realworkingsailor

Futtock staves.... here's what I've come up with: I started off with some 0.020" Brass wire, because the 1mm kit supplied wither is too thick to be used if you're going to serve them, as they should be. Even the 0.020" wire looks a little thick (by my "calibrated eye"), but it will do. Serving is easy in this case, just tie off the end and start wrapping. When I had enough wire wrapped, I dipped the whole thing in acrylic matte medium, and let it dry. I did this a couple of times more. This won't secure the thread to the wire, but it will secure it to itself, and will hold long enough, that when the time comes to cut the stave to length, there's enough time to get a drop of glue on the end without having the whole thing come unwound. Having flush cutting nippers helps, and is pretty much a necessity. I don't recommend regular wire cutters becuase in order to restore the flat end, you'd need to pass a file over it, and that's just too risky. After all that it's simply a matter of scuring the staves to the shrouds. I just used a simple clove hitch on an angle across the stave and shroud, I would also alternate the angle: / or \, to keep the thing from twisting too much. Tie off three or four to start (spaced a couple shrouds apart). That will be enough to hold the thing in position. Let the glue securing the knots dry, cut the leftover ends and tie a few more. Continue until finished. Finally I did a final trim to length, and after the glue dried, added a small dab of black paint on the end of the wire. Mobbsie, unfortunately my rest time at home is going to be very limited, I will have to go back to work next week. Just one of those things, I'm affraid. The good news is, I'm hoping to stay until December so I'll get Christmas at home, and hopefully my holiday will extend to next spring fitout. Fingers crossed. Andy

Quite some progress you've accomplished to date! Andy

Another option is to consider something from The Lumberyard... Check out the "Oneida"... According to the kit info, all the hull timbering is laser cut... Andy

Nice job, you're just motoring through the rigging! Andy

The big issue with the Endeavour that I've seen (according to a few people that have built her),is her particularly bluff bow can be a b***** to plank, even for an experienced builder. But don't let it discourage you, there are enough people around here who have succeeded building her, so it IS possible. Another option you may wish to consider, is the Model Shipways "Syren". She's from a slightly later time period, but there are many here who have built her, and the kit designer himself has been known to hang around here and offer his assistance. Andy

Ok...well, I made it home last night... A little tired... But that's too be expected. Had some running around to do today, but I did make a start on the futtock staves. I started off trying the kit supplied brass wire, but I found it a little too thick, especially after being served. So...I scrounged around and found some 0.020" wire, which, although still a little thick, looks a whole lot better. I'll try and have some photos up when there is some actual progress. I'm still in the test/experimental stages as I figure these things out... Andy

These things work great: http://www.micromark.com/spike-insertion-plier,8242.html I can't believe that more people don't use them..... Andy

I don't think any one manufacturer would count as "the best". Some offer more stylized models, others offer some more prototypical kits. It all depends on what your goals and abilities are. The more prototypical kits tend to require a bit more skill, whereas the others may tend to be simpler in construction. Of course I'm speaking in sweeping generalizations here... So don't take what I say as the ultimate rule of law when it comes to kit quality. To really get the most out of this hobby, it's best to start with something simpler, but still within your interests. Cut your teeth on an inexpensive kit. There's no point throwing down $$$$ on an expensive model only to end up tossing in in sheer frustration. If you like the Endeavour, I'd suggest starting off with an Amati "Lady Nelson" or a Caldercraft "Sherbourne" cutter. Both are fairly simple inexpensive, well designed, plank-on-bulkhead kits, of the same era. You could have either of them done within the timespan of about a year. What's better, if I'm not mistaken, is Caldercraft's Endeavour is the same scale, so you could, in the long run, work your way to a nice little display. Hope that helps a bit Andy

Is your figurehead resin? If so you can fix any misshaping by a quick dunk in boiling water to temporarily restore its plyability. Otherwise, she's looking really nice. Andy

Yup, have to agree, she's looking great. You just have to keep telling yourself "rigging is fun, rigging is fun" Andy

Either would be a good choice, regardless of price. Whith the Syren, though, you also have the added bonus of the kit designer to help you as well as the logs. Andy

For all the fairing that kit needs...... I think I may have to get one of those toys... On another note, nice job Augie! Andy

B.E..... I can't believe I set myself up like that... Peter, good to hear from you again Hamilton, thanks buddy! Can't wait to see a little more of your build when you have the chance Andy

You could also try enclosing the ship in a garbage bag and dropping in a good quantity of mothballs. Andy

Adeline, it's never too late I know that may sound a little self serving, but as I said before, I am very flattered, and I hardly feel like I deserve such praise. Thank you all so very much. Andy

What can I say that has not been already said..... Repeatedly... Very nicely done. (I know... Understated.. ) Andy

John, that's the Seaway for ya! Bust a 1" mooring wire and you've got sometimes less than 30 minutes between locks to either reel off the leftovers and roll on a new 700 foot wire.... Or slam in a new 9' eye splice.... (The best solution is to not break the wire in the first place... )

You know, if you move the table a bit to the left... Suspend the TV from the ceiling.... Get rid of the book case and stuff all the books on the window ledge... You'd be halfway to creating enough space for a certain 1:64 Vic....

Harvey, it's prepared acrylic matte medium from Scenic Express. And yes, a bit of basic seamanship goes a looong way BTW I have spliced wire rope........ Not as time consuming as you might think... Greg, thank you very much..... It may sound corny, but I'm a fan of your work.... Andy

Well... I am very flattered by everyone's responses... Thank you all so very much. Something tells me if I could run an online course on the subject if I actually knew what I was doing.. Well what a difference a phone call makes... Sort of... So instead of one ship, on Saturday, I leave tomorrow for another... But it's only for pilotage, up and down the seaway, so I figure five days or so and I'll be back again...all things going well. A small yay for me... Andy

A few more photos for everyone. (and yes a couple of GFPs..... I can't help it..... honest! ) As I said last night, bowsprit shrouds are done. Although it doesn't really look it in the photos, they are, in fact, equal length. I've sort of reached a natural stopping point this time, nothing really half done. About the only thing I'll do is brush on some matte medium to protect the rigging I've done in the last 2 weeks. Andy

It could also be access to the afterpeak store (which would have been separate from the quarters below deck. Andy

She looks very nice, John. I need to make a point of stopping by here more often. Andy

I'm also thinking of rigging mine... However at the rate things are going with my Pegasus.... It will be perhaps another year before I just start building... Andy

Thanks again, everyone! Every time I turn around there seems to be more new faces hanging around my build log..... And that's a wonderful thing. Well...I did manage the bowsprit shrouds this afternoon. A little bit of a challenge, seeing as the heart has to be set in a splice at one end. Effectively a served, hard eyesplice (a hard eye being any eyesplice with a thimble or heart, as opposed to a soft eye, without). Had to take care not to pull out the faked splice when continuing the serving elsewhere on the line. But time draws near to start cleaning up the shipyard yet again. Can't ever seem to get enough time there to do all the things I want to.... Andy