Rustyj

Jim explained it very well. I've used a razor blade with my glasses on and I also have a furniture scrapper for larger surfaces.

Hi Tim, Thanks for stopping by. Right now I'm removing all of the running rigging. I will then inspect the standing rigging. Right now I feel I'll need to replace portions of them too. Once I get further into it I'll make some more decisions but I think the masts will stay in place and just the yards will come off. Can't say for sure at this moment.

Thanks Michael.

Hi Bob. Your reluctance is why it took me a year and a half to give it a go. I figure you and others will keep me on track.

Sure Joe.

Hi Floyd, It's great to see you're continuing your Syren! Unfortunately Chuck wasn't producing blocks when I started this build so I used Warner blocks. I did not keep track of the blocks I used so I pulled the Model Expo inventory sheet for the Syren and they list the blocks as follows. 310-3/32" Single Blocks, 55 -1/8' Single Blocks, 15-13/32' Single Blocks, 36-1/8" Double Blocks, 36-3.5 Diameter deadeyes and 55-2.5 Diameter deadeyes. The stern decoration was carved. I love working with cherry and you could use it for any of the deck furniture, gun carriages and hatch combing etc. Mike, It's a going to be a major re-rig. The boom was the only one that could possibly be put back together and I just couldn't do it. So It's a total tear down of the running rigging. I've already ordered new rope from Syren. I'm afraid some of the standing rigging will have to be done too! Hi Steve, I'm glad someone is looking forward to it! LOL I'm dreading it! Hi Joe, Oh I had to let her sit for a year and a half before I could get up the ambition to re-do the rigging. As far as my models go I've only showed you a fraction. Got to hold something back for future meetings.

Floyd, Once the deck if fully planked I sand or scrape it and that will clean up the CA smudges.

Hi All, Way back in 2007-2008 there was a Syren scratch group build here on MSW that was lost in the great crash. This build was prior to the release of the Model Expo Syren designed by Chuck Passaro. I completed my Syren in 2008. Unfortunately during our move to a new home she received some major battle damage to the masting and rigging. Because of this I now have to redo the majority of the rigging. As this was my first scratch build I have a certain affection for her and want to return her to her original condition. As it’s been almost ten years since I last worked on the Syren I’m posting this here for help from those of you that are either at this stage of your build or have more recently completed her. Here’s a couple of pictures from long ago. The Main topgallant mast was snapped. The flying Jibboom was broken. The boom also was damaged. It appears that all of the yards are ok but I will inspect them as I disassemble the rigging. She put up a valiant fight but just wasn't up to the ham fisted mover, ah me!

Hi Pete, thank you and yes if Chuck created it you know it will be good. Thanks to you too archjofo.

Thank you druxey, Ben, Grant, Pat, OC and albert for the kind works. Also thank you all for the "likes" Thank you Mike, your build was an inspiration and a great help. B.E. Thanks, The short version for the flag choice is it's what Chuck did. I believe in his build log he explains why he chose it but I don't remember the rational at this moment. Sorry. Steve I'm glad you liked her and the pedestals. Wanted something a bit different.

Thanks Adam, Bob, Kurt, John and Chris. Also thanks for all the likes. I agree John. There have been some great Cheerful's built they were all an inspiration to me.

Thanks Dirk, Mark, Eric and OC. Also for all of the likes. Well this project is now declared completed! It was a fantastic build and I had a lot of fun doing it. I listed it as a scratch build but it was less scratch and more build. As this was a Syren Ship Models product I wanted to try out as many of the laser cut products Chuck made available. From the bulkheads to the windlass to the anchors and to all the rest of the "mini kits" I did not find fault with anyone of them. They were very well made and each a pleasure to build. Of course the plans and instructions were first rate too! Well here are some pics of the finished model.

Very nice Ben. I agree with the captain!

Dust collection is a very important part of our hobby. Take it as seriously as you can. Back when I started doing this hobby, I was in my late forties , no mask, dust collection etc. The only dust collection was what was on my clothes, hair and nose. After some very heavy periods of sawing and sanding I had two severe allergic reactions that required steroids, inhalers etc. This is when I started to get more serious about dust collection. I first added a Oneida Dust Deputy to my shop vac. I connected to a switch that turns the vacuum on and off when you turn on your tool. I feed the hose through my work bench and attach it to whichever tool I will be using. I also noticed that there were many times that despite the shop vac not all dust is collected. Seeing I have the room I added a ceiling mounted JET air filtration system. I hung it near the basement window and direct vented it to the outside to ensure dust was not recycled back into the shop. Now with all this in place I found one more area that I was failing in my efforts. While at the work bench when we're fairing a hull or sanding the planking there was no tool hooked up so the shop vac captured very little of the dust. The JET captured what was in the air but the dust was all around me on it's way to the JET. To help eliminate this I made one more collection method. I used to have a home made portable down draft box. I dissembled the top, marked the hole pattern on a section of the workbench, drilled the holes and mounted the base under the workbench. Now I can hook the shop vac to it and sand over the vents and most of the dust is sucked down and collected. What little that gets airborne is taken care of by the JET. Of course I use a face mask with replaceable filters too. Now that I've shown you how I handle dust collection I must add the disclaimer that I too am lazy sometimes and don't use every dust capture item in my collection every time I cut one little piece or sand one little spot. I do try to use them as much as possible especially when working on something that creates more than a minimal amount of dust. I hope this helps!

Hi Chris, Two pieces down and a whole lot more to go! Seriously its great to see you cutting wood again. For my Confederacy, Winchelsea and Cheerful hulls I also used pencil. I applied it to one side of the plank. If you want a bit of a thicker look you can apply pencil to both planks. As Ben said give the different styles a try and chose the one you like best.The only time I used black paper was on a 1/24 cross section. It seemed too thick for the others.

Thanks a lot Ben, much appreciated. Also thanks all for the likes! Ok I've make about ten stanchions to get four I liked. I took square stock and chucked it in the lathe. I turned it to the desired dimension added a couple of forms and then fine tuned it with files and sandpaper while spinning. Nothing to fancy but I'm satisfied. Well shes just about done. Just a few touch ups and I'll call her finished.

Thanks Pat. Cheerful is a great ship and a pleasure to build.

Great to see you off and running. I too like s slower speed. As said blade, speed, wood type all influence the cut. As you go you'll you'll find your sweet spot and what works best for you.

As I said in the last post I'm almost done. The anchor and buoys have been placed and the flag has been tied to the flag halliard. There are four entry way stanchions that need to be turned. Trying to make them uniform should make for a few extra attempts! LOL

Thanks Joe, Actually it seems that I'm moving in slow motion right now! Before I start anything new, I'm sad to say, I've got some battle damage to fix on the Syren. The move last year was not kind to her. Thanks Mike, Just have to turn the entryway stanchions, do some touch ups and we're finished!

Very nice Mike. For me you are well past the most difficult part. Looking forward to seeing more!

Thanks Mike, My desk should be spotless cuz I have a real sick mind! Thanks Ken, It took a couple of tries but I'm happy with it. Also thanks all for the likes.

Here are the completed anchors and anchor buoys. They are another mini kit from Syren and were a dream to put together. This is Chucks flag printed on packaging tissue paper. I has been sprayed with a clear fixative from krylon and shaped to hang better. It's drying now and will be tied to the flag halliard . Oh and you can see I didn't shove everything off my desk before taking the picture!

Looking really good Bob. Great craftsmanship.

Thanks Eric. Yes you should get back to her! You've done all the hard work now the fun begins.