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rwiederrich

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Everything posted by rwiederrich

  1. rwiederrich
    Steam.... I appreciate that very much...sometimes I feel as if I'm a shackey mess...on the verge of breaking everything....quite stressful actually. Rob
  2. rwiederrich
    I hope the images were adequate. My ramblings are not meant to be an indictment to those who use out of scale cloth sails...just my observations formed by 45 years of doing things against the current. Again..thanks to all who commented and for all the likes...... Rob
  3. rwiederrich
    One thing I might point out....I purposefully set the sails at a 20degree cant so that sails never fully overlap. I also placed name plates of the model on both sides of the display base so that I could turn the model for a starboard or port viewing. If the model is at a port viewing stance, then you can see fully the running rigging and inner sail rigging detail very easily on all masts. The back side of the sails has just as much detail as the front with all its buntlines and reef points. The opacity of the sails adds to the realistic impression. I tried to adequately overcome many of the supposed pitfalls accompanied with sail addition to models, like, *sails block rigging detail*, *sails diminish overall detail*, *Poor sails lessen the overall model*, and many similar distractive criticisms. I only hope more builders become ambitious and try paper sails on their own models and that they can work past the dogma that over sized, out of scale sails is all they have to work with...so they opt out. A sailing ship is beautified by her sails....they are what make her what she is. So model them too. Rob
  4. rwiederrich
    Bob...If I hadn't created these paper sails before on other models...and by that, gaining the necessary experience....I surely would have never put sails on this particular model using cloth. Large weave, heavy, un-naturally wrinkly sails that just hang lifeless on your model can be an extreme disappointing distraction. Much labor is even required to install such out of scale sails......labor that was needlessly expended IMHV. I agree with your assessment....I'm very pleased with the results... Since these sails are made of paper and not cloth, makes no difference. It is the final result not the material that draws the welcome compliments and admiration of the beholder, not to mention a far superior realistic sail that captures motion and action. It's definitely labor intensive...but also very forgiving. This is why I adopted *off ship* techniques. Add the sail details while the mast is off the ship so as much detail can be added without the general incumbrancers found while working on the model proper. I try to work smarter not harder, and as you well know clipper ships had an intensive rigging scheme. Ed on his Young America would be the first to agree....I'm trying to attain the same attention to rigging detail as he.....just in a much smaller scale. Thank you Bob for your extremely nice comments. Your encouragement means the world to me. Rob
  5. rwiederrich
    Thanks so much Kieth . I’m doing everything I know to make them as accurate as possible within the limits of this scale.
  6. rwiederrich
    I also began the first of the backstays lanyards.......and off we go.....
  7. rwiederrich
    Sure..here are some pics of the closest I have of the sails mounted. These little guys are about 1/16" diameter.
  8. rwiederrich
    I make each one singularly.....paint them..then add them to the panel lines of the sails. Rob
  9. rwiederrich
    I appreciate that....I've worked hard to make them as convincing as possible...both in detail as well as billow effect. Rob
  10. rwiederrich
    Thanks Pat....I appreciate that. The stays need to be threaded through the cringles prior to install and that can be problematic...that is why I pre-make the stays with hooks and eyes so I can re-attach them after the stay sail/jib sail is installed. I've got the process all figured out...it just takes a while to perform. Rob
  11. rwiederrich
    What a fine miniature collection Patrick...and with finished interiors to boot....man. What skill to create such tiny nautical wonders....well done. Rob
  12. rwiederrich
    Now I'm going to focus on rigging (alternately) the fore stays and fore backstays along with the final foremast remaining yard halyards. As I get higher up the masts the issue of bending and sagging of stays becomes the real problem. So much pre-thought has to go into the next phase of rigging. Stay sail and jibs sails will need their halyard and downhaul blocks rigged as well...and not too early or late..as to block myself in or out of a situation. Belaying the topgallant downhaul line to its lin aft on the rail between the rail and house was the thing of total frustration. Rob
  13. rwiederrich
    Worked a bit today on the topgallant stay sail. Here are some pics. Rob
  14. rwiederrich
    Thanks.....I'm wrestling with the details...and trying to keep things shipshape. I'm making stuff up as I go....construction details that is... Rob
  15. rwiederrich
    In many instances the sky sail wasn't even set and the yard in its lowered position could be gotten to more easily. Once the sail was bent, the boys on the deck hauled the yard skyward....raising the sail with it. I've seen where the access to these lofty yards was gained by ratlines incorporated into the last two backstays as they capped out. Sailors simply scurried over to them and continued up. Riiiight. IRON MEN...for sure. Rob
  16. rwiederrich
    Thanks everyone for the concern and encouragements. I spent some time this morning working on the top stay sail. I made it as close to realistic as possible in this scale. Here are some pics of the addition. Rob
  17. rwiederrich
    Ed...it appears the downhaul for the stay sail is actually distorting the stay itself....causing it to unduly pull against the main mast and in essence shorten the stay. This could cause mast warping I gather. Rob
  18. rwiederrich
    Fantastic work Ed...really. I'm at adding some main stays myself. How you doing keeping balanced tension between stays and backstays? I was also wondering are you going to add some Jacob's ladders to access the skysails? Rob
  19. rwiederrich
    I have a 6000watt generator so I powered up the freezers and the fridge and also the TV. I was able to get power to the coffee maker and microwave...but nothing else. I also have lots of oil lamps which lit the house and gas stoves. No internet...no hot water...and worse...no exiting the hill drive to/from the house. I'm back to work today after shoveling my way out of the drive. I have a Jeep, but my sweetheart is still stuck and can't get her car out. I do hope to get back to the GR on Saturday....I'll have a few hours then...I hope. We had 18~20 inches....my wife has lived hear her entire life and has never seen this much snow...and it lingering so long. Good day everyone. Rob
  20. rwiederrich
    I’v Been without power since Monday, so I haven’t been able to work on the G/R Lots of snow
  21. rwiederrich
    Unlike the Dremel version the B/D is fully articulated...meaning it can rotate and be adjusted in a vast array of different angles and latitudes. It rolls around on a ball at the base and you can adjust the level and angle. One real reason I prefer it over the Dremel vice. Rob
  22. rwiederrich
    I love it...it is very articulate. They haven't made them for years from what I gather. I use mine in all my model building. Rob
  23. rwiederrich
    Thanks everyone. Yes...I got that table vice over 35 years ago...and it's been a great aid. 28 degrees outside and 18 inches of snow..... Everyone be safe. Rob
  24. rwiederrich
    With the addition of the blocks this yard will be complete. I have 8 inches of snow outside and I have to go get my wife from work....hope to be at it later. Rob
  25. rwiederrich
    With the mast set in the work vice...I added many new eye bolts for lifts, halyard blocks and other blocks connection points. Next, I'll begin adding the yard parrels and straps as I finish up the first yard to be added to the mast, the royal yard. Rob

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