augie

Great work Augie.
 
Ben

As luck would have it, did manage to find some time to work on deck fittings over Christmas.  So, at about 800 hours into the build here's where we are:
 
THE CAPSTAN
 
Supplied as a laser cut sheet, this reminds me why I don't scratchbuild:
 

 
I'm leaving it with the natural finish to show off the pins made of 28 gauge wire.  The ring on top was photoetched.  She's just pinned on deck for now.  Still need to make some pawls.
 

 
And that brings us to THE STOVE.  Also supplied as (many) laser cut and photoetched parts:
 

 
The basic structure was assembled and brass strip cut for the corners and feet:
 

 
 
 
Lids with copper wire handles and more venting added (along with access doors)
 

 
 
Photoetched parts painted and brass tubes added to simulate stove vents:
 

 
Finally, the rotisserie was added!
 

 
Here it is just placed on my fine Italian brick hearth from fore/aft.  The vent stack will be permanently added once we fit the upper deck beams:
 

 

 
Lastly, just an overall look:
 

 
Sorry to be so long-winded but I thought a walk through the stove construction might interest some.  It was all given a coat of flat acrylic as a final touch.  
 
Much of this will be obscured as the upper deck beams and partial deck go in.  But I know it's there.  And, I have to fess up ---- this was a LOT of fun.
 
Hope to have some deck bulkheads and deck beams in place by New Years.  If I'm not back before then, Best of the New Year to all here on MSW!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

As luck would have it, did manage to find some time to work on deck fittings over Christmas.  So, at about 800 hours into the build here's where we are:
 
THE CAPSTAN
 
Supplied as a laser cut sheet, this reminds me why I don't scratchbuild:
 

 
I'm leaving it with the natural finish to show off the pins made of 28 gauge wire.  The ring on top was photoetched.  She's just pinned on deck for now.  Still need to make some pawls.
 

 
And that brings us to THE STOVE.  Also supplied as (many) laser cut and photoetched parts:
 

 
The basic structure was assembled and brass strip cut for the corners and feet:
 

 
 
 
Lids with copper wire handles and more venting added (along with access doors)
 

 
 
Photoetched parts painted and brass tubes added to simulate stove vents:
 

 
Finally, the rotisserie was added!
 

 
Here it is just placed on my fine Italian brick hearth from fore/aft.  The vent stack will be permanently added once we fit the upper deck beams:
 

 

 
Lastly, just an overall look:
 

 
Sorry to be so long-winded but I thought a walk through the stove construction might interest some.  It was all given a coat of flat acrylic as a final touch.  
 
Much of this will be obscured as the upper deck beams and partial deck go in.  But I know it's there.  And, I have to fess up ---- this was a LOT of fun.
 
Hope to have some deck bulkheads and deck beams in place by New Years.  If I'm not back before then, Best of the New Year to all here on MSW!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Good progress during the holidays.

Frank gave me a good tip a while ago on how to trim and clip small parts and line. He said use a straight edge nail clipper and believe me it works great, Well I just found an even better trimmer...a cuticle trimmer I found in the dollar store for a dollar! It really gets you tight and close.

How about the Model Shipways Pride of Baltimore?  She's got pretty straightforward rigging and is at the same scale as Syren so you would get used to working at 1:64.  And she's pretty!

a big thanks to every one of you.......and all who hit the like button!   never in my wildest dreams,  could I have imagined it coming out as well as it has.   I had a duh moment too.   after the railings were done...I had thought about getting some primer on the fore deck.   in thinking of this earlier,  I had drilled two holes where the trawl rig was to be,  so I wouldn't lose the location marks.  looking at it during the dry fit,  I picked up the section and set it in place.......it hit me.   drilling two holes in the base of the uprights,  I cemented in a couple of the stubby pieces of brass from the railings.   trimming them into tabs,  and stuck them in the holes I had drilled.......now why didn't I think of that in the first place?!?!
 
I know Augie......I just worry.  I just don't want to hit the bulkheads in there....I don't know where they are     I'll do it........I'll make a 'map gauge.....the tree boat isn't totally planked yet
 
yes Frank.......you know,  my other work table used to be the admiral's desk.......it looks better than mine!   maybe I'll switch!
 
thanks Mark.......perhaps I should do some pilot house dioramas.....that would be an interesting change of pace 
 
I relayed the message Sjors.........still on deaf ears      I did get a ..."why don't you scratch build one!"   good idea if I had the parts panels.........CAD ain't my thing 

Gotta love the Admirals !  Mine has been heard to say 'It needs more ropes'    

As luck would have it, did manage to find some time to work on deck fittings over Christmas.  So, at about 800 hours into the build here's where we are:
 
THE CAPSTAN
 
Supplied as a laser cut sheet, this reminds me why I don't scratchbuild:
 

 
I'm leaving it with the natural finish to show off the pins made of 28 gauge wire.  The ring on top was photoetched.  She's just pinned on deck for now.  Still need to make some pawls.
 

 
And that brings us to THE STOVE.  Also supplied as (many) laser cut and photoetched parts:
 

 
The basic structure was assembled and brass strip cut for the corners and feet:
 

 
 
 
Lids with copper wire handles and more venting added (along with access doors)
 

 
 
Photoetched parts painted and brass tubes added to simulate stove vents:
 

 
Finally, the rotisserie was added!
 

 
Here it is just placed on my fine Italian brick hearth from fore/aft.  The vent stack will be permanently added once we fit the upper deck beams:
 

 

 
Lastly, just an overall look:
 

 
Sorry to be so long-winded but I thought a walk through the stove construction might interest some.  It was all given a coat of flat acrylic as a final touch.  
 
Much of this will be obscured as the upper deck beams and partial deck go in.  But I know it's there.  And, I have to fess up ---- this was a LOT of fun.
 
Hope to have some deck bulkheads and deck beams in place by New Years.  If I'm not back before then, Best of the New Year to all here on MSW!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This build log will detail the construction of the Model Shipways kit USF Confederacy (scale 1:64) designed by Chuck Passaro.
 
The brief history of this 36 gun American Continental Navy Frigate is presented in some detail in the full-color, 170 page instruction manual and is available at Model Expo online. 
 
The model will be constructed in the 'Admiralty' configuration (without full rigging) and shall have an overall length of 35".
 
Although actual construction will not begin until about 9/1/2013, I have opened the kit and will provide here my overall impression of the contents and some photos to show 'WHAT'S IN THE BOX'.
 
The inventory of the kit has been completed and all listed items were provided.  No, I did not count the 300 eyebolts.  The well-drawn plans comprise 5 sheets.  As model ship manufacturers have not embraced the concept of rolled plans, they come folded and required a bit of steam ironing to be rendered suitably flat for my taste.  As mentioned, the color manual is up to Chuck's usual standard and shall become my bible for the immediate future:
 

 
The kit contains 23 laser cut sheets varying in thicknesses from 1/32 to 1/4" :
 

 
The strip wood and dowels were supplied bundled so sorting was effortless.  The quality of the wood is not bad.  I am considering replacing some of the basswood strips but need some time to figure that out:
 

 
An extensive amount of photoetched parts are supplied:
 

 
Blocks, deadeyes, cleats, stanchions and parts including anchors:
 

 
Figurehead, cannon and some stern decorations --- all brittania metal.  Although some previous logs have felt these fittings were substandard, my opinion is that they can actually be used successfully.  However, as Chuck offers some after market upgrades through his Syren Model Ship Company, I opted for upgrades of the figurehead and cannon:
 

 
I shall provide a side-by-side comparison of the kit supplied vs. custom parts when the new ones are received.
 
It is now time to do some reading and perusing of the plans to get my head around this new lady.  I am hoping to improve on the skills developed during my recently completed Syren project.  As usual, I'll be keeping a log of time spent for those who might be interested.  All I can promise is to try my best and produce something worthy to stand with the other fine Confederacy kits already (or soon to be) underway.
 
Everyone is invited to join in and comments and critique are welcome.    WELCOME ABOARD TO ALL!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Gotta love the Admirals !  Mine has been heard to say 'It needs more ropes'    

Out of the mouths of Admirals......
 
My Admiral just watched me tie what seems like my 50,000th ratline and says to me..."Don't put too many strings on your ship....I want everyone to see all of that fine wood work." 
 
Has any one heard that before?

No you can't leave this forum Ferit! I have way too much to learn from you! The compass will only point north if it is already pointing that way!
 
Thanks Augie! I think I'll stay away from the candles since I would probably burn the house down!

The cannons for the lower gun deck are painted and on the carriages.
The 10 carriages and cannons in the middle have the eyebolts for the rigging.
The others around it will have no rigging.
They are hiding under the different decks like the upper deck and poop deck and maybe another deck 
Next thing to do is place the cannons and then I can start the rigging......of the cannons !
Putting eyebolts in the bulwark and of we go 
 
Sjors
 
 

Looking good Mark. Gotta agree about the Swiss Pear. I'm using it for the frames in my cross-section build and its a real joy to work with.

she is coming together nicely Denis,
 
Masking tape my man, use masking tape to lay it out. and start with slightly smaller ones than your final.
 
Michael

I'm not online for one day and I have to read everything....
It cost me an hour !
But great progress Denis !!
Ice machine....oil drum.....railing....
I think you have vacation ????????
You really need to build the Agamemnon !
I think you bashed it so much that even Nelson don't recognized her anymore     
Admiral of Denis....give him the kit !!!!! please ??????
 
Sjors

Guys, thanks for the generous comments. Reading these is making me want to be home (and not at work) working on Connie.
 
Sjors, I'd imagine the dark side is in your near future.
 
Sal, I wouldn't know my a$$ from a hole in the ground without marking things up quite a bit.
 
CaptainSteve, I'd be happy to share the plans I made on the stern timbers. I want to get them into a finished drawing before releasing them.
 
Tim, thanks for looking in. I was in danger of over-researching myself. For Connie's earliest configuration there is no concrete, air-tight evidence of what she actually looked like so I'm just going with what feels good and looks right to me.

After all you've done you're worried about portholes?  Start with a small hole and make it ever bigger !

Very, very nice.  And well worth the effort.
 
Now, when can we expect the details regarding the calibration of the compass?

Where are you planning to steam to with 13 fuel drums ....... Portugal?

Denis that's  super nice!!..... sweet job on the oil drums as with everything else. This is a really nice looking build ( as always).
Love the desk .... mine is getting there!!
 
Frank

After all you've done you're worried about portholes?  Start with a small hole and make it ever bigger !

CaptainSteve and Augie - Thanks for the nice words. Captain you are more than welcome to copy anything you want! If I ever need hairy coconuts for a build, I will be copying you! Those are so freakin' cool!
 
Augie -The compass already appears to be perfectly calibrated!    Guess I'll get back to mini coopering now.
 

 
Best wishes

Thank you very much Augie, Anja, Nils, Sjors, Mark, Grant, Robert, Mike, Christian, and Mobbsie for the kind words and well wishes, I really appreciate it, and many thanks also to all who pressed the like button
 
To answer some querries:
 
Nils, my Pegasus is unfortunately on hold as my health condition limits my building time so I prioritized Triton.
 
Mark, the bump has indeed been sorted out and the modification produced a relatively fair hull, it appears that the NMM draught has negligible distortion and can be directly traced to create replacements for the offending aft-most bulkheads
 
 
Sjors, I'm afraid that I don't have anymore copies of those previous pics  however, to summarize, those posts just show one method on how you can detect the degree of horizontal distortion on draughts by comparing 10 feet sections at various areas such as the foremost, middle, and aftmost portions of the "ruler-like" diagram as seen in the picture below:
      The closer these measurements are to each other, the less the horizontal distortion and vice versa. That is however only a minute aspect so for further reading, I highly recommend David Antscherl's two articles: "Understanding Eighteenth-Century Admiralty Drafts" and "Drawing Techniques for the Modeleller". These two excellent works give a lot of useful info on interpreting and drafting ship plans     Thanks again you guys, have a Happy and Prosperous New Year to all!