BrochBoating

Snap!

I bought a travel iron from Argos and, occasional burnt finger aside, it works really well. Soak for about five minutes then hold in position with one hand and iron with the other gradually moving along the plank. Of course the colour of the wood shows you progress but check the under side too as it can take longer than you’d think. I spoke to Chris about this and he suggested the other way round due to Speedy’s complex rigging. Grecian is on the list too but I want Duchess in the stash first 😉

Couldn't agree more. Not sure historically what would be right but I try to get subtly obvious.

Thanks Dan. It seems Adder and Trial have a similar very bluff bow. As you can see on mine I made some big mistakes but recovered. Overall I found pretty severe bow tapering and edge sanding helped mitigate lifting then soaking and ironing onto the bulkheads. Quite a lot of ironing to get any shape. While I agree that partial pinning (ie not fully inserting) is probably ideal for me it doesn't really work when the curves are strong. I push the pins fully home to hold the curve and leave for at least 24 hours to cure the PVA. Then a craft knife blade under the head easily levers the pin out. I'm very novice but this was more challenging, with or without my brain farts. However I'm now very happy with the hull finish after a few running repairs, varnish and leaving for a week to cure. Adder won't be my next but should be a good stepping stone from Trial to Speedy. With maybe Duchess and a few fishing boats in-between

Just ordered Adder so will be following very closely.

Welcome to the Scottish part of MSW Another hearty vote for Vanguard Models.

Then more care needs to be taken. Use gel CA such as from Gorilla and use a piece of scrap to spread a thing even coat on the back of one plank at a time and you're unlikely to have any mess.

Thanks much appreciated.

Great start. I've not read the manual yet, this seems to be a similar build scheme to Trial. If so, so far on mine, it's great and such a leap over traditional kits.

Last update for a bit I suspect. The excellent system of twisting supports off above deck level works as well as usual, just take it slow and gentle and they'll break well with no damage. Then I use a scalpel to get the remains as close to deck level as possible and sanding to finish. The engraved deck was a perfect snug fit. Just be very careful bending lengthways on this one as the sides coming inward mean it needs a little more bend than you might think. I placed fingers through the hatches to provide support then very slowly bend the sides down. Be very sympathetic to how the wood feels doing this. Once sure the fit is good then a thin application of PVA over the full area making sure to (try) and steer clear of the keel slots. Once back in place then clamps all round the edge to hold it down and some scrap down the middle with weight to keep things in place. Stern panel and step fitted but forgot to photograph. The panel took a little while to fit as it's quite delicate but looks great once in. Next the inner bulwarks. I decided to paint these first along with the spirketting pieces, all in Vallejo Flat Red. These received PVA and a lot of clamps. Next spirketting pieces (?). Some fettling to fit but lovely once done. I decided to use CA glue in the same way as second planking with lots of clamps just for a short time to be sure. The Wales were a minor pain as I had another of my brain blips and didn't soak and shape when I should have. Anyway I painted them first then PVA, pins and rubber bands at the stern. Once that had gone off I removed the pins (can someone pop over and find where my craft knife has been hidden by the kitten?) tidied up and painted where the pins were. Finally varnished to go away and cure for at least a few days before going further DIY allowing!

Here we are. Varnish to go on and cure. Museum quality it is not but I'm really pleased given my mistakes this time.

Plenty of progress before DIY begins. Hull (finished pics later once the clips for outer bulwarks are off) finished with lots of filling, sanding and painting. I like to see the planking so happy with the finish. Oiled the outer bulwarks and deck to enhance the grain and all of this will be varnished next to try and avoid damage while everything else gets done.

Thank you. Probably plenty as held off decorating as they were on order. Oh boy! Really enjoy this stage of a build. It’s once we get above deck and tying knots I get into most trouble. At the moment trying to decide whether to use some light washes under the white (as I think I remember you doing?) so it’s not so uniform. Can’t decide as the rest of the ship is likely to be fairly sparkly new looking.

Thanks Andrew. Mine will shortly too as windows ordered last year are suddenly being fitted next week. Lots of making good to come I imagine

Two passes of filler and sanding on bare wood and now the first coat of paint is being sucked up by the hull. Using Vallejo Off-White and brush painting this time.

Very much on my list so looking forward to another stellar build.

No point waiting eh! First sanding and filler drying.

Some improvement in the second planking but far from perfect. I think my taper at the top was too extreme. Practice makes perfect hopefully. Guess the rest of the week will be sanding.

Bit of a slow few weeks following the sudden death of my previous foreman Oz: His brother was bereft so I now have a apprentice foreman, Maisie: Lots of on the job training to complete but she enjoyed a paddle in the plank bath! So back to the model. Due to a combination of distraction and stupidity I made a massive mistake with the first planking. Instead of marking at the fifth bulkhead then tapering from the overlap I managed to just taper from the fifth bulkhead! Didn't notice till the fifth plank on each side by which time there was nowhere near enough stock from this and previous to remove and start again. Onward and upward etc etc. Brain wasn't functioning very well for the repairs either but got there in the end. The stern hadn't adhere as well as it should so that got another go which has worked: Finally got the first planking done this morning with a few stealers at the stern but not excessive. All pins removed (some had been flush to help hold tighter curves while curing but I find a craft knife easily levers them out with minimal damage) and sanding done. Followed by adding the bow, keel and stern facings. Keel facing pinned as well as glued for now helping to make sure the keel slots are lined up and stay so. Lastly the stern cover fitted the part above held temporarily for alignment:

Good to hear your plans. Hoping to order Sherborne and Adder at the end of the month

Thanks. I bet!

More than reasonable. Kits I have couldn't be more different (positively) than others I've looked closely at. Is there a likely release date to try and avoid missing the first run?

There never has been a time when a good kit (not been in boats long but done plenty of other sorts) has been cheap. Cheap kits are exactly that.

Not really. There are plenty of prices that will print for you at a modest cost. Yes there are other costs of design etc but much can mitigated with cheap/free software. Really just a modern version of home monkey metal casting.

Worked wonders. Kept them perfectly in place to allow pinning. I pinned so I could then remove these pieces to run glue lines to help after pins are removed. Could probably do better with more practice but was very effective.