AndyMech

Thanks for the comments and "likes" everyone.  Life and work has been busy of late, so I don't get a chance to browse through the logs as much as I'd like.
 
John - I suppose you mean a full wooden ship, not a cross section?  If so, I totally agree.  I purchased the Syren a few years ago, but I might do a simpler ship before that.  Not yet decided.  I'd like some experience with bulkheads and planking.  The planking in the cross section was all straight, non-curved, so very straightforward.
 
Working with wood on this cross section has been a great experience - I'm pretty sure I won't be doing plastic anytime in the future.
 
Andy.

Thanks for the comments and "likes" everyone.  Life and work has been busy of late, so I don't get a chance to browse through the logs as much as I'd like.
 
John - I suppose you mean a full wooden ship, not a cross section?  If so, I totally agree.  I purchased the Syren a few years ago, but I might do a simpler ship before that.  Not yet decided.  I'd like some experience with bulkheads and planking.  The planking in the cross section was all straight, non-curved, so very straightforward.
 
Working with wood on this cross section has been a great experience - I'm pretty sure I won't be doing plastic anytime in the future.
 
Andy.

The main mast (ha!  only mast) is now securely in place - no glue needed.
 
I had tied the shrouds to the top last week, and this week I got them secured to the deadeyes - nice and tight.  I'm still kind of unhappy with the deadeyes and the chains, but they are secure, and I've tightened them as much as I dare - making sure to keep the mast straight.
 
This first picture is using the wire jig to keep the spacing correct while seizing the shroud around the eye.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Next is either doing ratlines or working on the upper shrouds.  I'll study the plans tonight and see.
 
Andy.

The main mast (ha!  only mast) is now securely in place - no glue needed.
 
I had tied the shrouds to the top last week, and this week I got them secured to the deadeyes - nice and tight.  I'm still kind of unhappy with the deadeyes and the chains, but they are secure, and I've tightened them as much as I dare - making sure to keep the mast straight.
 
This first picture is using the wire jig to keep the spacing correct while seizing the shroud around the eye.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Next is either doing ratlines or working on the upper shrouds.  I'll study the plans tonight and see.
 
Andy.

The main mast (ha!  only mast) is now securely in place - no glue needed.
 
I had tied the shrouds to the top last week, and this week I got them secured to the deadeyes - nice and tight.  I'm still kind of unhappy with the deadeyes and the chains, but they are secure, and I've tightened them as much as I dare - making sure to keep the mast straight.
 
This first picture is using the wire jig to keep the spacing correct while seizing the shroud around the eye.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Next is either doing ratlines or working on the upper shrouds.  I'll study the plans tonight and see.
 
Andy.

The main mast (ha!  only mast) is now securely in place - no glue needed.
 
I had tied the shrouds to the top last week, and this week I got them secured to the deadeyes - nice and tight.  I'm still kind of unhappy with the deadeyes and the chains, but they are secure, and I've tightened them as much as I dare - making sure to keep the mast straight.
 
This first picture is using the wire jig to keep the spacing correct while seizing the shroud around the eye.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Next is either doing ratlines or working on the upper shrouds.  I'll study the plans tonight and see.
 
Andy.

The main mast (ha!  only mast) is now securely in place - no glue needed.
 
I had tied the shrouds to the top last week, and this week I got them secured to the deadeyes - nice and tight.  I'm still kind of unhappy with the deadeyes and the chains, but they are secure, and I've tightened them as much as I dare - making sure to keep the mast straight.
 
This first picture is using the wire jig to keep the spacing correct while seizing the shroud around the eye.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Next is either doing ratlines or working on the upper shrouds.  I'll study the plans tonight and see.
 
Andy.

Wow, has it really been since May 11 as my last update?  Time sure does fly sometimes.
 
Well, work has been going, albeit slowly.  Now that end-of-school activities are over, and my daughter has graduated high school, I can finally post an update.
 
I've been working on the yards - there are 4 total (just the one mast obviously), and I've been attaching blocks, doing the footropes and adding the spars.
 
Here's the result:
 

 

 

 
Next up, the part I've been dreading - the main mast insertion.  I'm pretty convinced that I won't need to glue it as it's a snug fit through the 3 decks and into the hull, and the shrouds should hold it in place as well.  I am a bit worried about the strength of the lower deadeyes, and I'm still working out in my head how to best attach the shrouds to the upper deadeyes, rig the two dead eyes and keep them all as even and level as I can.
 
Here's my thoughts on how to do it:
 
1.  Since there are only 3 shrouds per side, I was going to tie and seize the 4 lines at the mast top first (2 lines per side, one will go to the center deadeye, and the other will go to the two outer deadeyes)
2.  Make a wire jig to guide and attach the lower deadeye to the upper one
3.  Tie and seize (tightly) the shroud to the upper deadeye when it's held in place by the wire jig
4.  Remove the wire jig and add the rigging through the deadeyes.  I figure if I pull the rigging tight enough it will return the upper deadeye to it's jigged position.
5.  Repeat for all the other shroud/deadeyes - hoping this will result in a strong, level, even set.
 
If anyone has any advice or better ideas, I'm all ears.  
 
Andy.

Wow, has it really been since May 11 as my last update?  Time sure does fly sometimes.
 
Well, work has been going, albeit slowly.  Now that end-of-school activities are over, and my daughter has graduated high school, I can finally post an update.
 
I've been working on the yards - there are 4 total (just the one mast obviously), and I've been attaching blocks, doing the footropes and adding the spars.
 
Here's the result:
 

 

 

 
Next up, the part I've been dreading - the main mast insertion.  I'm pretty convinced that I won't need to glue it as it's a snug fit through the 3 decks and into the hull, and the shrouds should hold it in place as well.  I am a bit worried about the strength of the lower deadeyes, and I'm still working out in my head how to best attach the shrouds to the upper deadeyes, rig the two dead eyes and keep them all as even and level as I can.
 
Here's my thoughts on how to do it:
 
1.  Since there are only 3 shrouds per side, I was going to tie and seize the 4 lines at the mast top first (2 lines per side, one will go to the center deadeye, and the other will go to the two outer deadeyes)
2.  Make a wire jig to guide and attach the lower deadeye to the upper one
3.  Tie and seize (tightly) the shroud to the upper deadeye when it's held in place by the wire jig
4.  Remove the wire jig and add the rigging through the deadeyes.  I figure if I pull the rigging tight enough it will return the upper deadeye to it's jigged position.
5.  Repeat for all the other shroud/deadeyes - hoping this will result in a strong, level, even set.
 
If anyone has any advice or better ideas, I'm all ears.  
 
Andy.

Wow, has it really been since May 11 as my last update?  Time sure does fly sometimes.
 
Well, work has been going, albeit slowly.  Now that end-of-school activities are over, and my daughter has graduated high school, I can finally post an update.
 
I've been working on the yards - there are 4 total (just the one mast obviously), and I've been attaching blocks, doing the footropes and adding the spars.
 
Here's the result:
 

 

 

 
Next up, the part I've been dreading - the main mast insertion.  I'm pretty convinced that I won't need to glue it as it's a snug fit through the 3 decks and into the hull, and the shrouds should hold it in place as well.  I am a bit worried about the strength of the lower deadeyes, and I'm still working out in my head how to best attach the shrouds to the upper deadeyes, rig the two dead eyes and keep them all as even and level as I can.
 
Here's my thoughts on how to do it:
 
1.  Since there are only 3 shrouds per side, I was going to tie and seize the 4 lines at the mast top first (2 lines per side, one will go to the center deadeye, and the other will go to the two outer deadeyes)
2.  Make a wire jig to guide and attach the lower deadeye to the upper one
3.  Tie and seize (tightly) the shroud to the upper deadeye when it's held in place by the wire jig
4.  Remove the wire jig and add the rigging through the deadeyes.  I figure if I pull the rigging tight enough it will return the upper deadeye to it's jigged position.
5.  Repeat for all the other shroud/deadeyes - hoping this will result in a strong, level, even set.
 
If anyone has any advice or better ideas, I'm all ears.  
 
Andy.

Wow, has it really been since May 11 as my last update?  Time sure does fly sometimes.
 
Well, work has been going, albeit slowly.  Now that end-of-school activities are over, and my daughter has graduated high school, I can finally post an update.
 
I've been working on the yards - there are 4 total (just the one mast obviously), and I've been attaching blocks, doing the footropes and adding the spars.
 
Here's the result:
 

 

 

 
Next up, the part I've been dreading - the main mast insertion.  I'm pretty convinced that I won't need to glue it as it's a snug fit through the 3 decks and into the hull, and the shrouds should hold it in place as well.  I am a bit worried about the strength of the lower deadeyes, and I'm still working out in my head how to best attach the shrouds to the upper deadeyes, rig the two dead eyes and keep them all as even and level as I can.
 
Here's my thoughts on how to do it:
 
1.  Since there are only 3 shrouds per side, I was going to tie and seize the 4 lines at the mast top first (2 lines per side, one will go to the center deadeye, and the other will go to the two outer deadeyes)
2.  Make a wire jig to guide and attach the lower deadeye to the upper one
3.  Tie and seize (tightly) the shroud to the upper deadeye when it's held in place by the wire jig
4.  Remove the wire jig and add the rigging through the deadeyes.  I figure if I pull the rigging tight enough it will return the upper deadeye to it's jigged position.
5.  Repeat for all the other shroud/deadeyes - hoping this will result in a strong, level, even set.
 
If anyone has any advice or better ideas, I'm all ears.  
 
Andy.

Wow, has it really been since May 11 as my last update?  Time sure does fly sometimes.
 
Well, work has been going, albeit slowly.  Now that end-of-school activities are over, and my daughter has graduated high school, I can finally post an update.
 
I've been working on the yards - there are 4 total (just the one mast obviously), and I've been attaching blocks, doing the footropes and adding the spars.
 
Here's the result:
 

 

 

 
Next up, the part I've been dreading - the main mast insertion.  I'm pretty convinced that I won't need to glue it as it's a snug fit through the 3 decks and into the hull, and the shrouds should hold it in place as well.  I am a bit worried about the strength of the lower deadeyes, and I'm still working out in my head how to best attach the shrouds to the upper deadeyes, rig the two dead eyes and keep them all as even and level as I can.
 
Here's my thoughts on how to do it:
 
1.  Since there are only 3 shrouds per side, I was going to tie and seize the 4 lines at the mast top first (2 lines per side, one will go to the center deadeye, and the other will go to the two outer deadeyes)
2.  Make a wire jig to guide and attach the lower deadeye to the upper one
3.  Tie and seize (tightly) the shroud to the upper deadeye when it's held in place by the wire jig
4.  Remove the wire jig and add the rigging through the deadeyes.  I figure if I pull the rigging tight enough it will return the upper deadeye to it's jigged position.
5.  Repeat for all the other shroud/deadeyes - hoping this will result in a strong, level, even set.
 
If anyone has any advice or better ideas, I'm all ears.  
 
Andy.

Well, I got the new blocks from the Syren Ship Company - the difference in quality is pretty amazing.
 

 
After I got the blocks, I spent a lot of time last weekend tying them to the main mast.  It's so much easier to tie them on prior to setting the mast into the hull.  I didn't take any photos of that yet though.
 
Today, I worked on assembling the yard - attaching my new blocks, and the spars (this is the 3rd yard up - I forget the name).
 
Tying the blocks prior to trimming the thread ends.

 

 
Final yard with spar tied in as well.

 

Well, I got the new blocks from the Syren Ship Company - the difference in quality is pretty amazing.
 

 
After I got the blocks, I spent a lot of time last weekend tying them to the main mast.  It's so much easier to tie them on prior to setting the mast into the hull.  I didn't take any photos of that yet though.
 
Today, I worked on assembling the yard - attaching my new blocks, and the spars (this is the 3rd yard up - I forget the name).
 
Tying the blocks prior to trimming the thread ends.

 

 
Final yard with spar tied in as well.

 

Well, I decided to work on the yards.  First was to add the ribbing to the 2 lowest (and largest) yards.  The plans indicated to use walnut 1x2 (mm) to create the ribbing, but I only had enough wood for the main yard.  I had to use some 1x4 wood for the upper yard, after splitting it in half to create 1x2 pieces.
 
These are rough pictures before final sanding.  I've also added 3 coats of wipe-on-poly and they will be painted black.
 

 

 

 
Next, I wanted to construct the topmost yard, as it's the simplest.  First though, I needed to figure out which blocks to attach to it.  After reading through the plans, it was determined that the kit comes with 3 sizes of single sheave blocks - 3mm, 4mm and 5mm.  The 3mm ones go on the highest yard (makes sense), they were pretty good quality.
 
The 4mm and 5mm blocks that the kit provided were, well, here's a photo:
 

 
The thought of trying to sand these monstrosities filled me with despair.  Instead, I order a batch of 4mm and 5mm blocks from Chuck's Syren Ship Company.  I'll have to wait until they arrive before proceeding with the larger block install.
 
I could, however, use the 3mm blocks and I tied them to the topmost yard and added the footropes:
 

 
Andy.

Not much time this weekend, but I finished re-doing the chain links with the new wire.  I'm not super happy with the final result, but it will have to do.  Ripping them out again would probably do more damage than leaving them in.
 

 

 
Andy.

Thanks Antony, I appreciate the comment.
 
Next up in the build is avoidance   .  I need to either assemble and yards with rigging, blocks, etc. or install the main mast and most likely add the shrouds.
 
Avoidance means I'm scared to put the mast in - I'll glue it to the mast support in the lower hull, but I probably only get one chance to get it right as it's a tight fit through the holes in the decks.  So, I'll probably start on the yards - adding stirrups and blocks.  Much poring over plans is required to understand all the blocks to tie.  The plans are pretty difficult here as well, hence more hesitation.
 
Some days, it feels like all I do is study the plans for 3 hours, then do one little thing.  At some point, I need to dive in and do it.
 
Hopefully you'll see an update this weekend...
 
Andy.

Not much time this weekend, but I finished re-doing the chain links with the new wire.  I'm not super happy with the final result, but it will have to do.  Ripping them out again would probably do more damage than leaving them in.
 

 

 
Andy.

Thanks Antony, I appreciate the comment.
 
Next up in the build is avoidance   .  I need to either assemble and yards with rigging, blocks, etc. or install the main mast and most likely add the shrouds.
 
Avoidance means I'm scared to put the mast in - I'll glue it to the mast support in the lower hull, but I probably only get one chance to get it right as it's a tight fit through the holes in the decks.  So, I'll probably start on the yards - adding stirrups and blocks.  Much poring over plans is required to understand all the blocks to tie.  The plans are pretty difficult here as well, hence more hesitation.
 
Some days, it feels like all I do is study the plans for 3 hours, then do one little thing.  At some point, I need to dive in and do it.
 
Hopefully you'll see an update this weekend...
 
Andy.

Not much time this weekend, but I finished re-doing the chain links with the new wire.  I'm not super happy with the final result, but it will have to do.  Ripping them out again would probably do more damage than leaving them in.
 

 

 
Andy.

Today I painted the fighting top and added it's railing.  I did the inside floor of it gray, which matches my Revell Constitution, and I like the contrast with the white elsewhere.  The gray took only 3 coats to cover, while the white takes about 9-10.  It could be my white paint has been thinned too often, but at least the end results are ok.
 
Tomorrow, I paint the lower mast - you guessed it - white.  It will probably take all day.
 




 
Andy.

The latest work has been all about prepping the mast pieces.  I tapered all the yards and spars last Friday, using the drill and sandpaper method - worked pretty well, but took all day for all 11 pieces.
 

 
I also created the topgallant part of the main mast, the same way:
 

 
I spent most of today making the railing for the fighting top - drilling holes and filing etc.  Nothing is glued yet - I plan to use CA to glue the wood to metal, so I want to paint first.  Which will be tomorrow.
 


 
This is the Fid for the top mast - a piece of piano wire left over from my last project.  I'll paint all this white as the mast is white here.

 
Finally, the top mast is glued into place with the supports.

 
Andy.
 
 

Ok, I finally took some pictures to show the fighting top contruction and the mast shaping.
 
First, the fighting top:
 
Here's the bare plywood - it was fairly warped, but I got it as flat as I could with soaking and pressing between plates of glass.  Next, is planking on the top side, adding the ribs and finally the edging - two planks of 0.5mm walnut bent around the edge.
 




 
While I was working on the top, I also started on the mast shaping.  I squared off the top of the lower mast by clamping in a vise and sanding down each of the 4 sides.  I also added cheeks and the fish, deviating slightly from the plans here, but it matches better my Revell Constitution.  This is also pretty similar to the method on the Syren.  Next up, I need to add in the mast bands (I've bought some thin tape), and paint it all white.
 

 
Last bit of work was the crosstrees higher on the mast - I squared off the upper mast, but it wasn't even close to fitting through the crosstrees.  So, I used a dremel to remove the center metal piece, and fabricated a wood one.  Then, I notched the mast top so I could slide the new piece in.  These are just dry-fitted, but when glued I think it'll be nice and strong.
 

 

Not much time this weekend, but I finished re-doing the chain links with the new wire.  I'm not super happy with the final result, but it will have to do.  Ripping them out again would probably do more damage than leaving them in.
 

 

 
Andy.

Not much time this weekend, but I finished re-doing the chain links with the new wire.  I'm not super happy with the final result, but it will have to do.  Ripping them out again would probably do more damage than leaving them in.
 

 

 
Andy.