augie

No major milestones but time for an update.
 
Planking continues.  The mishap with the flying paint jar on the port side was eradicated by removing most of the planking on that side, including 2 of the simulated sheaves, and starting over:
 

 
The starboard side is at the same point.  All of the sweep port openings and gun deck gun ports are completed:
 

 
I'll be working my way up to the forecastle and QD with the planking.  Then a good sanding before I add the second layer of planking to the main and channel wales.
 
 
 
 

Scott, I too was new to building POB models and the Rattlesnake was/is my first build (four years an still counting). In my case I am using the Mamoli kit following Bob Hunt's Practicum, and using a wood supplement package (all the gory details on my log).
 
Don't be intimidated. If you break it down into small steps, progress will be made. I watch a multitude of logs and gleam every last detail to help with my build. Although I was intimidated by the quality of other builder's skills, I was encouraged to start my own log so others could learn from my mistakes and triumphs. Because of the log, it kind of gives you the incentive to keep going because others are watching you. That, and all the tips and suggestions you get from your followers.
 
I hope to see your log soon, yes?

Sam- that kind of situation would royally suck.  And, my mom's b-day plans were nixed due to the ice/snow today (I'd have to drive across the Potomac bridge, which is a long, rather tall bridge that is 1 lane in each direction, with no median).  
 
But yes, my Niagara arrived fully intact.    I found an apartment yesterday, so I'll be moving the house from TX to VA over the Christmas week.  I'm just praying that the roads are ok for that 3-day trip (again), and I'll be in a Penske truck too....  fun times...
 
So needless to say, building won't resume until maybe sometime in January once I'm settled in and have time to relax.  

Thanks everyone for the kind words, encouragement and "likes". I forgot to mention that the light coloured thread seen in the pictures is from Chuck. I can't even begin to describe how vastly superior it is to anything I've used before and it looks........ well, like rope I guess
 
Bob - you are so right! After all this time, I couldn't wait to see at least one yard in place.
 
John - here is a link to a thread started by Alexy for his serving machine. It includes pictures and a link to a video demonstration. He will quote you a price and shipping via PM. I think it is a well made machine and works as it supposed to. Alexy is very prompt in responding to queries, and postage to Australia was very fast indeed. Of course, it's more expensive than a home made one, but worth the expense in my opinion. Usual disclaimers.
 
http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/1594-serving-machine-20-not-just-serves-ropes/?hl=%2Bserving+%2Bmachine

Thanks Hamilton. I suppose it's a little funny that I advise others not to do the kit ,while pushing ahead myself.
 
Bob

JPett,  Wow, I have to compliment you on your work and this log is GREAT!.  I too am new to ship building and after doing some research I also have chosen the Rattlesnake.  I will admit though, going through your log here is making me nervous about my choice of getting into this hobby.  I'm no slacker when it comes to building things. I've built highly accurate plastic models and have built a pretty accurate model train layout as well.  So I know I posses building skills and an eye for accuracy.  What worries me is the lack of experience with so much wood.  I tell you this though, I know my build will be slow because I will be reviewing so many logs from this site to make sure I mess up as little as possible.
 
Please keep this log going right up to the end.  I'm really getting a great education and you seem more candid then other postings on things gone wrong and things gone right.  I hope to learn from the things gone wrong so I don't make them too.  That is probably the best thing you can do on this site.  Help us learn from others mistakes.  I tip my hat to you.  Thanks again.

Hi Augie:
 
Great work - the sheaves look particularly good. 
hamilton

Welcome to the MSW 'Rework Team'.

And it is usually very easily cleaned up, before it sets, with rubbing alcohol.

EVERYBODY is in rework mode  

And Hard a granite once it does set. And yes it can be messy. Consider this - Many of us have Marble or Granite counter tops in our kitchens. These counter tops are actually ground up pieces of marble or granite suspended in a type of Epoxy.

All shall be revealed in due time...... Patience....
 
Andy

EVERYBODY is in rework mode  

And it is usually very easily cleaned up, before it sets, with rubbing alcohol.

Thanks Marc - you are too kind!    
 
I decided to install the Fore Lower Yard before moving on to the next yard - figured it was probably going to be safer on the model than sculling around the shipyard!
 
I had previously decided that I was not going to serve any of the lines on this model, but I made an exception when it came to the yard slings.  I wanted to have a play with my serving machine (Alexy's product) and I'm quite pleased with the result.  The sling has an eye in one end, and a thimble seized into a bight.  It then wraps around the mast with the "tail" end passing through the eye and then being stopped back to its standing part with three round seizings.  Here is the result:
 

 
The yard was then attached by lashing the thimbles in the sling and the sling collar (on the yard) together.  The truss pendants are then fitted to hold the yard against the mast, and the Jeers were then reeved.  Here is a few shots showing the yard in place.  You can see a mixture of kit-supplied blocks and my own blocks in these photos.  The kit blocks were fitted to the masts and tops before I decided to start making my own.
 

 

 

 
Blocks have been seized in the lower end of the Truss Pendant falls, but these have not yet been reeved and belayed.  Likewise, the Jeer falls have not yet been belayed.
 
I was about to rig the lifts, when I realised that the previously installed lift blocks on the mast were incorrect.  So I took them off, spent an hour or so stropping some new ones, and then while attempting to fit these, managed to drop them into the space-time continuum void between the model and the desk.     
 
I decided that was probably a good time to stop for the day!
 
 

Welcome to the MSW 'Rework Team'.

Welcome to the MSW 'Rework Team'.

Welcome to the MSW 'Rework Team'.

Welcome to the MSW 'Rework Team'.

Hey Popeye, got any spare rope ladders mate, some guy eating a burger told you may have some.
 
Well done on the final set mate, they look so much better. It certainly pays to persevere.
 
Be Good & Stay Warm
 
mobbsie

Hi Augie, yeah, I'm familiar with that product.  I think it's used in model Railroads too.  At 1 mm thick I don't know if it would show that much or look much different than the Flat Red paint.....I'll be playing with it.  Good idea though, but I have to drive about 15 miles to the nearest hobby shop which is Hobby Lobby...It's 33 degrees here all day so I'm not going to be getting out.....this is your kind of weather....too early for us.  If it doesn't get to 45 it wil break a record that is over 105 years old.......brrrrrrrr.......

G'day mate, you've got a deal.
 
I have looked into shipping and handling and I reckon about 5 grand should cover it.
 
The planking continues, and continues................
 
I went and bought more clamps so I can do more than one plank at a time but have a look how many clamps I need to attach one plank.
Trouble is because she is going to be single planked and go to sea I need to keep the planks glued to each other and aligned to each other, without the clamps between ribs you tend to end up with a "klinker" style hull which can be sanded of course and have a nice thin veneer layed over to make nice but in this case there is none of that. I want to keep sanding to a minimum so I keep hull strength. I can of course use filler in this build as it will be epoxied and painted. I am thinking a mid green which the James Craig was when towed from her watery grave in Tasmania to Sydney.
 

 

 
 

Spent some time on the McKay today.....I finished up the bulwarks.....painted and weathered...then moved onto the main deck house....and put a coat of paint on it too......
 
Rob

What a joy it is to hold that completed hull. It's like I can't get enough of holding it. It looks like a boat now. Am I the only one who feels this way?

That's how MSW works