GGibson

Thanks, Bob! Appreciate the kind words! If we both need inspiration on which way to go, we need look no further than @John Ruy's recently completed Bluenose. He did some awesome sail work to finish his ship! 🏆

Thanks, Mustafa! Always trying to attain the quality of work I see from many of you other guys that continue to inspire me and help to push myself to do better. Appreciate your time, sir!

Wow! It's been almost a full two months since I've posted any kind of build log update. I've been in the shipyard here and there over that time, in between a few trips, having all the grandkids for a week's activities here, watching the oldest granddaughter prepare for and then head to her first year away from her home at college some 8-9 states away, and just some general summertime tinkering around the house. Anyways, thought I'd get a small update in. And I took only a few pictures and hardly any detailed notes on these last activities. After getting the lower shrouds placed, it was time to tie in what seemed like a thousand ratlines! Like everyone else does when placing ratlines, I made a lined template in order to have some relatively consistent spacing. I also used some 0.81 brass rods, blackened them, and placed the sheer poles at the base of each set of shrouds. Once you get into a routine of tying clove hitches, it goes pretty well. I would do about 4-5 rows at a time, then hit the knots with a spot of glue and once dried, clip the excess 0.009" line from each end. Then another 4-5 rows, etc., etc., etc... As I said earlier, did not take many notes as I was preparing and installing a lot of the standing rigging, but I will go through what was done fairly quickly. There are several MSW Bluenose build logs that have great detail on their rigging procedures. I relied on them heavily and encourage others to do the same. Spring Stay - Runs from the main mast's spring stay bail to the fore mast's spring stay bail. I used 0.027" black line. Jib Stay - Runs from the fore mast cap to the bowsprit. I used 0.019" black line. Jumbo Jib Stay - Runs from the fore mast to the jumbo jib stay bail. I wish I would have realized way back when I first inserted the bowsprit that this jumbo jib stay bail would be wrapped and secured around the bowsprit. At this point, it was way too difficult for me to come up with anything like that, so I "settled" for shaping a 0.81" brass rod piece so it fit around the top of the bowsprit and was secured into the deck underneath. It's the best adaptation I could come up with. I used 0.027" black line. At this point, it was time to drop the top masts into their places. They still fit snuggly, and with the iron fids in place, it did not seem like the masts needed any additional glue. Main Top Mast Shrouds and Fore Mast Spreader Lifts - The main top mast shrouds run from the top of the mast down to lanyards that then connected to the spreaders. The fore mast spreader lifts run from a band about a third of the way up the top mast down to lanyards that are connected to the fore mast spreader. I used 0.019" black line for the shrouds and 0.009" light beige line for the lanyards. I then tied ratlines to each of the shrouds and spreader lifts, but only did about a dozen ratlines on the main mast shrouds, reaching about a third of the way up the top mast on each side, using 0.009" black line again for the ratlines. Pullback Stay - Runs from the top of the fore mast to the main mast cap. Still having a bit of difficulty shaping a shackle like how John Ruy explained he did his, so I simply used a small jump ring to connect to the bowsprit. I used 0.019" black line. Balloon Jib Stay - Runs from the top of the fore mast to the end of the bowsprit. I used 0.027" black line. Main Mast Top Stay - Runs from top of main mast to fore mast cap. I used 0.019" line. Flying Backstays - Two sets of backstays run from the top of the main mast to either side of the stern transom. The main runs start from the main top mast using 0.027" black line. They run down to a 5/32" double block. This block is then laced with a 5/32" single block using 0.013" light beige line. The single block is connected with a "S" hook to a 0.013" black line tied to an eyebolt on the transom. The beige line then falls to a belaying pin on the rail. I have not permanently secured the top of these backstays to the main top mast or the fall line to the belay pins at this time, as I fear they would get snagged and be in the way when I work on the remainder of the running rigging and the main boom. So, the lines will come down from the main top mast as I do that work. I am going to see if I can get some running lights placed on the two sets of foremast shrouds. Then it is time to get the running rigging that I prepped months ago attached where it belongs on this Bluenose! Those of you who have followed my progress (or lack thereof) on this Bluenose (thank you, by the way!) may recall that I have wrestled with how to finish my Bluenose... with sails, without sails, or furled sails. And I have leaned each of the three ways multiple times over the almost-two years I have worked on her. Well, stand by for my decision...! Thanks to all for taking the time to read, comment and criticize! Appreciate all of the support, whether it's been your input here or my peeking in on your own Bluenose build logs and having one of those "Oh, yeah!" epiphanies. Thanks!

Interesting to hear that they are editing your posts/pictures over on SoS. I didn't think comparison of products or being critical of products was allowed on SoS! A post of mine back in May 2013 was edited by SoS admins because I made a contrast, ironically, between Syren deadeyes and another company, which I mentioned by name... apparently a no-no. Keep doing what you are doing, Chuck! Being successful! 🏆 I'll be ordering a bunch of these new blocks and deadeyes in due time... Thanks, Chuck!

Thanks for the pictures and links, Peter. I believe I had seen his build log previously, but did not bookmark it. Thanks for the reminder. And, in the FWIW category, I prefer the painted hull look... <shrug> 👍

In preparation of someday soon beginning my Constitution build, I have begun saving/bookmarking/favoriting (whatever you call it) a whole bunch of Constitution build logs here on MSW and even some on another similar forum website. I don't, though, recall any of those build logs having Constitutions with natural finishes. They seem to all have been painted and coppered? Peter, do you know of some existing build logs here on MSW that have not been painted? Would be interested in looking at them and comparing.

I have seen Arnot's "USS Constitution 1812-1815: Step-by-Step Instructions..." book advertised on Amazon in both "Used-Very Good" and "Collectible-Good" conditions. Watching your build with great interest, kmart. No idea yet which era I will shoot for once I get to working on this ship. But appreciate all the info from all sides!

...when I get to that point on my Constitution! 👍🏆 These look great, gentlemen!

If you are truly interested, Peter, give Donna a call at Byrnes Model Machines. You may be surprised by her answer.

Looks very good, Dan! Great work so far. I recall doing a ton of sanding at different grits all over the hull, but especially around the stern. And, yes, I loved using the binder clips, as well! Carry on! 👍

Nice looking Syren, terry! Great work, bad puppy! Looks like the 20 chapters of instructions can be downloaded from ME's Syren page, and the plans can be purchased for $70. Model Expo has always been great about replacing damaged parts at no charge if you purchased the kit from them. Maybe they can look at the shredded plans in the same light. In the meantime, if the puppy has a key to your shipyard room, you'd be advised to change the locks! Good luck!

Looks great, Peter! If I am following your query correctly, will the window frames themselves be painted black? So, you are referring to the "window glass" portion of the window construction? I'd vote for white, then. Good contrast, and with the clear film coverage you place on top of that, it will look nicest, IMO. Awesome work, sir! Carry on! 👍

Well, guess that answers the age-old questions "How many blocks can dance on the face of a penny?".... Oh, wait, that was angels on the head of a pin... Never mind! Looking great, Chuck! I had some 3/32" blocks needed for my Bluenose, which translates to 2.32mm, so close! And those things were itty-bitty. Yeah, I lost a few on the floor! Will definitely take inventory of what I need for the ships in boxes waiting up on the shelf. These look awesome, sir! 🏆🏆

OH BROTHER!!! Those sister blocks look awesome, Chuck! Can't wait to get to my next build and stock up with a bunch of these blocks you have now! 👍🏆

If you don't mind me calling it this, Peter... Great recovery work! Looking nice! 👍🏆

Oh, well, yeah....! Now it makes perfect sense! <shrug> 🤣🤣

Yay! Looks great! 🏆

Working on my Bluenose ratlines now. Using a clove hitch knot at a 1:64 scale using 0.009" rope. You get into a pretty steady groove with a set of tweezers in hand to assist in grabbing.

Not much input here, Peter, but is it because the pieces are actually placed at an angle, so their lengths are slightly longer than what appears on a two-dimensional plan? First thing I thought of.

Looks really good, Jon! Great attention to detail. I need some education, though... what was the actual purpose of the black tubes attached to the posts? Were they just a "protection buffer" for the posts as things were being moved around on the deck? Or was there another purpose? I like your RP Toolz punch & die set! Have you used that a lot? I saw it and thought "Oooh, I need that, too!!" 🤣 Great work, sir!

Hi Dan! Just peeking in on the beginning of your Lobster Smack. Great start so far! This was a fun, educational build for me. You should enjoy it! And, as you have already discovered, you can never have enough spring clamps or rubber bands! I think everyone had a challenge in connecting the two sides of the deck to where it looked proper, so you did fine with it. Will continue to follow your progress! Carry on! 👍

That's a ton of belay pins, John! Appreciate the fact that you decided to go back and improve on something after-the-fact. OCD perfection! 👍🏆

Great job, Peter! Challenge accepted and completed well! 🏆

Great work, Jon, in using the Dremel to achieve your goals. The ladders look really nice from my perspective. I was also impressed with Mustafa's method in using his Proxxon mill machine and I'm excited to have added that mill machine to my shipyard tools, as well. I have used it several times already with my Bluenose and am sure it will get a workout once I get to my Constitution. Anxious to see your remaining work on your gun deck! Carry on! 👍

If you are referring to the product in the original post, that appears to be the OcCre cabinet which can be found on MicroMark's website. OcCre® Workshop Cabinet – Micro-Mark (micromark.com) While it looks nice and tidy, if you plan on spending any length of time in this hobby, I would think you would outgrow this cabinet pretty quickly with more.... STUFF! I know I have! 👍🤣