Jump to content
MSW Spring Donation Drive

jim_smits

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    650

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by jim_smits

  1. jim_smits
    I know it's not the best preparation for the potential future builds of Diana or Victory but I do love only having a single pair of shrouds on the main mast for tying ratlines onto....!
  2. jim_smits
    Not a large amount of progress in the last couple of days. Made a start on tying ratlines for the main mast but I have now decided that I ought to get a proper base made up, so I have ordered a base from CMB. It is only a MDF base so I will await it's actual quality but it was only £6 so can't really complain. Hope fully some more ratline progress tonight and I will follow up with the base when it arrives. CMB are pretty quick so perhaps by the weekend, although I am back in sunny Coventry to visit family and take in an ice hockey match.
  3. jim_smits
    Thanks all! Stergios I've used the supplied 0.25mm natural line.
  4. jim_smits
    Another quick update. Shrouds have now been added to the main mast with deadeyes and lanyards all rigged in. Onto more ratlines which should be nice and easy with only two shrouds per side. Then after that it's onto stays.
  5. jim_smits
    Hi Ray I found the most simple effective way to make a mouse was to simply serve upto where you want to locate the mouse and then serve backwards and forwards over 5-10mm (depends on size you want) gradually building the mouse up. Dab on some dilute PVA every pass to hold it all together. After two or three passes, start favouring the 'thicker' end of the mouse with smaller extra passes and then finish with a couple of full passes and then continue serving down the the stay. Hope this all makes sense. Jim
  6. jim_smits
    You're not building outside are you? My workshop is in the conservatory and the noise of rain is rather theraputic....
  7. jim_smits
    As I understand it the serving is to protect the shroud where it is passed round the mast.
  8. jim_smits
    Hi I served 8cm in total, around 1 to 1.5cm for the loop and about 3ish cm down each shroud.
  9. jim_smits
    Stergios The half knots when alternated will pretty much look identical to served line. This is pretty much the only method I got to work that will create a tight loop around the mast. On the Snake you'll also have a couple of shrouds that are single lines. For these you'll need to do a false splice.
  10. jim_smits
    The served line can now be added to the mast by creating a loop and seizing. First looped round the mast and used a clamp to hold in place. Again using Gutermann, the loop can be seized by tying half knots alternatively over and under. First knot over.... Loop is more secure and add second knot under. Repeat until the seizing is of a suitable length and paint with dilute PVA. Once dry the ends can be trimmed with tweezers and scalpel. Repeat for other shrouds required and then onto deadeyes at the bottom of the shroud.
  11. jim_smits
    As promised to Stergios I have documented my method for producing one of the shrouds. Started off with a suitable length of 0.75mm black thread for the shroud line and mounted up into the serving machine. Passed a needle through the shroud. Threaded the needle with Gutermann thread for the serving. Passed the needle and thread through the shroud line. Repeat at 90 degrees. Knot the end, trim and paint with some diluted PVA and allow to dry. To serve hold the Gutermann thread between finger and thumb to keep taut but still allow to pass through as the serving machine is rotated. I estimated that I needed 8cm served for the top loop of the shrouds. Keeping the tension in the thread, cut off and thread through a needle and pass through the shroud line twice, tie off and paint with PVA. Once complete the loose ends can be trimmed back to the main line with tweezers and a sharp scalpel.
  12. jim_smits
    Nice deep colour to the decking. What did you treat your wood with?
  13. jim_smits
    Not quite the same build but I will (hopefully) be serving and seizing the shrouds on my Ballahoo main mast tonight. I will take prictures of the process and post on my build. Hope this will help you out a bit.
  14. jim_smits
    Right then, time for an update! Got a few bits done. Added ratlines to the foremast shrouds, decided to go with natural thread for the ratlines. Really like the contrast between the shrouds and the ratlines. Still don't enjoy tying loads of love hitches but hey ho, it's got to be done. Shouldn't really complain as there aren't that many. Wait until I get onto Diana and Victory.... Completed the foremast stay. Used the serving machine to serve around 6cm of line, then passed back and forth several times over a 5mm length to build up a mouse. Each pass was painted with a dab of diluted PVA to help hold the mouse together. Finished off with a further couple of centimetres of serving. Added a loop in the end of the stay by folding the stay back on itself, holding in place using a set of helping hands and then added a false splice to complete the loop. Passed the other end of the stay through the loop and tightened until the mouse was snugly set in the loop and added to the top of the foremast. Added in a deadeye as per the shrouds and threaded in the lanyard. Finally, rigged in the bobstay from the bowsprit to the front of bow with a rigging hook.
  15. jim_smits
    Nope. No PVA other than at the start and end knots.
  16. jim_smits
    Hi Stergios I used the rope diameters as stated in the plans. To do the actual serving my current method is as follows: Attached the line to be served to the serving machine having confirmed the length to be served. Pass a sewing needle through the line at the start point and leave it in the line. Thread the serving line into needle and pull through. Keeping needle threaded, pass it through the same point gain at 90 degrees to first pass. Knot the lines with a basic knot and dab a little watered PVA on the knot. This will hold fast and you can start serving immediately before PVA dries. I use my right hand to turn the serving machine and my left hand to hold the serving thread. I use my index finger and thumb to hold the line keeping it slightly taut and slightly ahead of the serve, whilst allowing line to pass through as the serving takes place. Once at the finishing point you have to be careful. Pass a needle through (still holding serving line in left hand!) at the ending point. Thread the end of serving line through keeping taut. Pull needle though twice as before. Line will now be held. Knot and glue with watered PVA. I will post some pictures later if that helps.
  17. jim_smits
    Excellent build Mobbsie! Many congratulations on completing her!
  18. jim_smits
    It is brazing if correctly titled but I think many just call it silver soldering. I use a silver flux paste from a syringe. Dead simple and excellent joint for this high tension rigging areas.
  19. jim_smits
    Hi mate, I've got a gas pen torch and I use it for silver soldering which is WAY better than standard soldering for strength. Did my deadeye strops for my Bally with brass wire and silver flux. Definately the way to go. Having said that my traditional soldering iron is getting a workout at the moment whilst I dabble in some electronics (which is distracting me from my builds.....)
  20. jim_smits
    I think Jason has been distracted by his other build.... Not that i'm much better......
  21. jim_smits
    I've purchased Gutermann thread from eBay. You can get all you'll ever need for a few euros. I've purchased Black and Tan for various requirements. In addition to use on serving machine I use it for splices, and simulating seizing as described in the carronades section oft Ballahoo build.
  22. jim_smits
    Cheers guys. I've done the ratlines in 0.25mm thread supplied with the kit. All tied in clove hitches and then soaked in watered PVA glue. To trim off the ends I just used a pair of tweezers and a sharp scalpel.
  23. jim_smits
    The build is really coming together Stergios. I would recommend serving as it looks excellent and is well worth the time. I wish I had served all my shrouds on my Snake.
  24. jim_smits
    Quick update on the Ballahoo. Onto my favourite task of tying ratlines..... Gone with the tan line and it interesting to see the contrast to the black shrouds. Only got as far as the port side so far but making progress. I draw a paper template for the shrouds and the spacing of the ratlines and used this to tie every fourth ratline. Double checked the spacing and then added every second and finally filled the gaps. Once the spacing was sorted I fixed in place with some diluted PVA, allowed to dry and trimmed of the ends. Still got a bit to do towards the top end and then onto the starboard side.
  25. jim_smits
    Fear was ever present! The old mantra of triple check was changed to quintuple check.....!

About us

Modelshipworld - Advancing Ship Modeling through Research

SSL Secured

Your security is important for us so this Website is SSL-Secured

NRG Mailing Address

Nautical Research Guild
237 South Lincoln Street
Westmont IL, 60559-1917

Model Ship World ® and the MSW logo are Registered Trademarks, and belong to the Nautical Research Guild (United States Patent and Trademark Office: No. 6,929,264 & No. 6,929,274, registered Dec. 20, 2022)

Helpful Links

About the NRG

If you enjoy building ship models that are historically accurate as well as beautiful, then The Nautical Research Guild (NRG) is just right for you.

The Guild is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to “Advance Ship Modeling Through Research”. We provide support to our members in their efforts to raise the quality of their model ships.

The Nautical Research Guild has published our world-renowned quarterly magazine, The Nautical Research Journal, since 1955. The pages of the Journal are full of articles by accomplished ship modelers who show you how they create those exquisite details on their models, and by maritime historians who show you the correct details to build. The Journal is available in both print and digital editions. Go to the NRG web site (www.thenrg.org) to download a complimentary digital copy of the Journal. The NRG also publishes plan sets, books and compilations of back issues of the Journal and the former Ships in Scale and Model Ship Builder magazines.

Our Emblem ®

Modelshipworld - Advancing Ship Modeling through Research

Nautical Research Guild ® and the NRG logo are Registered Trademarks, and belong to the Nautical Research Guild (United States Patent and Trademark Office: No. 6,999,236 & No. 6,999,237, registered March 14, 2023)

×
×
  • Create New...