chris watton
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Everything posted by chris watton
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It is always a balancing act with prices. For these, I decided to subsidise them even more than I usually do, Sherbourne especially, in the hope they will attract newcomers and other modellers who haven't yet tried one of these VM kits and have no clue about the materials that make up the kits - hoping the dividend will be more people taking up the hobby, rather than being permanently put off. Prices will have to be higher in the future, though, as pear and PE brass have just risen very sharply, but I had the materials and PE before the price hikes for both Adder and Sherbourne. The cost of PE brass especially has just gone through the roof. Adder was almost abandoned last year, as I wasn’t sure how popular it would be (and the costs of producing these is great), so started to do Sherbourne instead. But as I kept looking at Adder, it grew on me, and ended up looking so much better than I had hoped.- 385 replies
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I have just completed the final job for Adder, the box label. Now onto Sherbourne. Also now have final prices: Adder - VM/15 - £246 Sherbourne - VM/16 - £149 (For first run of kits)
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The boats were done by a professional digital artist under a commission from me, so not sure about the software they used. I am always looking for people who can do such projects for me - I will need someone to colour a set of frieze work for me at some point too, so I can print them or have decals. Anyone who is interested in this, let me know. (I can do it, but it would save me a lot of time...) The plans are very low res - but am always mindful of people less scrupulous
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Large 3-decker kits have always been around the $1000 price, at the very least, because they are large 3 deckers. Anything much cheaper will have compromises. I saved up for months back in the early '90's for the Sergal Sovereign of the Seas, (back then, it was very normal to save up for what you wanted) it cost me £550. Taking into account inflation since then, that comes to around £1150 today.
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For PE, a Stanley Knife should do the trick. I have never used anything else.
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Thank you, Glenn. It is strange, seems like only yesterday I decided on the name for the model range, yet also seems like forever ago!
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And here are the Adder laser cut and PE parts, not on A3 like Sherbourne, but 50x70cm sheets. Also one of the profile plans, where the 'droop' of the foredeck is clearly visible.
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I will not be able to get Sherbourne as cheap as the other one, as this is very pre fabricated with many more parts, but I do plan to subsidise the first batch so that I retail it for under £150. One of my aims (as well as making a little profit) has always been to encourage new modellers to the hobby, and not put them off with crap. Sherbourne has 19 A3 size plan sheets (as well as a full colour A4 manual), with 10 plan sheets dedicated to the very simple masts and rig, breaking the rigging down into bite size portions. I have included here the plan sheets for the laser cut sheets and PE, so you can see what actually goes into the bulk of this kit, as well as a couple of profile plans.
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Very nice, Chris! Next week I shall start the manuals for Adder and Sherbourne, which will be the final big job.
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I remember doing that, I did that and I think a Ballahoo Class Schooner at the same time back in 2000, took about 3 weeks from very start to finish. This one took quite a bit longer, and I hope it will show in the kit.
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..And second prototype model done. Well, still have the clear acetate stand to add, but rig completed literally minutes ago... Sherbourne (64th)
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I very much like this: (STEVEN DEWS (1949-) HMS Centurion & the Spanish Treasure ship Nuestra Señora de Covadonga
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Well, it wouldn't stand up to too close a scrutiny - used lots of CA for securing knots instead of the usual PVA, so if damaged, it will be a nightmare to fix. Also lots of simple knots instead of the more usual seizings. I have included minimal rig for this, with running rigging being just tyes, lifts and braces - but still manages to look pretty busy up top. Still laser cutting the parts for both kits, onto the laser etched decks. This time, for both Adder and Sherbourne, I am using more power for the engraved parts, so they are not so light, as seen on the prototpe models (which have the exact same batch of 0.8mm pear I used for the prototypes and the same laser engrave and cut settings).
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I did rush the rig, cut a lot of corners, meaning it took around 5 days from shrouds to braces - but I only need the model to look presentable for box art...
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You can send them via PM, no problem! Am currently masting and rigging Adder (only on shrouds, first job for rigging), this will be another two weeks, then I do the same for Sherbourne. After this, I need to put the manuals together (last job, which will take a full week at least - plans are already fully complete). So am thinking the end of next month for release, assuming no delays for printed stuff. Whilst trying to finish the models, I am also laser cutting the production sheets for each, which is about 30% complete as I type. All PE is already here with me and all resin fittings complete. Adder will go in a Grecian sized box, and Sherbourne Fifie/Zulu box. After these two, work will start on a medium sized kit, but I will take my time on this, I feel I need to slow down a little....
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CA gel, it is what I used for the prototype model for your kit, and is used for 99% of all my second planking.
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Thank you, I do not mind at all - for the more experienced, kits should be seen as a blank canvas to which the modeller can stamp their own interpretation to the finished model. Looks fantastic, I like this little kit, as there's so much going on along the deck.
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I have shrank the file for a 16 footer (3-d print and laser cut parts), which I shall produce in the next few weeks (64th) I say a few weeks because right now, I am laser cutting production parts for Adder and Sherbourne.
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The thread diameters are given by the suppliers, but I know 0.1mm is not really 0.1mm, it is thicker than that, so do not put too much stock in the diameters for the thinnest threads - what is suplied is as correct as I can get it. Ratlines were not thick rope as their job was to take the weight of one man at any one time.
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I do plan to have a full suite of these in this form, but they take time. Concentrating on clinker boats first is my priority, as these are never easy to plank in small wood form. Not quick to produce, too, the smallest takes 5 hours to print, the middle size 7 hours, and the 32nd scale hull is 12 hours.
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48th laser cutting done, so will be live soon
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It is not up yet, I need to produce the laser cut parts, which I shall do over the weekend
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Another small update. I was never happy with the 3-d printed cutters I offered, being quite generic. I aim to put this right by having a new set of boats done over the next year or so. The first is the first of 2 cutter hulls, and the lines used are the same lines I used when designing the laser cut wood 18 foot cutter, so it is more of a direct replacement for the laser cut version. This is much more detailed than the old 3-d printed cutter, with more internal detail and correct hull shape, complete with clinker planking. For now, there will be three scales for this, which will include the hull and laser cut pear thwarts, knees, rudder, fore and aft flooring and oars. Scales will be 1:64th, 1:48th and a few at a monsterous 1:32nd
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