realworkingsailor

Good grief - thinbles now!  There's no end to the products churning out of your blacksmiths shop, Michael!
 
John

Don't get discouraged, there are alot of people around here who are very interested in what you're doing. Don't even worry about the "numbers"
 
Andy

Hey Augie... Seen any groundhogs your way lately?
 
Last trip down the seaway, passing through one of the locks near Montreal.. Saw a whole field full... Darned near a dozen or more!
Wanted to go all "North Korea" on their @@@es (euphemistically speaking)...
 
Andy

After folding the brass over the steel it was ready for the curve at the end I used a loop of the same hard rod, this had to be heated red hot to bend.
 

 
the loop was hammered down to create thecompound curve in the rounded portion.
 

 
the ends were filed even before folding the thimble closed
 

 
a rope wrapped around the finished thimble with a shackle.
 

 
now to make a few more.
 
Michael

Hey Augie... Seen any groundhogs your way lately?
 
Last trip down the seaway, passing through one of the locks near Montreal.. Saw a whole field full... Darned near a dozen or more!
Wanted to go all "North Korea" on their @@@es (euphemistically speaking)...
 
Andy

Hey Augie... Seen any groundhogs your way lately?
 
Last trip down the seaway, passing through one of the locks near Montreal.. Saw a whole field full... Darned near a dozen or more!
Wanted to go all "North Korea" on their @@@es (euphemistically speaking)...
 
Andy

Andy,
The key is to use a very slow speed and to support the other end of the piece.  You'll need to clamp the drill down to something and then work on the other end.  Actually, about 1" in from the end of the piece.  You can put a block of wood (again clamped down) for that 1" or less bit at the end to spin in. 
 
Otherwise, grab some sandpaper, and rotate the wood in it by hand.  Slow going but you do other things, like sip a beverage, watch a movie, yell at the dog. 

Hi Andy,
 
Were you trying to put a square peg in a round hole (or triangular to be more exact)? That's why us guys with lathes have a four-jaw chuck .
 
 
Nope Augie - still the same deal, though to a slightly lesser extent. The three jaws of the chuck still won't seat properly.
 
  Danny

So after a marathon sleep, a small surprise at the door..... The FedEx man had a parcel for me from Model Expo... The square stock wood that I had ordered a little over a week ago showed up...
 
Sweet timing right?!
 
They didn't have any 6mm walnut, so I hesitatingly ordered the 6.5mm cherry instead.....big sigh of relief... Good decision.. The colour is not too far off the lighter walnut shades... So you really can't tell at a distance. Yay!
 
I'm waiting on one more package... (I'll share what that is if it arrives )
 
Andy

OK, time for a proper (Sjors approved) update.
 
As reported, the main and fore lower yards are now in place.  I've added the brace pendants, trusses and lanyards between the thimbles .
 

 

 
Here's what's really fun about this kit (thanks to Chuck).  When you put in a thimble, block or sheave way back on page 6 [without any concept of why you're doing it], when you get to page 116 and go looking for that item, it's already there!!!!!!  Really folks, these plans/instructions are the greatest thing since sliced bread.
 
In addition, the inboard main couse sheets and braces have been fixed to the bulwarks with about a mile of line waiting to be attached later (see above). 
 

 
We've just hit 1300 hours into  the build, adhering to my motto 'I may not be any good, but I am slow'. 
 
Will be finishing up jeers, lifts, leech/buntlines before moving on to the topsail yards.  Between shoveling snow, planting tomatoes (unusual, but this is Colorado) and an upcoming family visit we may be somewhat becalmed here.  But there's always time to do something.
 
All stay well.
 
 
 

So after a marathon sleep, a small surprise at the door..... The FedEx man had a parcel for me from Model Expo... The square stock wood that I had ordered a little over a week ago showed up...
 
Sweet timing right?!
 
They didn't have any 6mm walnut, so I hesitatingly ordered the 6.5mm cherry instead.....big sigh of relief... Good decision.. The colour is not too far off the lighter walnut shades... So you really can't tell at a distance. Yay!
 
I'm waiting on one more package... (I'll share what that is if it arrives )
 
Andy

Hello Andy,
 
Great! You made it home safely.
Now at least I can continue my silent following.
 
Happy modeling and take care,
 
Anja

So after a marathon sleep, a small surprise at the door..... The FedEx man had a parcel for me from Model Expo... The square stock wood that I had ordered a little over a week ago showed up...
 
Sweet timing right?!
 
They didn't have any 6mm walnut, so I hesitatingly ordered the 6.5mm cherry instead.....big sigh of relief... Good decision.. The colour is not too far off the lighter walnut shades... So you really can't tell at a distance. Yay!
 
I'm waiting on one more package... (I'll share what that is if it arrives )
 
Andy

Time now to move on to the making and installing of the masts and the standing rigging. This installment will go through to the rigging to the lower masts. The kit contained neither materials nor plans for the masting and rigging. The work was done with reference to TFFM Vol. IV and to Lees, "The Masting And Rigging Of English Ships Of War".
 
The bowsprit and the masts were all made from dowel, tapered and shaped as necessary. The square sections of the lower masts were cut in and flats filed for the addition of the cheeks, hounds and bibbs. On the top masts, the square heads were cut in and the other square and octagonal sections were built up. Lacking a lathe, I have found this easier than working from square stock. The caps and tops were made from boxwood.  Having now seen the work of Remco and Blue Ensign, my list of "I wish I hads" includes the detailing found on their masts.
 
The deadeyes used were all commercial, but all of the hearts and the long tackle and sister blocks in the standing rigging were made using boxwood strip. The standing rigging was all done with black Morope. As is my habit, I started with the bowsprit and then proceeded to the lower mizzen and worked forward. 
 
 
The rigging started with the bowsprit gammoning, bobstays and shrouds and then proceeded through the pendants, shrouds, stays, preventer stays, catharpins, futtock shrouds, ratlines and  crowsfeet for the lower masts. I also added various lead blocks including those for the upper stays and the jeer blocks and pendants. I had never done crowsfeet before and found them to be a considerable challenge.
 
Bob
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Just a wee bit of progress before covering the old ship for a while.  Applying the netting to the bow or fore deck before the roundhouses.  Some of you did this early, however, I was afraid I would destroy the netting or bumpkins while rigging the bow sprit.  First a view of the bow without the netting.
The real ship with netting viewed from inboard.
A simple drawing with measurements to act as a template for the netting.24 gauge annealed wire shaped from the template. A small hook at each end to fit an eyebolt at the roundhouse and at the bow.Wire glued to the netting, over wax paper (tulle) with C/A
Netting placed  starboard.Netting placed on port
Adding the foot ropes to the bowsprit, jib boom and flying jib boom.  A little dilute (10:1 water/white glue helps maintain the natural draping of the line.
A fun view comparing the bow sprit cap on the real ship and the model.
There will probably be a two to three month hiatus as we look to the open water. (after a lot of sanding varnishing and painting) Like Andy's view of sunset on the Great Lakes, all seems right with the world looking at the sunrise crossing the Gulf of Alaska.  Cheers, Gil

Not to worry.... I made it home safely
 
Everything was just as I left it.... No signs of wabbits or popcorn....whew
 
A laundry list of things to do....building shall resume soon
 
Andy

well......it's about time you got home.........I've already drank a six-pack waiting for you!   so.......now to celebrate!.....another six-pack!  BURP!!!

Not to worry.... I made it home safely
 
Everything was just as I left it.... No signs of wabbits or popcorn....whew
 
A laundry list of things to do....building shall resume soon
 
Andy

Not to worry.... I made it home safely
 
Everything was just as I left it.... No signs of wabbits or popcorn....whew
 
A laundry list of things to do....building shall resume soon
 
Andy

And here, all this time we've been worried about Sjors and his battle fleet...
 
Sneeky sneeky wabbits!
 
Andy

For the record (and hopefully some clarity) I never refered to wabbits as anything other than noble wabbits. I was merely contrasting their helpfulness and guidance with the misleading information provided by the other rodent..
 
Andy

**Andy is desperately trying to avoid an international incident brought on by the misunderstanding of his intentions by a group of wabbits**

Wabbits: kindly creatures that assist certain builders sorting out issues with problem areas of their ships. Usually associate in groups. Known for a love of fresh veggies.
 
Groundhogs: miserable rodents who prognosticate on the possibility of the early arrival of warm spring weather...and leave you to freeze your backside off for six weeks longer than you're supposed to. Solo animal known for digging large holes in fields to trap large livestock. Eats like a lawnmower
 
Andy

Not to worry.... I made it home safely
 
Everything was just as I left it.... No signs of wabbits or popcorn....whew
 
A laundry list of things to do....building shall resume soon
 
Andy

Not to worry.... I made it home safely
 
Everything was just as I left it.... No signs of wabbits or popcorn....whew
 
A laundry list of things to do....building shall resume soon
 
Andy