Jim Rogers

8 hours ago, JeffT said:

Wow. Speeding right along. Not sure I understand what went wrong on your keel assembly.

On sheet one the bow frames and wedges are numerically the same. The stern frame start numerically where the bow frames ended (12) BUT the wedges start at 1.  I was looking at the frames not the wedges and glued on extra parts that where wrong. 

47 minutes ago, Chuck said:

How is it possible that you got that far in just a week!!!  I am going to have to finish writing chapter two really quick....LOL.

Actually I think I am working slow and steady as I am only working on it from 0800 to 1100 every day. Getting two frames assembled a day. They are a lot of work. First locating on tree and removing, removing all the char, dry fitting, adjusting and then glueing up. And I need to stain everything Fruitwood prior to assembly.

Question Chuck, should I wait to install the short frames until after all the tall frames are installed or can I install as they come up in order?

4 minutes ago, Chuck said:

Looks very good.  You could have actually tapered the stem a bit more so the tapered are extend lower.  It wont be so extreme that way...more gradual.

Good advice I’ll do that.

Started assembling frames next. Some of the lasered identifiers are hard to read for me. Took them off the trees one at a time.  Make SURE you check identifiers and orientation prior to assembly. Check the PLANS, make sure the ARROW in the jig faces forward. I assembled five frames and dry mounted them on the keel. Some are REALLY tight and I was afraid of issues so I sanded the char off. Fit nice after that. The jig is ingenious.

You really, really really need to pay attention to the plans and make sure you are using the correct one. I was moving merrily along with the keel thinking that the steps where all in numerical order. When I got to the stern I noted I was missing some parts whilst having a lot of extra of others, asked Chuck. Man I love Super Glue debonder. Follow the plan and avoid this MISTAKE. 

Next I painted the figurehead. I plan on painting and staining my model as I always do. 

I started on the Stem assembly next. Everything fit well. Took a LOT of sanding and tapering to get Mercury in proper position.

Received a large box containing Speedy about 5 days after placing order. The first thing I always do is inspect parts. Many parts where loose in the box so spent a couple of hours figuring out whence they went and taping them in place.

Takes a bit of tapering to get the figurehead seated nicely.

3 hours ago, Chuck said:

 

One of the benefits of working at 1/32" scale is of course the size.  I think its easier to handle the parts and keep things neat and tidy.  But in addition to that you can really get a lot of details in there.  Stuff I would never attempt to add on smaller scales.  Further, 1/32 and better yet 1/35 scale is a very popular modeling scale.  There are so many aftermarket parts and details available for builders at this scale.  This includes figures and accessories.  Like the small cups and pitcher.   Its all readily available on Etsy or Ebay.   Its also fun to just look.   I am waiting on a few other things I made add.  

 

The barrels are Syren barrels.   I am also getting some new ones in stock I think you guys will like.   It might be a while though.

 

The checker is still very tiny but that is laser cut by me including small very teensy checkers.  The stools are also laser cut in cedar and very differnt from the cushy chairs in the great cabin for the officers.

 

The cups and tea cups and teapot are all 3d prints from EBAY.  They were cheap and there are so many to choose from....you can add crates and boxes full of food and pots and pans and utensils. Its really just up to you and how much fun you might want to have with it.

 

The officer in the great cabin is from Vanguard.  It had a tall hat so I removed that and just shaped some hair in the traditional pony tail of the day.   I didnt want to really paint these items as I want them to all fade into the background.  I want to keep it all very suggestive and simple.   So rather than paint everything with realistic coloring with all the uniform colors and fanfare,  I am just finishing all this stuff as if it was wood color...and carved.   Its a minimalist approach so the ship itself takes center stage.  But it will all be covered and just barely visible when the decks are planked.  But still you might just get a glimpse and a happy surprise if you look hard enough.   I think it will be fun.

 

I do actually have a few more 1/32 and 1/35 scale odds and ends coming in the mail.    We shall see if they make the cut and I add them to the model.  I dont want to over do it.  For all you guys who would do the same...try and stick with 1/35 scale details.  They are plentiful and just a tad smaller and look better on the model.

 

 

Chuck

 

 

Those quarters look tight. Where was his rack?  Hammock? Sleep on table top?

2 hours ago, Chuck said:

My daughter was very complimentary about my latest model.  But she said I had to put something on the table.  It looked too bare and boring.   So not wanting to disappoint my lovely daughter I added some laser cut books.   Yes that is a very very tiny Seawatch book about Speedwell Volume 1 I believe.   Great reading while at sail on those quiet evenings!!

 

The cupola really isnt that shiny....its just the very bright overhead light and the photo camera lights.  It is actually much darker and subdued.  I think.  LOL.

 

 

The books are just 1/4" tall so very very very tiny.  Cleaned up after laser cutting and ready for a printed cover scaled down....But here you see them in the raw state.   These are right off the laser cutter and just sanded to remove the char.  The close ups are brutal but they look really good at regular viewing.  About the size of your fingernail.

 

I am trying to figure out lanterns. Running the wires and keeping them hidden will be the trick. Chuck you can’t just tease us with the furniture and other items, please make them available.

I am ready to start building. Great to hear I won’t have to get plans printed at Office Depot. So she is basically same size as Winnie. So looking forward to a project, hope I am up to it. 

Please,please, please make the table and chairs available…and a link to Chris’s figures.

I plan on staining mine with Old Masters Fruitwood Gel, my preference, and that stove is going to look awesome.

Here is my Winnie mounted on stands.

32 minutes ago, Chuck said:

Funny!  Yes it is quite the experience.  The movie is called Riff Raff.  Its a remake of an old movie.  Should be fun.

 

I will be setting up a garage workshop for them down to the sawdust on the floor.  
 

Filming has begun and I should be in the thick of it for a while.

 

chuck

Have fun!

7 hours ago, Chuck said:

Thank you guys.  Work will slow down for a while.  I have been hired to help out on a feature film for the next couple of weeks.  The lead actor is a ship modeler.  I have been asked to help set up a believable ship model workshop and stage the home with my models along with others from my New Jersey club members.  Its exciting and a once in a lifetime thing I just couldnt pass up.

 

The lead character played by Ed Harris will be building my Medway Longboat kit in his workshop.  How great is that…along with my tools and other things to dress up his garage workshop.  I am

going to help teach them how to fake it as a ship modeler.

 

Starring Ed Harris, Dustin Hoffman, Jennifer Coolidge and Gabriel Union.  

What is the name of the flick. I was a safety diver in Jaws 3D.

She is a real beauty Chuck. Can’t wait to get started.

This is a water feature I did for the Morgan. This was in the Whaling Museum in Lahaina and got burnt up in the fire. A friend of mine built the model. The case was designed as a display and transport case.

13 hours ago, Roger Pellett said:

Here’s an idea that I thought worked out well.  It is intended to give a  impression of the blue green of water.  It is a sheet of copper that I treated with vinegar, ammonia, and salt, then sealed by spraying it with Matt varnish.  Same effect as Jaager’s sea green/ blue marble base.  I treated the turned brass supports this same way.  The stripe next to the hull is a light reflection.

 

Roger

 

I like that. Have looked at doing that base finish for one of my cases.

You could get some iron on veneer from https://www.veneersupplies.com. They have a great supply. Then get some inlays from https://www.inlays.com. Pretty easy fixes with a beautiful result.

Here is a couple ideas. First one is a knock down, very easy to transport and ship. Second one is maple and pauduck, 

On 10/23/2023 at 6:41 AM, Chuck said:

Thank you all who have contacted me.   I have a grand total of 8 people who have reserved the first two chapters of the fully framed kit.   

 

I will laser cut those 8 and another 2 additional to keep on the shelf.  Just in case.   

 

I am buying all of the supplies needed to complete them now and also getting the plans printed and starting to write the monograph chapters.

 

Should be a fun project for those who are taking the plunge.

When will the eight hear something ?

11 minutes ago, Chuck said:

Yes indeed it does Greg

 

And just to clarify...when I say POB it isnt the traditional POB.  I have known for some time that few would ever pay this much money for a quality POF kit.   I have planned for the last year to make sure that I could recoup my initial investment.   I have had a design in POB made and ready to go for a while now.  Just in case.

 

Forget everything you know about previous POB designs.   This version will look identical to the fully framed version.  But it will let you fully detail all of the interior.   It is basically the same kit with less than half the frames.

 

The only difference is the number of frames and they are even more simplified.   They will also be made from Basswood.  This will allow me to charge around $250-$275 for the same two chapters in this version and it will look identical.  The only difference being you will need to fully plank the external hull.  This is very much like the original contemporary model and will in fact look almost identical to it.  All frames will still have to be made giving those who build it a good idea of what a fully framed model entails.   Chapter 3 onward will be exactly the same.

 

I will also need a volunteer to receive the first two POB or dare I say the cheaper Fully Planked chapters to prove out the modified design...All of the parts will be yellow cedar or Boxwood except for the frame components and jigs which will be basswood and ply.

 

 

I’m in. Reserve me one, either version.

1 hour ago, Chuck said:

Thanks for the feedback.  It was very helpful.  I will be making just 5 of the POF kits.  That is it.  It is sure to become a collectors item.  After talking to many kit mfg’s about the economy and current sales trends this is the best option.  Maybe in the future there will be another run of 5 kits.

Please send me a PM to

reserve one as a pre-Order reservation.

 

The cost for the first 2 chapters is $800.

Beyond that, each chapter will be considerably less with the completed kit costing around $2300.

 

I will however begin work on a POB Version.  This will be considerably cheaper.  The starter package costing about $250.  No reservations required.

 

This will be a fully rigged model.

 

Chuck

 

 

Email sent. This will probably be the last model my old age permits me to build.