marktiedens

Yes,Windows Vista

I am having problems adding pictures to a PM. Every time I add a picture to a PM about an inch on the left side of my screen is cut off. I have manipulated the screen every way I know how but I can`t get the left side back. Also when that happens all  the posts under that subject have the left side cut off. If I start a new subject with text only it looks normal. Adding pictures to a build log also look normal. The pictures are only about 350kb. I am using Vista & Chrome. Everything else on the site works normally.

Mark

During the bending I did not let the metal cool too much. When I felt I could start the bending I just backed away from the heat gun - the metal would stay hot, but not too hot. I didn`t want it to cool too fast in the middle of trying to make a curve. I did the heating several times because I had hold it up to the ship to check the curve & it would cool down. Re-heating several times did not seem to affect the workability of the metal. It was a trial & error kind of thing,but it seemed to work out ok. I probably spent 30 minutes bending each piece. Even after all the filing I had to do to make them conform to the curves of the hull,I had to tweak the bends I made earlier. Just have to be careful not to get the metal too hot - just enough so it can be bent. The temp at the nozzle of the heat gun is about 500 degrees,so it wouldn`t take long to overheat the metal & destroy it. I held the pieces close to the gun only about 7 or 8 seconds then backed away. When I could feel the metal not wanting to bend anymore I moved a little closer to the gun to warm it more. Kind of hard to explain - I just did it by "feel".

Hi all - thanks for looking in & all the likes.

Update - working on the bow,the next thing I did was to make a cleat for the gammoning out of some hard walnut. After painting it black,I glued & nailed it to the stem. Next I started work on the head rails. I was having trouble bending the cathead supports using the heating with a flame method,so I decided to try a heat gun. While wearing some thick leather gloves to keep from burning my fingers I found that holding the metal cathead support in the heated air from the heat gun I could bend the metal pieces quite easily. After a bit of filing to fit the curves of the hull,they were painted gold & glued in place. To anyone building this ship using the heat gun is the best way I have found to bend the metal pieces. The low setting on the heat gun is all that is necessary to heat the metal to be bent.

Mark

I see where Nils (Mirabell61) used clear string trimmer line to "glass" the portholes on his KWdG. Looked very good.

Mark

Nice work - makes you wonder how the kit makers could get the shape so far off when they had the actual ship to measure from.

Mark

Another update - port side decorations done & cap rails installed & finish applied to the rest of the hull. I think its time to turn my attention to the bow area - looks a bit tricky.

Mark

Pete - Ages of Sail lists 2.5mm natural hemp rope on their web site.  It`s a bit pricey,but not a lot is needed. They sell it in 2 meter lengths.

Mark

Pete - many thanks to you for your kind words. You are so right about requiring time,patience,initiative,interpretation,research,& time,PLUS a bit of help from you. This is the most difficult kit I have done,but also the most enjoyable.

Mark

Hi Lawrence - thanks for your kind words. If you are referring to the red color,it is a Vallejo paint called gory red which I darkened slightly with a few drops of black mixed in.

Mark

Update - After painting the background black,the side decorations were trimmed to fit around the gunports,painted gold & glued in place.The joints were filled with some filler & smoothed over & painted. The forward most section will be fitted after the positions of the cathead brackets are determined.

The port side decorations will be fitted next.

Mark

Update - I fine tuned the fenders by tapering the lower ends & glued them in place. The tops will be trimmed off after the railings are in place - if I don`t break them off first. I then added the bolster for the hawse holes - another layer will be added when the cheek rails are fitted. I simulated the double doors at the bow by simply cutting into the planking with a chisel & added some hinges from my spare parts box. Then I put a coat of polyurethane on the hull below the upper wales. I think it may be a good time now to start working on the side decorations.

Mark

Hi Michael -you are doing a great job with all the details. As you know,the paint scheme & colors are very well researched by the museum,so I say detail it all you want. Back when this ship was built,it seems that the more "bling" the better was the rule.

Mark

Update - before adding the upper wales,I pre-shaped the fenders to the contours of the hull. They were made from some 4x4mm walnut strips. After bending them with my plank bender,filing,& sanding they ended up being 2.5x3mm. I figured it would be a good time to put a finish on the hull below the lower wale,so on went a coat of polyurethane. The ship was getting a little top heavy with all the metal work,so I felt it was a good time to mount it on the stand,which is a beautiful solid mahogany - not plywood as in most other kits. All the upper wales were then glued in place & notched for the fenders,which were also notched to fit over the wales.

Mark

Thanks Frank!

Mark

Many thanks,Greg .

Mark

Thanks Pete - a long way to go yet.

Mark

Thanks Michael - a lot of fiddly work,but fun.

Update - I finished up the stern today. I decided to cut out the recessed areas of the upper railings & glued them in place. Then the stern fascia was glued on & the rest of the decorations added. The only things left are the lanterns,& 2 spears held by the upper figures. They will be added much later to avoid damaging them. I added a couple of brass pins to the uppermost decoration due to it`s weight. This ship is getting really heavy!

Next I will probably put some finish on the hull under the lower wale.

Mark

A little more progress has been made - lower wales are on & painted. I made one little error - after gluing all the wale strips on I saw that they are a little too high.This is not a problem except for fitting the lower decorations at the stern,so I added a 2mm strip to the bottom of the wale so the decoration would fit. Also painted the upper part of the stem

Mark

Thanks Pete. I see from the close up that I have a little touch-up do do yet. Funny how the camera can show things better than the eyes alone.

Mark

Hi all.

Just a thought before I continue - If anyone has thoughts about getting a Euromodel kit their web site is offering their kits at 20% off for a limited time. I have no connection to them - just a satisfied customer.

On with version 2 of the stern railings. I decided that my little scrolls did not look that great,so I decided to change them back to the kit supplied oval decorations with a little modification. The first picture shows the decoration as supplied. I modified them by carefully cutting out the recessed portions to produce a better 3D effect as shown in the second picture. After painting & gluing in place I am happy with them. Next,I will work on getting the lower wales in place before finishing the stern while I can still lay the ship on its side.

Mark

Thanks Keith - I don`t see any way I can duplicate that intricate pattern ,so I am going to try & cut out the recessed areas of the ovals & use them. Someone really good with photo etch might be able to simulate that fancy scroll work. 

Mark

I see what you mean Pete. I may fiddle around with those oval pieces & see what I can do with them.

Mark

Thanks Michael - I do go to Michaels sometimes - they have a good selection of basswood,balsa,& plywood - even the very thin stuff. I always seem to find myself wandering around the store looking for that one item I can use . I intend to rig the ship,but am undecided about sails - so hard to find material that hangs right. Michaels also has a good selection of good quality paint brushes.

Mark