Mirabell61

While working on the next batch of guns, I decided to make the lower main capstan, the first of three capstans that will be done. As with the other deck items, I chose to make the capstan from boxwood strip and sheet. It was a very enjoyable piece to make, with the exception of the 16 tiny chocks that had to be individually fitted between the whelps. Very fiddly work, but satisfying to get it done.
 
The guns are well along and should be mounted and rigged in the next few days.
 
Bob

Finished up the after cabin tonight except for the ship's bell. I will install the bell just before rigging so I don't have to worry about knocking it off or bending it.
 
It's kind of hard to see but the skylight is cut out and I installed a piece of blackened wood covered in packing tape to simulate the glass. I was originally going to use a window from an envelope and let you see into the skylight a bit but that didn't look very good as I made the skylights too close to the frame and there wasn't enough glue area to attach the clear plastic
 
All that's left for the after cabin is to coat it in wipe on poly and glue it to the deck. It's pretty exciting to see parts being attached to the deck after so much work!
 

After cabin hatch is complete. The harsh light I use makes it look worse than it does in person. The mahogany stain is too dark but it's consistent across the whole ship. I would definitely use a lighter stain doing it over again. I have some actual mahogany but it's far too coarsely grained to work at scale.
 

 
I decided to do a test chamfer with some dogwood. First impressions are that this is a very hard, straight grained, and dense wood that takes a very fine and shiny finish. Also that I am not setup to work with hard woods. Most of my kit is setup for soft woods. Even my super sharp chisel has trouble slicing through the wood but it does so very cleanly.
 
I will mill up some 1/8" strips on the bandsaw and see if I can get a passable bitt out of it.
 

Started working on the samson posts. I'm not real happy with the result. I cannot seem to make those chamfers even. If anyone has suggestions on how to make them I'm all ears.
 

 
Here is the picture of the after cabin trunk plans. I don't really understand what it's supposed to look like. The top is planked & caulked. I don't understand how that structure with the rounded top and slide out panel is supposed to attach. Especially since the fore and aft profiles don't match.
 
This is the largest deck structure so I want to get it right.
 

Work is progressing, slowly. I'm finding that I don't enjoy this phase of the build very much. Everything seems to depend on something else getting built or bought or painted. And what can be built is ambiguous. I'm trying my best to slog through it all and get to the point where it feels like I'm doing something productive again.
 
For example to install the bowsprit I need to: install the winch and bitts and add banding/blocks and do final painting on the bowsprit. To install the winch I need to paint the white metal casting. And fabricate the housing. To add the banding I need to get some blackening solution and silver solder paste. Not to mention that I don't know how to make some of the details it calls for. 
 
The bitts give me trouble. They're 1/8" square and need to have a bevel on top and a chamfer and lark's tongue shaped on each edge. The basswood does not like to hold sharp detail at that small of a scale. I'm thinking of leaving off the edge detail unless I can find a solution.
 
So I finished installing the top rail. I need to add a couple pieces to the bow area and do final sanding/staining but the rail itself is in place and to size. I did the joint at the transom piece a little differently than the plans show but it's barely visible and saved me an hour of work. I can retrofit the fillet piece if I feel like it later with a couple cuts on each corner.
 

 
The fancy piece at the transom is installed as well. It has not been final shaped yet, giving it an asymmetric appearance. The paint was applied just to get the edge painted. I will sand to final width when I add the side fashion pieces and a second piece of trim at the transom. The final painting will happen when I paint the hull.
 

 
I also started on the main boom. It has been shaped to size and sheaves simulated. I need to add some bands, add the fork, and do final staining/painting/top coat. I work on the masting here and there because I'll probably go crazy if I had to do it all at once! It is satisfying to make shavings instead of dust though.
 
I need to either pick up some silver solder paste and blacken-it or just resolve myself to painting the brass. I'm not real keen on painting brass though.
 

main mast mocked up and installed. it's amazing these ships even work with that much sail area.

 
top rail installed. sides of the rail need the stain touched up where I adjusted the fit. the rail at the transom will have to wait until I get the transom trim installed.

This is the third time posting this build log here. Hopefully this one doesn't get deleted  :mellow:
 
I started the build Jan 2 2013. I have 40-50 hours in it at this point.
 
planking begins

 
planking completed. unsanded.

 
coamings installed and painted.

 
deck planking begins

 
deck planking completed

 
bulwark stanchions installed

 
bulwark completed

 

Tadeusz43 I like the step by step on the sails as the rope edging is exposed and that's how I have to do my sails. Thanks.
 
Petervisser... the therapeutic lessons are coming I'm sure and sometimes my patience does were thin and sewing a thread  around a rope will, I'm sure increase patience.
 
Sherry, thank you for your ideas for gluing as I did go out and buy myself a tube of speed-sew.
 
Mirabell61... I copied your plans for my files as there are ideas that I like in what you do with sails.
 
Thanks to everyone as the time to do my sails is drawing nigh.

Your usual superb work Remco.
 
Bob

Those straps are beautifully done, Remco.

Thanks all.
 
Yes Mark the rabbet was cut using chisels, as it curves in two directions no way I could do it on a mill.
 
The parts that make up the helmport are an interesting exercise in testfitting to get them right
 

 

 

 

 

 
The straps to the counter timbers were cut from 0.2 mm brass sheet and bend to shape, 0.4 mm brass bolts (actually a bit oversized) were used to glue the strips down
 

 

 
Remco

Starboard main mast channel attached, and brass supports from above...
Position check with chainplates to end before the wale...
 
Nils
 
 
 

three supports
 

chainplate length fits

Thanks all!
Meanwhile, all gunports lids were fitted into the ports.
Only the last pair is still to be finished. They are for the gun port in the bow on the port side.
This gun port is a special case, because of the rounding of the bow.
The fit of this cover halves at this place requires special attention.
This couple also receives a dropfront as a protection against the armature.

 

 

 
To be continued ...
 

Congrats Johann,
you have delivered first class work in admirable Performance and Quality, also the photos are great, in all a delight to see
 
Nils

Starboard main mast channel attached, and brass supports from above...
Position check with chainplates to end before the wale...
 
Nils
 
 
 

three supports
 

chainplate length fits

am exercising with the channels right now, but thought it would be best to mount the side decors first. The etched Amati decors are very precise and I can imagine for those building the kit the Position and size of the gunports are readily given and cut out, but when building to plan, one has to place those gunports absolutely exact, otherwise the decor`s outcut spaces wont fit properly
 
 
Nils
 
 

the etched decors were brushed over with a fine grit to get tem shiny again and then sealed off with clear varnish
 

all fits into the scheme well
 

 
 

main mast starboard channel plate, underside, 2mm three layer ply
 

topside, shall see how the angle Support bracket fit best later on, and where those are to be spaced, so the do`nt hinder the deadeyetackles

You could of used a mechanical fixing with wooden supports Nils,but I don't think that they would have looked as nice in view of all the natural brass you have on the build.I hope your supply of half round brass stretches out otherwise you may end up filing a few to shape
 
Kind Regards
 
Nigel

Planking the hull...
 
Dražen

Here is the half deck to be inserted later
 
Dražen

... and here are the recent photos I made in Zagreb last weekend when meeting Mile.
 
The decks... my camera did the colours a little too bright at some photos.
 
Dražen

... and making the decks
 
Dražen

Starboard main mast channel attached, and brass supports from above...
Position check with chainplates to end before the wale...
 
Nils
 
 
 

three supports
 

chainplate length fits

Starboard main mast channel attached, and brass supports from above...
Position check with chainplates to end before the wale...
 
Nils
 
 
 

three supports
 

chainplate length fits

Little update / New toy
 
So I gave in and bought a Dremel, proper handy little all rounder it is too. Yet to exploit its full potential but can think of many uses for it. 
 
I have spruced up the gratings, they are arced a little now and sanded to the arc of the deck a bit more too so look a lot better. I'm fairly happy with these now so they are in place.
 
Dry fitted the pumps so a lick of paint and they will be good to go. Companionway will be adjusted too, I want it to stand out a little more so may give that a lick of paint whilst I am at it.
 
Was hoping to get the port side cannons rigged up last weekend too but for some reason I was struggling again with it, I find walking away and coming back normally helps.
 
Hopefully I will get them finished this weekend and then I can finish off the deck 

Hi jiljilia,
 
here is a Version which is complete machine-sewn, also the bolt rope to the edge..
I boroughed my wife`s sewing machine
 
Nils