Kusawa2000

I would like to introduce you guys to the latest tool that will soon be offered by Model Machines.   Jim Byrnes has done it again.   You might ask how he could possibly make the disc sander he offers better.  I asked the same thing.   But as expected, he managed to do just that.   
 
The first thing you will notice is the size difference between the new disc sander and the old one.  This new Variable Speed Disc Sander is the perfect size, at least for me.  It has a 4" disc.  You can see the side by side comparison below.  I have put it through its paces over the last few months.  You might expect a less powerful machine.  It is not.  This smaller disc sander packs some power.  It is also quiet as a mouse.   It runs super smooth as expected and you barely hear a whisper from the sander. 
 

Another great function of this sander is the ability to change speeds.  The variable speed control is super smooth as well.   I prefer slower speeds on softer material like Yellow Cedar.  But maybe thats just me.  You can tailor the speed for your own comfort zone.
 
In addition the other neat feature is the direction is reversible.  I am right handed so I usually keep it going counter clock wise.  But on some occasions it was a real pleasure to be able to reverse direction.  The shape of some parts just makes this a great option to have.  BUT remember....DO NOT REVERSE DIRECTIONS UNLESS THE DISC IS FULLY STOPPED.   I havent done that by accident yet but I imagine it wouldnt be pretty.

The table top is 6 3/4" long and 4 1/4" deep.  Its a really nice size.  I used this on some test frames for my upcoming speedwell kit.  The parts sat comfortably on the table, even the small parts.  As you would expect, the table tilts with a variety of "lockable" preset angles.  Just push in the pin and tighten it up on both sides of the table.  Its sturdy aluminum construction like all of the Byrnes machines is also present here.  This machine has some tight and precision tolerances and is of course well made.  Superior to anything else you might have used in the past.
 
You can also see the precision miter slide that is typical of Jim's machines.   There is no play with this slide.  It is very accurate and slides comfortably.  


 
I thought the smaller size would make it more difficult or awkward to use.  But to my surprise it did not.  In fact after using the new 4" disc sander the larger older sander seemed a bit awkward by comparison.  The new smaller size makes sense and I didnt find myself wandering to the old one at all.  This new sander will now be my go to sander and it is lightweight by comparison.   It fits nicely on your work bench and doesnt take up much room.  It slides nicely into the corner and even fits on a nearby shelf when  I need to store it for longer periods.  That is a huge plus.
 
Jim will be launching these very soon.   It will make a great tool if you are in the market for a disc sander or want another one to compliment the older larger disc sander.  From what I understand this machine will indeed replace the old disc sander once Jim's inventory of the old larger sanders is depleted.
 
I am unsure what the price point will be on this but I can tell you it will be more than worth the money.  Its not something I would be able to do without now that I have one in my shop.

Ialmost forgot a unique and important feature of this little gem.   I got so used to it I thought it was a standard feature on all disc sanders but its not.  It is such a timesaver.  This sander has a removable disc.  If you examine the picture below, you can see the disc is in two halves.  This makes switching grits so much easier.  In fact with the spare disc you can have one ready alongside the machine with a different grit.    It has 3/32 hex driver with it so you can remove it.  The front disc is removed from the back of the disc through the slot on top of the motor mount,  there are 3 screws that mount the front disc to the back.   So removing the sandpaper is easier.  You remove the entire disc and swap out the sandpaper and then place the disc back in the machine.  You could literally buy several of these discs and have them all ready with sandpaper and you are ready for the quick change. 
 

That is one large, beautifully insane kit! Simply wow! 
 
Mike Draper

That is one large, beautifully insane kit! Simply wow! 
 
Mike Draper

That is one large, beautifully insane kit! Simply wow! 
 
Mike Draper

That is one large, beautifully insane kit! Simply wow! 
 
Mike Draper

That is one large, beautifully insane kit! Simply wow! 
 
Mike Draper

Been awhile since I posted. I'm now working on #1 mast, #2 is almost finished, and 3, 4, 5 & 6 are done. Then it's the bowsprit and flags.
 

So after almost a month to do 2 repairs, I am back to the Wyoming. Attaching battens to the starboard side of #4 mast. No, the battens aren't crooked, they are parallel to the waterlne, but because the masts are raked, it looks skewed.
 

So now I've flipped to the port side. Masts 6 & 5 are completely done, working on #4 and 3.

Having done what I could on the port side, flip over to the starboard side again. I'll be adding to mast #4; shrouds 1 & 4, jackstays,  backstay, and ratlines every 5th batten. To #3 mast; shrouds 2&3 (for the battens) and start the jackstay. Then we'll flip yet again.
 

Yves: I managed to get over to Kure in Japan and see the model. It is totally insane. Amazing level of detail and with the way its displayed you can check out every angle of the model. If you are thinking to build the Yamato it's the place to visit. The rest of the museum is interesting as well. They have the Zero airplane as well as flags and other memorabilia from the Yamato. They have also laid down a footprint of the actual size of the ship near the museum as well so you can appreciate the size of the battleship. 
 
Mike Draper

Yves: I managed to get over to Kure in Japan and see the model. It is totally insane. Amazing level of detail and with the way its displayed you can check out every angle of the model. If you are thinking to build the Yamato it's the place to visit. The rest of the museum is interesting as well. They have the Zero airplane as well as flags and other memorabilia from the Yamato. They have also laid down a footprint of the actual size of the ship near the museum as well so you can appreciate the size of the battleship. 
 
Mike Draper

Yves: I managed to get over to Kure in Japan and see the model. It is totally insane. Amazing level of detail and with the way its displayed you can check out every angle of the model. If you are thinking to build the Yamato it's the place to visit. The rest of the museum is interesting as well. They have the Zero airplane as well as flags and other memorabilia from the Yamato. They have also laid down a footprint of the actual size of the ship near the museum as well so you can appreciate the size of the battleship. 
 
Mike Draper

A few pictures from a French Forum, showing the YAMATO in 1/100 scale, basically 8 times bigger than the Trumpeter model: 
 

 
The gentleman who built the Yamato, also built a few other battleships, all in 1/100 scale: 
 

 
Yves

Hey Everyone: After a long haul (12 years) I have finally finished my Agamemnon. While I know this doesn't have much to do with building the Winnie, for me I just want to post a few pictures so I can put her on the "done" pile. Now I am keen on getting started with the Winnie after watching everyone work on her for the last year or so. 
 
 
In addition to the pictures of the Agamemnon I have included a few pictures of my progress so far. I have managed to get the stem assembled and tapered to fit the figurehead as well as get the bulkhead plate assembled and have the rabbet tapered and in place with the stem glued. But before I move ahead with working on the keel at the stern end of the hull, I do have one question for the "Winnie vets". The chapter talks of the false keel being a plank of wood 1/16" x 1/4". Now with the wood package I can only find one piece of wood that fits that description. Am i missing something? Everything I read indicates there is more than one plank but I can only find one. If I have to mill something I dont have a problem doing that I just wanted to see if I was overlooking something. Any information would be appreciated. 
 
Thanks
 
Mike Draper

Hi Mike and welcome aboard. I enjoyed looking through your Agamemnon build. Beautiful workmanship!
You're off to a great start and I look forward to seeing your work on the Winnie.

....continued.
 
Now, those laser cut rails. These are now glued into the engraved positions on the outer bulwarks. Some extra parts are added to these to create a 3D relief.






 
 
 
 
What we believe is the remainder of the original second wale from her 64-gun days, is now fitted. The position of this is crucial. Here you see the area around it masked off and the wale sanded.  

 
 
 
 
The timber which is obstructing the gun port is now carefully snipped away and sanded flush with the gun port edges.

 
 
 
More gunwale position levelling, and the parts finally glued into place.



 
 
 
The gun port positions on the forecastle gunwale are also prepared.

 
 
 
 
Now it's the turn of adding rails to the stern of this beast. These are all laser cut and engraved. All you need to do is to make sure you fit them all in alignment. 



 
 
 
 
At this point, I glue in the second set of foremast bitts.

 
 
 
 
And here is Indy so far.

 
 
 
I have actually done more than this in preparing other assemblies, such as binnacle, ship's wheel, catheads etc. At this point, it's not long off adding some colour to this hull.

I think that is what I may do as well. I do have some leftover pieces that can easily be milled. Thanks for the followup. 
 
MIKE

Hey Everyone: After a long haul (12 years) I have finally finished my Agamemnon. While I know this doesn't have much to do with building the Winnie, for me I just want to post a few pictures so I can put her on the "done" pile. Now I am keen on getting started with the Winnie after watching everyone work on her for the last year or so. 
 
 
In addition to the pictures of the Agamemnon I have included a few pictures of my progress so far. I have managed to get the stem assembled and tapered to fit the figurehead as well as get the bulkhead plate assembled and have the rabbet tapered and in place with the stem glued. But before I move ahead with working on the keel at the stern end of the hull, I do have one question for the "Winnie vets". The chapter talks of the false keel being a plank of wood 1/16" x 1/4". Now with the wood package I can only find one piece of wood that fits that description. Am i missing something? Everything I read indicates there is more than one plank but I can only find one. If I have to mill something I dont have a problem doing that I just wanted to see if I was overlooking something. Any information would be appreciated. 
 
Thanks
 
Mike Draper

Hey Everyone: After a long haul (12 years) I have finally finished my Agamemnon. While I know this doesn't have much to do with building the Winnie, for me I just want to post a few pictures so I can put her on the "done" pile. Now I am keen on getting started with the Winnie after watching everyone work on her for the last year or so. 
 
 
In addition to the pictures of the Agamemnon I have included a few pictures of my progress so far. I have managed to get the stem assembled and tapered to fit the figurehead as well as get the bulkhead plate assembled and have the rabbet tapered and in place with the stem glued. But before I move ahead with working on the keel at the stern end of the hull, I do have one question for the "Winnie vets". The chapter talks of the false keel being a plank of wood 1/16" x 1/4". Now with the wood package I can only find one piece of wood that fits that description. Am i missing something? Everything I read indicates there is more than one plank but I can only find one. If I have to mill something I dont have a problem doing that I just wanted to see if I was overlooking something. Any information would be appreciated. 
 
Thanks
 
Mike Draper

Hey Everyone: After a long haul (12 years) I have finally finished my Agamemnon. While I know this doesn't have much to do with building the Winnie, for me I just want to post a few pictures so I can put her on the "done" pile. Now I am keen on getting started with the Winnie after watching everyone work on her for the last year or so. 
 
 
In addition to the pictures of the Agamemnon I have included a few pictures of my progress so far. I have managed to get the stem assembled and tapered to fit the figurehead as well as get the bulkhead plate assembled and have the rabbet tapered and in place with the stem glued. But before I move ahead with working on the keel at the stern end of the hull, I do have one question for the "Winnie vets". The chapter talks of the false keel being a plank of wood 1/16" x 1/4". Now with the wood package I can only find one piece of wood that fits that description. Am i missing something? Everything I read indicates there is more than one plank but I can only find one. If I have to mill something I dont have a problem doing that I just wanted to see if I was overlooking something. Any information would be appreciated. 
 
Thanks
 
Mike Draper

Had the guys over to the shop.  Tale of two Winnies.  One is mine and the other is Mikes (stuntflyer).
 

Hey Everyone: After a long haul (12 years) I have finally finished my Agamemnon. While I know this doesn't have much to do with building the Winnie, for me I just want to post a few pictures so I can put her on the "done" pile. Now I am keen on getting started with the Winnie after watching everyone work on her for the last year or so. 
 
 
In addition to the pictures of the Agamemnon I have included a few pictures of my progress so far. I have managed to get the stem assembled and tapered to fit the figurehead as well as get the bulkhead plate assembled and have the rabbet tapered and in place with the stem glued. But before I move ahead with working on the keel at the stern end of the hull, I do have one question for the "Winnie vets". The chapter talks of the false keel being a plank of wood 1/16" x 1/4". Now with the wood package I can only find one piece of wood that fits that description. Am i missing something? Everything I read indicates there is more than one plank but I can only find one. If I have to mill something I dont have a problem doing that I just wanted to see if I was overlooking something. Any information would be appreciated. 
 
Thanks
 
Mike Draper

Hey Everyone: After a long haul (12 years) I have finally finished my Agamemnon. While I know this doesn't have much to do with building the Winnie, for me I just want to post a few pictures so I can put her on the "done" pile. Now I am keen on getting started with the Winnie after watching everyone work on her for the last year or so. 
 
 
In addition to the pictures of the Agamemnon I have included a few pictures of my progress so far. I have managed to get the stem assembled and tapered to fit the figurehead as well as get the bulkhead plate assembled and have the rabbet tapered and in place with the stem glued. But before I move ahead with working on the keel at the stern end of the hull, I do have one question for the "Winnie vets". The chapter talks of the false keel being a plank of wood 1/16" x 1/4". Now with the wood package I can only find one piece of wood that fits that description. Am i missing something? Everything I read indicates there is more than one plank but I can only find one. If I have to mill something I dont have a problem doing that I just wanted to see if I was overlooking something. Any information would be appreciated. 
 
Thanks
 
Mike Draper