Dan Vadas

Well you have to have a degree of mental toughness and willingness to see the project through to the end.Forums like this one are a tremendous help because most members have dealt with just about every problem one can encounter and can offer effective solutions.You also have to have the correct mind set;;nothing about wooden ship building is quick or easy but the results are well worth the effort!

Rudder Head Trunk
 
The head of the rudder is enclosed by a Trunk - removable timber panelling. I made the pieces up in similar fashion to the bulkhead panelling. I've found it easier to make each piece, glue it in place and then move on to fashioning the next one or two :
 

 
I remade the front piece (see below). I'd forgotten to allow for the height of the Lockers which flank the trunk :
 

 

 

 
  Danny

And so the last major part of this build is complete.
 

 

 

 

 

 
All that needs to be done now is to make up and add some rope coils, which are in the process of being made now and to finnish off painting and varnishing the stand.
I aslo raised the Ensign yesterday    
 

 
I will post some pictures of the finnished model over the weekend

Rudder Head Trunk
 
The head of the rudder is enclosed by a Trunk - removable timber panelling. I made the pieces up in similar fashion to the bulkhead panelling. I've found it easier to make each piece, glue it in place and then move on to fashioning the next one or two :
 

 
I remade the front piece (see below). I'd forgotten to allow for the height of the Lockers which flank the trunk :
 

 

 

 
  Danny

Rudder Head Trunk
 
The head of the rudder is enclosed by a Trunk - removable timber panelling. I made the pieces up in similar fashion to the bulkhead panelling. I've found it easier to make each piece, glue it in place and then move on to fashioning the next one or two :
 

 
I remade the front piece (see below). I'd forgotten to allow for the height of the Lockers which flank the trunk :
 

 

 

 
  Danny

Rudder Head Trunk
 
The head of the rudder is enclosed by a Trunk - removable timber panelling. I made the pieces up in similar fashion to the bulkhead panelling. I've found it easier to make each piece, glue it in place and then move on to fashioning the next one or two :
 

 
I remade the front piece (see below). I'd forgotten to allow for the height of the Lockers which flank the trunk :
 

 

 

 
  Danny

Rudder Head Trunk
 
The head of the rudder is enclosed by a Trunk - removable timber panelling. I made the pieces up in similar fashion to the bulkhead panelling. I've found it easier to make each piece, glue it in place and then move on to fashioning the next one or two :
 

 
I remade the front piece (see below). I'd forgotten to allow for the height of the Lockers which flank the trunk :
 

 

 

 
  Danny

Rudder Head Trunk
 
The head of the rudder is enclosed by a Trunk - removable timber panelling. I made the pieces up in similar fashion to the bulkhead panelling. I've found it easier to make each piece, glue it in place and then move on to fashioning the next one or two :
 

 
I remade the front piece (see below). I'd forgotten to allow for the height of the Lockers which flank the trunk :
 

 

 

 
  Danny

Thank you Jeff .
 
Stern Lights Completing
 
I've completed all five Stern Lights - FINALLY   . The munions are VERY fragile - I lost count of how many I had to do more than once as quite a few either let go or broke in several places when I was doing "final adjustments".
 
I made a jig from three pieces of thin planking glued to a piece of flat pine for each Light. A piece of thin card established one angle first, and then I transferred each edge length using dividers.
 


 
The central Light being test-fitted. The small gaps between the Counter Timbers and the Light Frames will disappear when all the trims have been added :
 

 
The five completed Lights. Note the small brass (non-working) hinges that will attach the port and centre lights in the open position. These have been epoxied to the frames :
 


 
  Danny

HMS Vulture Build Log Resurrection
 
 
Following the Crash of  MSW in February 2013 I’ve attempted to re-create as much of my former Build log as I can. The  following is a very truncated version of the original. It doesn’t contain any of the comments posted by others, as they were unrecoverable. My apologies for that.
 
I've also left out the MISTAKES I made during the construction in the "Resurrection" section. Some of them can be found in this Topic : How I Fix Boo-Boos and Oopsies
 
The original Build Log was started on June 11 2011. Actual work on the model commenced on Wednesday August 17 2011.
The Build Log was terminated on February 14 2013 (the day the Server crashed), and Re-building it started the day MSW came back on-line.
 
 
_____________________________________________________________________
Following is an Index to "Points of Interest". you can Click on the Links to jump straight to the First Post that starts a particular Section.
 
Links to other Sites in the following pages, e.g. Tool Suppliers, look like this : Sherline . You can jump straight to their Webpage by Clicking on them. Note : I have no affiliation with any of the Suppliers I have posted Links to - just a happy customer.
 
To return to the Index Click on the "HMS Vulture" Link in the Signature in one of my Posts, or use the "Back" Arrow of your Browser. There are no Signatures under my posts in the Reconstruction phase to save page room.
 
The Index will be updated as work progresses.
 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 
Index to Points of Interest
 
Page 1
HMS Vulture - some History of the ship + Links to Build Logs of other Swan Class Ships on MSW
Research and Materials + Links to Suppliers
How the Model will be built
Tools
Preparations
Clamps and Planking Pins
 
Laying the Keel
Lower Apron
Stem and Fore Deadwood
Aft Deadwood
Sternpost
Rising Wood
Cutting Rabbets and Fitting the Mounting Nuts
Cutting, Shaping and Fitting Transoms
Cutting the Bowsprit Seat
Fashion Pieces
Bollard Timbers
Timberheads and Bowsprit Chock
Forward Cant Frames and Hawse Timbers
Forward Cant Frames
Aft Cant Frames
Side Counter Timbers and Timbers on the Side Counter
Aft Cant Fairing
Knee of the Head Construction
Aft Square Frames
Frame Bend
Shifted Toptimber
Fixed Blocks
 
Page 2
Frames all Fitted
Toptimber Aligning and External Fairing
Treenailing Frames
Keelson
Pump Recesses
Stemson
Fillings
Harpins
Ribbands
Limber Strakes
Floorhead Thickstuff and Treenails
Mast Steps
Aft Crutch and Lower Breasthook
Limber Boards
Lower Well and Shot Locker
Chain Pump Inlets
Pump Tubes
Chain Pump Sprocket
Lower Deck Clamps
Footwaling
Internal Treenailing
Aft Platform
Aft Platform Carlings and Ledges
Aft Platform Bulkheads and Spirit Room Hatch
Lower Deck Beams
Fore Platform and Bulkheads
Lower Deck Hook
Block Room and Tar Room Bulkheads
Magazine Bulkheads and Mizzen Boxing
Lightroom
 
Page 3
Finishing the Magazine
Aft Platform Rooms
Upper Deck Clamps and Ceiling
Lower Deck Beam Carling Mortices
Lodging and Hanging Knees
Pillars in the Hold
Opposed Knees, Beam Arms and Iron Knees
Lower Deck Beams, Carlings and Ledges
Chain Pump Inlets and Tubes Fitted
Sleepers
Lower Deck Waterways and Spirketting
Riding Bitts - stage 1
Upper Deck Beams
Lower Deck Planking
Hooked Planks
Lower Deck Treenailing
Hatch Coamings and Companions
Lower Deck Breasthook
Forward Room Bulkheads
Upper Deck Pillars and Beam Set
Forward Rooms Bulkheads and Scuttles
Forward Bulkheads Finishing
Riding Bitts and Sail Room
Wing Transom Knees
Bread Room Bulkhead and Pillars
Aft Bulkheads
Pantry
Upper Well
Upper Deck Framing Finished
Upper Deck Ledges
 
Page 4
Upper Deck Waterways
Mast Wedges
Main Mast Partners
Aft Beam Arms, Carlings and Ledges
Mizzen and Foremast Partners
Main Topsail Sheet Bitts part 1
Upper Deck Hatch Coamings
Capstan Step
Upper Deck Planking
Top and Butt (Anchor Stock) Deck Planking
Upper Deck Treenailng
Counter Timbers
String in the Waist
Quarterdeck Clamp and Transom
Ebony Wales and "Dummy" Treenails
"Black" Strake
Topside Planking
Port Stops and Sweep Ports
Spirketting,Quckwork and Inside Sweep Ports Trimming
Treenailing Spirketting and Quickwork
Upper Deck Companions
Helm Port
Lower Counter Planking
Garboard Strake
Lower Hull Planking
Top and Butt Planking
Tricky Plank
Hull Planking Continues
Hull Planking Finished
Starboard Sheer Strake
 
Page 5
Scuppers
Main Topsail Sheet Bitts
Main Jeer Bitts
Forecastle Deck Beams
Hawse Holes Finishing
Fore Topsail Sheet Bitts
Bucklers
Upper Deck Breasthook
Bowsprit Partner, Hanging and Lodging Knees
Manger
Riding Bitts
Galley Stove 1
Galley Stove 2
 
END OF BUILD LOG RECONSTRUCTION
 
Chain Pump Cisterns
Pump Chain
Pump Brakes
Rhodings
Forward Stanchions, Cistern Hood and Pump Dale
Capstans
 
Rudder
    Main Piece
    Bearding
    Pintles
    Spectacle Plate
    Bands
    Gudgeons
    Rudder Shipped
    Rudder Coat
 
Forward Athwartships Aft Cabin Bulkhead
Bulkhead Doors
Aft Athwartships Aft Cabin Bulkhead
Longitudinal Aft Cabin Bulkhead
Upper Counter Planking
Forecastle Bulkhead
Forecastle Bulkhead Lights
Making Stern Light Frames
Stern Lights Completing
Rudder Head Trunk
Great Cabin Lockers
Completing Great Cabin
Rudder Head Partners
Transom Iron Knees
 
Guns
    Brackets
    Barrels
    Capsquares
    Drilling the Bolt Holes
    Axletrees
    Carriage Assembly Jig
    Trucks
    Bed
    Quoins
    Hardware
    Breech Rigging
    Side Tackles
  
Forecastle and Quarterdeck Carlings
Forecastle Knees
Catheads
Catheads Fitted
Cathead Caps
Steam Grating Coamings
Steam Grating
Galley Cowl
Cowl Baffle
Breast Beams
Forecastle Half-Door and Light
Quarterdeck Hanging Knees
Cast Knee
Quarterdeck Lodging Knees
Beam Bracket
Quarterdeck Hatch Coamings
Capstan Step
Forecastle and Quarterdeck Waterways
Forecastle and Quarterdeck Planking
Forecastle and Quarterdeck Treenailing
Bulwark Spirketting
Gun Rigging Re-do
Gangboard Knees
Planksheers in the Waist
Hances
Making Timberheads
Timberhead Jig
Forecastle Planksheers
Forecastle Timberheads
Quarterdeck Timberheads
Gangways and Gangboards
Entry Steps to the Waist
Gallows Crosspiece
Preparing Tuck Molding and Waist Rails
 
Quarter Badge
   Quarter Badge Stools and Munions
   Upper Finishing
   Lower Finishing
   Carving the Finishing and Glazing Lights
   Pilasters
   Quarter Badge Crown
 
Chesstrees
Channels
Sheer Rails
Standards
Drift Rails
Main Studding Sail Boom Irons
Fenders
Entry Steps
Swivel Gun Mounts
Fore Jeer Bitts
Belfry
Forecastle Railing and Spar Rack
Companion Top
Ship's Wheel
Quarterdeck Ladderway
Ladderway Railings
Quarterdeck Breastwork
Fixed Gangway Newel Posts and Railings
Taffarel
Taffarel Capping Rail
Ensign Staff Block and Clamp
Quarter Pieces
Roughtree Rail
Brake Pumps Fitted
Steering Rigging
 
 
 
This INDEX has grown too large, so I will start a 2nd one. It can be accessed by clicking the link below.
 
Link to Index Part 2

Thank you Jeff .
 
Stern Lights Completing
 
I've completed all five Stern Lights - FINALLY   . The munions are VERY fragile - I lost count of how many I had to do more than once as quite a few either let go or broke in several places when I was doing "final adjustments".
 
I made a jig from three pieces of thin planking glued to a piece of flat pine for each Light. A piece of thin card established one angle first, and then I transferred each edge length using dividers.
 


 
The central Light being test-fitted. The small gaps between the Counter Timbers and the Light Frames will disappear when all the trims have been added :
 

 
The five completed Lights. Note the small brass (non-working) hinges that will attach the port and centre lights in the open position. These have been epoxied to the frames :
 


 
  Danny

Thank you Jeff .
 
Stern Lights Completing
 
I've completed all five Stern Lights - FINALLY   . The munions are VERY fragile - I lost count of how many I had to do more than once as quite a few either let go or broke in several places when I was doing "final adjustments".
 
I made a jig from three pieces of thin planking glued to a piece of flat pine for each Light. A piece of thin card established one angle first, and then I transferred each edge length using dividers.
 


 
The central Light being test-fitted. The small gaps between the Counter Timbers and the Light Frames will disappear when all the trims have been added :
 

 
The five completed Lights. Note the small brass (non-working) hinges that will attach the port and centre lights in the open position. These have been epoxied to the frames :
 


 
  Danny

Thank you Danny,
 
my biggest error was to be trusted in that kit. Im far way from the supply and the only thing I could change is the sternpart with the Windows. It is a shame from that company to sell that kit with this amount off errors......!!
Anyway, Im building her finished and with my next ship I look more precisely to it.
Thank you for your help

Hi All ,
 
The next step was to fit the catheads and winch, the fitting of these was straight forward I had pre dilled holes iin the deck to take the pins attached to the legs of the catheads and winch supports I also filed the cap rails at an angle where the catheads would sit. The first picture shows this altough it is a lot earlier in the construction.
 

 
The next two show the catheads fitted
 

 

 
The next three show the winch fitted. I got a bit ahead of myself and had the port anchor partly rigged before I rembered to take a picture    
 

 

 

 

The stock was then glued to the anchor and the ring attached and soldered. The supplied ring was I thought to small so I used a larger one as I wanted to serve it
 

 

 

 
The anchor cable was then tied to the anchor using a fishermens or anchor bend knot
 

 

The last stage of the rigging before I tackled the ratlines was to rig the backstays. The stays had previously  been siezed around the mast cleats and consist of a single line with a one hole block siezed to the end of it. Another length of black cord is then treaded through this one hole block and attached to the second dogbone fitted to the gunwale a double violin block is siezed to the other end of this line. The violin block is then reeved to the one hole block attached to the pedestal on the outside of the hull and belayed to the eyebolt fitted just inside the rail on each side.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi All,
 
The first picure shows another view of the gaff rigged.
 

 
The next job was to fit and rig the driver boom; this spar only has two lines rigged to it they being the topping lift and the mainsheet.. The boom was attached to the mast with parrel beads and the jaws rested on the boom support fixed to the mast.
 

 
The two lines were then rigged. The topping lift starts at a two hole block fitted to the mast at the shroud cleats and goes down to aone hole block fitted to the end of the boom and then back up through the two hole block and back down to the deck belaying off at the port side belaying pin.
 

 

 
The mainsheet is rigged using two two hole blocks one attached to the boom and the other to a rail fitted to the transom the blocks are reeved together and the the line belays to the cleat on the port side  of the transom.
 

 

 

AS you can see in the last post the tiller has been fitted unfortunately some of the pictures I took of the rigged mainsheet were not very clear  . The tiller was not fitted until all the rigging in this area was complete  
 
The next two pic's show another view of the boom rigging
 

 

 
I then fitted the tiller to the rudder.
 

 

 

Manger
 
The Manger performed the task of draining off most of the water as the anchor cable was hauled in. There is a scupper in each forward corner to let the water back out.
 
It consists of two removable planks each side which are held at their forward ends by two rebated cants and a rebate at their aft ends in each of the two fore topsail sheet bitt pins :
 
 

 

 

Bowsprit Partner, Hanging and Lodging Knees

The Bowsprit Partner is made from a single piece of timber 24" wide and 2" thick. I started out by using a card template, cutting the hole a little undersize. To finish off the angled hole I used the same sliding sanding tube as for the hole between the knightheads and bowsprit chock, but I placed the end of the guide dowel into the bowsprit step :

 

 

 
 
The Hanging Knees for the second beam needed quite a bit of sanding to get them to sit flush with the spirketting :

 

 

Hull Planking Finished
 
The hull planking after all treenailing has been finished and sanded :
 
 

 
 
After two coats of Minwax Wipe-on Poly were applied :
 
 

 

 

Upper Deck Treenailng
 
More of the same - Treenailing (yawn  ) :
 
 

 

 

 

Top and Butt (Anchor Stock) Deck Planking
 
Same as Lower Deck Planking - I'll let the pics tell the story :
 
 

 

 

 

 

Aft Beam Arms, Carlings and Ledges
 
There are four Beam Arms on the Upper Deck - two each side of the beam separating the Main Hatch from the Main Mast Partners :
 
 

 

 

 

 

Upper Deck Waterways
 
These were made and fitted in similar fashion to the Lower Deck Waterways, with one notable exception - their profile shape. This required a special Scraping Tool to cut the profile.
 
To make the tool I used a wide chisel-point Xacto blade. I first annealed it over a gas flame until it was cherry-red and allowed it to cool naturally. When it had cooled I filed the profile in with needle files and sharpened each facet with the same. Then I once again returned it to the gas flame, heating it to cherry-red but this time I immediately quenched it in water to cool it. This hardened the steel back to it's original condition.
 
One thing to note about the scraping tool is the "long" part of the blade (top-right in the pic) - the "vertical" facet has been left dull (rounded in fact) to follow the edge of the plank without cutting into it. This guides the rest of the blade to prevent it from wavering :