BANYAN

Underhill also discusses the angles of the bowsprit in his book "Masting and Rigging the Clipper Ship and Ocean Transport"; may be worth a read. cheers Pat

Hi Joe, if I recall correctly (but please check this as I may be confused with something else), the fence is set up/designed with a very slight taper away from the centre of the blade/arbor to minimise (not stop) binding; that is why Jim suggests tightening the inside lockdown first. BUT, that should not be effecting the cut as that should be at the leading edge of the blade not the back. I can only suggest that you have some saw blade flex either from the density or thickness of the wood or, induced by the feed speed. The only other possibilities, but I am sure you will have checked these is that the blade is not sitting parallel to the saw or the back end of the fence is moving while cutting. I invested in a dial indicator jig from Jim for checking this. I found that once or twice I have not seated the blade on the arbor correctly, but from what you have described you can probably discount this point. cheers Pat

Hi again Marco, Some do, and others don't like the use of wax ( I am a don't) If you wish to use it there are several ways, and please think about a 'conservator's wax rather than beeswax. I have found the latter remains sticky and holds dust especially in our hotter climate. Try something like Renaissance Conservators wax if preserving the natural cordage is important - beeswax tends to be too 'sticky' (but you may get valid counter-point debate on this topic). If applying as a 'solid' wax after making up the rope, you can either pull the rope through the wax a couple of times rotating the rope then rub in by pulling it through your fingers or lint free cloth with light pressure to warm it and get it to sit into the crevices better; or, apply the wax onto a lint free cloth and pull the rope through the waxed cloth. The other method is to make a jig (discussed somewhere in the forums) that allows you to melt the wax and pull the rope (or threads before making up the rope through the solution. Basically comprises two glass jars with tin lids that sit one inside the other and has wire guides protruding from the top of the inner jar as guides. The outer jar is filled with hot water and the inner the melted wax - the hot water keeps the wax in solution much longer. You may also find you need to dilute the wax with denatured alcohol or the like to get it to penetrate properly; beeswax will not penetrate unless highly diluted. These photos are from a member "Stelios' version of this jig. cheers Pat

Hi Rob, only what is in the build log; I have no images (or plans) of the upper deck arrangements save that of the photos showing the quarterdeck and a very partial midship bulwarks. The Contract called for 'a' (singular by my interpretation) purchase winch to the fore and main masts. I have interpreted these (based on Underhill) to be used for the topsail and topgallant halliards with the wire rope taken to and left on the winch (labour saving). Apart from that I have no idea where they were fitted but trying to interpret the profile view photo of the ship to see if one of the lines I thought to be a backstay is actually the halliards as I was wondering why the backstay had a tackle (similar to your arrangement). I will PM you with the profile photo. cheers Pat

Hi Steven, if I may suggest that first you try and remove the legs and arches without damage (may be too difficult) so that if shortening the fore castle does not look right, then you have them there to reattach? My 'leaning' is to lowering the castle height as first option. I think the two mast version (based on your research that you have discussed) here is the better if you can preserve it? But, either way sounds plausible and is down to your choice (and the amount of rework you wish to do). cheers Pat

Very nice detailing Greg; but must be very tedious work? cheers Pat

Looks good Rob and quite timely for me as I grapple with "Victoria's' purchase winch locations. I will now have to revisit my decisions to ensure I have thought it through enough as your solution may change my plans also. cheers Pat

Hi and welcome. I am assuming you wish to make RHL rope (even though you ask about Cable laid)? To make rope tight, sometimes (depending on what way you make the rope) it needs to be set. This means overtightening at the end (additional twisting without lengthening) or pre-tensioning by unlaying the rope initially. From what you are describing there are a few points, and a few things you could try. 1. Cable laid is stronger but makes-up more stiffer. 2. You are correct in saying that if you start with RHL then make it up LHL, so if possible source some LHL stock (harder to find), or make it up LHL if the small amount of extra stiffness or direction of lay is not an issue - you may hardly notice the stiffness at this scale especially if using softer stock threads. 3. The angle of the lay (which really equates to the number of winds per inch/cm) also helps; somewhere around 60 degrees is optimum (but more knowledgeable people may help here). I am not familiar enough with Alex's ropewalk but you may be able to adjust this using different tension weights. 4. I think you are connecting the source thread properly. You could try adding some diluted PVA/Water to the end of the rope where it starts to lay-up before removing the made up scale rope - let it set before cutting - this will help stop it unravelling at that end. HOWEVER, a better practice may be to simply tie a knot at both ends at this point so that you can 'set' the rope off the ropewalk. (see next) 5. Some more experienced folk can make up rope (from practice and experimentation) that does not unravel - Chuck's is a good example). One thing that I have found helps is that after making up the rope, I 'set' it. I first stretch the rope manually (pulling between my hands in about one-metre lengths - arms distance where I can still apply tension comfortably) - as soon as you 'feel' that little bit of over tensioning - feels a little like a small strand has broken - STOP - this will take a little experience but comes naturally. Once I have completed this step, I hang the rope from some spread out hooks in the ceiling (at height) with large fishing weights on fishing line swivels, at both ends for a couple of days - the swivels are to assist with removing twist). I find this takes much of the 'elasticity/stretch out of the scale rope and minimises the tendency for any twisting when using the scale rope. The amount of stretch to be removed really depends on the source stock. (see next). 6. My last point would be to use a stock that suits your needs. Is the rope used on the actual drum a natural, man-made or mix of cordage - and is this aspect important (authentic replication)? I prefer where ever possible to use natural fibre, and preferably long-staple cotton thread. I have had some success with a poly-cotton mix also (needs a little more 'after-stretching' due to the poly but tends to lay up just a little better ) but cotton can lay nicely also, just look at Chuck's rope. If a mixed source thread, I try to stay at under 30% poly content if possible. So if you have DMC already, which I think is RHL, and cable laid is no issue to you as to looks/authenticity, make it up into cable laid (LHL/'S') scale rope. If you do need RHL final product, either source or make up your own LHL stock. There is a 'tatting' thread made by Milford which is cotton and does come in LHL. Not sure where you would get it but I found it here in a chain store called "Spotlight". I hope this helps rather than confuses you further? cheers Pat

I hope all turns out well for you and your family soon Mark; 'life and family' must always take priority. If you do park her on the shelf, it was a great learning experience for you (and us) and you were able to well and truly test the 'death star'. cheers Pat

Stunning! - simply stunning detail and workmanship. What a wonderful model this turned out to be GAW, you can be justifiably proud of this work. cheers Pat

Superb! if I can ever achieve that level of model joinery I will be very happy; thanks for showing what can be achieved. cheers Pat

Great looking progress there Steven, should be a nicely detailed bow/forecastle when complete. cheers Pat

Nice rework John, tricky timbers those transoms and after timbers; looks like you have a good handle on them though. cheers Pat

Hi Keith just catching up on your very nice build; missed the start of your log much to my disappointment. I will follow this build with considerable interest. Love that freezer bag clamp! WRT to the bulwarks, we experienced a similar issue with the build of HMCSS Victoria. The vessel was built on the diagonal planking system so there were no rising timbers to attach the bulwark planking to. One of our members came up with the idea of a temporary bracing jig which was waxed on the outer edges (could use wax paper also). We epoxied the lower strakes and bases of the roughtree timbers for additional strength. You will not need the spacers for the roughtree timbers for your build if you tried this method as you will have the rod supports to add later. This jig worked quite well for us and considerable additional rigidity and strength was gained with the the added roughtree timbers - the bulwarks are surprisingly strong considring they are 'added on'. The jig is made from three longitudinal pieces with the outer ones (port and stbd) sliding in and out to adjust to correct position and facilitate later removal; the central one was screwed to the top of the bulkheads to hold the jig in place. The nuts and washers you see were to secure the outer pieces once in position, then released to slide them back to the middle to remove the jig without interfering with the added bulwarks. We needed to add the extra piece at the transom for additional rigidity of the rig. The large block in the middle allowed us to place the whole jig/model assembly into a ball joint vice to better work on the lower strakes of the bulwark. cheers Pat

She's looking very grand Rob; hopefully you won't run into any problems with the jib and stay sails. cheers Pat

That looks pretty good Steven, I like the 'improvisation' cheers Pat

I too am a convert to resistance soldering GL, nice self-made rig you have made. The goal is always for practical application not winning any artistic merits cheers Pat

Impressive marina you have there; thought of using them as props in the next 'Bond' film? On second thoughts, better not do that, they have a habit of blowing their toys to pieces. cheers Pat

Close? It looks pretty good to me Rob, nce work. cheers Pat

Thanks Eberhard, PE really helps with this. No way I could have cut those strips so consistently cheers Pat

She looks great Dave; very nice job. As you said she looks particularly good with the backdrop painting, but as others have said keep the dust off her. cheers Pat

Take as long as you like between updates if this is the result ED; very nice rigging work (as usual). I learned the hard way about cutting the tails of the running rigging to early cheers Pat

Some further small updates; not much but a start on the Accommodation Ladder (by another member) and I have started on some rigging screws for the funnel chains and the first of the broadside gun breeching rope ring bolts. The first two photos show the top and under sides of the main part of the accommodation ladder - wood unknow. The second two photos shows the parts for, and the made up and blackened rigging screws, and ring bolt etc. The slightly larger rigging screw will be used elsewhere. cheers Pat

Now you have 'dropped' him in it Steven A 'tongue in cheek' reference to our 'extremely' dangerous Koalas Druxey - cause a lot of damage and injury when they 'drop' out of the trees Just a warning to all those tourists looking up Sorry John hijacking your thread here. cheers Pat

The world's weather is going nuts; floods and fires here, freezes and snow on the upper half - stay safe one and all. Sounds like you were well prepared at least Rob. cheers Pat