zeeprogrammer

I'd missed the last couple of posts. Thanks vossiewulf. I do have a pin vise and small drill bits but it didn't occur to me to strengthen the break. Seems strong now but we'll see. Thanks Paul. That helps. I now present my embarrassment... Here I've 'finished' the planking. Oh it gets worse... Talk about cruddy. Clinking, gaps...and you can tell that I soaked things in Windex a bit too long. Here it is after a bit of sanding... At this point I got some wood filler (probably not the right type) and went to trying to smooth things out. Initially I was feeling pretty good. Which was a help because things continued to go awry. I started removing the bulkheads. One problem was the 1st bulkhead. I couldn't figure out how to remove it. The filler blocks were glued to it. Then I saw that the 'keel?' was quite high. I took a dremel to shave things down. The picture shows the first several bulkheads (towards the bow) after trimming things down. You'll also see I broke a bit of bulkhead off. Here I've finished cleaning up. Sort of. A pretty crummy job to be sure. Actually no...a very crummy job. All the mistakes that people warn about (including not to sand too much), I'm making. I see it as verifying all those warnings. But I'm actually rather satisfied that I got this far without flinging the thing across the room. I've learned a lot (albeit primarily how not to do things) but so long as I'm learning, making progress, and most importantly feeling like I can do better...I'll keep at it. Thanks for everyone's support.

Hi all, Thank you for looking in and for the likes. Well...it's not going as well as I'd hoped. On the other hand, I haven't lost hope and so long as I'm learning something, I'll keep going. Got the bulkheads installed. All of this was done by eye and I was pretty satisfied. Using some bottle caps (as suggested in the instructions) I bent some planks. And then installed some... One of my nemeses is being overly critical of myself. You all, I'm sure, see things in your models that you wish were better but, in fact, no one else notices. Not in my case. Since the above pic, I've installed the garboard strakes and a few additional planks. I can't say I'm happy. Gaps, clinking (?), etc. But I'm thinking this is to be expected for my first foray into this world. I'll have more photos later. I did have one somewhat major disaster. I broke off the tip of the stem. I managed to glue it back on but I fear that it won't hold. This scale (or rather model) is rather small for me and I'm struggling with it. However, I suspect part of the problem is not having proper tools and clamps. So I'm a little down (not much!) and will continue to peruse the fantastic work on this forum which is always inspiring. Thanks all. Zee

Thanks Chuck! I used some 91% isopropyl alcohol. Not diluted...just straight out of the bottle. Success! And I didn't break anything! I'm guessing I just need to wait for things to dry and then have another go at gluing. I just noticed my bottle expired 6 years ago. Ha! It was purchased for my machine shop and an early 3D printer.

Thanks everyone. I was surprised, yet not surprised that I've already run into my first disaster. Or at least the first observant one. I just got my first set of eyeglasses and I'm going to blame them (because they won't talk back and point out it's really my fault). Somehow I got two bulkheads reversed. I also see that one bulkhead is slightly crooked. The crooked one isn't too bad and I think I can deal with it. But the two incorrectly placed bulkheads are a problem. What's the best way to remove the glued on bulkheads? I used Titebond (original) and the wood is either Basswood or Limewood (European Basswood). I've been searching for a solution but I'm still learning to use the forum and its search functions. Thanks very much. Zee

My first build log. My first plank on frame model. My first wooden model ship. I lie. My first wooden model ship was an attempt to build the Mamoli HMS Beagle. As any of you experienced modelers know...it's a big mistake to jump into the big end without first learning to swim. I had gotten far enough to have a hull and a little bit of deck furniture but things then went so badly I was considering just bagging it. But the thing that had driven me to this model is the history of the Beagle and Darwin and when I realized that the only thing this model has in common with the Beagle is a hull...I bagged it. Some may suggest kit-bashing the model to the Beagle...but that didn't occur to me. The model now sits on a shelf more as a reminder of my dream than anything else. I still often dream of building a realistic HMS Beagle. I have the 'Anatomy of the Ship' book on it. Someday I'd like to scratch build the HMS Beagle suitably enough that some institution would want to display it. Anyway...that's just a little bit of why I'm here. So I chose the 18th Century Longboat to begin learning. In looking at the kit, that may have been a mistake (the parts are small, my hands are big, my patience needs growth). The following photos aren't that great. Setting up a space with appropriate lighting is on my to-do list. The box... The opened box... The box unpacked... The tool chest I didn't really need but it seemed almost a freebie. My machining hobby (small steam engines) taught me to avoid kits of tools and that I'm usually better off getting better versions of only what I need. Some wood. Which at this point reminds of something I often forget...to put a ruler or coin in the picture to help show the scale. And here's the beginning. Some clamps used to keep the keel and stem in line with the false keel (after making the rabbet) and some clamps to keep the keel and stem against the false keel. (I'm hoping I'm getting the terminology right.) Some of the clamps worry me a bit but the keel seems pretty square. I welcome any and all suggestions, comments, humor, and well-placed kicks to keep me going. BTW I use paint.net to resize and/or adjust contrast and brightness. It's free. There are many tools available to do the same thing. I just happened to start with this for other reasons some years ago. My camera is a Canon Power Shot ELPH 190 IS. A good small camera with decent macro and telephoto capabilities (nice to travel with) but I think I'd prefer something larger with inter-changeable lenses for shop work. zee

Will do. I only used my intro as a way to learn how to upload photos before starting a log and making a mess of things. Thanks!

Thanks for all the welcomes. Before I start a build log (and likely break all the rules for posting photos, etc.), I thought I'd trash my intro and experiment a bit. A member suggested updating my signature line but from what I can tell, I have to have 10 or more posts before I'm allowed to do that. I expect to title the build log something like "18th Century Longboat by zeeprogrammer - Model Shipways - Scale 1:48" I was surprised by the size of the model. Quite small for me. Patience will be (is) my nemesis so we'll see if my ham sized hands can be trained. This will be a slow slow process getting started and making progress. Since I retired last year I've found myself being asked to play work in my wife's garden and with summer approaching there will be many demands on my time. Not a bad thing...but it takes away from 'me'. I've spent the last several weeks just reading this forum. The skill and expertise is awesome. Most important for a newbie like me is the helpfulness and politeness. I will depend on that with many many questions. I know there are no stupid questions, but I'll try my best. And here, hopefully, is a photo of the box. Cool. I read that 1600x1200 is a good size but I may go smaller. Thanks everyone for contributing to this wonderful forum. I look forward to living here for a long long while. As a temporary signature it goes something like this... zeeprogrammer/zeep/zee (Carl) Will answer to 'hey' but never 'hey you'. To work. To work. P.S. "To work. To work" comes from the movie "The Great Race" which, as a kid, had an influence that helped make me an engineer.

No launch or jolly boat. I went with the '18th Century Longboat' from Model Expo. I got the combo. Even though I already have the tool kit, it's almost a freebie versus buying the kit and paints separately. Besides, my old tool kit was miss-used building the 1/16 scale ModelExpo Albatross DVa. The thing that triggered me was finding Chuck has a practicum on building this model. That and realizing my goal is to learn to plank, rig, etc. and I shouldn't worry about historical anything at this point. From my model steam engine building, I don't much care to buy combo kits of anything. For example, when I need an end mill or drill bit, I've found buying the specific one I need tends have higher quality than sets where most of the bits and pieces are never even used. But sometimes, especially when starting out, I'm okay with it. Now to await delivery. Woo hoo! BTW I just realized no one knows my name. While I go by 'zeeprogrammer' or 'zee', 'zeep', 'zeepster', my name is Carl Phillips. Happy to meet you all. I'll finish off with a bit of "why I'm here"... I was a military brat whose father married a German woman. We were stationed in Hawaii (I was there when it became a state), France, Germany, and then the states. My German grandparents lived in Munich and I spent summers there. Which meant many trips to the Deutches Museum. It didn't hurt that Opi was a machinist. The upshot is...as a kid I was exposed to steam engines, locomotives, sailing ships, not to mention most anything military World War II and prior (I'm not into jets). My favorite eras to learn about is the industrial revolution and World War I. I'm also prone to try and get little tunes into people's heads. "Found a peanut" is a favorite. 😁 Lastly, I'm in southeast Pennsylvania (West Chester)...anyone nearby?

Thank you Chris. That's good to know. I finally found a bit more information. From the Pacific Union College, I got this..."During the events of the mutiny on the Bounty, three boats were launched: first the jolly boat which was found to be rotten through with worms and would certainly have sunk, then the cutter which also leaked and simply would not hold the large number of loyalists who preferred to go with Bligh, and finally the launch. . . .". The rest of the description had to do with how little room there was left in the launch that was meant for at most 15 people but carried 19 and that such a craft was meant for short distances. Sounds like the launch is the way to go. A quick check shows several builds and comments here so first a bit more fun perusing. Once I get a kit I'll start a build log and then the fun begins (i.e. fun in the many questions I'll ask that I'm sure have been asked before.) Woo woo!

Boy this forum really sucks you in. I've been reading and reading and reading. The helpfulness and friendliness is awesome not to mention the fantastic workmanship. I've been researching beginners kits and am about to pull the trigger on my first purchase. As I said in my intro post, I gave up on my ill-fated foray into model ship building of the Beagle because it was a crud job but also because the model wasn't anything like the Beagle. I'm not a stickler for historical accuracy (certainly not at this time) but the model should at least resemble what I'm striving for. But now I've run into an existence issue. I was considering the Bounty Jolly Boat but came across a statement that the Bounty did not have one. Further, I see a model kit of the jolly boat and a launch with both stating they were used by Bligh as a result of the mutiny. They're obviously note same, the jolly is single-masted while the launch has two masts. So which was it? On another note...the articles and resources posted by several people are exceedingly helpful. Planking, painting, rigging etc. It would be nice if someone had the heart to talk about glue. Not just the types and uses but detailed 'how-to'. I read a thread the other day (Old Collingswood's Black Pearl) and was struck by how well all the gluing went (no stains, seepage, etc.). Surprising to me (given my crummy skills) was the attachment (gluing of) finished parts to finished parts. I never had luck with that and am curious to know the tips and secrets. But all that may be for another time. Right now I'm anxious to buy a beginner's kit. The Bounty Launch or the Bounty Jolly Boat? Recommendations as to vendors are also welcome. Thanks very much!

Thank you for the welcome. @Mark: Yes, my first project will be a build log. Showing my mistakes teaches me as well as others. (I've yet to come across a unique mistake.) @David: The picture is of me and reminds me of the wonder years. The downside (sort of) is that people tend to think I'm younger than I am. I turn 66 in a couple of months. Still young! But older.

Hi, I go by 'zeeprogrammer', 'zee', 'zeep', 'zeepster' and other variations. I will answer to 'hey' but never to 'hey you'. I've not gotten scratch-building the HMS Beagle out of my mind for some years now but I have virtually no experience. Sure, I did the plastic 1/96 Revell USS Constitution (years and years ago) but I don't know much more than what a mast is and my wood work is limited to simple balsa airplanes (and none good). Yes, I made the newbie mistake of jumping in a couple of years ago with a Mamoli model of the Beagle. It now sits unfinished in my cabinet of learning, a combination of cruddy work and the realization it wasn't anything close to a model of the Beagle. (I have the 'Anatomy of the Ship' book which has given me hours of enjoyment.) I'm currently finishing a couple of steam engines and a model of the Albatross DVa aircraft. My desire to build the HMS Beagle is undiminished. I now intend to start with a simpler model (perhaps the HMS Bounty Jolly Boat or the Medway) and with this forum and helpful members I may someday achieve my dream. The goal is to learn something about planking and rigging as well as all else related to model ship building. I retired last year and in preparation for that, my wife and I renovated our house. I now have a shop with a decent lathe and mill and space to pursue my various interests. I don't expect to start a build log for some time. I have much to learn here and I hope my questions and future experiences will help other newbies. Thank you for letting me join.