Keith Black

Thank you, John. I've tried working neat and tidy but that only seems to last for about three minutes.

Thank you, Bob. "I went and bought a quart of Black Paint" made me laugh so hard I spewed iced tea all over my computer screen.

It seems like that every build I follow, everyone is tying ratlines. It's like a ship modelers ragweed season.

Thank you, Gary. You're most kind. In fact, they whole bloomin' lot of you folks are so very kind with your comments, likes, and support. You guys truly bless me ole heart. When I take photos I try to clean up my worktable. The other day Glen said he likes to see how the sausage is made so I thought I'd share what the sausage factory looks like when I'm knee deep in my madness. One would think it's impossible for a man making penny sized parts to create this much chaos....what can I say? The boiler is basically completed. When I started the boiler, in my minds eye, I saw the front of the boiler and firebox as a place where I could really go giddy with detail but alas it wasn't to be. I just don't have the tools to accomplish what I wanted to. Without the benefit of highlighting it's difficult to see what detail I was able to incorporate. I want to be able to take my time highlighting but I've got some caregiving duties that need my attention after this posting so that fun will have to wait till next year. i'm pleased with the way the pressure gauge turned out but I'm not happy with the water level sight glass. I'll play around with sight glass 2.0 and if I can make something more pleasing I'm gonna rip that resistor looking thing off and pitch it in the trash. Again, thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to follow Lula's journey. I want to wish each and everyone of you a Happy New Year, may your new year be better than the old. For those of you who'll be going out tonight to celebrate, please please be careful getting home. My God bless each of you and your families in 2025. Keith

That's super nice, Glen. Very pleasing to the eye.

John, welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard.

Our namesake paint has come to my rescue on several occasions. Thank you, John.

The stacks look great, Phil. She's starting to look like a ship.

Thank you, Paul.

Thank you, Pat. We're both chained to that time period. A lot of folks have a problem using paint thinner as a cleaning agent but I've never had a negative issue doing so. After applying the poly to the hull that model as sat for four years with no negative issues.

Thank you to everyone for the kind comments and the likes. I've got the basic components of Lula's boiler made and assembled. I used @LJP's Marine Iron Works catalog page from his Thistle build as my guide for building a Scotch marine boiler. In my initial layout I had not allowed for the space requirements of the beam engine but because of the boiler's squat design I was able to maintain my original spacing. Thankfully black paint hides many sins. I'm ready to start adding details to the boiler I also made a final decision on the coal bin, it will only be fourteen feet wide. Thank you for following along, I appreciate your support. Keith

Jeffery, welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard.

SS, welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard.

Paul, those fairleads are beautiful and the rope work is very natural and tidy. Great stuff.

Thank you for the kind thought, Steven. Yes, I'm still kicking about but alas Amelia has been pushed to the back burner because I was trying to finish the Tennessee which has taken a backseat with Amelia. I've completely immersed myself in working boats since July with the completion of the pile driver and now its supply boat, Lula. The 1850 to 1900 time period has become my cuppa, much like your work on early craft. Because of the time spent in researching this transitional period I'm reluctant to move outside the comfortable corner I've created for myself.

Dale, welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard.

That or Goober and Pile lost the drain plug.

Whoa...

I'm so sorry to hear this terrible news, Brian. May God lay His healing hand on your son, granddaughter, and your entire family.

Thank you, Roel. Thank you, Ken. The #1 to the video is very good as they put together the boiler and other equipment. I'm spending a lot of pause time with both those videos. Thank you, Keith Yes there is, Ian. Thank you, Keith. Hey, bring you trains over and help me work on Lula. Thank you, Keith I'm starting work on Lula's Scotch marine boiler. A Scotch marine fits the time period and its squat design will help keep Lula from looking over crowded.

She's looking awesome, Glen.

Vaddoc, congratulations on completing the launch. I enjoyed the journey.

I highly doubt that.

Rick, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

You can start with #1 grit and move up.