mobbsie

Hi Guys, Thanks for the comments and remarks, always useful. Techtonic, I can see I'm going to have to be on my game if I want to make half a good job of her, I do build for myself so tend to run wild sometimes so every now and again I need to be reigned in.

The masts are not fitted permanently yet, I still have to stain then and fit them out, it's my intention to run with full sails, the material has been dyed cut and the sails made, just waiting for the boss to run them up on the sewing machine, not something she enjoys, but we have to crack the whip now and again dont we.

Next step for me is to step the masts and fix them in place, and then were coming to the part I hate, Ratlines, I get in a right old pickle doing them but its a must do job and can be made to help the ship look good.

Right, I hope you enjoy the pics, it's actually happened Grant.

Usual finish gents, comments and remarks always welcome, even suggestions.

Hi Sjors, The kits are ok in that most parts fit reasonably well, my beef with OcCre are the instructions or should I say the lack of them. There is so much guesswork involved with them I almost feel like a detective. Were getting there though, I must post a pictorial update soon but I'll bring you up to date.

All the deck furniture is on and I have an issue here, it appears that the cabins are out of scale to my anyway, the Bowspit is made up and fitted with just a few bits to go on, you know the sticky out bits that get broken to easily, they wont go on until ready for rigging. 

The fore mast and main mast are almost complete, they've been stepped but not completely fixed, still a fair ways to go and I have the added problem of having to fix the sails, should be fun.

So there we have it in a nut shell mate just a whistle stop info tour to bring you up to date.

Stay Safe

mobbsie

Hi Techtonic,

Thanks for looking in and the comments and remarks, I checked out the center chain plate and you were right, port and starboard plates were too far apart. I have now moved the chain plate on the starboard side so the gap is somewhat reduced, also the deadeyes were at the wrong end of the plate, with not a lot huffing and puffing they were repositioned so the whole thing is now closer together. I think (not sure) but I think I was thinking of what you said about the chains fowling the line of the gun ports so after all that, it turns out to be your fault (not really).

With regard to the angle of the plates I'm afraid they are going to stay as they are, there's a bit too much of a risk of doing some real damage and I dont want that, I think its a case of most people wont notice and there are no ship builders in my area.

King Plank has been fitted and I made a couple of puddings for the mast bases, sure to get a comment about them.

I'm just building a cooker to fit under the fore deck, it's not going to be an elaborate job but it should look the part.

Thanks again for the comments, they are appreciated.

Stay safe

mobbsie

Hi Grant, RobP1025 and Techtonic,  

Thanks for looking in guys and for your comments, with regard to the center plank and I know it's slightly lower than the others it was my intention to wait and put the plank in when the hatches and stairways are fitted. I do have a plank long enough and a little wider than whats there and I could put it in now,  this is what becomes of leaving a hobby for so long, my own fault, so whats the consensus of opinion, place it in now or wait for the deck furniture to go in, I dont mind either way, let me know please. It is a little higher than the rest of the decking, about 1 mm, I could shamfer the edges to bring it in line or leave it proud.

Just checked out your Beagle Techtonic and it's looking very busy, it's a lovely build to well done so-far, seeing your deck configuration has made my mind up, I'm going to shamfer the edges and put it in.

We'll see what happens in the future.

Be Good and Stay Safe

mobbsie

Hi Guys, The center plank was left out because it is the center plank, otherwise known as the master plank, it is slightly wider and all deck calculations come from the plank. Most ships will have it built in, or so i'm led to believe. I'm open for correction if i'm wrong.

I have an up date to the log which I hope hope most will find interesting if not entertaining. I dont like the stern on this ship and as I was working on it I had it between my knees, (these are my third clamp). I must have put too much pressure on the ship because it disappeared from between my legs and hit the floor with a resounding thump, after having cooled down and let the air change color back something like normal I picked her up only to find the the Fore Peak had snapped off. The only way I was going to repair it was by cutting more of the peak away and cutting a new one, Iv'e never done this before but it's only because of the experience and advice over a long period that I took it on, no need to worry, it all came out well, the new Fore Peak looks ok.

The ship is coming together well and I'm making good progress on her, the hull is complete with all the chains plates on, looks ok.

Enough written word, it's picture time, dont forget I'm open to all comments good or bad, if you have a bad one the give me a suggestion as well.

mobbsie

Good Morning Gentlemen,

When I wrote my first post in the forum just lately, I said that I wanted to build the Surprise but that I wanted the Jotika version, well, I'm very sad to say we aint getting it, not any time soon anyway. I spoke with Cornwall Model Boats and they confirmed my worst fears within the modeling world.

With all the publicity they pushed onto us and then to just abandon the project without saying a word to their bread and butter buyers astounds me, so there we have it guys, if you want to build the Surprise its going to have to be Mamola or one of your own preferred manufacturers. Sorry to be the bearer of sad tidings gents but there we have it.

Be Safe

mobbsie

Hi Guys, here goes, my first build log for what seems like a decades.  Unfortunately I had already started the kit before coming home to M.S.W.

The hull is almost completed with a bit more planking to be done, that is so different to what i'm used to, the first planking is really thick, I suppose because there's a lot of sanding to be done, the second planking is so different, it's almost like paper its that thin, so that was my first shock, my second was that all Blocks, Dead eyes are all made of plastic, they are all one size as well 4 mm so all will need replacing. The ropes are quite poor quality and so again all will need replacing, so a rope walk is on the menu ans also a rope server. With regard to the white metal parts again all  will require a lot of working on or replacing, on a plus note the stand is nice.

I went quiet on the Forum for a week or so because I was attempting to build a rope walk and server, I did end making them but they are of such a poor quality that I cant use them, while testing them I had to make so many running repairs it turned out to be a complete waste of time and money, one good thing is that I learned to duck quickly in order to miss the flying plates, not doing that again.

So I will show a few photos so you can see my progress so far.

Any and all comments good or bad are more than welcome.

mobbsie

Hi Sjors,

Mind if I jump on the band wagon and follow along, looks interesting mate.

mobbsie

Peter, 

I checked out Chris Wattons Sphinx, what a lovely looking ship, there's going to be a long que for this kit I think. I cant believe he's going to bin it when he's done. I'll wait and see what's happening with the Surprise first.

Great to be in contact again Peter.

Regards

mobbsie

Morning one and all,

Thank you all so much for your kind welcome, it's good to be home.

I'm currently building the Beagle, as soon as I get to know what I'm doing on site I will post some photos, I still have a long way to go so there should be plenty to see.

Regards

mobbsie

Thanks Ajohnson, by what name do I call you or are you happy with what you have. If your interested in the Surprise I will let you know what reply I get, if I get one.

Regards

mobbsie

Hi Christian,

Good to hear from you again my old friend, I'm trying to get hold of Jotika now but no reply to my email yet, I dont have the room to build another large ship so it's just the medium size, certainly no more than 38 or a 42 even then they are on the large side. I'll keep you informed as to what is happening with Surprise once I find out.

Regards

mobbsie

Thanks B.E. its been awhile, feels good to be back.

mobbsie

Hi Guys,  My name is Tony Mobbs and my user name is mobbsie, I am currently a member of the forum but unfortunately fell by the wayside for various reasons, well for me its time to rejoin the fold and meet up with old friends again.  Previous builds are, Agamemnon, HMS Pickle, Bomb Vessel Granado, Viking longboat, Louise Steam Launch and a host of other ships. 

I don't have a build log at the moment but fully intend to if allowed, I say if allowed because I don't know if the regulators will accept me back into the forum, I hope they do.

My ambition is to build the HMS Surprise from Master and Commander fame, I'm awaiting the final development from Caldercraft, it's been several years in the development stage so should be near readiness, i'll have to contact John again.

Hopefully I'll be remembered by my friends and accepted back.  

Hi Grant,

At first I thought to myself Chinese Snow Shoes but now a little more progress has been made I've changed my mind, I'm now thinking along the lines of a means of assisting with Child Birth, I think it's the Leather Straps and the Stirrups that's doing it.

Your storage cabinet's look great mate, really nicely done. All you need to do now is to build somewhere to store the storage units, and don't forget the bike needs dusting.

Bet your glad I'm back aint ya.

Be Good my Friend

mobbsie 

Hi Donn,

That planking is a lovely colour mate.

I bet you hated treenails in the end didn't you, so many and yet, sorry to say, there's more to come, a lot more.

Keep up the good work mate.

Be Good

mobbsie

Hi Bob,

Embrace the Ratlines mate, don't arf make you appreciate the rest of the boat, for not liking them you made a awful good job on them.

Good luck with the running rigging, no doubt you'll do your usual superb job.

Be Good

mobbsie

Hey Denis,

You got enough sauce without nicking it, serves you right if you got your knuckles rapped.

Just found you my friend and your making some rapid progress, it's not been without it's problems so far and I have to say you've mastered them very well.

Gonna follow you now if I may, you don't get rid of me that easily mate.

Be Good

mobbsie

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the good words and the likes gents, most appreciated. 

It's about time I gave an update and that will be happening very soon, I must admit to have taken a short break but I am back in the game now.

Gary, I will PM you and let you know my thoughts.

rony,  When doing the planking I use "Push Pins", these have a shoulder on them which leans onto the plank and keeps them in place, to cement them, I first soak the planks for 10 - 15 minutes, wipe off any surplus water and then use a thick super glue gel, you have to be quick and accurate as the glue will set in seconds, it can also be a bit messy if you get it wrong. Hope that answers your question mate.

Denis, I promised you some better pictures of the deck with the lighter coloured treenails, hope these do the job mate.

OK, now for a quick update, second planking is now complete and as you will see it does look a little different, because below the waterline will be coppered I didn't want to use all my Swiss Pear and so used the kit Walnut to finish off. 

As you can see I haven't put the stem or keel in yet, they were the next job to be done, unfortunately no pictures.

Coppering has started, and finished, I used the individual plates as supplied by Caldercraft, I like these plates and they are easy to work with, my one problem was that I didn't have a plan to work to and so it was a case of trial and error, believe me when I say there were a lot errors.

My next move was to lace a 2mm x 2mm strip along the top of the waterline, this was painted black prior to gluing on but that will be for the post.

That's it for now gents.

Be Good

mobbsie

Hi Denis,

Not the easiest ship to build mate and you made a superb job of her, well done.

If your going to take on the Hood or Missouri your going to need a bigger shipyard, good luck with that mate.

Happy Holidays mate.

Be Good

mobbsie

Hi Donn,

Nice job on the bow filler mate, I assume you faired the bulkheads so you get a smooth lay of the planks, the pictures don't show it unless I'm missing something.

The one thing you will find with this boat is the there is an extraordinary amount of sanding to do, she's a big boat with a lot of wood.

The planking is looking good and treenailing will enhance it greatly, if you go with the pencil be careful you don't smudge the lead along the decking.

I'm enjoying what your doing mate and for only a second build she's looking good. Well done.

Have a lovely Christmas and New Year.

Be Good

mobbsie

Hi B.E.

I missed the start mate, hope there's room to fit a little fat man in.

You've made a great start and that Stem looks the business.

You gotta love Proxxen, all my model power tools are Proxxen, they do have their limitations though, if I had had more knowledge when I got them I think I would have been a bit more discerning, still hindsight and all that.

Have a good Xmas and New Year mate.

Be Good

mobbsie

Hi Donn,

Your making some rapid progress mate and so far all looks good.

Before you go too far make sure you fair the forward and stern bulkheads, this is critical in order to get a smooth bend when planking. From memory which is a little shaky nowadays there is a lot of it to do. You may need to put some kind of filler in between the Stem and No 1 Bulkhead to assist with getting that bend right.

I watch on with interest mate. Don't forget to enjoy the process.

Be Good

mobbsie

Hi Denis,

She's looking really good mate.

With regard to your slack rigging, have you tried soaking the thread in diluted PVA and hanging it up to dry with a weight attached to the bottom, run a finger down its length when wet to stop any blobs of glue. When it's dry it will be quite rigid.  It worked for me in the past mate.

Keep up the excellent work

Be Good

mobbsie

Hi Guys,

Thanks gents for your kind comments and the likes.

I have been consumed and totally blinkered with my central heating and getting it fixed, it's been out for the last 3 weeks but it's sorted out now and were back on track, it's surprising how many ways there is in trying to keep warm and I'm keeping a lot to myself.

Grant, that my friend is exactly what I going to do, I found that after a short time the patina was flaking off leaving a dirty brown metal base, not a pretty sight.

Popeye, I haven't tried spraying lacquer on but I'm thinking that it may stabilise the surface and stop further reaction but I'm not sure if it would stop the flaking, I'm               putting this test / experiment to bed now but that's not to say it will stay there, never say never.

Kier,  the answer to your question mate is that I'm retired, I retired in 2011. I have a wonderful wife who is quite happy for me to spend as much time as I like in my         boatyard, thinking about it does seem strange because she positively encourages it. She takes on all the garden chores and some house DIY. I don't think she           likes me very much ha ha.

OK time for an update.

I have completed the Gundeck planking, although I'm not completely happy with it mainly due to the boxiness of the joggleing, I'm hoping that the deck furniture will detract from this. For the Treenails I used some Lime sawdust, I drilled 0.6mm holes and mixed up a paste of sawdust and diluted white glue.

I then tackled the Stern Counter, this is made from 0.8mm ply and from the start fitted nicely, this was glued, sanded down and planked using 4 x 1mm Swiss Pear.  

Next up was fitting the Wale and Black Strake, the kits 4mm Walnut was substituted for Swiss Pear, the positioning of the first plank is critical in that the measurement to the gun ports varies along the length of the gun port pattern. Once this first plank is laid the second buts up tight beneath it, these form the Wale, for the Black Strake a piece of 0.5 x 4mm Walnut is fitted to the top plank of the Wale.

    ,

I then painted the Wale and Black Strake dull black using Admiralty Paints, I also marked the waterline although this will be planked over.

I will be posting another photo of the Gundeck as there is far too much shine and also the Treenails cant be seen.

That's it for now guys, see you soon.

Be Good

mobbsie