Ras Ambrioso

Guys, thanks for the likes. I am learning this new craft (scratch building) from the very beginning since, up to now, only built kits. Your comments and support have been invaluable in my work. I like Valeriy's suggestion for the ships boats to use a hose stocking and epoxy.

Not enough words: excellent, beautiful, outstanding………ad Infiniti

Francis, Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately I live in Florida quite far from Ontario. But your model looks awesome and I have wondered the same thing about the figures. I would love to know where you got them. My scale is 1/24 which is a little larger I have very little information on the cockpit details. My plans only shows to big hand levers at each side of the helm. It also appears to have no partition into the engine room. I have not done any work on this model yet, other than purchasing the hull. I am still completing my other project: Amapá, a Brazilian custom cruiser scratch built in 1/64 scale.

For the last two weeks I have been struggling with the ladders. After listening to Kevin Kenny's video I ordered a new tilting arbor saw that also permitted controlling the height of the blade. The saw that Kevin uses is a Byrnes and it is quite expensive so I went for the Microlux from Micromark. Unfortunately, the fence has to be relocated by hand and eyeball every time. Regardless, I managed to get the ladders built as shown in my previous posting. Once I tried in the model it looked awfully out of scale. I decided to tinker around and build a double draftsman "T" fence. This one worked a little better but I still had trouble accurately cutting the groove while advancing the fence by hand. Then I went back online to Micromark and found they have a fence attachment called "accuriser". As you can see in the photo it is a sliding fence that holds parallel to the blade. Can be adjusted in 0.005" increments. It also has a draftsman T lock end. This did the job an I was able to cut the and groove the sides of the stairs closer to scale. I used a jig to assemble the stair and proceeded to install the steps using a super thin walnut veneer. All was going well until I decided to challenge the saw and try to get the sides thinner. The catastrophe stroke as the saw very cleanly broke all the steps. If you notice on the picture the grain of the veneer was running by the short sides. LOL. Back to the drawing board. I redid all the stairs now using paper stock for the steps and this did the job. I have to say that it still has a fews booboos but for it looks acceptable to me. Next I will be tackling the masts rigging and build the ship's boats. I have been thinking about making a solid wood mold and use dope and tissue to make the hull. Something like papier-maché. Thanks for watching.

Amazing. With my +/-0.5 mm tolerance I’ll never make it. I have struggling trying to make my ladders (1/64 scale) more to scale but haven’t got it right yet.

Valerie you are a genius. One of my future projects on Amapa is the boat davits. I cannot get the details like you can but I’ll try my best.

Amazing as always.

Progress continues. To fabricate the stairs I found that they were too small to use the same method I used on the Fifie. So I did a web research and found the videos by Kevin Kenny on the building of the steamer Naparima. HIs videos are excellent "do-it-yourself" guides. Using his methods I completed the sideboards for my midship ladders. The steps are minuscule and I will be installing them tomorrow but I was so excited about my success that I wanted to share it with the forum. On the top of the picture is the method used. I think that the secret lies in using large wood stock, cutting the grooves on both sides by reversing the miter guide and then slicing the sideboards. The result is a bit over-scaled but I have a limit on how small I can make stuff.

Well I am back. These last few weeks I have been busy on a "volunteer" project at my building. Now that is done, I am back at Amapá. It is taking a considerable amount of time do some of the miniatures, specially, when I got to figure how to do it. Having seen what people like Valerliy and Wefalk can do with soldering I have tried to emulate them. Following is my first attempt at the cross bracing for the bridge Not too Not bad but, I am not sure I can do a clean job while working directly on the model. My hands shake too much. Therefore ,I think I will leave soldering for the next project once I practice a little more. In the meantime AC glue is doing the work. Next I fabricated the spider webs for the masts rigging. . Another fitting for the bow's stay ends. And finally completed the bridge railings and awning frame and the forward jack staff. A few things are still left to do, specifically the the railings, the boats , the ladders and the rigging. Thanks to all of you for your support and example. This model has been quite an education and, even though there are many mistakes in my work, I am satisfied and eager to complete it.

Again an excellent performance at micro scale. I will follow your conclusions when I get to build the boats for Amapa. Originally I planned to use some scale plastic boat hulls and build the interior structure on one of them. now I am going to do two of them covered like yours and for the small one I will try to plank against a mold and detail the interior. Fingers crossed!

Amazing what you can do at that scale.

Again magnificent work. Valeriy must have the most detailed plans for Variag. That coupled with incredible craftsmanship results in his museum quality plus work. Our hobby is proud of people like you.

Amazing challenge as usual. You are really a master at microscaling. I have similar boats to make for Amapa (at 1/64 scale). Following your steps, The two large ones will be covered and I will do the little jolly boat using the paper for planking.

Thanks for the compliments. I am trying my best within my capabilities. Y'all have been a tremendous help.

Here is the final product. The forward deck is done. The stanchions and railing and mooring bollards will come later after all the deck work is done. The next challenge is the ladders. Two for the bridge and three for the midships. Thanks for looking.

Things are looking good. The winch progresses. The bollard looking things are actually the steam cylinders. At my work tolerance (.0.5mm) I am having trouble transferring dimensions to the very tiny pieces, thus, you may see a little bit of asymmetry in my work. But I am learning fast in this new world of scratch building. Following is my interpretation of the anchor chain stoppers. Since this is my first scratch building I am learning as I go. The first lesson is that you have to think about how to build all the parts. No laser cut or etched pieces with numbers to match the locations. You have to figure out how to make each and install each piece in the right sequence. Sometimes you goof, and then, you go back and redo. Sometimes you figure that is your best, and you let it pass. Perhaps you will do better in the next project. I think that this is the challenge and, may I say, the fun of it. So, for you beginners, go on, try it. Watch our masters craftsmen and learn. It is all worth while.

A little more progress. Doing what I like best which is lathe work. Being away from this for over 20 years. Re-learning how to sharpen tools. Here is the latest feat: the beginnings of the anchor winch. Next step is to fabricate the base with the steam power and trying to scratch some teethes on the driving gears.

Wefalk, you never stop to amaze me. I worry about parts less than 0.5 mm and, here you are, working at 0.05 mm. Your ship model looks more like a 1/16 scale. My hat is off to you.

Today I worked on the Downton bilge pump. I couldn't find a proper size brass rod in my supply and used a brass screw. Following are the the completed parts. Please note that the hand wheel is a purchased item. I am not even sure if it is a still available. The finished product: And its place on deck: I will be busy elsewhere the rest of the week but, I I will continue next week with the last of the lathe works: the anchor winch.

Finally Amapá is armed. The gun is finished, perhaps not as sharp finished as we find on our master's work, but very satisfying to this first scratch builder. Parts under construction: The assembled gun: On deck: Very satisfying!! 😀 Worth a beer 🍺or two 🍺🍺 Next challenges are the anchor winch and the Downton bilge pump. Tune in next week.

Doing what I like best which is working with my Unimat lathe. The 3 pounder Hotchkiss QF gun under construction. Next I will tackle the winch and the Downton bilge pump. The last picture is a dry fit of the parts.

I am still working on Amapá but wanted to keep this log alive. It is amazing the time it takes to scratch build all the tiny details of a gunboat. The Mimi kit from Deans Marine finally arrived and the plastic hull is beautiful. Some of the metal fittings are castings and thus a little rough. My intention is to scratch build the hull from the frames up. Can hardly wit to get started in this new project. The kit is intended for R/C controls and there is a YouTube presentation of a finish model on action (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acRCBaoglus). Thanks for following.

Completed the searchlight. The buggy wheels exceeded my 0.5 mm tolerance so I provided a roller. The searchlight still need the glazing and a good cleanup before mounting on the bridge. Following are the parts And the finished product. When the searchlight is in its place on the bridge, I will add four guy wires to secure it to the deck as shown in Valerliy photo (Post #114).

Thanks a lot Valeriy. Good to hear from you. we all worry about you Again, your extensive files saves the day.

Following is the aft emergency steering station. This is is the beginning of the main, and only, gun for this ship. Still working on the breech detaling. And here is are the parts for the bridge wheel. BTW the wheels and binnacles were purchased, I am not yet at that level of detail. Next are the parts for the traveling searchlight still under fabrication. I am trying to figure out how to add the wheels. It seems to me that just rolling them on rails will result in the searlight tipping over under weather. The plans (Post # 112) show what looks like guy wires while the light is at the center of the bridge. But this would be a hard to relocate as the light is moved. The photo provided by Valeriy (Post # 114) does not show any type of anchoring system to keep the light under heavy sea. I would appreciate your comments. The photo shows the base, spindle and the body still unfinished. And little by little Amapá is taking shape. Thanks for following. My best wishes for the safety of Valeriy and his family.