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hollowneck

NRG Member
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About hollowneck

  • Birthday 06/14/1946

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  • Website URL
    http://www.newharmonyrecords.com

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  • Gender
    Male
  • Location
    Warrington, Pennsylvania
  • Interests
    Music, reading, photography. Oh yeah- ship modeling!

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  1. No. The model was rigged entirely with a single diameter of 3 stranded cotton thread that is no longer available. The original builder paid a lot of attention to reeving the stays properly, however he applied what seems to be a variable coating of shellac to most rigging lines (standing as well as running) including where lines terminate: cleats, belaying points, but more problematical, where lines reeve through blocks! Once fully-rigged, the builder apparently wanted to insure the rigging wouldn't go anywhere nor absorb moisture (? a guess). The builder loved doing rigging (one of the better aspects of this particular "old school" kit model) and I believe he wanted it to survive for centuries! Unfortunately, the rigging's shellacing didn't prevent the family cat's other plans... Looking closely at the model's crushed mainmast top, the shrouds and stays are nicely reeved. The same light colored rigging line used for running lines was darkened somehow for the standing rigging.... and then, coated with shellac where it terminated (to keep it in-place is another guess). I'll close this out now, since I'm getting (WAY!) off-topic from @JohnEvans original query.
  2. The topgallants are going to be the most challenging to repair. I'm planning on employing an internal "splint" (thin brass wire with a daub of clear Gorilla glue) to connect the thin, broken dowel surfaces to one another. Re-tensioning the existing backstays, shrouds and braces will help stabilize these delicate dowel pieces. One of the principal issues on a restoration commission is to return the model to its original configuration as best one can. This restriction means I can't use certain materials like modern rope for rigging repairs.
  3. One mast. One spar. One rigging line at a time. I'm Keeping Calm. Carrying On. I've added an overhead "gantry" to my workshop's ceiling to suspend the model's rigging mess while I repair the broken masts and spars. Three clamps on the glued maintop that is in four broken pieces. Intense lighting also helps.
  4. When I picked the model up from my client I saw no evidence of any household pets. Plausible deniability!
  5. Good decision, John. Sometimes a do-over is the best option. Console yourself with the thought that you haven't added the standing rigging. Attached is a photo of my current commission to restore a vintage model with several broken masts and spars that need dramatic repairs (prior to sorting-out the rigging mess); a family cat jumped on my client's glass case, collapsing the top panel onto the ship. I show you my challenge to perk you up, accentuate the positive! It could be worse. Ron
  6. Wow, Chuck! What a huge change. You may recall, my wife and I moved from Connecticut three years ago to Pennsylvania and after only 15 years it was an enormous undertaking; we also did this "downsizing" during the peak of the COVID plague. It's hard to imagine 30+ years of personal "stuff" let alone moving a vibrant business. I wish you and yours a smooth transition to your new life in the rural, sylvan "country." Two moving tips: 1. Get plenty of packing paper (Home Depot or Lowe's); 2. Mark every moving box with a big, fat black Sharpie where it goes: this makes unpacking and setting-up so much easier. From your photos, you're moving your home and business to a beautiful part of New Jersey. Bravo!
  7. I'm keeping my powder dry for a possible Build Log for Harpy this winter, so no log for gun brig Adder/"Cracker." I just noticed Chris posted the Harpy kit release for November with a base price of £425.
  8. My sentiments too, Andrew. Great job. I see that your Trial is populated with Captain Hornblower, the two rope manning tars, a complete gun crew and two lobsters at the ready! Is the cook below deck? Nice job on the sails. I just ordered a set of similar figures from Vanguard for my version of Adder, keel just laid as "Cracker." Keep Calm. Carry On.
  9. Nice! Looking forward to following this log. Another interesting fact about the vessels is that the hulls were made of wood.
  10. Your model is stunning; I’m a big fan of properly done rigging and yours has plenty too study - and admire. When faithfully followed, the Ronnberg plans are some of the best ever created for the serious ship kit modeler. Congratulations.
  11. Colleagues, these are indispensable on my bench. I use these nearly every day. The bits are tool steel and have remained sharp after several years of use. Obviously, for wood only. https://micromark.com/collections/hand-drills-pin-vises/products/finger-drills-4pc-74-80
  12. Thank You, Glen. I should mention that unlike my basement shop, my garage isn't heated (long-sleeved shirt, puffy vest, etc) The large model was beautifully built and came to me with broken rigging items (per normal challenges, an errant animal I was told). However, my principal task on the two week project was to thoroughly clean-off years of accumulated gunk and restore the model's beautiful natural woods (mostly mahogany) as well as all the impeccably-painted surfaces (some scratches needed tricky aged paint touch-ups). Unfortunately, after doing some internet research - it was a gift to my client - I was unable to trace its builder but I did discover to my amazement that such a finely made model came from a random nautical gift store somewhere in Massachusetts. I'm currently writing a detailed article on the "Restoration of the Puritan, the 1885 America's Cup Defender" for the NRG Journal with a focus on the materials and techniques I used to restore this beauty. I got detailed, nice closeup photos during my work. I understand the restored model is being donated to a Pennsylvania Historical Society.
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