DocBlake

I think you'll really like the variable speed feature!

I have a Byrnes disk sander, and it is a remarkable tool. I love it!!! But I hate changing paper back and forth for different tasks. The bulk of my work with the Byrnes is with the fine grit (180). I occasionally could use coarser grit, like 100. I decided to make life easier by buying a bench top sander that I can equip with coarse paper. It cost me $40 at our local Menard's. The tilting table mechanism and miter gauge are cheap, but I simply set both at 90 degrees with a try square and I don't anticipate changing them often. The best feature is a variable speed control. Wonderful!! I really wish we could have that on a Byrnes! https://www.menards.com/main/tools/power-tools/sanders/performax-reg-1-1-amp-corded-5-bench-top-disc-sander/jd2504/p-1489990860962.htm

The exterior of the model is complete. I mounted all the deadeyes and chainplates and glued the retaining strips to hold them in place. The chainplates were nailed to the hull through pre-drilled holes and secured with a drop of CA. The chainplates were fixed to the channels in their notches with a little gel CA. The finished channels have a decorative groove cut in the outside edge, and knees to counter the upward stress the shrouds would put on the channels. All that's left is to rig the cannons, and add some kegs, match tubs and tools to the two battles stations on the gun deck.

This is the sequence for making the deadeye stropping and chain plates. This simple strap style of chain plate was in use by the British Royal navy before 1760. Blandford was launched in 1720. I started with a length of 18 gauge copper wire (adjust based on scale and deadeye size). I wrapped it around the deadeye (a sacrificial deadeye, not the final one) and then clamped the two wires about 3/16" from the deadeye with a pair of pliers. With another pliers I squeezed the two wires between the first pair of pliers and the deadeye to create a tight strop with two parallel copper wires. I then soldered the two copper wires together. Be careful not to solder too close to the deadeye or you won't be able to remove it. Once soldered, remove the sacrificial deadeye (you can use it again!). File the soldered "strap" flat and remove any excess solder. Blacken the chainplate and install the finish deadeye. Mine were dyed black. Bend the chainplate to fit the channel and butt up against the hull. Drill a hole in the end of the chainplate, and with an awl mark the location on the hull where you'll pin the chainplate. Use the hole in the chainplate to mark the location. Drill that hole. Install the chainplate/deadeye assembly.

Great progress!

Finishing up the exterior. Fitting deadeyes on the channels.

I also rigged the ballast ports.

I need to get this model finished! 　 I made my own blocks from swiss pear. They are 8 scale inches long, or 1/4" on the model. The single blocks are cut from 1/8" X 3/16" stock, and the double blocks are from 3/16" square stock. The sequence is: 　 -Mark the location of the sheave holes and drill them through with a #60 drill -Connect the sheave holes with a groove, using a curved X-Acto blade. -Round one end of each block, then cut them off at 1/4" and round off the other. -File stropping grooves into the block faces. -Treat with boiled linseed oil to darken.

Excellent work!

Very, very nice work, Lawrence!

Great progress, Mustafa!

Thanks Michael, and everyone for the "likes". Gregory: The cannon barrels are 3-1/8" or 79 mm from cascabel to the end of the barrel.

Thanks, guys! Closer to done. Sweep port and ballast port covers installed. The ballast ports need ring bolts and line to open them. No poly yet. All that’s left on the outside of the hull are channels, dead eyes, chain pump dale discharge ports and chain plates. Just finishing those up.

Finding 6-pounder cannon barrels in 1:32 scale proved to be very difficult. Since I had been involved in conversations with my cyber friend Mike (one of my 17th Century Battle Station partnerss), we speculated as to whether we could cut the guns with his CNC setup. After a lot of hard work on his part, Mike sent me four 6-pounders CNC cut out of swiss pear. All I had to do was clean them up, dye them and give them a coat of poly. Look closely at the barrels. You can see the touch hole and the cypher of King George I, the monarch in 1720. Mike also laser cut the carrieages for me. I laso installed the entry steps and the fenders.

I'm beginning to work on the final details on the exterior of the model. There are 6 sweep port covers and one ballast port cover per side. When the model was designed, the idea was to keep the framing simple, so understandably the sweep ports and ballast ports were not framed in. In the original ship, the port covers would have sat flush with the outboard planking. In the model, they will be glued onto the planking. The plans call for 1/16" stock for these parts. I'm using boxwood so I thought I could go thinner - I used 1/32" thick boxwood. A soft wood like basswood wouldn't hold up at 1/32". I also need a way to add those horseshoe shaped hinges to the sweep port lids. I talked to my good friend Mike , and he offered to cut the parts out of 1/32' boxwood and etch the hinges for me! Then it was a simple matter to paint the hinges. Mike left masking tape on the good surface of the boxwood so there is no laser scorch on the good face, and it masks the wood where the hinges are, so all I had to do was slop on the paint and let it dry. Once dry, peel off the masking tape, and nice clean hinges result. Here are some pictures. Thanks, Mike!