AnobiumPunctatum

Here's a small update on Speedwell. Her main deck has been completely framed with beams, carlings, ledges hanging and lodging knees.That was rather routine but boring work which occupied me for a few months. As a change of pace I made most of the deck fittings but none are permanently affixed as yet. Currently, I am working on the capstan and have just finished the tapered barrel.
 
Just a tip for you novices regarding gratings. Ideally they should have full courses all around (see photos). It is easier to cut your gratings to the the size that accomplishes this first. Then build your coamings around them. If the result is a gratings assembly that is a hair larger or smaller than the plan so be it.
 




 

Because much is being discussed about how kits and other projects are produced,  I thought I would continue to share bits about my philosophy as I develop these two new kits.  As I mentioned in one of those other topics,  It is an absolute must to have a good set of plans and a good set of instructions.  Not everyone is at the same level of skill.  What might be second nature for some is not so clear to others.  There are so many details and build sequences that Cad Drawings and pans can NOT convey effectively on their own.
 
I am not talking about writing a book....nothing like a 300 page thing that so many desire....for heaven's sake....buy a book on the subject in addition to the kit.
 
Instead,  just enough to guide folks along but obviously more than the usual kit instructions we have all grown to hate so much.
 
As the first installment gets off the ground for this kit,  I write the instructions for it.  Then I pass them along to the individual building the prototype with me.  If this person has a hard time following what I have written and cant build the model,  then I failed.   But luckily I get tons of feedback from the prototype builder telling me what he would need or what he didnt understand. Or If I should make wording changes or add additional pictures or drawings to make it clearer.  It is priceless to have this feedback....I think its a huge disservice to just produce the project and release it without this feedback.  It doesnt cost anything because the folks I use are my dear friends and they actually get to build a model for free.  They probably would have bought it afterwards anyway...so why not be the first and build it alongside me. 
 
Not only do they tell me if the pieces dont fit properly....but the feedback on the instructions and plans will ultimately help all of the people building it too.
 
Here is a look at the level of detail I am talking about....I cant write a book...because you would have to pay me the price of an actual book.   I cant write 50 pages on the history of Barges....these are just instructions,  but very thorough instructions none-the-less.   Hopefully anyway!!!    PDF below...unedited and before getting any feedback.   They will certainly change before the project is released.
Shallop one.pdf

Chuck,
 
if you offer the kit in 1/32 (3/8'') I'll take this, if not I will take the model in 1/24 (1/2''). I love the design. I hope that you will offer the kit in pear (which is more common in Europe) or box.

Fantastic model, Siggi. I followed your log on the AK website and happy to find it here

Thanks
 
I wont be changing the scale because too much is involved.  But I will be making some in boxwood or pear as a custom order.   Having said that,  these will be much more $ of course.  I will figure out the costs when the project is completed.

Hey guys, I'm back again. I have been working on the stern and have come to working on the windows, and I'm happy to say that they are complete. They're not installed yet, the photo is just test fitting with a little rubber cement to hold it in place. The inner "tic-tac-toe" frames are made out of ebony, the outer window frames are mahogany like the rest of the ship. Ebony will also be used for the wales when I get to that point. So here we go...
 
Every inner window frame was cut all at once with a little jig that you can see on the right in the first picture. That let me measure only once, and keep all pieces identical for all seven windows across the back. The outer mahogany frames were cut individually for sizing to match the stern timbers. The rest is pretty straight forward for the assembly of them. The side windows I've got to figure out because there are no plans for those.

After the deckclamps I build the 2 main decks
 
 







 
And here is the status per today:
 
I am working on the gunports now.
 




 

More frames added.

Continuation.
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
The beginning of the relation is available at this address:
 
 
http://5500.forumact...ndre-1-24#66516
 
 
 
Regards, Pawel

Continuation.
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
The beginning of the relation is available at this address:
 
 
http://5500.forumact...ndre-1-24#66516
 
 
 
Regards, Pawel

Hello, 
 
today only a small update. The picture with the fishes is 4 X 17 mm   That saves paint!
 

 

 

Hello,
 
thank you all for your nice comments and likes. Here now the latest update, I finished the inboard planking with the carvings. Next would be the back of the captains seat.
I'm sorry, but I did't know all these special names. But I hope you could follow me 
 

 

 

Hello,
 
today only a small update. The seat for the captain. 
 

 

 

 

 
Next come the inside planks. With the carvings over two planks, I really do not know how to manage that. At least I have to make the carvings after the planks are installed 
 
But that I left for the next week. 

Hello,
 
the floors are ready and painted. The next thing would be the seat for the captain.
 

 

Hello Druxey,
 
thank you for the answer. Because it is the most logical solution, I worked already in this direction, but now I know that I'm right. 
 
 
 
At the moment all is under fresh paint and tomorrow I will assemble it.

Dan,
 
as I've expected another wonderful masterpiece. I like your x-section very much and think it will be a nice add on for my own project.
 
Thanks for sharing

Chuck,
 
looks like a really nice side project. I am looking forward and hope that you offer the model also in different part kits as you do for the Cheerful.

Dan,
 
as I've expected another wonderful masterpiece. I like your x-section very much and think it will be a nice add on for my own project.
 
Thanks for sharing

Chuck,
 
looks like a really nice side project. I am looking forward and hope that you offer the model also in different part kits as you do for the Cheerful.

Chuck,
 
looks like a really nice side project. I am looking forward and hope that you offer the model also in different part kits as you do for the Cheerful.

Dan,
 
as I've expected another wonderful masterpiece. I like your x-section very much and think it will be a nice add on for my own project.
 
Thanks for sharing

Thank you Pat and John.
 
Here are the pics of the finished project :
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Danny

.... continued.
 
The Railing for the gangway and it's Newell Post and Bracing :
 

 

 
Finally, the port Channel, Deadeyes and Chains. All pieces were constructed in similar fashion to the full model :
 

 
 
Pics of the finished model will be added shortly.
 
  Danny

Thanks for all the comments and Likes .
 
The last few pieces of work. Thanks again to Grant for the rigging line I needed to finish off the guns - they turned out pretty well I think :

 

 

 
The Gangways and Ladder. Tricky getting the mortices for the angles on the stiles cut correctly, as there is a 5 degree difference between the two sides. I had to have two goes at it, as I cut them back-to-front the 1st time :
 

 

 

 

 

 
Continued in next post .....

It has been a bit slow going in the shipyard as of late.  Too many major soccer (futbol) tournaments that need to be watched!   I have been modelling my framework to give me a better understanding of how things will go together with this build.  Below are some snapshots.  Being my first scratch build there is a lot to learn and research... but everybody here at MSW already knows that.  I hope to put an order in for the deck and hull planking wood in the next week.  In the mean time I have some bulkheads to finish up.  I need to set up my build board and then the assembly process can begin.  Enough planning and layout work!  It is time to make sawdust!