GGibson

The stirrup-type iron fitting would be hard to replicate, but I think your abilities did just fine with these bullseye attachments to the breast knee, Mustafa! Will look sharp once the pin rail is placed. Great work, sir!

Looks like a great way to create your main rail, Mustafa! The jig for holding the curved form worked out well! To create the half-lap joint (or whatever the technical term is for the continuous rail extension down the sides), did you use the mill to cut the wood on the ends for them to join? It will all look really nice!

Hi Julian - Not sure if this helps any, but... I have the 3-jaw chuck that I bought when I either bought the Proxxon drill or the Proxxon mill, and the chuck does open very "stiffly". Did your purchase come with one of the turn handles shown in my first picture? Using that really helps opening and closing, especially after tightening against whatever you are securing (and the subsequent release of said object). Also, if by chance you removed the jaws from the base, make sure you put the jaws back in the right spot. In the second picture, you see that the jaws and the base have 1-2-3 numbers. Apologize if you are already aware of this numbering, but wanted to point it out. But, did want to confirm that, yes, the chuck does open hard. Let us know how you like the lathe!

Hi Jon, hope you have had an enjoyable extended Thanksgiving weekend. To save you some time looking on your library shelf, I did see in re-reading your build log in more detail that, in your discussion regarding rudder iron chains, you reference Captain E. Armitage McCann's book, so... not surprisingly... you have the book! I'm looking forward to using it as one of many references!

Interesting... Had not heard of Agora Models previously. Definitely an interesting way to send the product, packs or stages as they call it at a time each month. And, for those without a calculator handy, $1,724.88 if over 12 months, $1,914.76 if over 24 months. Whew!

Great looking cleats, Mustafa! I assume you made them using your Proxxon mill? Excellent work, sir!

Well, yes, Mustafa... I have been preparing. I've gone through Jon's build-to-date and am now reading through yours from the start to where you are currently. Not sure about a "heavily modified kit", but if I can successfully build a "Jon/Mustafa" clone of the Constitution, I will declare it a win! You guys, along with Peter, usedtosail, xken, among others, have me inspired and excited to get started. All of you have created your own Constitution practicums. My appreciation for all of you is overwhelming! 🏆

Sounds great, Jon. Also ordered this Laurence Arnot book but haven't received it yet. Just trying to prepare myself for the build. I have been re-reading all of your posts here to understand what you've done, and how well you've done it! May have a few questions in a month or so. Let's get past the holidays first... Speaking of which, have a Happy Thanksgiving weekend with family!

Hi Jon! Hope you have a wonderful long holiday weekend with family! Happy Thanksgiving! Saw this book on a website named AbeBooks and was curious if you are familiar with the book or the author. Ordered it and it arrived today. Safe travels back home!

What you may be referring to is a technique I saw Olha Batchvarov use in one of her YouTube videos re: the USS Confederacy. It's the #9 video in that series, if the link does not work here. Her process for making the clamps begins at the 3:50 mark of that video. The biggest and most difficult ship model kit - #09 - USS CONFEDERACY - [WALES]

Apologize for taking up space on your build log, Peter, but just wanted to give a shoutout to the Woodland Scenics folks that we discussed on Sunday. Ordered my set of dry transfers on Sunday... and received them via UPS today (Tuesday). Great customer service!

I had sent the Proxxon folks a query about a possible accessory add-on for my MF70 milling machine and drill, and received a response back that indicated the accessory I was asking about might be a bit big for what I was wanting it for, but indicated they had a brand-new clamp that may interest me. Who isn't interested in brand-new stuff?!? Eccentric clamping fixture ES 70 – PROXXON Inc Wasn't completely familiar with the "eccentric clamping" term, but it appears to be a way to "quick clamp" things with the small turn of the lever/handle. A maximum of 1.5mm squeeze, if I am understanding the information correctly. This would be SO much easier than the step clamps that come with the Proxxon X-Y compound table, so I am all in on this accessory! 👍

We've all had days like this... some of us more than a dozen days like this... I'm sure someone will suggest an A+ solution, Peter. And the rest of us will take notes for when it happens to us again. 👍

Difficult to answer specifically, Jim. Really don't think it's either. Pavel Nikitin is a quality builder and designer and has created some remarkable model ships. Not that I fully understand the "mass production" process of creating an inventory of model kits, but the issues seem to more be in how the parts are laser cut on the sheets, perhaps not setting the lengths perfectly in the CNC controls, etc. The builders over on the YouTube channel have commented about obvious omissions in parts that are shown in the instructions on particular laser-cut sheets but missing on the actual sheet in their kits. I have run across a couple of those instances, as well. So, I guess that comes down to quality control in the production process, rather than a quality/design issue? But... we'll continue to work through it. The others have. With that said, though, I have already begun prepping for my Constitution build... 🤷‍♂️🤣

After completing the lower part of the port side hull, it was now the starboard side's turn. As you will recall, all of the Pavel Nikitin Santa Maria hull planks are pre-shaped and include nib scarfs where needed. Many of the strakes, though, did require some careful bending to shape them around the bulkheads. I've been doing this successfully on these planks by holding them under a stream of hot water for a bit, then pinning them against the bulkheads until dry, then glueing them in place, using Acco clips and mini-clamps. Although Pavel has been adamant in other modelers' YouTube build logs that all of his planks fit perfectly, modelers have had issues with some planks not being long enough or the spacing being a bit off. I had that issue on the port side that I noted in my post #19 above, and had a similar issue on the starboard side (actually a bit worse). I also had an issue with what would, I guess, be Pavel's garboard strake #1 not meeting the keel fully, so I added a small 3/32" square strip to fit in the spot to take up that space. It will all be sanded and filled as I clean up the hull before finishing. So, the lower half hull planking of both sides is now compete. I will now work on the hull planks at the wale and higher. To those celebrating Thanksgiving this week, hope it is a wonderful time for you. Safe travels if enjoying away from home. As always, appreciate the reads, likes, comments and criticisms.

Transom looks really nice, Peter! OK. Haven't even started my Constitution, so probably five years (or more) away from this step, but... based on your "still available online" comment, I thought I better knock that one off of the order list and I placed my order with Woodland Scenics now, as well. I did, though, order the MG740 USA Gothic White dry transfers that Jon mentioned in his build log. Now if I can just remember 5 years (or more) from now where I put them! 🤷‍♀️🤣 Carry on, sir! Doing well!

Yogeon Mini Black Hand Plane - Made in China - Purchased in 2021 on Amazon. Haven't used it in planking, but I have used it several times when shaping square dowels to a circle for masts. 👍

Great... another "ooooh, I gotta have THAT new tool now, too" thread. Thanks, guys! I'm such an easy target.... 🤷‍♀️🤣 I actually do have a nice little palm-sized plane. Need to look to see if it has a brand name on it. But keeping that Lee Valley website open "just in case"...

After you draw a line on the wood plank where the taper should run to, if it's a decent amount that you can trim an excess off carefully with an X-Acto blade, go for it. But for more precise tapering, I use and would recommend a sanding block and sandpaper. Maybe start with 180/220 grit paper. Good luck!

I have two fully-height-and-brightness-adjustable LED lamps on either end of my shipyard workspace that provide me with awesome light. The AmazLit Desk Lamp - AmazLit Desk Lamp, Desk Light with Clamp, Stepless Dimming & Adjustable Color Temperature Modern Eye-Caring Architect Lamp with Memory & Timing Function for Study, Work, Home, Office, 15W - Amazon.com and the Neatfi LED Desk Lamp - Neatfi XL 2,200 Lumens Adjustable LED Desk Lamp & Task Lamp - Bright, Dimmable Lighting for Office, Crafts, Nails & Hobbies with Clamp (Non-CCT, White) - Amazon.com I have had the combo light-and-magnifier type lamps previously and found that they did not hold position well and never really used the magnifier... I use my helping hands alligator clips with magnifier for that type of work.

Looks great, Peter! Well done!

After working on two of the Model Expo Shipwright Series boats, I built the Ballahoo and then the Bluenose. The Bluenose was a fun ship for me to build and I learned a lot more about the build process (especially rigging) working on her. Highly recommend. Best wishes on whatever you choose!

Hello Haiko! I will begin following your Constitution build with great interest, as I have this same Constitution kit up on my shelf, waiting for my completion of the Santa Maria build I am currently working on. I have been following the builds of @Der Alte Rentner, @JSGerson, and @mtbediz, among others, as Peter, Jon and Mustafa are all doing fantastic and I am learning so much watching each of their Constitution builds and the challenges each of them face (and conquer) in the process. Not entirely sure how far out I am in beginning my Constitution build but will definitely add your build to my list of projects to watch. Hope all goes well and look forward to watching! Thanks for allowing me to tag along!

I do like your single arm helping hand and its base, Tom! I've got the 4-arm model with the yellow base, but the single arm style would also have some practicality! Especially if it were a longer arm.

Just used this tool to download a couple LARGE (40+/- internet pages) MSW threads I was interested in saving. Worked great! Thank you, sir!