Jim Rogers

I betting Chinese plywood was used. Model Shipways really needs to do better quality control. Send them that exact picture and complain. It is not only that it crumbles away, but your hours of work and the frustration it has wrought.

You can also trim the Emory boards down to the size you need.

Get ahold of John at Modelexpo and have him send you new parts. I just got my Syren in the mail last week and I did not get the dreaded pink ply.

Absolutely stunning work Ken I wish I had your talent. You are the inspiration for my Rattlesnake build. I admit I stole your Redheart bulwark idea. It adds a different look to the interior. I am currently in hot standby waiting for my custom sails to arrive. I loved the look of your furled sails so I sent the templates back requesting the sails be made 3/4 size with dogears. I also used your Bowspirit idea and repurposed a French and Indian war Iroquois tomahawk wielding warrior as my Bowsprit. I can't wait to see your finished build. Not that much longer. Again STUNNING.

My sanding sticks are the professional grade Emory boards like those used in Nail Salons. They are beefy, have a foam filler, come in different grits that are color coded and washable. The Beauty Supply shop where I get them sells them for 70 cents each.

Looks great.

Nobody has answered the question of why red? When I toured the Victory back in the 70's I asked the tour guide why the bulwarks were red and was told it was to keep the gun crews from panicking from blood during combat? Not really sure that is true but have never heard any another explanation. Personally I think some Bos'n had some red paint laying around and just painted the bulwark and became a trend setter.

Put a bullet through a CD containing all your Technical Manuals and put a bullet through a printed Tech Manual which one can you still use?EMP wipes all electronics unless heavily protected doesn't bother a book. Electronic books and magazines are very convenient no doubt but going all digital is foolish.

Sometimes people can't see the forest for the trees. I ran the Technical Documentation code for Navy Lightweight Torpedoes for 5 years. There was a major push to go completely digital and do away with printed manuals. All maintenance procedures would be put on iPad type devices. I fought this tooth and nail as it was and still is real short sighted. Ever try to read a iPad screen on the flight deck of a Destroyer during the day in the Arabian Gulf? Impossible. How about picking up that device with greasy hands. How about dropping it on the deck or over the side? A paper book survives all these scenarios. Going all digital in anything is a terrible idea even hobby magazines. But it is going to happen just because of cost in printing and shipping. The dollar always has the final say even over common sense.

.

I'm a retired Torpedoman's Mate chief we tend to keep things tidy. Actually I field day once a week on Saturday morning. My Master Chief Nuke buddy says he hates coming over here it is always so clean. I can always find my tools and know when inventory is running low. Especially my Single Malt😏

Here are some shots of the Garagemahal/Goatlocker Shipyard. I am a blessed man and the Admiral is the best. The downstairs area is my woodworking shop, upstairs is the Goatlocker Lounge and Shipyard.

Think about getting a Double Throw Air Brush. You have control on the amount of paint And the area painted in one pass. You will get much better results than with a bunch of spray cans.

5 hours ago, maturin said:

Do you mean Rockler?

Well actually I mean Edensaw but Rockler is part of that business.

I would make a wooden platform stand, hollow out an area in the bottom for the battery pack and switch probably on the aft end and snake the lights up through the pedestal and into the hull. 

Looks great definitely finish it you have done an awesome job. I feel your pain with parts but here are my go to: line and blocks from Syren, (you can't find better) other fittings from Age of Sail and Modelers Central. Wood from Crown Timberyard who is sometimes slow as this is his second job

The vinyl letters come aligned you just need to center and carefully rub off.

He who breaks and walks away lives to model another day.

Thank you for the information Bartley. I am now contemplating buying a Micro Mark Tablesaw and doing my own milling. We have one of the best exotic wood stores in the world about 50 miles from my house and as I plan on doing the inner bulkheads of my Syren using Redheart it could be worth it.

Mine are currently laid over my couch in the Goat Locker. I have ordered the Syren and want something better. Sometimes it is hard to get the Rottweiler off the couch.

Bob I used Do It Yourself Vinyl. My letters came out to be a little bigger than 1/8th inch. I contacted them via email and explained what I was doing and what I needed and they came through. Cost was $6. 

I order vinyl lettering on line with self stick backing. They can produce very small letters in any font or color. You just center them, press on and carefully separate from backing. Very reasonable prices.

Chuck Passaro carries many different sizes and colors of line. This is high quality line. Check out the Syren Model ship advertisement on the website right hand side. 

For several weeks the Crown Timberland site has shown "Store Closed for Maintenance"  when ever an inquiry is made bringing me to ask the question are they still,in business? Anybody have any insight.

Bruce check Wargaming Figure sites. They have different scales available. I found my Bowspirit for my Rattlesnake build there by getting a French and Indian war Warrior set.

Renamed mine the Boston in honor of my lovely spouse. I was going to do a Diorama with it but chickened out.