Craigie65

Sewing shops sell beeswax in a little plastic containers with slots. Like this:
 

 
You drag the thread through the slot and across the surface of the wax. Easy!
 
Rob

Can I spray a clear coat of some sort maybe acrylic over the copper plates to harden and protect them from lifting up during construction once the hull is fully coppered. The reason I ask this question is because now that I have my phantom  fully coppered  I am having a hard time handling the hull without damaging the copper.

hi,
 
I've never used gold (or any other metallic colour for that matter on wood).
I think most leading paint brands (Humbrol, Vallejo, Revell, Testors, Model Master )have very good golds (Model Master's "Brass" is great and is very close to gold).
 
I think a stroll in an art shop would give offer you the opportunity to find a wider variety of paints (as well as gold leaf) than in a hobby shop. There you could also find several shades of gold (antique, rennaissance etc).
 
Hope I was helpful,
 
Constantinos

Wow that is some set up - although her that must be obeyed might not agree. My Admiral doesn't mind the hobby just the space it takes up!
 
I was banished to the spare room from the dinning room. Apparently it upset the balance in the house. Mind you I think I have the last laugh as the second cable TV box is also in the spare room. So I can watch the football (soccer) and watch the glue dry
 
Good luck with your build(s)

I have made numerous seizings on the strop or line that goes around a block. The cannon riggings on my USS Constitution is one example. There are twenty-two guns with four blocks each. Lots of time to practice.
 
I put a short video clip together for those interested in my approach.

 

 
Of course, there are many other places where this seizing is used. The top of shrouds as they go around the mast is another one. There are also variations to the 'common whipping', but in all cases the idea is the same.

Thanks  JPett and Craigie65,  Your right like the old style solid look of a ship, for me is all about the feel,  or presence  the ship makes. Plus I do spend allot of time in Scotland, guess some it has rubbed off

Hi,
Been meaning to do this for ages
 
Kit was a family birthday present and arrived late July minus the bulkheads but with 2 keels.   a quick email exchange and a call or 2 to JoTiKa and they arrived in August.
 

 
My first kit was HMS President by Sergal - I could not believe the difference in quality
 
Here is the first of my pictures -playing hockey today so will post some more later today or on Sunday
 
 
First planking done, gun port patterns and the wale.
 
 
Bow with water line marked. The blue thing is a wine cooler that I use to soak my wood. Unfortunately I dropped it when emptying it - so new wine cooler on the shopping list for Christmas.
 

 
And to complete the set the stern

 
While I was waiting on glue drying i had pressed ahead with the mortar housings. These were great fun and little kits in their own right. These pics don't show the ring bolts very well but I experimented making my own by winding wire around an PE tool that i have.  At this scale there was not much difference in quality so for the sake of saving some time I used the method in the instruction. Also I had read of the mixed results members have had with chemical blackening - so I decided primer and pain was the way to go.  
 

Admittedly the ring bolts need a touch up here and there but I am happy.
 
 
 
And the last one for now all the components that make up each housing
 

 
TTFN

Okay part two - During Strictly 
 
Start of the second planking. I wanted to try to use some of the techniques that I picked up on the forum. Some success but I struggle to vision the layout of all the planks and drop planks.  I think I was trying to look too far ahead: but I have a better picture in my head for the next build  - whatever that may be?
 

 
And that is the first planking below the wale
 

 
After this shot I used a bit of dark filler and after a sand down it looks okay - to be honest it will disappear under a coat of white paint.
 

 
And the inner gunport patterns and planking above the wale all done.  I have lined the ports without lids and will be lining the ports with lids shortly.  The sweep ports need a bit of work to get the right size.
 
 

 
Of course I could not resist to see how the forecastle would look 
 
The camber does not look right at all so a bit of sanding is needed - later!
 
 
 
 
 

Need to find out how to add a link to my signature. Not easy on an iPad. In the meantime I am building the Granado if you want to look in

thanks Mobbsie.......I'm doing better...   almost done with my update.   I want to get all three done before I show you folks
 
            thanks for the good word! 
 
 
you'll have to post me a link to your build log Craig.......very interested to see what your up to.   no contest......you'll get used to us guys....we tend to grow on people :D :D

Okay part two - During Strictly 
 
Start of the second planking. I wanted to try to use some of the techniques that I picked up on the forum. Some success but I struggle to vision the layout of all the planks and drop planks.  I think I was trying to look too far ahead: but I have a better picture in my head for the next build  - whatever that may be?
 

 
And that is the first planking below the wale
 

 
After this shot I used a bit of dark filler and after a sand down it looks okay - to be honest it will disappear under a coat of white paint.
 

 
And the inner gunport patterns and planking above the wale all done.  I have lined the ports without lids and will be lining the ports with lids shortly.  The sweep ports need a bit of work to get the right size.
 
 

 
Of course I could not resist to see how the forecastle would look 
 
The camber does not look right at all so a bit of sanding is needed - later!
 
 
 
 
 

Hi,
Been meaning to do this for ages
 
Kit was a family birthday present and arrived late July minus the bulkheads but with 2 keels.   a quick email exchange and a call or 2 to JoTiKa and they arrived in August.
 

 
My first kit was HMS President by Sergal - I could not believe the difference in quality
 
Here is the first of my pictures -playing hockey today so will post some more later today or on Sunday
 
 
First planking done, gun port patterns and the wale.
 
 
Bow with water line marked. The blue thing is a wine cooler that I use to soak my wood. Unfortunately I dropped it when emptying it - so new wine cooler on the shopping list for Christmas.
 

 
And to complete the set the stern

 
While I was waiting on glue drying i had pressed ahead with the mortar housings. These were great fun and little kits in their own right. These pics don't show the ring bolts very well but I experimented making my own by winding wire around an PE tool that i have.  At this scale there was not much difference in quality so for the sake of saving some time I used the method in the instruction. Also I had read of the mixed results members have had with chemical blackening - so I decided primer and pain was the way to go.  
 

Admittedly the ring bolts need a touch up here and there but I am happy.
 
 
 
And the last one for now all the components that make up each housing
 

 
TTFN

Very nice clean and sharp build. Keep the pictures coming.

Yes, and the glossier, the better.
 
Actually, I remembered this stuff:
 
http://alclad2.com/
 
 
Bar none, the best metal finish on the market. Provided you follow the instructions explicitly!

Goes without saying that a black undercoat will help the gold shine. Vallejo has some excellent metallics but they need thinning.

Okay part two - During Strictly 
 
Start of the second planking. I wanted to try to use some of the techniques that I picked up on the forum. Some success but I struggle to vision the layout of all the planks and drop planks.  I think I was trying to look too far ahead: but I have a better picture in my head for the next build  - whatever that may be?
 

 
And that is the first planking below the wale
 

 
After this shot I used a bit of dark filler and after a sand down it looks okay - to be honest it will disappear under a coat of white paint.
 

 
And the inner gunport patterns and planking above the wale all done.  I have lined the ports without lids and will be lining the ports with lids shortly.  The sweep ports need a bit of work to get the right size.
 
 

 
Of course I could not resist to see how the forecastle would look 
 
The camber does not look right at all so a bit of sanding is needed - later!
 
 
 
 
 

Okay part two - During Strictly 
 
Start of the second planking. I wanted to try to use some of the techniques that I picked up on the forum. Some success but I struggle to vision the layout of all the planks and drop planks.  I think I was trying to look too far ahead: but I have a better picture in my head for the next build  - whatever that may be?
 

 
And that is the first planking below the wale
 

 
After this shot I used a bit of dark filler and after a sand down it looks okay - to be honest it will disappear under a coat of white paint.
 

 
And the inner gunport patterns and planking above the wale all done.  I have lined the ports without lids and will be lining the ports with lids shortly.  The sweep ports need a bit of work to get the right size.
 
 

 
Of course I could not resist to see how the forecastle would look 
 
The camber does not look right at all so a bit of sanding is needed - later!
 
 
 
 
 

Hi,
Been meaning to do this for ages
 
Kit was a family birthday present and arrived late July minus the bulkheads but with 2 keels.   a quick email exchange and a call or 2 to JoTiKa and they arrived in August.
 

 
My first kit was HMS President by Sergal - I could not believe the difference in quality
 
Here is the first of my pictures -playing hockey today so will post some more later today or on Sunday
 
 
First planking done, gun port patterns and the wale.
 
 
Bow with water line marked. The blue thing is a wine cooler that I use to soak my wood. Unfortunately I dropped it when emptying it - so new wine cooler on the shopping list for Christmas.
 

 
And to complete the set the stern

 
While I was waiting on glue drying i had pressed ahead with the mortar housings. These were great fun and little kits in their own right. These pics don't show the ring bolts very well but I experimented making my own by winding wire around an PE tool that i have.  At this scale there was not much difference in quality so for the sake of saving some time I used the method in the instruction. Also I had read of the mixed results members have had with chemical blackening - so I decided primer and pain was the way to go.  
 

Admittedly the ring bolts need a touch up here and there but I am happy.
 
 
 
And the last one for now all the components that make up each housing
 

 
TTFN

Casey,
Lucky you. I have to put up with the X Factor. I wonder if I can sneak off and do some sanding...........

In a way, it comes with a standard white cloth that needs to be sewn.  That's where I am clueless, I do not have a sewing machine nor can I use a needle and thread.  Perhaps I will need to learn...

Hey Popeye I hope your cold gets better - Whisky (scotch) and honey
 
Now for the daft laddie question.... What is it your are building? I guess I mean what is the theme bit about?
 
A truely confused Scot *-)

I wish I'd have thought of this before I made my waterline again and again before getting one that was half right. A couple of day ago I was hanging a tapestry that we had bought in Paris and it was going to be hard to get it straight where it was located . Then I remembered a level with a laser that my kids had gotten me years ago. As it turns out I had a good waterline marker in my garage the whole time.

Ohh.. great lot of new toys:) I will be watching with interest.. you will probably catch up to me before long.  I have been playing with my carronades and sleds - got myself a natty little toy coming for my build too.. just hope it works!
 
I need to order some Chuck blocks too..... They look so nice compared to the commercial ones.

Jim
Now we are in total agreement My Tirpitz would look strange festooned in rat lines, shrouds and braces

Wow that is some set up - although her that must be obeyed might not agree. My Admiral doesn't mind the hobby just the space it takes up!
 
I was banished to the spare room from the dinning room. Apparently it upset the balance in the house. Mind you I think I have the last laugh as the second cable TV box is also in the spare room. So I can watch the football (soccer) and watch the glue dry
 
Good luck with your build(s)