Der Alte Rentner
-
Posts
602 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Events
Everything posted by Der Alte Rentner
-
Thank you Geoff. Among the many things I've been contemplating during my hiatus from the shipyard, taking over this project was at the bottom of the list. I haven't talked to my friend in a while, but I may yet acquire what he has, if for no other reason than to have a copy of the practicum. But I doubt I'm going to do anything with it. -
Very nice planking at the stern. I found that to be much more difficult than the area at the stem. It seems as if your experience was the opposite of mine?
-
Man, you do good work! Keep it up..
-
USS Constitution by mtbediz - 1:76
Der Alte Rentner replied to mtbediz's topic in - Build logs for subjects built 1751 - 1800
My summer is nearing its conclusion. But I've been suffering from analysis paralysis, and difficulties in constructing the windows for the galleries of my Constitution. I'm on my fourth iteration for the starboard side Gallery windows and I'm still not happy with the results. I've actually been thinking about using my proxxon Mill to try to fabricate the windows. If I can figure a way to angle the Vise at the right angle, your solution for this commode may solve at least the gallery window issue for me. Gluing the window frames onto the plexiglass, is clouding and messing up the glass itself. I'm just not happy with this. I will try Mustafa's technique to construct complete window frames. Then I could hollow out the space behind and get closer to the traditional look.
-
Gregg, Not only does your Bluenose build impress, so does your build log. The attention to detail, the quality of the photographs, and the presentation are all exquisite. IMHO, yours is the gold star standard. Congrats on a gorgeous build and best of luck going forward, with or without sail.
- 184 replies
-
- 3
-
-
-
- Bluenose
- Model Shipways
- (and 1 more)
-
Glad it worked out for you Bob. Had a very nice Labor Day weekend, but the day after, ugh! Tooth extraction and bone graft. Six months minimum before I get the replacement implant. Oh well.. Your planking is looking good. Keep up the good work!
-
After seeing this post to Gregg, I took a look at your Bluenose build. Sorry to see that it's been collecting dust for so long. Here's hoping you get back to the ship yard sooner rather than later. This may be a stupid question, but can't you finish it without sails, then change tack later if you feel you must add them?
- 184 replies
-
- 2
-
-
- Bluenose
- Model Shipways
- (and 1 more)
-
You see, you were the right person to ask, as usual - you are the man! Thanks.
-
You are absolutely correct, it will be a bit more difficult to put the filler blocks in now with the wales are already there. However, I think you will thank yourself later for having gone through the trouble. Good luck. And happy planking.
-
I look forward to seeing how the sails look when sheets, tacks and bowlines are added. Excellent workmanship on them, by the way. Kudos! As a data point, I submit this photo of HipExec's Constitution. He achieved a very nice look by somehow shaping his sails to look like they were catching a breeze.
-
Jon, I went to the Mantua UK website and got a slightly higher resolution photo. To my taste, the copper plating detracts from the appearance. However, this color scheme seems doable with one or two stains, depending on how the spar deck planking looks with a clear finish. As usual, you deliver the goods. Thanks Peter
-
One more picture gleaned via search of images at MSW site. from dkettl, who posted this in 2013, but hasn't been back since 2015. This is the Constellation, but it's another possibility. Looks nice with the furled sails.
-
I think you will find that those lines will end up interfering with the planking effort. You might wish to consider making tick marks at those intersections. Use marker pen, so they don't disappear when you're sanding/fairing as you go. Also, note how flat the segment between bulkhead A and B is. Having JUST gotten through this stage myself, I suggest you consider some more filler blocks - at least between those two bulkheads. You're off to a very good start. I look forward with keen interest to follow your progress.
-
I have emailed her twice to no avail and the website still shows this message: However, I just called and left a voice mail message for Donna, and hope to be pleasantly surprised. Thanks for the suggestion. Best Peter
-
At least one at MSW, but it's a Constructo kit built by HipExec. Jon, has shared photos of another model that he has in his collection of Constitution materials as well. So, there are at least two. I'm pretty sure that I stumbled upon a natural finish version of the Constellation, but am having a hard time finding the photos. Here's the link to HipExec's entry for the photo above.
-
My thoughts exactly, assuming I will indeed paint the model. I'm still stalling on making that decision, but I'm weakening in my resolve to try for a more "natural" finish. Thank you Mustafa.
-
I agree 100%. Jon is the man!
-
We'll see. Here's the first window. There is a piece of plexiglass behind the frame, and I'll probably paint the back side white. Also, frames will be trimmed flush with sills. Time consuming work this.. Aug 22 update: I'm just not happy with this. My brain keeps nagging at me about creating a vacant space behind the windows, which my brain insists would look even better if it were somehow illuminated. And Mustafa's point, in post 307 below, about keeping all the parts separate until painted (or stained) is a good one. The pilasters are glued to the filler block and the window frame is glued to the glass, making finishing work a bit of an issue. With the nice weather calling me outdoors, and family issues likewise intervening, I may ponder next steps a while longer. (Procrastination IS my middle name. 😉)
-
I would give my eye teeth for either of the Byrnes tools. I wish someone would reorganize and relaunch the machine tool part of the business. I've been hunting for either of these online on and off for almost a year. Were I to scratch build, these two would be a must have. I'm surprised you don't have a belt sander. That has come in so handy, so often, that I can't imagine anyone managing to get by without one. Having said that, I reiterate my respect and admiration for those who manage this hobby with hand tools. (I wish I would have taken notes of the build log I just perused, but there are some really talented hand crafters posting on this site.)
-
And the reason the laser cut window frames are virtually useless. Since I love difficult things (I am married after all), I can't wait for the next challenge!
-
That's my working plan. Thanks for casting your vote!
-
I was more or less on autopilot on Wednesday. The photo I forgot to include, is the one where I drew the window frame and pilaster patterns on the piece of paper, which I subsequently taped back on to the filler block to guide my work on the pilasters. They are a little proud of the sills right now, but I'll sand everything flush after I build the window frames. I'm thinking that perhaps I should not have glued the pilasters to the filler block. I guess I'm now committed to using paint or something else behind the window panes that will follow. Black paint, white paint, or mylar? for underneath whatever clear film I decide on for the panes themselves..
-
As for item 1 none of those are necessary for anything on this model. Item 2 relates to keeping the Admiralty happy, but has nothing to do with funding your hobby. As Mustafa pointed out, spread out over time, the cost of specialized tools is not so bad. Keep this in mind. Time is money. The less time you spend on your model, because you have more efficient tools, the more time you have available to satisfy the Admiralty. Since you are already past the filler block phase of the project, you don't need a band saw. But since you are about to Embark upon planking the hull, let me just say I found the proxxon milling machine to be invaluable in that endeavor. The other tool I use more than just about anything else is the small belt sander. If you don't already have these, they would be items number one and two on my shopping list right now. But I'm also a fan of hand craftsmanship. So, I will ne looking forward to see what you can accomplish with hand tools. 😁 Good luck either way.
-
Guilty as charged, but acquired over a lifetime, the costs are not as bad as all that. Think of them as investments instead of expenses. One thing that I learned is that, I'll tackle projects that I would not otherwise have tackled, because I have the tools. But as I've said before at this website, I may have more cents than sense. Welcome back.
-
Geoff, It's been too long since I last checked into your build log. But every time I do revisit it, I am astounded by the quality of your workmanship. Your work on the galleries is outstanding. (No) thanks to you and Unegawahya's sterling example, I'm asking myself how to modify my technique to include clear windows. I wonder how it would look if I just took a photograph of the interior of the gallery (to scale of course) and placed it flush with the inside of the glass panes. (For those wondering why I would do that, I'm presently considering a filler block instead of an open compartment behind the windows..) Again. Kudos to you Geoff. P.S. One of these days - before the snow flies, I hope to get out to Harvard to meet you and to see your Conny in person. (Sorry, it's been a much busier than expected summer.)
Our Emblem ®
