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.  

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 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 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 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 Mike,
 
I made a few tests all with varying degrees of success and failure, the upshot is that I will not be using artificial aids to bring about patination.
 
I used Caldercraft's individual plates on my last test, I painted them with a Red Wine Vinegar and Miracle Grow, I got a good colour on them but after about a week it started to chip off leaving a dirty brown base metal beneath, not a good look.
 
It could I suppose be argued that when a colour your happy with has been reached it could be sprayed with a lacquer to stop further reaction (not tried), but I have decided to put this one on the shelf until it raises it's head again.
 
I'm going to plate Pickle, rub the plates with wire wool and leave the atmosphere to do the rest.
 
I will with your permission post a picture to show my best result, but even this has started to peel since the picture was taken.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie

Hi Mike,
 
I'm loving this discussion on patination, I'm seriously thinking of doing the same on my Pickle when I get started so will be doing some experimenting myself.
 
Gonna be interesting.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie

Looking good Mike, mind if I jump on board.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie

Hi Gents,
Here we are again with a long overdue update, I know work on the boat has slowed for reasons I will give later but this is bordering stupid. I can only say I'm being bone idol.
 
Right, thanks to all for your comments and for hitting the like button, I do appreciate you looking in.
 
I apologize for the jumpy nature of the photos but this is mainly due to a lot of the jobs on the boat being small and don't appear to be note worthy, before you know it a lot has been achieved and not a lot recorded.
 
The deck is made from Swiss Pine and really is just a framework for the Gratings and Boards. The deck boards are of 8m x 2m Red Heart, I made a guide frame so that I could sand the outer edges of the boards down to 1mm, these then sat  flush inside the frame.
The Gratings are from the kit and not the best, they came up short and so a mish mash was fitted together, not great but acceptable.

 
The lower deck with completed boards and gratings, the anti slip bars are 2m x 2m Holly

 
The forward Bulkhead has now been planked but is still work in progress, the planks are 5m x 1m Walnut.

 
The second deck has been given the same treatment as the main deck and is dry fitted in position, the top deck has been planked using 5m x 1m Walnut planks.

 
The stern weather boards have been fitted and are made from 8m x 2m planks, these have been fixed to the 7m x 1m Walnut of the first planking. I have also started to fit the aft ribs which are 2m x 2m Lime strips, soaked then shaped.

 
All the decks have now been fixed, bulkheads planked and all ribs are in place. The Transom hatch has been made from a  Lime frame and Walnut boards. the aft stringers are seen ready to be fitted.

 
Here the aft stringers are being glued in.

 
The Port side stringers are completed and have been pinned using cut down flat head pins.

 
I do have more progress to report and show but that will be for another post, I promise it wont be as long this next time.
 
Hope you enjoy them guys.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie
 
 
 
 

Hi Guys,
 
Thanks for your comments and likes gents, very much appreciated.
 
As I have already said in my last post that I was experimenting with an Ebonizing solution and I would like to share my findings.
 
The solution is as easy as breathing to set up, there are two parts which make up the process, firstly there is the Tea, this is a standard tea mix and either loose or tea bags can be used.
 
My made my Tea using 4 x Teabags put into an old coffee jar and hot water from the tap, this was then set aside to brew giving an occasional shake up.
 
The Ebonizer is a solution made from Distilled White Malt Vinegar and fine Wire Wool, place a good quantity of the wire wool into a jar and fill with the Vinegar,  after a couple of hours bubbles start to form within the wire wool, this is the start of the chemical reaction, don't worry it's not explosive and although a gas is produced it's totally harmless. Set the solution to one side and forget for a couple of days.
 
It is possible to speed the process up by removing the wire wool after a couple of days, place some old rags in an old ice cream tub and cover with paper, place the wire wool onto the paper and let it oxidise ( rust ). When a good covering of rust has formed replace the wire wool back into the solution and allow to steep for another five days or until the wire wool has disappeared.
 
Your solution will now have become brown in colour, it is now ready for decanting, using the neck of a plastic bottle, another jar and a coffee filter, place the filter into the top of the plastic bottle and put it into the jar, pour the solution into the filter and allow to drain.
 
Your Ebonizer is now ready to use but it will mature over the next few days. Depending on the amount of Tanning in the wood you want to stain you may have to soak the wood in the tea, if this is the case allow a day for the tea to soak in, remove and allow this to dry. To Ebonize the wood pour the solution into a tub and place the wood into it. The depth of colour depends on what you are after and the time left to soak, a longer soak will result in a darker colour.
 
If you want an aged look to your wood just soak without the tea until you achieve the desired look.
 
It is recommended that all work on the wood be completed before staining as the stain is very much on the surface, I'm now doing a check to see what the penetration is after a few days of soaking.
 
I hope that you can understand the process and that my explanation is clear, if you have any questions please ask.
 
I have a few pictures with my results.
 
The first picture is of the solution after six days, the wire wool has all but disappeared

 
Both the Tea and Ebonizer with some examples

 
Samples, the three pieces on the left have not been soaked in tea and the Tanning is quite low
Far Left to Right= Lime, Walnut and finally Swiss Pear.

 
Second Part, the three samples on the right have been soaked in tea so the Tanning is higher
Far Right to Left= Lime, Walnut and finally Swiss Pear.

 
The next picture is Swiss Pear after about a four hour soak, very little penetration.

 
So there we are, an alternative to Ebony, some experimentation on your part will be required to meet your needs. The finer the Wire Wool the better it melts and it can be washed in soapy water to remove it's preservatives to also help to speed up the process.
 
I will pass on my result for the long soak when their ready.
 
Give it a go gents, it's safer than using Ebony and you'll be helping safe the planet.
 
Be Good
 
 

Hi Q A & Mike,
 
Thanks for looking in guys and I think I am going to enjoy building this boat, Mike your absolutely right about letting your imagination run riot.
 
I see Mike that you have suspended your HMS Surprise, have you any ideas when you'll restart her, I've been waiting for Caldercrafts Surprise now for about 3 years, good job I didn't hold my breath.
 
Q A, the first planking is Walnut, I sanded both sides down prior to starting planking just to tidy the wood up, I've never been happy with any Walnut that comes with a kit, it all seems to need quite a bit of work.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie

Hi Guys,
 
Well here we are, back on familiar ground with a kit build although there is an awful lot on this boat that needs to be scratched. 
 
The Armed Launch was used by different navies during the 19th century, approx. 10 metres in length it was armed with different size guns, one large cannon at the bow and two small swivel guns at the stern.
 
These boats were used for coastal patrols or in escort services, they also demonstrated their wartime capabilities in surprise actions by attacking craft in trouble, anchored up or in the roads. 
 
The model is triple planked with the first planking on full show on the inboard, this planking is Walnut, the second planking is for strength and is Lime, the last planking should be Walnut but I want to change this to Swiss Pear, I want a bare wood finish if possible and I want to keep the paint away from the main parts of the boat.
 
I started with the keel by cutting two 3mm rabbits, I'm not too sure if this was the right thing to do but it's done and so I have to make it work.
 
With the rabbits cut I dry fitted the bulkheads, the top 2/3rds will be removed when the planking is completed, these were then glued into place and the alignment deck put in position, this deck plays no part in the final boat, it's purely to keep the bulkheads square whilst planking.
 
I started the first planking (Walnut) and have so far got just about halfway and so it continues, care has to taken as this first layer is on full show apart from the bow section.
 
I hope all that follow this build will enjoy the trip and please feel free to offer any advice / comments along the way.
 
Some pictures
 
First up the obligatory kit shots 
 
 

 
The Keel in my clamp showing a Rabbit

 
Bulkheads dry fitted

 
Bow block attached and alignment deck in place

 
The first three rows on both sides

 

 
Not very exciting at the moment is it.
 
I'm not right upto-date with the pictures but they would only be more of the same planking so that it for now, I will post again when I have more progress, that will be a bit slow due to the time of year and the Admirals just do jobs.
 
Please feel free to make any comments guys.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie
 
 

Hi Gents,
 
Thanks for looking in gents and all your kind comments and remarks during this restoration.
 
This will be the final update on the restoration as she is now complete and has been taken down to the museum, I must say they are very pleased with her as am I.
 
The rigging was a bit of a mystery as there is no plan that I could find so it was a case of looking at as many photos and other builds of a similar ilk.
 
She came together very quickly in the end and before I realised it she was almost done and it really wasn't worth making two posts with what was left. I decided to carry on and finish her off.
 
There's no tech info to pass on so I will get straight into the pics and hope you enjoy them.
 
I wanted the sails to billow and so I soaked these ropes in white glue, the ruler is to add some tension and hold the sail out until the glue dries.

 
The main sail with some of the rigging, the Reg Number was put on using a Chinagraph pencil my Admiral uses in the garden, no bleed and it worked a treat I think.

 
A chain storage box was made up

 
The fittings have been placed in the hold

 
All the sails are now on and hopefully they look as if they are filled with air, I used a large fan and starch, sprayed the starch on in small amounts and let it dry by the fan, then add more starch and repeat until desired effect happens.

 
The Top Sail didn't take to well and proved a pointless task, it held for a while then dropped.

 
The Spritsails are clearly billowing

 
The shape of the Mainsail can be seen and it held it's shape.


 
And the final pic

 
So there we are, the finished boat. I have enjoyed doing this restoration as it has made a complete change in the subject which upto now has not been my thing, who knows where we go from here.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie

Hi Denis,
 
I've been following along mate and it's all coming together really nicely, I do like your ships boat and the colour looks great.
 
With regard to the boats lashings may I be so bold as to show what I did to mine.
 
These are the boats from my Agamemnon, eyebolts are attached to the boat stands and rope passed over the top through a 2mm single block and then back on themselves.
 
Hope that helps mate.
 

 

 

 
Be Good
 
mobbsie

Hi Guys,
Back from the Hols this time and ready to finish this rather long winded log.
 
The next thing for me to ponder was the type of stand to put her on, I didn't want the kit stand as it seemed a bit chunky. I decided to make what I can only call "feet".
I cut a paper template and cut the feet from 6mm Swiss Pear, I quite like them as they are unobtrusive and they serve the purpose
 

 

The Bow "Foot" in place.

The stern "Foot" in place, I think they fit quite nicely and do not draw the eye.

Only remains to put all the parts together and complete the rigging, the rigging was very simple and did not take long at all, various ropes were used such as Morope, Caldercraft and the local haberdashery shop. Unfortunately I didn't take enough pictures of the methods used and so there is a big jump.
 

The mast has been stepped and fully rigged

This rig is really simple, no Ratlines ( lovely )
 


Bow on, all the little bits have been placed inside, none are fixed.

I've just noticed the ensign, it's the Red Ensign (Red Duster) which is for the Merchant Navy, I will have to get a White Ensign.

The knots on the Yard are correct and quick release.

The final picture, it's done, I did enjoy building this boat and would recommend it to anyone.
I hope you enjoyed what turned out to something of a long journey and I thank you for your patience.
 

Next up will be HMS Pickle, I love the story behind this little boat.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Hi Guys,
 
Thank you gents very much for your very kind comments and the likes. She is now encased and on display in my lounge.
 
All I have to do now is to work out how to show the heading as " complete ", I have tried but with no success yet.
 
Pickle has arrived and will be on the slipway soon.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie

Hi Guys,
Back from the Hols this time and ready to finish this rather long winded log.
 
The next thing for me to ponder was the type of stand to put her on, I didn't want the kit stand as it seemed a bit chunky. I decided to make what I can only call "feet".
I cut a paper template and cut the feet from 6mm Swiss Pear, I quite like them as they are unobtrusive and they serve the purpose
 

 

The Bow "Foot" in place.

The stern "Foot" in place, I think they fit quite nicely and do not draw the eye.

Only remains to put all the parts together and complete the rigging, the rigging was very simple and did not take long at all, various ropes were used such as Morope, Caldercraft and the local haberdashery shop. Unfortunately I didn't take enough pictures of the methods used and so there is a big jump.
 

The mast has been stepped and fully rigged

This rig is really simple, no Ratlines ( lovely )
 


Bow on, all the little bits have been placed inside, none are fixed.

I've just noticed the ensign, it's the Red Ensign (Red Duster) which is for the Merchant Navy, I will have to get a White Ensign.

The knots on the Yard are correct and quick release.

The final picture, it's done, I did enjoy building this boat and would recommend it to anyone.
I hope you enjoyed what turned out to something of a long journey and I thank you for your patience.
 

Next up will be HMS Pickle, I love the story behind this little boat.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Good Morning Gentlemen,
 
Thank you very much for the warm welcome back messages and comments on the boat, It seems as though I've never been away, what a forum this is.
 
Going on with the boat, the next step was to rig the gun and tiller bar.
 
I substituted the 5mm kit double blocks for a far superior block which came to me from Australia, so much better, thanks mate. The rope used was from a previous Caldercraft kit.
 

This is such an easy rigging system.

Just a little bit of trimming to do, the Breech rope is meant to be that way round otherwise it fouls the Quoin.

I can only assume that the Cox'n or Bosun were standing most of the time, I've never seen a configuration like this before.

 
It looks as though the tiller is bent, it's purely optical, again a bit of trimming and that bits done.

OK that's me done for now, I invite all comments either good or bad, I only ask that your gentle with me.
 
Be Good my Friends
 
mobbsie
 
 
 

Hi Guys,
 
Pav,  I think your little rescue boat is for the ships cat mate, as Grant has suggested copious amounts of isopropyl alcohol should do the trick. If it's a CA type glue then you could try some nail polish remover, just depends how long it's been cured.
 
Now if I can remember how all works I will try to download or should I say upload ( never sure which it is ) some pictures. Unfortunately the pictures aren't as comprehensive as I would have liked.
 
The kits gun carriage timbers were substituted from ply to Swiss Pear, the kit parts were used for template purposes only, they went together quite well and on fitting suspended by either end and nothing in the middle. A bit of jiggery pokery and we have the semblance of a fit.
 
The gun was fun, whatever I tried to blacken it, it would just come out mottled, I cleaned it to within an inch my life but it wasn't having any of it, out came the trusty paint pot, something I didn't want to do on this build.
 

 

Just tying up a few blocks and tackles for rigging the gun.

 
I'm going to call it a day there as I want to see if the pics upload ok, I will post some more later.
 
Be Good my Friends
 
mobbsie

Hello One and All,
 
It's been almost a year since I last visited my log and it's about time it was resurrected. 
 
Life has it's ups and downs and unfortunately I have been on a bit of a down, without going into any detail I basically lost me mojo.
 
The boat has been completed and I will be posting the remainder of the progress pics very shortly.
 
Thanks to all who have enquired after my well being and showed concern, it's really very heart warming.
 
Watch this space guys.
 
mobbsie
 
 

Hi Guys,
 
I'm back, I haven't been around lately for several reasons, the main reason being that through my own stupidity my Laptop crashed, I wont go into detail but suffice to say it stopped working.
 
Through the help of several friends I am now back on line and raring to go, I have at this stage got to thank Carl ( cog ) for all his help and assistance, it's down to you that I'm back ( you can get him later guys ). A big THANK YOU Carl, your a diamond.
 
A lot of progress has been made since my last post so I will be doing a few post in succession to try and catch up.
 
 
The hull with the mast a yard to the front, these were quite simple to build due mainly to there being no fiddly bits, all that I changed were the pulley wheels in the masthead,
 
The Hull with Mast and Yard in the fore.

 
The Mast Head, with the replaced pulleys.

 
This is the main fixing point for the Yard, 3mm Morope seized on with .75mm black thread.

 
                                                                       Now for some Sail Making
 
The sail is made from a sheet of kit supplied Calico, this was first washed and ironed then cut diagonally from corner to corner, then I stained one piece with 4 teabags in boiling water, this was left for several hours until it got to the colour I wanted. When dry it was ironed again the edges were brushed with diluted PVA.
The Bolt-rope was made from 1mm Caldercraft rope, the lengths were measured and Becket's tied in.
the Bolt-rope was laid on the edge of the sail and the edge was then folded over the rope and again given a coat of PVA.
 

 
The bolt-rope is now fitted and the PVA has dried.

 
One of the three Becket's

 
The sail has now been marked up with pencil and is now ready to go to the seamstress.

 
The seamstress has done her job and a nice job at that. ( think I'll keep her on ).

 
Next up was to stretch the sail and fix it to the yard. The Becket's were tied using .5mm black thread. I then started to stitch fixing loops onto the sail.

 
With all the loops stitched on the sail was bent to the yard using .75mm black thread. The sail has now been completely bent to the mast and the Reev's also attached.

 
The completed sail.

 
That's it for now guys, a further update will follow very shortly.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Morning Gents,
 
Thank you all very much for your comments and for dropping in and thanks to all who hit the like button, all are very welcome and appreciated.
 
Piet and Brian welcome to the log guys, good to have you along.
 
I have an update guys which is pretty quick for me, just 17 days since my last one.
 
I think this is the correct time to apply a coat of W.O.P,  the colour change is quite evident, the wood was also very thirsty.

 
The Port and Starboard stern benches have now been fitted, the holes are for a pair of Belaying Pins, elbows can also be seen and are waiting to be fitted to the stern.

 
Forard stringer elbows made and ready for fitting and the forard locker cover fitted, all the elbows are made from Lime planks and have had cut down flathead pins pre-fitted, the locker cover is made from 2x2mm lime strip and 1x5mm walnut planks.

 
Aft elbows have now been fitted along with the rudder cap and tiller bar also the Swivel Gun Pedestals, the pedestals are 6x6mm Walnut square stock, the pedestals had to be shaped to fit the hull and cut out made for the Capping Rail. The tiller was a lot of fun trying to bend to shape, no matter what I tried it creased at the bend, in the end I sanded out a lot of the crease and settled for that, it's not too bad really. The Rudder Cap is a 10x10mm Lime block and the Tiller Bar is a 5x5mm Lime Stock. Lime is not the best of woods to work with.

 
Next step was for the Benches, Mast Seat, Mast Head, and Bench Elbows. I cut the Benches from Swiss Pear Boards, the size is 5x15mm, a 10mm hole needed to be made for the Mast seat and Bracing pieces fitted either side of the bench. The Mast Head was cut from a piece of Lime square stock, reamed out and pulleys fitted, I changed the small brass pulleys and made a couple of wooden ones from 6mm dowel. The seat elbows are made from Lime stock but I wasn't happy with these and changed them to Swiss Pear.

 
Next was to dry fit the stern Capping Rail and fit it around the Rudder Post. The Capping Rail is made from Swiss Pear, shaped and the outer edge decoration cut into it, this was then treated with Ebonising Solutions until the right colour was reached. The stern side rails were given the same treatment. The capping rail elbows were cut from a 10x10mm block of Swiss Pear stock, using a template made from the plans the shape was cut and sanded. These have now been dry fitted.

 
We have now a big leap ahead, All the capping rails have been fitted and I decided to put a length of rope (1mm Caldercraft) along the length of the decoration, more as a rubbing rope. The benches have been fitted along with the elbows, (I hate elbows). The Mast seat has been fitted underneath the bench and columns fitted beneath each of the other remaining benches. I cut the rowlocks from 6x6mm Walnut stack and shaped using my drum sander, they were drilled and pins fitted, these were then glued to the aping rail. the two Fairleads were cut from 6x6mm Walnut square stock these were also glued to the capping rail. 



 
 
I've reached the limit of this download gents so I will wait until my next update to post the rest.
 
I hope you enjoy this update and as usual all comments whether good or bad are always welcome.
 
Be Good
 
mobbsie