Kurt Johnson

Mike, Glad to hear you’re still with us. I’m happy your family are getting settled into its new home, that’s always an adventure. How does Daria like her new school? Did you actually get to spend Christmas in the new place? Looking forward to seeing more of your creations. 

Congratulations,

Kurt

My guess with the peashooter is that they where trying to play fair since the the Albermarle is only 3/8 the size of the original. Did you notice the weird shape of the stack on the picket boat it tapers in toward the bottom but asymmetrically, only on the aft side.

Kurt

I can't believe something like that would disappear. Actually in today's climate maybe I can. The only thing I could find was two pictures of the boat on Pinterest. It's not exactly like picket boat no 1, but it gave the idea. This is very disappointing. I wonder if  Gettysburg has just disappeared, during the middle of the night.

Kurt

I’m sorry that video was not the one I had in mind.  ( I was searching at work (( during an offical break!))  ) Just last year there was one that showed  the picket boat with the extended torpedo, fully manned and also at night. The history channel link about it seems inactive. Maybe it went the way of the statues. I’ll keep looking.

Kurt

I don’t know if you’ve seen it but there’s a youtube video about Cushing’s Launch Replica  Living History. Pretty cool.

Kurt

Well in the end it was no big deal, just a brass brush and some T9. It’s almost good enough for government work. I was going to try the tea, but decided not to. Thanks for the input, I learned some things and that’s always to the good.  Thanks guys.

Kurt

Steve, A job well done. I love steam tugs and shes's a beaut! I especially love her engine. What's the next project, the Smit Rotterdam?

Really nice!

Kurt

Now you know you have to add a picnic basket don't you?

Kurt

Is it considered acceptable to have the flag dragging in the water?

Michael,

Does the skipjack have a canopy? 

Kurt

Keith, I used to own a boat and those air horns are required as part of the safety equipment by the US Coast Guard. I know very well how loud the are. Especially if it’s done right next to you! Fortunately I never had to use one in an emergency. I never though of a hand pumped one though, do you have to pump them several times to build up enough pressure?

I never knew there where hand pumped air whistles. I googled them and there are quite a few types. I wonder how loud they are compared to steam whistles.

I had said compass, I had meant to say dividers. 

Okay, here is another related question. The two points on the compass are presently about 1/32” ( 0.6 mm )

different in length. I’m guessing from many years of wear, and from the way I would use it being right handed the shorted one would have pivoting a lot. I want this compass to use, not just look at. Does it make any sense to file down the longer one until they’ve equal? I realize this may be an incredibly dumb question.

Thanks for the input. I had forgotten I had these tools and I want to put them back in use. So far I’ve used liquid wrench. The knurled areas are the worse and really not that bad. I’ll have to look into the Boeshield T-9. I love using tools like these. I really don’t mind the new digital stuff, but I really like the traditional tools used properly ( my father was a stickler about the proper use of a tool, and I bought it hook line and sinker. Happily! )

Kurt

I found some tools I forgot I had that had belonged to my wifes grewt uncle who was a tool and die maker for Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York. He retired about 1960, so I’m guessing they’re about 100 years young. Most are Starrett and have a tiny amount of rust around knurled areas, etc. Is naval jelly okay to use to clean up these areas? I took a picture of a divider but I can’t get it to upload.!

Thanks, 

Kurt

Frank,

She's coming along beautifully. You set a high standard for sure.

Kurt

If you ever find yourself a little short of cash, you could always crank out a few Faberge eggs to get you through. The lantern would be a stand alone model if I made it ( as if I could ). What do you think the smallest scale you could possibly make something like the lantern at that level of detail would be?

We doan need no stinking 3D printers .....

Kurt

Michael,

This may of come up before and I missed it or forgot it, but what did you do for a living? If I may ask.

Kurt

Michael,

Following along gives me such pleasure. I can’t imagine how satisfying all your projects must be for you. It all looks so easy and we all know it is anything but that. Thank you for sharing!

Kurt

Michael,

Thanks for the video. I looks like there a number of videos to enjoy,

Kurt

Michael, I think that lantern is so cool! One of my favorite possessions is a much simpler kerosene bow lantern from a boat my  grandfather had owned. It is much simpler in design. The front has a red and green lens that has a shield separating them that prevents seeing both colors at the same time unless from directly in front. There is absolutely no way I could make model of it, and I wish I could. I wouldn’t have to build the rest of the boat. That would be enough! 

I love things from that time period. Every item is the product of true craftsmen. For a number of years I rented a Skiff House converted to a cottage on one of the Thosand Islands on the US side of the St Lawrence River.  The beams in boat house all had hand beading on them. In boathouse! 

I can look at your work, over and over again.

Kurt

Michael, 

If I lived anywhere near you instead of 2500 miles away, you’d never be able to get me to go home. I’m not sure which I like the most, your model building skills or your tools ( which of course you had to go and make yourself!). The Renaissance man. I’m sure you write symphonies and correct Einstein’s equations just for whimsy. You are my role model IF and when I should ever grow up. 

Its just all so nice.

Kurt

Frank,

Nice to see your work again.

Kurt

Frank,  That’s great news!  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Kurt

Mike, Comes pretty close to the ceiling! It really is beautiful work. I can look at it for hours.

Kurt