials required for the completion of the kit would indeed be included in the kit. My first mistake 😂. The shortage or skimping of materials in this mamoli kit is quite frustrating. So far every material I have used except for the frames and 1st planking has been short. Oh well. All part of the learning process I suppose. 
The next thing I have learned is when ordering new timbers for my build I have noticed the differing quality of said timbers. I wouldn’t say with my limited experience, that the timbers that did come with my kit are bad. But the new timbers I ordered seem to be very nice. In the future I’ll be sure to assess the quantity and the quality of timbers and either proceed or order more.  
I’m not entirely satisfied with my second planking job. Particularly with the bow. But I’ve heard and read that the bow on the bounty can be tricky, so I take some comfort from this that hopefully it will be a little nicer looking and easier in the future.
Here the planking officially completed minus the scraping and sanding. Now to reinforce the bulwarks and get the protruding frames ready to cut off and level down to the deck. Sounds like risky business 😕...wish me luck

Cut off the ends of the frames and reinforced the bulwarks and then planked over them on the inside. Cutting the ends of the frames ended up not being as ominous as it sounded luckily 😁
   Now to get stuck into planking the deck!

Update!   I’ve done most of the deck planking and I am actually quite happy with it...I think the simulated caulking looks decent 😁  
I’ve also got together some scrap wood and built the display stand to start experimenting with sanding and scraping in prep for different polyurethanes, to see what look is better for the hull
 
Now to finish placing a few of side planks and then the simulated tree nails with a needle and a sharp pencil. I suppose after that I’ll give it a scrape and then give it a protective coat of something...🤔  open to ideas anyone? 😁

First attempt at the shrouds and crowsfoot for the Mizzen Mast.

I had a bit of a nightmare with the shrouds looping over the top of the mast as there doesn't appear to be any means shown of holding them firm - just a loop.  This is presenting problems with tensioning the deadeyes so until I can work out a way to hold it in place I'm leaving the deadeyes loose.  Also with the shrouds there are 3 and everything I've read about them shows them in pairs.  Have any of you guys got any useful tips on this?  On this one I've seized the three strands together but it looks a bit clunky!
 

Shipyard Update:
Main Yard Blocks:
The shipyard has been working on the Main Yard, busy selecting the blocks, adding the rope work to each, then secure to the yard.
Picture below of the Yard to date.
Nearly ready to add to the Main Mast jeers and hoist away.
Parrel and running ropes to add.
 

Above: Main Yard; 12 single blocks, 2 double Jeers, 4 twin(2 blocks each) and 2 Pendant/thimbles.
I actually have made all these blocks at the same time for the Fore Yard.
Each loop tightened once in position on the yard.

Yard Starboard end:
Lift Block (4mm) & topsail sheet block (5mm) stropped together on top.
Yardarm tackle pendant hanging from the end.
Brace Pendant Block (5mm) on the far side. 1/3 length of the yard.
Start of the Horse with stirrups wrapped 3 times around the diam.
Outer tricing block (3mm)
Leech/Buntline blocks (4mm) 1/4 way/point on the yard

Yard Middle:
Pair of Double Jeers(7mm) on top.
Yard Block (4mm).
Topsail sheet block (5mm) with Quarter block(3mm) stropped below the Jeers.

Yard Port end; same as Stb. end
 
And some detail shots of the blocks being made:

Lift Block & topsail sheet block stropped together. 2 each for Main & Fore.

Yardarm tackle pendant, 1/4 length of the yard.

Quarter block with topsail sheet block stropped under.
 
 
Onto the Fore Yard next.
 

Shipyard Update:
Mast Yards - Studding-Sail Boom Irons:
The Main and Fore Yards have Boom Irons fitted to hold the Studding-Sail Booms.
 


Above are the Inner & Outer Boom Irons fitted to one end of a Yard.
 
 
The parts and process:
 
INNER BOOM IRONS:
 
Two(2) sizes of brass tube were cut to make rings, 1 for the Rings(for the studding-sail boom to slide through) and the other for a collar onto the yard itself.
0.8mm bar was used for the neck to join the rings to the yard. According to "Dave Steel" the neck was a square bar, which I did not have. Rod instead.

Each ring and collar has a hole for the neck rod to fit into.

I made a jig to hold the 3 parts together for welding the 4 assembles together.

Welds complete.
 
OUTER BOOM IRONS:
On the end of the yard/s a same size Ring, 90deg. neck and straps are fashioned. 
 

Another jig top to weld a pair of rings/neck bar for consistency. Set ready to be welded here.

After welds done.
 

Above are the 4 Boom Irons for 1 yard, removed from the yard ready for blackening.

Test assembly on 1 end, blackened boom irons fitted.
2 hoops to fit over the end straps.
 
 

Great work as always Jim.  I'm just embarking on my masts and rigging and I'm truly mesmerized at your attention to detail as you're providing me with a fantastic 'go to' build for general information, thank you.
 

First attempt at the shrouds and crowsfoot for the Mizzen Mast.

I had a bit of a nightmare with the shrouds looping over the top of the mast as there doesn't appear to be any means shown of holding them firm - just a loop.  This is presenting problems with tensioning the deadeyes so until I can work out a way to hold it in place I'm leaving the deadeyes loose.  Also with the shrouds there are 3 and everything I've read about them shows them in pairs.  Have any of you guys got any useful tips on this?  On this one I've seized the three strands together but it looks a bit clunky!
 

First attempt at the shrouds and crowsfoot for the Mizzen Mast.

I had a bit of a nightmare with the shrouds looping over the top of the mast as there doesn't appear to be any means shown of holding them firm - just a loop.  This is presenting problems with tensioning the deadeyes so until I can work out a way to hold it in place I'm leaving the deadeyes loose.  Also with the shrouds there are 3 and everything I've read about them shows them in pairs.  Have any of you guys got any useful tips on this?  On this one I've seized the three strands together but it looks a bit clunky!
 

Hi Everyone, not posted for a little while as I've been busy on the masts, yards and spars.  Didn't post while I was doing them as I thought it would be better to post the whole lot, so here goes

This shows all three masts with their respective yards.

Fore Mast Yards

Main Mast Yards

Mizzen Yards

Bowsprit Yard and Jib

I will now start on the standing rigging and I am still pondering whether to attach the sails or not.
 

Made a bit more progress today and fitted the bowsprit

Just got the deadeyes to tie off.

Hi Guys still making slow progress
With the Mizzen Tops I decided that I'd rig them so that the tails connect down to the rat lines (eventually) which the kit doesn't call for but from what I've picked up that seems to be the correct method.  I'm starting to realize that I have to double think everything to make sure that I don't create a problem in the future.  I've also realized that my sausage fingers are not build for this sort of work!!
 

Hi Everyone and a Happy New Year to you all.  I'm back in the Boatyard after the Xmas break in the UK and glad to be back with the smell of glue and sawdust.
Apart from a few minor things the hull and deck are almost complete so I thought it was time to look at the masts.  The Tops seem to have an important part to play in the assembly of the masts so these were my first task.

This is my progress to date but the edgings around the tops drove me crazy!!  No matter how carefully I tried to bend the edging strips they broke every time so I scratched my head for a minute and decide to try Lollypop Sticks and they worked a treat!!  The Mizzen Top is now ready for the paint shop with just the Main and Fore to complete which hopefully I will do in the next few days. 
 

this week I've made a little progress rigging the anchor blocks and making the chainplate racks plus some general tidying and fitting of blocks at various points on the hull and deck.  I'm off to the UK in a few days so I really want her to be ready so I can start on the masts, bowsprit and rigging when I get back in January.

Thanks to my followers and their 'likes' and comments.  Have a Happy Festive Season and I'll be around again in January.
 

Hi Firstly I'd like to thank my followers and 'Likers' for their continued encouragement.
I've made a little more progress and as I said on my last post I wanted to tidy up the paint job on the aft galleries, which I hope look a little better.

I'm currently in the process of fitting the window panes but after a while straining my eyes I thought I would take a break and fit the Windlass and Anchor ropes

Now back to the Aft Galleries!!
 

Aft deck equipment almost completed and anchors and culverins are in the spray booth waiting for their final coat.  Looking at the aft quarter galleries now which doesn't look like and easy job.  Done an initial paint job but not totally happy so I'll give them another look.

It seems like ages since I last posted but I've been otherwise employed as my wife has had a back operation so whilst I've been working on the Bounty it's been some small jobs.  As I've said in a previous post I wasn't impressed by the chain links in the kit so I've fashioned some myself

They need tidying up but they look a little more realistic than the kit supplied brass strips.
The next job was the cannons.  The kit shows just a simple rope draped over the pomiglion which looked awful, so I decided to a little research.  As there is no pomiglion ring I found some pictures with a rope fashioned to fit around the button as follows.

I started by seizing a small rope and then splicing it onto the main rope.  The third photo shows the top one with both sides of the 'ring' seized.  This produced a fitting which was much too stiff so I only seized one side of the others and coloured the non seized rope black.  Then I looked at the tackle which is not mentioned at all in the kit.  Looking at the posts of others I needed double and single blocks to create the 8 sets for the four cannon.  I realized that I would have to make these as there was insufficient in the kit.  So I ventured into the world of block making.

After some sore fingers, lost parts and much swearing I managed it.  I have to take my hat off to all the scratch builders out there as making 100's of these must be a nightmare!!  I then rigged the blocks and the cannon.

On reflection it would have been better to not have waxed the pomiglion ropes as they don't sag in this forward position, but that's another lesson I've learnt for future builds.
My wife is now getting over her operation and mobile so I hope to have a little more time in the shipyard.
Thank you all for your comments and likes on my previous postings, it's much appreciated.
 

Hi Everyone, not posted for a little while as I've been busy on the masts, yards and spars.  Didn't post while I was doing them as I thought it would be better to post the whole lot, so here goes

This shows all three masts with their respective yards.

Fore Mast Yards

Main Mast Yards

Mizzen Yards

Bowsprit Yard and Jib

I will now start on the standing rigging and I am still pondering whether to attach the sails or not.