HardeeHarHar

Bahahaha

Interesting approach! Just wondering: how did you attach your jig to the side of the ship? Awesome build log, I will have to go read from start to finish 😃

Welcome to Model Ship World Al, the virtual motherlode of knowledge and guidance with respect to ship models. That is one interesting project you have on hand. It sounds like some reference material is available for you to mine for information. Please start a build log if you endeavor to proceed with the restoration so we can learn more about the history of this interesting vessel. Best regards!

It’s more to stop breaking bits in the wood when doing it by hand. My Dremel starts at a high speed at first and wobbles to much to be of much use…

Understood, and will do.

I was considering using it to drill holes for sweep port lids, channels, maybe chainplates but there isn’t sufficient X-Y movement I guess…. I could probably use it for the sweep port hinges.

I was wondering if that was an option on the Proxxon.

Words of wisdom there @VTHokiEE. Thanks again!!! 😀

Looking very good Roberto!

Thanks to everyone for the advice and comments!! I *REALLY* appreciate all the sage input I have received. I originally purchased my pin vise and drill bits from Amazon (see link below). They say the PCB bits are tungstun carbide, which might explain the high failure rate leaving the bit embedded in the wood and resulting in shooting pain in temples and emission of random swear words. I must note that the pinvise holds the broken end quite securely. I will listen to the suggestion of @VTHokiEE and try the McMaster-Carr bits. I just put in an order for a range of bit sizes, with several of each side just in case. Fingers crossed these uncoated HSS do the trick, I have so many holes to drill. One other note, I will also likely buy the drill press, but it does seem like there is not sufficient room provided on the Proxxon drill press to slide the hull of the Granado into place. What do all you kind people think? Am I correct in this conclusion? Thanks again for all the assistance! https://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Polymer-Jewelry-0-1-1mm-Random/dp/B084T4PB1K/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2FSKVBXUIOUQO&keywords=micro+drill+bits&qid=1677160965&sprefix=micro+drill+bits%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzRlZPQzZOWkpGSlFRJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTMyOTg5MUdZQlRGWjNGWVVQUyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTk4NzM2MUlDU1Y0VDhCUkJFTCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Hey Gang, Sorry to shout out "HELP!", but I am going through micro drill bits at an alarming pace, and when they break in the wood, it is often a minor disaster. I have questioned whether there are just a lot of cheap drill bits out there, and that I have inadvertently purchased poor quality bits. I haven't really shopped around, and I don't know that much about what makes a high quality, durable drill bit. However, I just was looking on Amazon at 0.5 mm drill bits, and saw that GUHRING sells some kind of special 0.5 mm drill bits at a cost of $305/ for a pack of 10 ( https://www.amazon.com/GUHRING-9006600005000-Precision-Reinforced-Diameter/dp/B0102UZVUQ ). That made me think perhaps that these bits are somehow better than the ones I have been using, but spending $300 dollars on a pack of 10 0.5 mm bits seems a wee bit excessive. So, here are some specific questions: 1) How are most people making lots of 0.5 mm holes? 2) What drill bit manufacturers sell quality bits? 3) Is a drill press the solution, and if so, isn't the Proxxon drill press to limited in space to be able to slide a ship into place? It says the column is only 11 inches long! 4) Am i breaking a lot of bits because I am using a pin-vise by hand, and should I try an electric cordless drill like a dremel. I already have a dremel, but when you turn it on, it starts at a medium speed which makes it an engraver, and not a drill (if you know what I mean). It also has a lot of wobble/precision that makes it fairly hard to use. 5. What in your expert opinion is the best solution for my drilling needs, as I need to drill holes for channels and chain plates in my boxwood framed, and danish oil finished, hull of the Granado? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated, and would save me a lot of frustration and swearing. If I could pay you for consultation services I would consider it. Best regards, Brian

I’ve been listening to the series, almost done with the fourth book, The Mauritius Command. Really enjoying them all.

Rail and stern looks great!! Nice work. I see you put the lids on your sweep ports too!

Did you elect not to mount all the swivel guns. I just noticed some appear to be missing…I need to do those too, so I think I’ll be doing some of that work today….

Hey Kev et al., I made an executive decision, and I am going to delay installation of sweep port lids until I have finished everything else. I made one sweep port lid to the best of my ability, and it came out perfectly fine (see below) But drilling 36 0.5mm holes in the side to firmly install them is toooooo much and tooooo many holes in my opinion. I don’t have a drill press (yet), and the Dremel wobbles, etc. I will hand drill 0.7 mm holes for the pins on the channels and see how that goes, because I HAVE TO DO THAT. But I like the look of the open sweep ports, so when all is done, I will simply glue the sweep port lids in the open position, without drilling any holes, and handle with extreme care. Or not attach them. I don’t want to close all those sweep ports I so carefully cut out of the boxwood hull planking. Had I thought of it when I was cutting them out, I would have drilled the holes then, before doing all the installation of deck pumps, quarterdeck rails, cannons, etc. For perspective: hinge side Eye bolt on other side… And a picture or two of the Secret Vessel in its berth on Roanoke Island.

Maybe the door opened inwards 😜

It’s fantastic!!!

Thanks for the support Craig / @Craigie65, I'm not looking forward to making a lot of work, but will take a look at one or two tacked in place to see if the appearance makes it worth the extra sweat equity. I looked at your Granado build log but it ends abruptly =(, would love to see some pictures of the finished model (I can't believe you dropped it down some stairs, but I believe someone else also dropped their Granado down stairs and it survived!). Best regards to all! Brian

I might be a bit biased, but I really like the cut out. You did a great job KL!!!

I like your attitude @OllieS! I believe I am going to build one lid with the hinge and give it further examination for ease of installation and appearance using bluetak. It's an interesting question to me because the gun ports on the Granado don't appear to have lids, but the bow chase ports have doors, and the sweep ports and cabin lights have lids. At least I think that is right, I will go look at the AotS reference book to make sure...

Hey Andrew, I am glad you asked. I would think they would be relatively fragile. They are supposed to be made from 0.5 mm thick, 3 mm wide, and 3.5 mm long walnut. At 0.5 mm thick, they are going to be fairly fragile, yes? Right now, I have been thinking I will use the 0.5 mm thick, 4 mm wide maple strips I have left over from the deck planking. I have used boxwood instead of walnut for the hull planking, but my boxwood strips are 1 mm thick, 4 mm wide. The instructions recommend that the inside of each lid is painted red, so I took a maple strip and painted one side red. Then I sanded the sides where the red had bled over, and (if I persist) will likely continue to reduce the width down to the 3 mm width recommended (without being overly accurate about it). You then are supposed to paint the hinges black and adhere them to the front (non-painted) side with CA (good time and place for the extra time control CA I have on hand I suspect), and drill a hole in the middle on the red side and glue a teeny tiny eye bolt on that side. You are then instructed to drill little bitty holes in the hull, and then the legs of the hinges can be inserted/CA'd into the holes in the hull to provide the glue job with a little extra reinforcement. I haven't done it yet, so I haven't really tested the relative ease or feasibility of the (w)hole operation (heh heh, see what I did there?). I think I will attach a hinge or two and see how fiddly the hinge and its legs appears before drilling any holes in the side of the Granado. It does sound like a lot of work, and drilling 36 tiny holes in the side of the hull is terrifying to Dr. Breaks Bits. Heck, I've been wondering how in the heck I am going to handle the ship when it is time to mount it on a board for display...and I suspect some "reconstruction" will be required when it is done, and can now imagine some of the sweep port lids could be involved if they are in place at the time. The one thing that makes me want to do it is because it would be more accurate with them in place, but I have to admit that the ports look pretty nice and sharp without them. Having them in the closed position just doesn't make sense to me, because I like the looks of the sweep ports so much. Ugh. I do think seeing what one looks like with a hinge, and checking how fragile it would be, is a reasonable approach. What say you my good man? I should add that even in the closed position, I believe I could knock them off with my super thumbs.

David, you are obviously doing a great job, and you are demonstrating how very much more I have to learn and incorporate into my developing knowledge and techniques. I want to "officially" thank you for your detailed build log, and congratulate you on your mad skillz.

I have some work work to do today (booooo), but I have been thinking (yes, it happens) about next steps. I'm ready to install the channels and chainplates, but before I do that, I think it might be a good idea to put the lids on the sweep ports. They are little itty bitty lids with fiddly little hinges, and can be mounted in closed or open configuration. Orrrrrrr, I could just not even install them. No one would miss them, but I can't tell if I should be historically accurate, in which case I would install them in the open configuration since I went to all the trouble to make pretty little sweep ports that would only disappear if I install them in the closed configuration. There is no way I am going to just slap them in the closed position over those sweet looking sweep ports that give the hull a nice business like look. If I do decide to install them, it seems like it is now or never, before I go and install the channels and chainplates etc. Decisions, decisions! I'm soliciting opinions to see if my colleagues can help convince me one way or the other. Also, I got a box delivered today all the way from the UK, and a new build log is waiting inside!!!

Hey hey hey KL!!!! That rudder looks like it would work, and also looks like nice craftsmanship to my eyes. In fact, the whole kit and kaboodle is looking great!!! I like your windows and the decal definitely adds a pop of color to the stern. I wonder if you would have liked it better if you had cut out the flower(?). Have you put some dull-cote or anything on top of it, or would that ruin it? Keep up the good work, you are making awesome progress, and encouraging the rest of us!!!!

That looks super fantastic Andrew. Well done indeed!