Valkyrja68

17 hours ago, ccoyle said:

 

I grew up in Humboldt County, where folks think that places like Santa Cruz and Capitola are in Southern California! 😆

Yeah but that's just because y'all smoke too much reefer...

On 3/15/2022 at 6:41 PM, SaltyNinja said:

 

I'm from Santa Cruz too, I grew up in Capitola BTW!💪

Hey friend!! I live in midtown but I grew up on 37th ❤️ Small world huh

4 hours ago, allanyed said:

Eberhard is spot on about using silk span.  There is no cloth and absolutely no sewing machine that will yield stitching that is to scale at 1:96 or even as large as 1:48.   There are a lot of beautiful models in the build logs that are ruined when cloth sails are rigged.   

Allan

I am not going to claim superiority over those veterans of model ship building..but...I was a seamstress and there are a LOT of fabrics that have come a long way-especially synthetic options. And there are also special invisible stitches one could use short of just gluing them (which is the tack I was leaning toward).  I'm determined to catalogue them for posterity and options for those who are interested. I'm not at all saying that you are wrong in the use or look of silkspan, I'm just saying that it is a statistical impossibility that silkspan is the ONLY material of its ilk that would look scale appropriate.

6 hours ago, wefalck said:

At 1:96 scale I would rather not use any cloth for sails, it is far too coarse, even the finest ones you can find. Have look around the forum there are several threads on using silk paper or 'silkspan'. Dito for rolled hammocks.

 

For netting at this it is not so easy, as most commercial netting or screen is likely to have too fine mesh and/or too thick threads. Printing silk-screen could be an option or recycled silk teabags. There is also wire- or sieve-mesh, but it may have the same problem. Drawing every second thread in both direction could be an option.

@wefalck Thank you for your suggestions! I think the mesh I posted is adequate scale for the model from my research and math calculations. I agree for the most part on sails but I don't like the look of paper, and especially it's general lack of archival properties. But correct me if I'm wrong, isn't silkspan just an alternative to actual silk? 
I have found some potential alternatives that I have on hand. One is a Japanese pressed tissue (for use under fried tempura food) it is made to absorb oil without turning to nasty pulp and has the same properties as I've read silkspan has (cross weave?) Fiber construction that resists tearing; thin almost* tissue paper like cream colored appearance; absorption properties that will take glue and paint and water. 
I have silk georgette fabric that I think may be the right choice (for fabric) similar to chiffon but less transparent, it has a very fine almost invisible weave, but I don't know if I have enough. Lastly I have a fine batiste fabric that has a crinkly temperament that I think would go well, it may be a tad thicker than ideal but still workable. I was going to do a little show and tell but I got caught up in my running rigging...such an ordeal I swear!! More to follow.

6 minutes ago, Gregory said:

 

This is pretty close..  I would visit a fabric shop and try to find a little smaller mesh tulle..

Oh I have every fabric known to man lol, I'll take a look and find something else.

On 3/11/2022 at 10:59 PM, Dr PR said:

Valkyrija,

 

Looks to me as if your first ship model is doing just what it should do!

 

No one makes a perfect ship model on the first try, but hopefully they learn why it is not perfect and do a better job the next time. And we learn new methods and materials as we go, making us better modelers.

 

Don't get you hopes too high. I have been building wooden ship models for at least 60 years, and I am still no where near perfection! But I am learning!

This is not reassuring! I'm lucky if I have 30 years 😂. I am a true believer that you never stop learning, so that's no big deal. But I do want a notable model in my lifetime....I better get going on my studies! Haha

So I'm looking at the use of different fabrics for use as netting, sails and hammocks that are what I think may look decent, please take a look at my build log and weigh in. I have tuille, lace, slip, linen, and more- detailed with size references. 

So I'm tossing around ideas on fabrics for boarding netting/taffrail netting, sails, and hammocks in regard to scale, and realism. I may end up using paper for the sails/sheets in particular but I'd love for some feedback on the topic. Which is closest? I'm using the provided Revell figures and graph paper for size reference.

@Gregory ye ol' iPhone 12pro

@Dearborn Ooh that sounds advanced haha! I will try to figure that out. USS Constitution by Valkyrja - Revell - 1:96 scale - 1978 kit ?

Captain's log: Changing tack completely, Long necessary story for posterity to ensue. 
Backstory. When I started this build years ago now, I had been a ship's mate in the Virgin Islands, I found this Revell kit at the goodwill along with the Cutty Sark, and purchased them both for $40! As I stated previously I had no modeling experience, no supplies, tools etc. but I knew this was going to be a great ship to build. I spent a little bit of time on it here and there over a couple years but I never really thought to do anything to it other than tackle it...and then (at the dread rigging) it sat in my closet. 
 

Since then I have taken up all sorts of hobbies and skills including 1:12 scale architectural models. At the time I had figured that the Revell Constitution was an fine accurate representation, and did not bother to research (why?). I had no real plans to improve upon it, being as it was plastic. Now after all of that I have taken it out of the graveyard section of drydock and reappraised. Now to give Revell its credit, it IS a fine model, in fact compared to other popular models I have seen, for a cheaper version, it is dang near spectacular. Part of that is due to the era (70's), when our commodities were still made well. But in light all the research I have been accumulating, which is how I came to be here, there are quite a few modifications I would have done, that I cannot now, because she's all glued tight together. So it is within my judgment to continue and finish her as a sort of decked out fantastical frigate that may or may not resemble the Constitution when I am finished. The reason for this is simply so that I can use this model as technique practice for additions and upgrades I plan to make on the Cutty Sark. 
There are some very good things I did such as razor away seam lines and cut off sloppy edges, carefully lay my ropes and glue them down. But there are a lot of shortcuts, too many to warrant taking apart. It is part of my rash nature to come in hot barrel into things and then adjust course, I will never win the Americas cup....

I will most likely get my hands on another and revisit the constitution but as it stands now I will document what I am doing, what worked and what failed for myself and others who may find something of use. I hope this is the point of these build logs but one has already stated they are impatient and rash. 
 

Only progress to this end will follow

@Gregory I've decided to update my captains log (build log?) we're changing tack.

3 hours ago, Gregory said:

 

While not the final word, you will find the use of cloth, that requires sewing, is not well received here due to the challenges of achieving a scaled look.

The weave of the cloth and the size of stitches detract from an otherwise finely detailed model.

 

There are some models displayed with fairly decent cloth sails, but I don't recall anyone sharing technique to any extent.

 

There is an excellent tutorial on making sails with silkspan to be found here:

 

Considering this project ( Medway Longboat ) is 1:24 scale, it reflects the limitations of trying to get a good effect with cloth.

 

I searched for 'cloth + sails' and got a few pages, but it remains to be seen what you might filter out of it..

 

https://modelshipworld.com/search/?q=cloth %2B sails&quick=1

 

Ahhh I see now! Well, that's fine. I have Vellum as one suggested. Not being a ship modeler I thought that this cloth looked more like sails than the stiff plastic the kit came with, and I don't have silkspan to accomplish the look that Lauria demonstrates. All in all I purchased this kit before I had done any research on model building and was just excited to put all the little pieces together. Had I known then what I know now- I would have made all manner of customizations and alterations- but it's just going to be a standard beginner kit construction at this point as it's 90% done and welded. So basically I'm not terribly particular about it, but in making it and then re-searching I now have a very good idea of what I am going to do on the next one. Which will be the Cutty Sark that was purchased at the same time. 😃

4 hours ago, SaltyNinja said:

Hey over there Valkyrja68, I'm new over here too.🎸🤘

 

It gets foggy sometimes but I'm learning to navigate and learn to use all  the tools and instruments for safe passage. I think when the seas get tough and you see mountainous swells rolling your way, the kind that make you get that sinking feeling, this joint can help guide the astute. 👍

Love it! That's my kinda analogy. I am having a hard time navigating this site for sure. There are fathoms of interesting and sidetracking info on here but when I do a direct search it's filled with everything I don't want. Right now I'm attempting to look up making sheets/sails of cloth. I've found some on paper and some on plastic but nothing yet on cloth that helps me...the search continues 

On 3/8/2022 at 8:11 AM, MaryG said:

Hi Everyone!  I am not exactly a new member but until now I haven't posted anything in the forums.  I started modelling about 4 years ago.  My dad was a finishing carpenter before he retired and was looking for a hobby.  I gave him the Canadian ship The Bluenose (kit) which he finished and subsequently did 3 more - one for each of his kids!  My dad lived in Canada and I am in Arizona but facetimed him every week and watched his progress with his boats.  He encouraged me to try to hobby and i bought a model and struggled with it!  But I persisted and did a number of models since then - not really knowing what I was doing - and it showed!  Unfortunately my dad passed in 2021 so I lost my mentor and I have struggled ever since, especially with planking.  Thankfully I returned to model ship world and discovered the half hull planking kit and help from other members.  I am starting the half hull kit and am following a few logs to see what others have done.

I am pleased to see there are other women modellers - it gives me faith that I too can do this!  I look forward to meeting people on the forums.  Thanks so much!

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sorry for your loss. I have not yet the courage or research to take on a diy build, but I am working on a U.S.S. Constitution kit and I am a woodworker and miniaturist and would be happy to contribute if you see fit to need help with anything.

1 hour ago, Ryland Craze said:

Could you make replacement stanchions out of wire.  Another option could be to make them out of plastic.  Two companies that sell plastic are Evergreen Scale Models and Plastruct.  If you click on the two companies underlined, it will take you to their websites.

I just did 😈. I had to bite the bullet and pull it apart but....hot poker, jewelry pins, a wire cutter and some glue. Need to paint still. 

1 hour ago, allanyed said:

Hi Valkyrja

It is nice to see a new lady of Odin join MSW.   Heck of job you have on the battlefield what with picking which of the men go to Valhalla😀   

 

If you use the search box at the top right and type the words "pirated plans"  you will get the post that Chuck Passaro started in 2013 plus updates and discussions.

 

In short it included the following statement and list.   

 

Cheers,   Allan

 

 

NO KITS BY THESE MFGs WILL EVER BE ALLOWED ON THIS SITE. Here is the list of crooked ship model MFGs banned from MSW

ZHL

RealTS 

Snail Model

XinFeng 

Crown
JD Model 
LHQK

Huasong 

Shi Cheng 

woodenkit (Russian MFG)
YengFan 
Unicorn Model 
YQ (YaunQing)

Master

CN

CF

shi hai

4H Model

Moxing

Microcosm

WN

Jaocdoen

SC

DUJIAOSHOU

DryDock Models and parts (Canada)  selling for companies that pirate.

Not that hard to choose, not many drengr's anymore. But I digress, thank you.
I did read this, how they are allowed to sell beats me -but you just need to look at the maker then I surmise? I can do that.

3 hours ago, Ryland Craze said:

Hi Valkyrja68 and welcome to Model Ship World.  It looks like you are finding your way around MSW.  I did a topic search and found two pages of topics for the Revell Constitution.  Here is a link to my search:

 

https://modelshipworld.com/search/?&q=Constitution Revell&type=forums_topic&page=1&search_and_or=and&search_in=titles&sortby=relevancy

 

You will find that it does not take much time to learn your way around MSW.  As far as questions go, please ask away as we are more than willing to try to answer them.

Rad! Yes I'm a pretty good problem solver, but not the best "looker" or maybe I should say "finder" thanks for the links

Captains log: I was able to salvage a few of the broken stanchions, but some are missing and I have no idea how to compensate for this. Any ideas or experience would be helpful, until then I am going to sift the site for help.

47 minutes ago, ccoyle said:

 

In the upper right corner of each of your posts is a symbol composed of three dots -- clicking that brings up a drop-down menu from which you can select 'edit.' You can also edit your title, but only from the first post. I gave your title a fine-tuning so you can see the proper format. I also tagged your build log; tags help members quickly find all of the topic threads that bear the same tag, e.g. clicking the 'Revell' tag brings up a list of all the topics that have a Revell tag. You can also resize your photos, should you feel the need; simply double-click on the embedded photo to pull up the resizing menu.

 

Cheers!

Thanks friend! I did read the posting title criteria but promptly forgot it after I brought it up, and then was afraid to hit the back button. New to forums in general so I'm in the learning curve. I'm trying to read as much of the site info as applicable to avoid being a nuisance but...well that's unavoidable really.

Update 2. Found how to add a build log and posted progress, will some brave and bored soul with nothing better to do, foster this greenhorn so that I may harass you for the next unforeseeable length of time for help? Sounds like a  good deal am I right? 😂 I am already in a bind trying to figure out how to fix the unbelievably tiny and delicate stanchions that broke upon treacherous waters of my closet.  

Started weathering (painting) and fixing broken sections from when it was dropped in my closet as the red-headed step-child.

26 minutes ago, ccoyle said:

To learn more about the touchy subject of pirated models, click here and here. In a nutshell, there are certain kit manufacturers who are engaged in the nasty business of ripping off the designs of other companies. These unscrupulous companies and their products are persona non grata at MSW.

Will do, thanks! My current build is a vintage Revell Constitution that I opened myself so I know it's bueno. 👌🏽

12 minutes ago, Gregory said:

A good thing to remember, is if you have a particular kit in mind, just run it by us here and we can tell you if it is not welcomed here for some reason.

For sure, but I want to know how to avoid them previous to the fact not just for this site, cheers.