Loracs

Robands on the main masts. It takes a while to do... but progressing slowly. I just can't do it for too long at a time... I'm including a general view as well as a close up. I really like how the knot finishes between the sail and the spar.

I looked at my order history at Am@zon, where I got it a year ago. Unfortunately, it indeed says "currently unavailable". It recommends the following as alternative. I don't know if it is the same... but supplied by the same provider: Terrachrom. Maybe there an issue in using the term "Bitumen of Judea". Maybe a quick email to them could clarify the issue. Amazon.com: terrachrom Black Iron Oxide Mineral Pigment -Pigments for Artistic and Decorative Painting, Concrete, Clay, Lime, Plaster, Masonry and Paint Products (150 ML | 5 OZ)

Sails: I was not very happy with the cringles on the previous sails. They were just too large and predominant. Of course, the perfectionist in me kicked in and I ended up doing them all over. Two steps forward, one backward. However, making small cringle is not that obvious... even more, I like to tie them up, so they stay firm. The first few attempts were sloppy until I started using the metal rod from the caps of a glue bottle. Far better after that!

indeed... I can't wait to see BUT patience, patience hehe

it indeed worth the extra work... it does show. ;_)

Sails: Ok, done with testing... let get to the final set-up. This time, I won't even try to hide the square knots but display them proudly at the top of the sails... they are there after all. Few pictures recto/verso to show what it looks like.

Final test: I'm including the front (first) and back (second) pictures of sails tied using the method outlined above. I have included a set using 0.5mm (upper) and 0.35mm (lower) rope. On each spar, three tie points with double attachments and two with single. Overall, I personally prefer the set using 0.5mm rope. In fact, I may even use 0.65mm for the main spars. You see the size above. I like this method... best of all the tests done so far. Comments more than welcome. Sorry, the pictures are a tad dark... it is late here.

Thank you, Trevor, you have several good points. I indeed had several difficulties with any of the roband hitch. I found couple video informative though. At the end I want something close to the reality... but still practical to do. Will try to post a prototype tomorrow. Got the first step done with one rope size and will do another at 0.35mm (rather than 0.5mm, which the kit recommends). Please don't hesitate to give you feedback. Only prototype so far, so we can adjust.

Roband Hitch: In getting ready to attach sails to spars, I realized that again my lack of knowledge slowed me down significantly. I little research indicated that sail was attached using a "roband hitch". Let me summarize it. Other may find it useful. The pictures below illustrate it (sorry they may be small). Not a very easy knot to do. So let break it apart for simplification. On the sail side: that look like a simple "lark head knot". Very easy to do. On the spar side: a variant of the clove hitch, if you watch video. We know this one very well. Remember ratlines! But is it? I'm learning that there likely several variants of "roband hitch". Looking at picture 2, this looks like what? yes, a modified "lark head knot". I think, I'm slowly going somewhere. Lark head knot can be done using one side of a cord. So, what am I planning to do for the main spars: quite simple in fact: a) tie the rope to the sail using a lark head knot, leave the two ends of the rope pointing upward from the sail. It can be done at all anchors point of the sail without spar, ready to go. b) Using one end of the rope (right side), Make another lark head knot around the spar and tie it up close to the sail. Can be easily lock in place temporally by just pulling. c) This will bring the two loose ends at close proximity below the spar, where I want it. Finally, simply lock using a square knot. As a bonus, the square knot will form parallel to the spar/sail, almost under... which is cleaner at the end. The above has an advantage in executing. It can be done in stages, with no real loose rope that can entangle. I have only done a couple so far, but it is straightforward. Let me finish my test spar/sail and post few pictures later. Note: including another picture posted previously by @Gregory, and support what @Baker was talking previously/above.

Hello all, Dam you @Baker (in fact thanks!), once I knew the first method was not right... I just could not get back to it. That's the perfectionist in me that just kicks in. For mizzen, sprit and bonadventure yards, the ties are quite simple. I start with a lark's head knot at the sail as anchor point. I then loop around one end and finish with a square knot. Since the rope is already anchored, it guides the knot to the bottom. Have an idea for the other spars... but need to test it first. Note: This is a practice sail... it is a little messy. In addition, I did not use CA glue before cutting the ends. This was just a test to see what it looked like. I think we're getting there. Here, front and back.

Greeting all, I tried the roband hitch... I must say that I'm having a hard time with it. My issue is that I end up with an ugly square knot. I have a hard time with it and hate the look locally. In addition, it is taking me forever at each knot. I'm considering going back to the first method, less accurate for the period and type of ship, but easier for me. I'm thinking of a slightly different method that may look better once done. Back to the testing phase. This is the drawback with beginner. Not having it done before, you can't really anticipate issues/difficulties. Efficiency/speed go down the drain really fast... this is a necessary learning curve, I guess.

oh dam... reading your post and few others... you are right: one break and the sail fall apart. Not a good approach for warship. Furthermore, I like to incorporate a realistic approach to build as much as I can (except for decoration, where I take some liberties). Ok, I only have the two very small ones done. Let me do the roband hitch... will need to figure out the knot, first. I see that you have a short tutorial with the Golden Hind. Thanks for the comment... a nice early catch. BTW I like how you sowed the rope around the sail. That will be my next time.

Attaching Sails: I chose two of the smallest pieces as examples, so you can get a more detailed look. I'm not set up to sew the sails. So I use alternatives. First the edges are reinforced by cutting and gluing a small 3 mm fabric. I used fabric glue, which remains flexible after drying. The glue further strengthens the edge... a nice bonus since you can sew the tread very close to the edge without ripping the fabric. The vertical sewing lines are just painted in using "Posca" pen 0.7mm. I had a hard time deciding between ivory and beige.... I settled on the first. The paint seeped into the fabric and can be seen on both sides. Finally, I sew the sail on the spar using a single tread. You can see the details on both sides in the pictures.

Last stretch home... before adding the sails.

Attaching Blocks: Not a huge update, but some may be curious about how I attached the blocks to the spars. Obviously, this is pretty basic for most of you... but I like documenting the build process in general. Basically, the pictures illustrate the steps. One thing to be careful of in the early steps is to have the sizing smug but lightly. With a serving rope, the sizing will lock in place otherwise. You still need to pull the ends of the rope to tighten the block and later to the spar. One end to tighten one loop, the other for the second. Experiment a little first. Once done, you can then "lock" everything down very well by pulling on the sizing, lock in place by adding a tiny drop of CA glue. This is zoomed in 3x. The block is 2.5mm. The is 0.35mm initially, likely 0.5mm after serving.