edmay

Excellent work both on the hand pumps and belaying pins! I am speechless!

Tarbrush - thank you for watching my log
 
Today I wanted to post some photos of my home-made ropewalk and serving machine.
 

Its a beautiful red sky night,looking out towards Aust.,looked up and asked the man to help with the leg problem,get well soon,lots of people are rooting for you.Edwin

Hello Speedy,Now I know you must be modeling in padded room, a pass through hatch in the door,your wife bringing groceries and models,no time for chores, grass cutting,pulling weeds etc. what a nice life you live,model is looking great,. ps not the anthem,the beatles love love love.Edwin

Hello Nenad,An interesting build and an interesting builder,your English is fine,MSW is a great learning tool with friendly, helpful, comradeship,will follow your log,Edwin.

Hi Bender
 
Well thanks to you and the other Panart/Mantua San Felipe build logs, I am now the proud owner of the same!
 
My kit is being shipped from Italy on Tuesday and I can hardly wait. Now I just need to retire to start building all these kits LOL.
 
This was a deal I didn't want to pass up! Do you know if  there much difference between the recent release and older release?
 
I'll let you know which it is that I got/
 
Cheers
Steve

The San Felipe

 

I posted a build log about the San Felipe on the old forum but I stopped building because I had to fight a serious illness that took 3 years of my life. In that period my modeling was almost zero and my updates were slow and far apart so my build log disappeared slowly to the end of the list on the old forum. Just when I announced my come-back on the forum, disaster struck again. My mom got very sick and we needed al the spare time we had to look after her. Sadly she past away. The only good thing about this was that we were able to move into the house I was born and raised. Moving in, an living, in an very old house takes it's time. A little over a Year has passed and I finally can start working on my hobby room/workshop and My models. At the moment I'm working on the San Felipe and waiting in the wings are the Lauckstreet Fair American and Mamoli's Royal Louis, but that is a whole different story.

 

When I got introduced to ship modeling (in the pre-internet era) I bought myself a book about ship modeling (in German) by Vincento Lusci. That was an reprint from an older book and full of tips, photo's and drawings and I consider it still as one of the best books around. It was by the way the only book I could find. Anyway, in that book were some drawings and pictures of a San Felipe model. I was hooked right away. Later when my library grew I got another book with some photo's from a scratch-build San Felipe and I consider that model still as one of the best. Needles to say that one day I would built that one. 

 

Time past by (read: built Mantua's Victory, Mamoli's Bounty & Rattlesnake, AL's whaleboat, Sergals Victory in commission my 2nd Victory, Corel's Victory midship section, galeone veneto and Coronne) and I was asked to help out with making some advertisings for the local model shop. They bought a Mac and scanner but didn't had a clue how to operate it, since I was a photographer they thought I new my way around with graphic computers. Beside that it was a strange way of thinking they were right. So I learned them how to make a decent scan. I used a catalog from Mantua as scan example. at the front there was a picture of the San Felipe. I didn't now that Mantua had a model of it and I said " some day I'm going to build that one".

 

After an afternoon scanning and explaining. They thought they got it so I wanted to leave. The shop owner was very pleased with my help and asked "what do I ow you?" I said "nothing, but make me a good deal on my next purchase". When I was outside he came after me with the San Felipe kit as a present. He asked me if it was a problem that the cardboard gunport template was missing. So there I stood with a San Felipe kit in my hands.

 

Next time I will tell you a bit more about the kit and my research after the ship the kit is based on.

Hi Mates,
I have not posted on this log in a while, but it is because I am at a point where progress appears slow and I don't want to put photos that show little progress. I am doing the upper shrouds and ratlines on the main mast. Since this ship has 5 stage masts, that is a lot of clove hitches.  I am almost finished and will post some more photos in about 2 days or so.
 
Vince P.

How To Add Pictures in your Posts and PMs
 
1. Open the Edit Box by clicking the "Edit" at the bottom of the Post :
 

 
2. Click on the "Full Editor" button :
 

 
3. Click on the "Choose Files" button :
 

 
This will open a Dialog Box to your Computer Files. Select the picture file you want to add and click "Save" (or "Open") to upload the picture.
 
4. Place the Cursor where you want the picture added. You can use the Icons (circled) to position it on the line :
 

 
5. Click on the "Add to Post" text under the Thumbnail of the picture. This adds the Attachment Code into the message at the position you selected :
 

 
6. You can add more Text after the picture if you want, or add more pictures (limit of 8 per Post).
 

 
 
7. Click on the "Submit" button. You can use the "Preview" button to make sure your layout is OK before clicking Submit. If you need to Edit your Post again simply restart the process by clicking on "Edit" again. You MUST use the "Full Editor" to post extra Pictures.
 

 
A view of the completed Post with Text and Picture Added :
 

.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TUTORIAL IS FROM THE PREVIOUS VERSION OF MSW AND NO LONGER WORKS AS DESCRIBED. AN UPDATED VERSION WILL BE POSTED SHORTLY.

Okay Larry, from where I stand (up here north of you) it looks like things are not that bad. I think that what you are seeing is that perhaps your hull could have underwent a bit more fairing. With that said it is important to note that the gun ports taper a little, getting wider towards the bottom. Also it may be worth noting that gun ports towards the sten taper a little more then the gun ports in the middle and he gun ports at the bow tend to taper the most. I don't think that your plank steer is installed poorly but I would suggest that if you are brave enough removing the plank sheer might be helpful, you could over shim the sides of the gun ports that are low and re fair everything to your liking, dry fit the plank sheer and then when ready reinstall it. I had to remove a few planks that had been glued to my hull so far that we're not to my liking, all I did was very carefully and slowly cut loose the problem areas with an exacto knife, but depending on the glue used you could dissolve it to. If I were you I would both shim the gun ports deeper and fair the hull a little more. On my Niagara I had to extend the gun port sill a little, but the trick is not to do it too much. You want to give that ship curves but not too much curves.
 
Brian, ps. Happy 4 of July, you live in a great Country, be proud!

Good Morning Adriaan,love the lights(cool)very impressive,hope you get your other parts soon,Edwin

Decided to have a little side project going on while I also work on my Syren. Need to have a ship build going during any "wait" time on the Syren.
 
So all I have done so far is sort all the timbers...
These imperial measurements aren't natural for me! - 1/8" and above I am fine with and can visualise - but anything less.. well as far as I am concerned its just "little" - I cant picture it.
Silly thing is - I work with both imperial and metric all day with my work - but the scale is a whole lot larger. We all tend to refer to ID pipe diameter in inches....lineal measurements in meters....grinder sizes in inches.. drill bits and any "holes" in mm etc etc ec
 

 
I do need a longer sorting box though - this one was originally made for the little 18th Century long Boat.  Next time I take a trip out of here - I will get some more timber and MFD to build a much longer one. I find it very useful keeping things sorted.
 

 
I have now cleared the table (lap top is only for MSE reference while I build and a few DVD's or music.. it usually lives on another bench)
So.. I will start with a it of cleaning up laser burns and getting the bulkheads tabs glued and keel glued..
 
 

Bob thank you very much for your great tutorial.
 
Janos your photos are very helpful.
I'm admiring your amazing work on Royal Caroline. It's very inspiring for me.
 
Thank you all
Kostas

If you're doing a French ship from the 1700's this book is a "must have".  Even if you're not building a French ship, his techniques are worth the price.  It's available in several languages.  I have no connection to ANCRE other than being a happy customer.
 
From the ANCRE website:
DESCRIPTION Bernard Frölich has always been a builder of ship's models. As a geographical engineer, he discovered Jean Boudriot's books and monographs in the late 70s. He fell in love with the beauty of sailing ships of the classic period and since then has dedicated all his free time to building historical navy models.
This practical experience made him a genuine authority in that field. He has published numerous articles on that subject over the past years. At our request, he has gathered, edited and significantly enriched these articles in order to produce his book.
L'ART DU MODELISME describes the author's experience and methods in 300 pages abundantly illustrated with numerous drawings, sketchs and more than 600 commentated photos. In this book, Frölich describes in detail all the crafts that a shipmodeler must master : he must be in turn a shipwright; a carpenter; a cabinetmaker; a marqueter; a blacksmith; a ropemaker and a sailmaker. He shows that any beginner, if he is industrious and persevering, can master this art. This fact becomes all the more evident since we can see the tremendous progress made by the author himself through the use of photographs of his own work. This book itself is a tremendous learning experience. In the first twenty pages Frölich describes his studio, his tools and equipment and his library. He then devotes about one hundred pages to the timbers of a 1730 merchant vessel , the Mercure, and to M.de Tourville 's three-decker vessel of 1680, L'Ambitieux. In the next one hundred twenty pages, the author discusses the equipment, fittings, guns, decoration and sculptures, ship's boats and rigging. The final sixty pages offer a description of Frölich's own models (all at 1:48 scale ) : the schooner Jacinthe; the lugger Coureur; the brig Cyclope; the bomb ketch Salamandre; the 12-pdr frigate Belle Poule; the merchant vessel Mercure and the xebec Requin. The unfinished model of L'Ambitieux - the Chevalier de Tourville's three-decker vessel - is abundantly described in the chapter on framework.
Although the author denies it, this book is a genuine treatise on historical naval shipmodeling. The photographs included show that the skills of today 's shipmodelers match the talent of the creators of the period model pieces preserved and displayed in our museums.

 
 
 

Larry, Joseph, Brian and Rich..........hello to all, just joined the forum yesterday but started working on two Niagaras about a month ago.  One for me and one for a friend of mine.  He doesn't know it yet.  We like going to the Houston Maritime Museum and seeing all the models there.   Only ship build was a plastic Constitution back in 1971.  Joseph, I see you also build musical instruments.  Building a harpsichord is one on my to do list, though time is running out.  Have built a Celtic harp and a mountain dulcimer (for my wife) as well.  It will be fun to watch the progress of all of you as well as learn.  It's my first POB project as well.  My REAL summer project was to have crewed on the real Niagara when she sails the Great Lakes this year.  But that was all down the drain when my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months ago.  May never get to do it.  I'm 64 and not getting stronger.  Rich, I saw on your profile that you like Astronomy and live in Tyler.  I'm only about 170 miles away.  Perhaps one day I can introduce you to my 17.5" Dobsonian that I built about 15 years ago.  Of course if you get new employment and have to move away.....well, we'll see.  Sorry to stray off topic.    Enjoy your builds, all of you and if any of you are down this way, perhaps I can get you aboard the Elissa in Galveston.  A fine steel hulled square rigger she is. 
 
Bill Broussard
Iola, Texas   (about 100 miles northwest of Houston, in the Bryan/College Station area)

Thanks for taking the time to reply Nigel.
I occasionally look in on modelspace but find it quite an unfriendly place!!!  The diaries seem to be full of one line "nice build" type comments?
There are one or two exceptions, yours being one of them.  I like to look at the photos of the builds and read useful guides on how to do something, I appreciate that your build is a one off custom job but at least you take the time and effort to explain your procedures.
I will continue to build my kit as per the magazine guide with one or two modifications where I feel comfortable.
I look forward to the next update, all the best NAT.

A very big thank you for you kind comments Nat
I have to admit I haven't built that many,mainly because life tends to get in the way.I think the last year or so is the first time since being a teenager I have been able to devote serious time to this hobby.If you build to the instructions,you will end up with a lovely model,the quality is up there or beyond that of the main Italian manufacturers.It is only because I am aiming for a more historically accurate representation that I am using so little of the partwork.It may have been easier to kit bash Sergals kit,but that has been done before,and as I am hoping to compete in modified kit class with this model,the extra work will hopefully mean a few more points.
I don't know where you are based,but I do recommend joining modelspaces gb forum as there are alot of builds on there,including mine,that discuss all the stages involved in construction.You are quite welcome to borrow any ideas you like,I will be happy if they help your build along.
Kind Regards Nigel

Exceptional build there Nigel.
You must have made quite a few ships over the years? I too am building this kit, but I will be keeping closer to the magazine instructions as I don't posess the skills and knowledge that you obviously have!!
I will certainly be keeping a close eye on how you proceed with your build and doubtless there will be one or two ideas I will borrow from you if you don't mind too much.
All the best, Nat

They can mix, but take care because of the volatility of alcohol, the paint may cure en-route from the spray gun to the surface, resulting in a chalky finish. Distilled water will slow the drying time, which may seem ok, but you'll need to keep the coats thin in order to avoid weeping.
 
Ultimately, water and alcohol or ammonia all have different specific gravities, and in large concentrations can break down the paint matrix all together. matching the paint's solvent with a thinner of the same substance is ultimately the most ideal route.
 
I know Model Expo paints, and they are almost as thick as peanut butter, but they hold up well using an ammonia based thinner, and can be stored for long periods of time thinned. The yellow ochre I used on my Pegasus build has been stored in a thinned state for over 6 months and has not shown any signs of breakdown or degradation. A quick stir, and we're back in business. I don't know if you could get away with that using water or alcohol.
 
Andy

Hi Edwin,
 
Your avatar is a question mark??????
Or are you that handsome that you not want to show it to us 
 

Nice work Denis.
Vince

Cheers guys, once again this site is tops for getting those questions answered. Thanks

continued with the bow-part
 

 

Hello Adrieke
WOW, under the weather a bit and I have 10+ pages to catch up on.
 
Nice work on the lighting. and I'm glad you fixed that gap in the railing, nice fix. Dont you just feeel so much better after redoing something like that....and that fix was no where near as bad as the window reworking you did.
 
Tammy and I made it to Paducah Saturday and so we drove down to the river front. Paducah Ky was a big river port on the Ohio river with quite a history. The levee has been painted in historic murals and so I hope you dont mind if i post the Riverboat murals here. Thought you and the other riverboat fans might enjoy them.
 
There are alot more pitures of the river front and crossing the bridge, plus lots more murals on Paducah history, if anyone wants I could post them somewhere else.
 
Anyway here are the Riverboat murals, ENJOY
 

You guys are a hoot! I love the excitement that comes from just knowing someone is watching and cheering, and correcting when necessary (often).
 
Randy, honestly, it is a bit nerve wracking knowing Chuck can peek in at any time . Does add a certain stress level to the build. I am just so hoping I can take the things I learned from the SF and put them to work here. The challenge this time is to only have to do the planking ONCE instead of 3 times lol.
 
Thanks Augie. No cats indoors so I will go down to the laundry room and "hang some weights from the ceiling" to stretch the rope when it gets here.
 
Tim...have plans for a real shipyard...and am hoping that Brynes saw is on its way...Then you have me...well...after the Syren, then off to the dark side. Although I do have my eyes on 3 other kits atm...Occre Endeavour Bark, Euro Model Mordaunt, and MS Flying fish. But, there is no rule that says I cant do kits and scratch at the same time!!!
 
I plan to be doing this until the day I die, and don't have plans for that happening any time soon, so I can dream BIG!!