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Cleat

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Everything posted by Cleat

  1. Cleat
    Nice pictures. You get a pretty good depth of field.
  2. Cleat
    I noticed the knot you tied in the picture showing the side railings and I'm wondering how you tied that, what kind of knot is it. Your anchor looks like it is two knots (dark & light rope). I had strung the rope on my build last spring before my build went on hiatus, I'm not sure what type of knot to tie. (I hope to get back to my build in a couple weeks).
  3. Cleat
    I hope mine turns out as nice as yours.
  4. Cleat
    I bought a Createx 6-pack of basic colors because my local art supply shop carries the brand. With the 6-pack I can mix most any color I want (except brown - I haven't figured that one out). I mix small quantities of paint just to fill the airbrush bowl and I try to write down how many drops of each color I mix; I've discovered that I might need to mix the same color again if my first batch isn't enough or I have to touch up later.
  5. Cleat
    One of my hobbies is pen tuning. I discovered two new hobby knife kits. Both kits are available in chrome, gun metal, and brass. The classic hobby knife uses #11 X-ACTO blades. The bolt action hobby knife uses #65 Excel blades. The classic hobby knife has a cap covering the blade and the cap can be stowed on the rear post. The bolt action hobby knife extends and retracts the blade using a rifle style bolt lever. I got both kits from PSI (Penn State Industries).
  6. Cleat
    I'm learning the Genmistu 31018 Prover (has a laser and a router). The laser configuration is easier to learn. For the router, I've been trying several open source software (CAD/CAM/controller control). I got it to work but I still have stuff to learn. I started writing myself a manual to document how to do various procedures. Mine has a working area of about 6x10 inches (260x155 mm), I'd prefer a bigger working space but I have limited space and I think this setup is good for learning hobby CNC processes (Genmistu offers an expansion kit to make the 3018 into a 3040). I wrote controller manuals for industrial CNC machines so I know the basics and G-codes.
  7. Cleat
    I thinned it with mineral spirits. I cut up an old bed sheet into small pieces of cloth and used one to wipe the finish on; I apply several thin coats to build up the finish.
  8. Cleat
    I started with a Badger airbrush and a small California Air compressor (both are quality inexpensive products). I'm not an artist, I don't make fine lines. I want to paint stuff with a color I can mix, I use my airbrush more like a small spray can of paint. There is a learning curve to figure out air pressure, paint thinning, and cleaning the airbrush.
  9. Cleat
    I have the Rikon 10" bandsaw and I like it. I haven't had any problems with it and I've had mine for many years. I consider it a general purpose tool for a hobbyist. (I have several Rikon products). The fence is pretty basic, it works but I'd prefer something better. I use a magnetic fence now. And it doesn't do very well for resawing (you need to go real slow). I have a Jet mini wood lathe and I like it, but I had to replace the clamping disk for the tail stock.
  10. Cleat
    The ladders are tricky for me and I only made the short ones so far. I ran short of the step material so I need to find more. I like the dark wood trim detail around the stairway opening.
  11. Cleat
    Your build is looking great. What kind of glue did you use for the white railing installation. I like the brass railing on the short stairs, it is a nice addition. It looks like you pinned the 1st deck railings; I've been debating if I want 2 or 3 horizontal railings (yours looks good).
  12. Cleat
    Those speakers are an experiment. I have open baffle speakers (speakers on a board) in my garage and they sound good, they hang from the ceiling and need to be a couple feet from a wall to disperse the sound. But the desktop application sounds very bad. I'll try something out but I suspect I'll have to make boxes for better sound.
  13. Cleat
    Your build looks great. Your craftsmanship is impressive - it is a level I hope to achieve some day.
  14. Cleat
    I built Estes rockets when I was a kid (decades ago) - fond memories.
  15. Cleat
    Much of it is fun but there are frustrating parts where I don't know how to accomplish a task (forum logs are helpful for that) or my skills are lacking. There is satisfaction when I complete those frustrating tasks.
  16. Cleat
    Thanks for the reference, it will be helpful. I have the Sainsmart 3018 Prover and I've bookmarked a few reference pages for my upcoming tasks. I bought Lightburn to control the laser (best software for that), and I've tried three, free controller software for the router (I haven't picked a favorite yet).
  17. Cleat
    Last fall I bought a hobby CNC machine. It can be configured with a laser or a spindle (router). I got it working but I realized I need to do some tuning, a bunch of testing, and some additional setup chores. I chose to work on my riverboat instead. Now I need to complete some tasks including documenting my processes so I don’t have to relearn the tool every time I use it. I tested it using the same file with the laser and the router configurations: One of my test pieces will be a sign for the riverboat. Since I live in Minnesota (the source of the Mississippi river) I’m calling my riverboat the Headwater King.
  18. Cleat
    I’m taking a break on my riverboat. I share my workbench with other hobbies and I want to work on them and prepare for my summer projects in the garage. I’ve made good progress and don’t want to rush it. I’ll be working on it less frequently. I’ve also made some unforced errors. I accidentally knocked the wheel house off the top deck, the four black crests broke off and I can’t find one of them – three pieces were within a couple inches of each other but the last piece got legs. It seems a good time to clean the workbench and I still can’t find the missing piece (I’ll have to go through a pile of old computers next to my workbench to continue my search). I noticed I don’t have enough stock for the stairs. I’ve assembled some short ones and I’m not happy with my work, I want to redo them. I disassembled one of them and I’ll be able save the stringers. I also need to determine how much material I have for the railings on the bottom deck, other logs mention the kit has a limited amount of 1.5 x 3 sapelli wood. I wonder where I might look for hobby wood stock.
  19. Cleat
    I installed some of the railings on the second deck and the columns on the bottom deck. I only did the side section on both sides of the boat so I can leave access to the stairways. I had a feeling that my railings might not be as precise as the drawing and I was right. I aligned the first column with the drawing at the front of the structure. As you can see, the last column I installed is off from the drawing (I’ll have to figure out a way to fudge the discrepancy). I used 2mm pieces to set the height of the railing assemblies. When I tried to glue the first railing string, I discovered how delicate my assemblies are. A few of them fell apart when I handled them too much. I choose to install the columns on the second deck straight up to make the process easier because I was figuring out an installation process. I angled the columns on the lower deck as shown in the drawing. For the other side I angled the columns on the second deck but the columns on the lower deck had to be straight up (there was no offset); this told me the decks aren’t centered.
  20. Cleat
    Congratulations on finishing your riverboat. I think it looks really good. Your modifications give it a unique look. I hope mine turns out as nice as yours. I can relate to your conclusions.
  21. Cleat
    I’ve been processing various components with paint, stain, and finish. I made about half of the railings. I tried painting the stairway stringers with my airbrush to prevent paint from clogging the step recesses but the air pressure would cause the pieces to blow around so I ended up painting them with a brush, I’ll touch them up when I cut them to size. The kit doesn’t have all of the bench pieces so I made a few pieces from scrap. I installed the anti-hogging masts before installing the railings to prevent me from disturbing the railings when working with the masts. (I haven't installed the wheel house yet). I cut the third deck out of the full-scale drawing and placed it on the third deck so I can identify where the railing columns should go. I figure the second deck columns will be a good reference to align the first deck and third deck columns and posts. My plan is to install a second deck column, then install a railing and another column to work my way around the deck. I noticed the holes for the steam stacks at the rear don't align with the drawing. I won't know how accurate the railing columns align with the drawing until I install a few of them.
  22. Cleat
    I've started to do the things you recently built, it is really helpful to see things in detail (good pictures). I like your brass & rope railing (my brother made a similar railing for a lake view deck). I'm curious what you use to bend the brass?
  23. Cleat
    Sharp eye, the upper deck is 2 mm off. I see that the blocks are attached to the masts with wire. I'm wondering how to attach the wire to the masts, the blocks have holes but I haven't determined how it all goes together. What kind of knot should be used to tie the the guy-wire thread?
  24. Cleat
    I put the wheel house together and I didn’t notice that I put the back panel on backwards until it was too late; I’ll be putting the stairs to the other side of the structure. I painted the helm brown and added a bronze accent. I had curved the top plywood but it didn’t take, somehow it flattened itself out (I’m guessing it happened when I put the planking on it then put a weight on in). I installed window frames but I’m debating if I want to try making the windows. (I have a photography box to take pictures of my pen turning hobby). I’ve been working on the various masts and smoke stacks. I drilled .9 mm holes in the mast turn-buckles but the holes seemed too small for the .8 mm thread so I drilled them out to 1.2 mm. I also installed the eyelets to the various masts. When I test fit the large smoke stacks I discovered I need to make some adjustments.
  25. Cleat
    Thanks for the help and pointing out the parts list continues on page 25. When I came across the General Tips in a different language I assumed the rest of the manual was instructions for different languages - my stupid mistake. And thanks for the explanation about the masts. I normally use digital calipers to check the thickness of the wood, I didn't notice the difference between the 4mm & 5mm stock until I was about to cut a second piece - then I checked the diameters.

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