woodartist

progress on gig whaler and whaler I have inserted the footlings in the gig whaler and painted the interior. On the whaler, I tried another method of putting in the ribs, which seems to be working better, it is more accurate and easier. After drawing the center line, i draw in the location of each rib, then I put one drop of super glue and using a micro plastic glue stick I spread the glue in a straight line, then I use the tweezers to drop the measured rib into place, then press it down. I will repeat the same process on each side wall. I tried putting the entire rib in one piece on the gig whaler but they often broke and it was hard to keep it straight.

I have completed the ribs and the gunwale on the gig whale boat. I used the Evergreen Styrene strips .020x.040 (No. 122) as recommended by Gerson and others rather than wood. There are 10 strips in a package, I ordered one package, and found out I should have bought two. One is not enough to do all 4 boats. Is is very time consuming to install the ribs and tiny tweezers and a plastic toothpick or glue stick is needed to coax them into place. They are not in perfectly and even though I tried to use a spacer to get them even, I just could not keep the distance uniform. When I got them i place with the spacer, and then removed the spacer to glue the they moved. I was afraid to put the spacer back in for fear that it would be glued in. I will finish the other three boats to this point before installing the keelson and flooring. There is no pattern for the keelson, so I will freehand it. At first I made the ribs too long, when I realized that the gunwale had to be fitted in. So i shortened the ribs I had installed and marked the location of the bottom of the gunwale and put the rest of the ribs in.

I have noticed two repetitive differences between the plans and the actual bulk heads. The bulk head is taller than the plans on the top and shorter than the plans on the bottom. Is that anything to worry about. See photo below. the picture does not show the bottom of the notch but it is always shorter. than the pattern. thanks for your guidance

I have completed the basic shaping of the four boats, and cut off the tabs. Before I did so I wrote B on the bottom on the Bow end and S on the stern end. The angles are very close and i did not want to make a mistake. Those on the green background were bare wood, those on the black background have a coat of wipe on poly on them. After I applied the poly I saw some divots that I had not noticed so I will apply some wood filler in the divots and re-sand and poly. I am at a standstill till my styrene arrives so I will start on the hull structure. I have not noticed any comments on whether the bulk heads are sanded before they are attached to the center keel? In some of the build logs I can see the dark laser burn and on other build logs the bulkhead's edge is white. Recommendations would be appreciated.

I thought it may be helpful to show the tools I used to work on these small boats. They are all part of my wood carving inventory. The first 3 micro bits are stump cutters, the next three are diamond bits, and the sanders are Guge bird carving bits, and the two knives are skews.

Some progress shaping the small boats after the glue up.

pinnace glued up

I have made the commitment to proceed with this build. Not without a lot of trepidation. I have not been a model builder, I have been a wood carver for 25 years, and have taught wood carving for the last 10 years. I needed a change of pace. Last year one of my carving students, a talented 11 year old, wanted to build a boat. Together we built the Mare Nostrum, it was not perfect but it was a success and has given me the courage to do this build. Due to an accident I only have limited use of my right hand. But I have made compensations that enabled me to carve. Realistically, I had to recognize that my limitations are such that I will not be doing any but minimal rigging, although I may attempt to complete the masts. I have read almost all of the other build logs of the USS Constitution by other members and have them all bookmarked on my computer. To begin, I have decided to follow the path of JSGerson and to build whale boats and pennace first. If I was not able to finish those then I would not have spoiled the kit for someone else. Unlike JSGerson and others who decided to build out the gun deck, I have decided that when I finish the small boats I will build the gun deck as set forth in the plans. Unlike Gerson I have not acquired the naval plans or Hunt's practicum and will instead rely on the numerous build logs here and the guidance of its members. I have ordered the styrene and the 1/32 basswood needed for the small boats. I have a 25 year collection of carving tools including the latest high tech rotary hand-pieces with a large assortment of micro bits and cutters. I will forego the pictures of the kit contents and will begin with pictures of the pieces cut out for the small boats. I did manage to get them removed with only one minor break that was easily repaired with CA. My only camera is my cell phone. I will start with the pictures of my carving studio where the construction will commence. I look forward to working with all interested and hope I will be able to continue to get young people involved in he hobbies related to working with wood. My past carving students assisted me in the building of my new studio and we look forward to using it for years to come.

Chuck, in the earliest notes discussing the plans for building Winnie, you expressed were skeptical about doing a group build due to a deep concern that Chinese rip offs would steal the plans. Has there been any evidence of that or has the security put in place worked?

this discussion thread has been very illuminating and i will share this build on the forum. It will be at least a month before I can start I am in the process of moving off Whidbey Island to Sequim which is on the mainland which has better medical facilities and conveniences. Living on an island is a great experience but as you get older it is hard.

Thanks for those links, I will relax now and just concentrate on doing what I can and let that speak for itself. I had no idea that was acceptable.

I have been given a new MS USS Constitution kit. I am an experienced wood carver, have carved award winning birds, see pictures attached. I use hand carving tools and micro power carving tools regularly. I had an accident 12 years ago and lost the motor nerve for my right bicep. My hand is still functional but I can not raise my arm. I routinely use my right hand to hold my carvings when working. I was right handed but relearned how to carve left handed. I have been reviewing the build logs for Conny and thought I could accomplish the build until I got to the section that involved the lines securing the cannons and the rigging. I do not see anyway that I could accomplish that. If I completed the build to that point and it was a quality build is it likely that anyone would be interested in doing the rigging?

this picture was taken before I used the fret saw to relieve the warping pressure. One of the reasons I started this project is because I am the lucky recipient of a full chest full of tools from a deceased person who built about 20 ships. Most of the tools I have not used yet but the mitre box was used to cut the flooring planks.

This is my first model build. I read some of the build logs here for the Mare Nostrum but most are for the redesign model in 2016. I got one of the old ones but the price was right. I made a vice before I started to assemble the kit. Once I started I had some difficulties identifying the kit pieces because they were not numbered. Unlike the redesign, there are not many pictures and very brief instructions. I assembled the false keel and glued it together. I added the planking to the floor section and secured it with contact cement. I made it solid and then cut out the holes for the ribs. I did not like the blandness of the planking so I stayed it so that it looked more realistic and then varnished it and the dividing walls. When I attached the flooring section to the false keel I needed to clamp it to force it down flat. After I took off the clamps I noticed that the keel section was no longer straight so I took a rally fine fret saw and shortened the flooring a blades width next to the ribs. It relieved the pressure and seemed to cure the slight bend. I have to put the bunks in next but I have not figured out how to make them look more realistic .ie a pillow, and some texture/loft. I put the false keel in the vice and glued on the rear section. So far I think it is ok.

Myaylor suggested I start a build log. Is there a template that you would recommend? I m assembling materials to build a vice to hold the keel. I will start assembly upon completion of vice build.

I have been a wood carver for 30 years, and have done mostly birds for the last 10. I relish doing really fine detail wood carving and thought I would try to build a ship. I bought a kit for Mare Nostrum and now I am in the research process prior to commencement of starting. Attached are 3 of my carvings.