EdT

Young America - extreme clipper 1853
Part 133 – Capstans 1
 
Young America had two capstans, one aft of midship on the main deck and one on the forecastle.  These were lighter and smaller than the massive two-deck capstans we are used to seeing on 18th century warships.  Since the windlass handled the weighing of the anchors, the two capstans were used for lesser loads, for example mooring, raising spars or heavy cargo handling.  These were often ornate, featuring polished brass rings and made of decorative woods like mahogany.  I based the design of the model anchors on American styles described by Campbell in his China Tea Clippers and by Crothers on his drawings of the ship.  I will try to provide an (admittedly incomplete) overview of how these were made.
 
The first step was to make the drumheads.  A picture of one of the finished drumheads mounted on its spindle is shown in the first picture.
 

 
The drumhead, and indeed all the wood parts for these are cherry for the darker color.  The rings and cap are polished brass.  The holes for the capstan bars are 3” square.  The parts are laid on a copy of the drawing made for these – one of the earlier of many revisions.  The realities of working many of the planned details at this scale – like mortises for the whelps, etc. caused me to simplify some of the construction while retaining the essential appearance.
 
The first drumhead parts to be made were the brass rings and caps, so these could be fit to the wood head as it was machined.  The next picture shows one of the rings about to be parted off in the Unimat® lathe.
 

 
The central shaft left in this picture would be used to make the caps.  The next picture shows the rings made for the two capstans plus a spare.
 

 
In the next picture a cylinder is being turned that will be used to make the two cherry heads. 
 

 
The excess length was provided to allow for chucking pieces for each head.  The grain direction of the piece shown is perpendicular to the lathe centerline.  The turning is centered at the tailstock.  Precise centering of these for turning the ring seats and boring the hole for the spindle was critical so that all would be concentric.  The cylinder at this stage was left larger than the 34” diameter drumhead.  In the next picture the first piece is being parted off.
 

 
In the next picture one of the cylinders has been placed in a three-jaw centering chuck on the rotating table on the milling machine and is being centered on the spindle.
 

 
The dial indicator mounted in the spindle was used to center the cylinder within one or two thousandths of an inch using the cross feeds on the mill.  In the next picture a center hole has been bored and the 1/8” milling bits is being used to enlarge the hole to the 14” diameter of the capstan spindle.
 

 
This was done by offsetting the y-feed to the enlarged size then boring the hole by rotating the table.  The rotating table and the y-feed were then used to cut mortises for the capstan bars as shown below.
 

 
The 1/32” end mill was lowered 3” into the end and set using the vertical calibrated mill wheel (z-axis).  When the four cuts (8 slots) were finished, the piece with the chuck was returned to the lathe as shown in the next picture.
 

 
In the picture an oversized top piece is being parted off.  After cleaning out the slots with a small square edged file, the cap was inverted and glued to the cylinder in the lathe as shown below.
 

 
The glue joint is clamped using the flat end of the drill chuck screwed tight with the tail stock wheel.  When dry, this piece was ready for turning the final diameter, fitting the rings, shaping the top, and parting off to yield the piece shown in the first picture.  To be continued…
 
Ed
 

Young America - extreme clipper 1853
Part 133 – Capstans 1
 
Young America had two capstans, one aft of midship on the main deck and one on the forecastle.  These were lighter and smaller than the massive two-deck capstans we are used to seeing on 18th century warships.  Since the windlass handled the weighing of the anchors, the two capstans were used for lesser loads, for example mooring, raising spars or heavy cargo handling.  These were often ornate, featuring polished brass rings and made of decorative woods like mahogany.  I based the design of the model anchors on American styles described by Campbell in his China Tea Clippers and by Crothers on his drawings of the ship.  I will try to provide an (admittedly incomplete) overview of how these were made.
 
The first step was to make the drumheads.  A picture of one of the finished drumheads mounted on its spindle is shown in the first picture.
 

 
The drumhead, and indeed all the wood parts for these are cherry for the darker color.  The rings and cap are polished brass.  The holes for the capstan bars are 3” square.  The parts are laid on a copy of the drawing made for these – one of the earlier of many revisions.  The realities of working many of the planned details at this scale – like mortises for the whelps, etc. caused me to simplify some of the construction while retaining the essential appearance.
 
The first drumhead parts to be made were the brass rings and caps, so these could be fit to the wood head as it was machined.  The next picture shows one of the rings about to be parted off in the Unimat® lathe.
 

 
The central shaft left in this picture would be used to make the caps.  The next picture shows the rings made for the two capstans plus a spare.
 

 
In the next picture a cylinder is being turned that will be used to make the two cherry heads. 
 

 
The excess length was provided to allow for chucking pieces for each head.  The grain direction of the piece shown is perpendicular to the lathe centerline.  The turning is centered at the tailstock.  Precise centering of these for turning the ring seats and boring the hole for the spindle was critical so that all would be concentric.  The cylinder at this stage was left larger than the 34” diameter drumhead.  In the next picture the first piece is being parted off.
 

 
In the next picture one of the cylinders has been placed in a three-jaw centering chuck on the rotating table on the milling machine and is being centered on the spindle.
 

 
The dial indicator mounted in the spindle was used to center the cylinder within one or two thousandths of an inch using the cross feeds on the mill.  In the next picture a center hole has been bored and the 1/8” milling bits is being used to enlarge the hole to the 14” diameter of the capstan spindle.
 

 
This was done by offsetting the y-feed to the enlarged size then boring the hole by rotating the table.  The rotating table and the y-feed were then used to cut mortises for the capstan bars as shown below.
 

 
The 1/32” end mill was lowered 3” into the end and set using the vertical calibrated mill wheel (z-axis).  When the four cuts (8 slots) were finished, the piece with the chuck was returned to the lathe as shown in the next picture.
 

 
In the picture an oversized top piece is being parted off.  After cleaning out the slots with a small square edged file, the cap was inverted and glued to the cylinder in the lathe as shown below.
 

 
The glue joint is clamped using the flat end of the drill chuck screwed tight with the tail stock wheel.  When dry, this piece was ready for turning the final diameter, fitting the rings, shaping the top, and parting off to yield the piece shown in the first picture.  To be continued…
 
Ed
 

Young America - extreme clipper 1853
Part 133 – Capstans 1
 
Young America had two capstans, one aft of midship on the main deck and one on the forecastle.  These were lighter and smaller than the massive two-deck capstans we are used to seeing on 18th century warships.  Since the windlass handled the weighing of the anchors, the two capstans were used for lesser loads, for example mooring, raising spars or heavy cargo handling.  These were often ornate, featuring polished brass rings and made of decorative woods like mahogany.  I based the design of the model anchors on American styles described by Campbell in his China Tea Clippers and by Crothers on his drawings of the ship.  I will try to provide an (admittedly incomplete) overview of how these were made.
 
The first step was to make the drumheads.  A picture of one of the finished drumheads mounted on its spindle is shown in the first picture.
 

 
The drumhead, and indeed all the wood parts for these are cherry for the darker color.  The rings and cap are polished brass.  The holes for the capstan bars are 3” square.  The parts are laid on a copy of the drawing made for these – one of the earlier of many revisions.  The realities of working many of the planned details at this scale – like mortises for the whelps, etc. caused me to simplify some of the construction while retaining the essential appearance.
 
The first drumhead parts to be made were the brass rings and caps, so these could be fit to the wood head as it was machined.  The next picture shows one of the rings about to be parted off in the Unimat® lathe.
 

 
The central shaft left in this picture would be used to make the caps.  The next picture shows the rings made for the two capstans plus a spare.
 

 
In the next picture a cylinder is being turned that will be used to make the two cherry heads. 
 

 
The excess length was provided to allow for chucking pieces for each head.  The grain direction of the piece shown is perpendicular to the lathe centerline.  The turning is centered at the tailstock.  Precise centering of these for turning the ring seats and boring the hole for the spindle was critical so that all would be concentric.  The cylinder at this stage was left larger than the 34” diameter drumhead.  In the next picture the first piece is being parted off.
 

 
In the next picture one of the cylinders has been placed in a three-jaw centering chuck on the rotating table on the milling machine and is being centered on the spindle.
 

 
The dial indicator mounted in the spindle was used to center the cylinder within one or two thousandths of an inch using the cross feeds on the mill.  In the next picture a center hole has been bored and the 1/8” milling bits is being used to enlarge the hole to the 14” diameter of the capstan spindle.
 

 
This was done by offsetting the y-feed to the enlarged size then boring the hole by rotating the table.  The rotating table and the y-feed were then used to cut mortises for the capstan bars as shown below.
 

 
The 1/32” end mill was lowered 3” into the end and set using the vertical calibrated mill wheel (z-axis).  When the four cuts (8 slots) were finished, the piece with the chuck was returned to the lathe as shown in the next picture.
 

 
In the picture an oversized top piece is being parted off.  After cleaning out the slots with a small square edged file, the cap was inverted and glued to the cylinder in the lathe as shown below.
 

 
The glue joint is clamped using the flat end of the drill chuck screwed tight with the tail stock wheel.  When dry, this piece was ready for turning the final diameter, fitting the rings, shaping the top, and parting off to yield the piece shown in the first picture.  To be continued…
 
Ed
 

Thank you Erik,
 
I am delighted if you have become a convert.  Clipper ships are good, especially the many lesser known American greats.  I too like naval subjects, but he world has plenty of model warships - including two from me.
 
I plan to rig the 1:72 version and that will be the subject of Volume II of the book.  However the rigging information in the book will cover both scales.  The 1:96 POB model was done as a demo model for Volume I of the book and is finished as far as planned.  The build log on that will be winding up with the next post or so.The design/drafting work for the rigging is well along, but that work cannot really start until I complete the deck "furniture."
 
Ed

Thank you all for the comments and likes.  They help a lot in the post holiday doldrums as i try to get energized for the work ahead.
 
Druxey, the head height under the forecastle beams is only about 4'6".  The height in the lockers is closer to 5' but with the step over coaming the door height is also about 4'6".  I'm sure dragging the anchor chain over that unidirectional winch from under the forecastle was no fun.
 
Frank, you are quite right about my desire to have a process nailed down beforehand and I try to work that way once I have a process that works well.  However, each process takes at least some development and that usually involves an iteration between work and redrafting - and often some scrap.  For example, for the past week or so I have been working on the two capstans.  They are different from the usual 18C  Admiralty types and smaller than those on the Naiad model s there has been a lot of trial and error - and a drawing revision about once a day.  Hope to show these soon.
 
Crackers, from trying to comment on so much of the great work on MSW, I know it is often hard to keep finding nice things to say.  Its much easier to hit the like button, but I do appreciate the comments and the time taken to make them.
 
Ed 

Young America - extreme clipper 1853
Part 133 – Capstans 1
 
Young America had two capstans, one aft of midship on the main deck and one on the forecastle.  These were lighter and smaller than the massive two-deck capstans we are used to seeing on 18th century warships.  Since the windlass handled the weighing of the anchors, the two capstans were used for lesser loads, for example mooring, raising spars or heavy cargo handling.  These were often ornate, featuring polished brass rings and made of decorative woods like mahogany.  I based the design of the model anchors on American styles described by Campbell in his China Tea Clippers and by Crothers on his drawings of the ship.  I will try to provide an (admittedly incomplete) overview of how these were made.
 
The first step was to make the drumheads.  A picture of one of the finished drumheads mounted on its spindle is shown in the first picture.
 

 
The drumhead, and indeed all the wood parts for these are cherry for the darker color.  The rings and cap are polished brass.  The holes for the capstan bars are 3” square.  The parts are laid on a copy of the drawing made for these – one of the earlier of many revisions.  The realities of working many of the planned details at this scale – like mortises for the whelps, etc. caused me to simplify some of the construction while retaining the essential appearance.
 
The first drumhead parts to be made were the brass rings and caps, so these could be fit to the wood head as it was machined.  The next picture shows one of the rings about to be parted off in the Unimat® lathe.
 

 
The central shaft left in this picture would be used to make the caps.  The next picture shows the rings made for the two capstans plus a spare.
 

 
In the next picture a cylinder is being turned that will be used to make the two cherry heads. 
 

 
The excess length was provided to allow for chucking pieces for each head.  The grain direction of the piece shown is perpendicular to the lathe centerline.  The turning is centered at the tailstock.  Precise centering of these for turning the ring seats and boring the hole for the spindle was critical so that all would be concentric.  The cylinder at this stage was left larger than the 34” diameter drumhead.  In the next picture the first piece is being parted off.
 

 
In the next picture one of the cylinders has been placed in a three-jaw centering chuck on the rotating table on the milling machine and is being centered on the spindle.
 

 
The dial indicator mounted in the spindle was used to center the cylinder within one or two thousandths of an inch using the cross feeds on the mill.  In the next picture a center hole has been bored and the 1/8” milling bits is being used to enlarge the hole to the 14” diameter of the capstan spindle.
 

 
This was done by offsetting the y-feed to the enlarged size then boring the hole by rotating the table.  The rotating table and the y-feed were then used to cut mortises for the capstan bars as shown below.
 

 
The 1/32” end mill was lowered 3” into the end and set using the vertical calibrated mill wheel (z-axis).  When the four cuts (8 slots) were finished, the piece with the chuck was returned to the lathe as shown in the next picture.
 

 
In the picture an oversized top piece is being parted off.  After cleaning out the slots with a small square edged file, the cap was inverted and glued to the cylinder in the lathe as shown below.
 

 
The glue joint is clamped using the flat end of the drill chuck screwed tight with the tail stock wheel.  When dry, this piece was ready for turning the final diameter, fitting the rings, shaping the top, and parting off to yield the piece shown in the first picture.  To be continued…
 
Ed
 

Young America - extreme clipper 1853
Part 132 – Forward Lockers
 
There were two forward lockers that abutted the forecastle breast beam and the bulwarks at the side.  The enclosure on the port side was evidently (also?) used as a toilet.  These were undoubtedly used to stow gear that needed more protection than that afforded under the open forecastle.
 
With the windlass permanently installed, these enclosures could be constructed and the ladder ways between them and the windlass also installed.  In the first picture a panel of siding has been edge glued and is being fitted between the rails of the port bulwark.
 

 
 
After fitting, the panel would be cut off square to size.  These would most likely have been made using tongued-and-grooved planks maybe 2½” thick.  To accentuate the plank joints, the edges were rounded before edge gluing – as was done for all the other deck structures.
 
The next picture shows some pieces in assembly.
 
 

 
Although the workshop is in the basement, I get very bright sunlight through the windows this time of year – hence some overexposure in some of the pics.  In the next picture the end walls have been fitted and the fore-and-aft wall with the door is being test fit.
 

 
In the next picture the wall has been installed, the roof has been planked and is being smoothed out.
 

 
The flat faced curved riffler is being used for this.  Note that door hardware was installed prior to setting the wall.  In the next picture the edges of the roof planks are being pared flush with the chisel.
 

 
The next picture shows both enclosures installed.
 

 
The ladder way on the starboard side is also installed and the glue on some decking for the port ladder is drying.  In the last picture the second ladder way has been installed and roof planking on both enclosures painted.
 

 
 
 
Ed

Young America - extreme clipper 1853
Part 133 – Capstans 1
 
Young America had two capstans, one aft of midship on the main deck and one on the forecastle.  These were lighter and smaller than the massive two-deck capstans we are used to seeing on 18th century warships.  Since the windlass handled the weighing of the anchors, the two capstans were used for lesser loads, for example mooring, raising spars or heavy cargo handling.  These were often ornate, featuring polished brass rings and made of decorative woods like mahogany.  I based the design of the model anchors on American styles described by Campbell in his China Tea Clippers and by Crothers on his drawings of the ship.  I will try to provide an (admittedly incomplete) overview of how these were made.
 
The first step was to make the drumheads.  A picture of one of the finished drumheads mounted on its spindle is shown in the first picture.
 

 
The drumhead, and indeed all the wood parts for these are cherry for the darker color.  The rings and cap are polished brass.  The holes for the capstan bars are 3” square.  The parts are laid on a copy of the drawing made for these – one of the earlier of many revisions.  The realities of working many of the planned details at this scale – like mortises for the whelps, etc. caused me to simplify some of the construction while retaining the essential appearance.
 
The first drumhead parts to be made were the brass rings and caps, so these could be fit to the wood head as it was machined.  The next picture shows one of the rings about to be parted off in the Unimat® lathe.
 

 
The central shaft left in this picture would be used to make the caps.  The next picture shows the rings made for the two capstans plus a spare.
 

 
In the next picture a cylinder is being turned that will be used to make the two cherry heads. 
 

 
The excess length was provided to allow for chucking pieces for each head.  The grain direction of the piece shown is perpendicular to the lathe centerline.  The turning is centered at the tailstock.  Precise centering of these for turning the ring seats and boring the hole for the spindle was critical so that all would be concentric.  The cylinder at this stage was left larger than the 34” diameter drumhead.  In the next picture the first piece is being parted off.
 

 
In the next picture one of the cylinders has been placed in a three-jaw centering chuck on the rotating table on the milling machine and is being centered on the spindle.
 

 
The dial indicator mounted in the spindle was used to center the cylinder within one or two thousandths of an inch using the cross feeds on the mill.  In the next picture a center hole has been bored and the 1/8” milling bits is being used to enlarge the hole to the 14” diameter of the capstan spindle.
 

 
This was done by offsetting the y-feed to the enlarged size then boring the hole by rotating the table.  The rotating table and the y-feed were then used to cut mortises for the capstan bars as shown below.
 

 
The 1/32” end mill was lowered 3” into the end and set using the vertical calibrated mill wheel (z-axis).  When the four cuts (8 slots) were finished, the piece with the chuck was returned to the lathe as shown in the next picture.
 

 
In the picture an oversized top piece is being parted off.  After cleaning out the slots with a small square edged file, the cap was inverted and glued to the cylinder in the lathe as shown below.
 

 
The glue joint is clamped using the flat end of the drill chuck screwed tight with the tail stock wheel.  When dry, this piece was ready for turning the final diameter, fitting the rings, shaping the top, and parting off to yield the piece shown in the first picture.  To be continued…
 
Ed
 

Young America - extreme clipper 1853
Part 133 – Capstans 1
 
Young America had two capstans, one aft of midship on the main deck and one on the forecastle.  These were lighter and smaller than the massive two-deck capstans we are used to seeing on 18th century warships.  Since the windlass handled the weighing of the anchors, the two capstans were used for lesser loads, for example mooring, raising spars or heavy cargo handling.  These were often ornate, featuring polished brass rings and made of decorative woods like mahogany.  I based the design of the model anchors on American styles described by Campbell in his China Tea Clippers and by Crothers on his drawings of the ship.  I will try to provide an (admittedly incomplete) overview of how these were made.
 
The first step was to make the drumheads.  A picture of one of the finished drumheads mounted on its spindle is shown in the first picture.
 

 
The drumhead, and indeed all the wood parts for these are cherry for the darker color.  The rings and cap are polished brass.  The holes for the capstan bars are 3” square.  The parts are laid on a copy of the drawing made for these – one of the earlier of many revisions.  The realities of working many of the planned details at this scale – like mortises for the whelps, etc. caused me to simplify some of the construction while retaining the essential appearance.
 
The first drumhead parts to be made were the brass rings and caps, so these could be fit to the wood head as it was machined.  The next picture shows one of the rings about to be parted off in the Unimat® lathe.
 

 
The central shaft left in this picture would be used to make the caps.  The next picture shows the rings made for the two capstans plus a spare.
 

 
In the next picture a cylinder is being turned that will be used to make the two cherry heads. 
 

 
The excess length was provided to allow for chucking pieces for each head.  The grain direction of the piece shown is perpendicular to the lathe centerline.  The turning is centered at the tailstock.  Precise centering of these for turning the ring seats and boring the hole for the spindle was critical so that all would be concentric.  The cylinder at this stage was left larger than the 34” diameter drumhead.  In the next picture the first piece is being parted off.
 

 
In the next picture one of the cylinders has been placed in a three-jaw centering chuck on the rotating table on the milling machine and is being centered on the spindle.
 

 
The dial indicator mounted in the spindle was used to center the cylinder within one or two thousandths of an inch using the cross feeds on the mill.  In the next picture a center hole has been bored and the 1/8” milling bits is being used to enlarge the hole to the 14” diameter of the capstan spindle.
 

 
This was done by offsetting the y-feed to the enlarged size then boring the hole by rotating the table.  The rotating table and the y-feed were then used to cut mortises for the capstan bars as shown below.
 

 
The 1/32” end mill was lowered 3” into the end and set using the vertical calibrated mill wheel (z-axis).  When the four cuts (8 slots) were finished, the piece with the chuck was returned to the lathe as shown in the next picture.
 

 
In the picture an oversized top piece is being parted off.  After cleaning out the slots with a small square edged file, the cap was inverted and glued to the cylinder in the lathe as shown below.
 

 
The glue joint is clamped using the flat end of the drill chuck screwed tight with the tail stock wheel.  When dry, this piece was ready for turning the final diameter, fitting the rings, shaping the top, and parting off to yield the piece shown in the first picture.  To be continued…
 
Ed
 

Young America - extreme clipper 1853
Part 132 – Forward Lockers
 
There were two forward lockers that abutted the forecastle breast beam and the bulwarks at the side.  The enclosure on the port side was evidently (also?) used as a toilet.  These were undoubtedly used to stow gear that needed more protection than that afforded under the open forecastle.
 
With the windlass permanently installed, these enclosures could be constructed and the ladder ways between them and the windlass also installed.  In the first picture a panel of siding has been edge glued and is being fitted between the rails of the port bulwark.
 

 
 
After fitting, the panel would be cut off square to size.  These would most likely have been made using tongued-and-grooved planks maybe 2½” thick.  To accentuate the plank joints, the edges were rounded before edge gluing – as was done for all the other deck structures.
 
The next picture shows some pieces in assembly.
 
 

 
Although the workshop is in the basement, I get very bright sunlight through the windows this time of year – hence some overexposure in some of the pics.  In the next picture the end walls have been fitted and the fore-and-aft wall with the door is being test fit.
 

 
In the next picture the wall has been installed, the roof has been planked and is being smoothed out.
 

 
The flat faced curved riffler is being used for this.  Note that door hardware was installed prior to setting the wall.  In the next picture the edges of the roof planks are being pared flush with the chisel.
 

 
The next picture shows both enclosures installed.
 

 
The ladder way on the starboard side is also installed and the glue on some decking for the port ladder is drying.  In the last picture the second ladder way has been installed and roof planking on both enclosures painted.
 

 
 
 
Ed

Young America - extreme clipper 1853
Part 133 – Capstans 1
 
Young America had two capstans, one aft of midship on the main deck and one on the forecastle.  These were lighter and smaller than the massive two-deck capstans we are used to seeing on 18th century warships.  Since the windlass handled the weighing of the anchors, the two capstans were used for lesser loads, for example mooring, raising spars or heavy cargo handling.  These were often ornate, featuring polished brass rings and made of decorative woods like mahogany.  I based the design of the model anchors on American styles described by Campbell in his China Tea Clippers and by Crothers on his drawings of the ship.  I will try to provide an (admittedly incomplete) overview of how these were made.
 
The first step was to make the drumheads.  A picture of one of the finished drumheads mounted on its spindle is shown in the first picture.
 

 
The drumhead, and indeed all the wood parts for these are cherry for the darker color.  The rings and cap are polished brass.  The holes for the capstan bars are 3” square.  The parts are laid on a copy of the drawing made for these – one of the earlier of many revisions.  The realities of working many of the planned details at this scale – like mortises for the whelps, etc. caused me to simplify some of the construction while retaining the essential appearance.
 
The first drumhead parts to be made were the brass rings and caps, so these could be fit to the wood head as it was machined.  The next picture shows one of the rings about to be parted off in the Unimat® lathe.
 

 
The central shaft left in this picture would be used to make the caps.  The next picture shows the rings made for the two capstans plus a spare.
 

 
In the next picture a cylinder is being turned that will be used to make the two cherry heads. 
 

 
The excess length was provided to allow for chucking pieces for each head.  The grain direction of the piece shown is perpendicular to the lathe centerline.  The turning is centered at the tailstock.  Precise centering of these for turning the ring seats and boring the hole for the spindle was critical so that all would be concentric.  The cylinder at this stage was left larger than the 34” diameter drumhead.  In the next picture the first piece is being parted off.
 

 
In the next picture one of the cylinders has been placed in a three-jaw centering chuck on the rotating table on the milling machine and is being centered on the spindle.
 

 
The dial indicator mounted in the spindle was used to center the cylinder within one or two thousandths of an inch using the cross feeds on the mill.  In the next picture a center hole has been bored and the 1/8” milling bits is being used to enlarge the hole to the 14” diameter of the capstan spindle.
 

 
This was done by offsetting the y-feed to the enlarged size then boring the hole by rotating the table.  The rotating table and the y-feed were then used to cut mortises for the capstan bars as shown below.
 

 
The 1/32” end mill was lowered 3” into the end and set using the vertical calibrated mill wheel (z-axis).  When the four cuts (8 slots) were finished, the piece with the chuck was returned to the lathe as shown in the next picture.
 

 
In the picture an oversized top piece is being parted off.  After cleaning out the slots with a small square edged file, the cap was inverted and glued to the cylinder in the lathe as shown below.
 

 
The glue joint is clamped using the flat end of the drill chuck screwed tight with the tail stock wheel.  When dry, this piece was ready for turning the final diameter, fitting the rings, shaping the top, and parting off to yield the piece shown in the first picture.  To be continued…
 
Ed
 

1:96 is a great scale for one of these models - large, but not excessively large. The model can be realistically rigged at this scale. I think 1:72 is a better scale if the model is to be fully framed, but the 1:72 model is quite large. For these reasons I included both scales in the book, with the 1:96 model based on a POB design that I had been wanting to try out. The design uses an erection process for the bulkheads that is very similar to that used in upright full framed construction that I think is a good learning step for builders who may not feel ready to jump right into full framing.
 
Ed

1:96 is a great scale for one of these models - large, but not excessively large. The model can be realistically rigged at this scale. I think 1:72 is a better scale if the model is to be fully framed, but the 1:72 model is quite large. For these reasons I included both scales in the book, with the 1:96 model based on a POB design that I had been wanting to try out. The design uses an erection process for the bulkheads that is very similar to that used in upright full framed construction that I think is a good learning step for builders who may not feel ready to jump right into full framing.
 
Ed

Ed,
 
Great.  I look forward to you progressing onto the rigging phase.  The physical size of these ships is impressive when compared to the 18th century British warships I'm more familiar with.  Your 1/96 scale build is a good size model in it's own right!
 
Erik

Young America - extreme clipper 1853
Part 132 – Forward Lockers
 
There were two forward lockers that abutted the forecastle breast beam and the bulwarks at the side.  The enclosure on the port side was evidently (also?) used as a toilet.  These were undoubtedly used to stow gear that needed more protection than that afforded under the open forecastle.
 
With the windlass permanently installed, these enclosures could be constructed and the ladder ways between them and the windlass also installed.  In the first picture a panel of siding has been edge glued and is being fitted between the rails of the port bulwark.
 

 
 
After fitting, the panel would be cut off square to size.  These would most likely have been made using tongued-and-grooved planks maybe 2½” thick.  To accentuate the plank joints, the edges were rounded before edge gluing – as was done for all the other deck structures.
 
The next picture shows some pieces in assembly.
 
 

 
Although the workshop is in the basement, I get very bright sunlight through the windows this time of year – hence some overexposure in some of the pics.  In the next picture the end walls have been fitted and the fore-and-aft wall with the door is being test fit.
 

 
In the next picture the wall has been installed, the roof has been planked and is being smoothed out.
 

 
The flat faced curved riffler is being used for this.  Note that door hardware was installed prior to setting the wall.  In the next picture the edges of the roof planks are being pared flush with the chisel.
 

 
The next picture shows both enclosures installed.
 

 
The ladder way on the starboard side is also installed and the glue on some decking for the port ladder is drying.  In the last picture the second ladder way has been installed and roof planking on both enclosures painted.
 

 
 
 
Ed

Thank you Erik,
 
I am delighted if you have become a convert.  Clipper ships are good, especially the many lesser known American greats.  I too like naval subjects, but he world has plenty of model warships - including two from me.
 
I plan to rig the 1:72 version and that will be the subject of Volume II of the book.  However the rigging information in the book will cover both scales.  The 1:96 POB model was done as a demo model for Volume I of the book and is finished as far as planned.  The build log on that will be winding up with the next post or so.The design/drafting work for the rigging is well along, but that work cannot really start until I complete the deck "furniture."
 
Ed

Thank you Erik,
 
I am delighted if you have become a convert.  Clipper ships are good, especially the many lesser known American greats.  I too like naval subjects, but he world has plenty of model warships - including two from me.
 
I plan to rig the 1:72 version and that will be the subject of Volume II of the book.  However the rigging information in the book will cover both scales.  The 1:96 POB model was done as a demo model for Volume I of the book and is finished as far as planned.  The build log on that will be winding up with the next post or so.The design/drafting work for the rigging is well along, but that work cannot really start until I complete the deck "furniture."
 
Ed

Young America 1853 – POB 1:96
Part 41 – Forecastle Fancy Rail
 
We are almost approaching the end of the modeling I did on the 1:96 version of Young America.  In the last part the fancy rail around the stern was installed.  The same methods were used on the fancy rail at the bow – with a few minor differences.
 
In the first picture, the central, forward section of the rail has been pinned in place – prior to cutting the scarph joints.
 

 
A template made from one of the pdf drawings was used, since the outer shape could not be traced as was done on the stern.   The joints were then formed, the inside (only) edge rounded by sanding, and the piece painted.  It is shown pinned in place below.
 

 
The side pieces were then fitted in the same manner as those at the stern – as shown below.
 

 
The joints were then formed on these, the edges rounded, and the pieces painted before installation. The starboard piece is being glued in the next picture.
 

 
Note the use of a screw clamp to close the joint to the forward section.  The next step is shown in the last picture.
 

 
There is a small triangular area between the knightheads and the rail on each side which must be capped.  In the picture, small pieces are being fit over these areas.  The outside edge of the forward piece was left unrounded for this work.  Fitting these with an invisible joint required some sanding of the top faces of the installed pieces – as can be seen.  These were of course painted over later – after the outside edges were made flush with the main pieces and rounded over.  Unfortunately, I did not take a close-up picture of the finished work.
 
All that now remained to do on this model was to add the fancy rails along the main deck.  This would bring it to the relatively presentable state for the trip to the NRG conference in October.  I will cover that last bit of work in the next – and perhaps final – part.
 
 
Ed

Young America 1853 – POB 1:96
Part 39 – Stern Fancy Rail
 
The so-called “fancy rail” capped the tops of the bulwarks along the main rail, but at the forecastle and poop decks it also served to seal off and make watertight the top of the framing at the side.  Although the curved margin plank below covered the tops of the timbers in these areas, this was not likely a caulked, waterproof joint.  For this reason, the fancy rails at the forecastle and poop needed to be wide enough to overlap the outboard planks and also the inside margin plank by enough to permit good caulked joints.  I wrestled with this because published sections through the bulwarks at the main deck generally show capping rails too narrow to meet the needs described above where they are at deck level.  To resolve this, I decided to make the fancy rail wider at the end decks and step it down at the breast beams to a narrower width along the main deck bulwarks.  A long story, but one that builders of the model should find useful.
 
The work on the fancy rail started at the stern.  The process for making the curved, hook-scarphed pieces was used on the margin plank below and on all similar pieces at both ends.  Since I took a lot of pictures of the method on this rail, and since there are a number of these pieces to make, I decided to show the process that I use for this in some detail. Although it is covered in depth in the book for the framed model, this description may be of help to builders of this smaller version.   In the first picture the first piece has been cut and pinned on the starboard quarter.  
 

 
Pin holes were pre-drilled for a sliding fit with the pins.  The joint of the two stern sections will be on the centerline – staggered from the joints on the margin plank below.  On this model all the pieces were cut from ¾” stock.  I used this as a maximum thickness on this version so modelers could cut members to size with a good 4” circular saw and not need major tools like full size band(or circular) saw and thickness sander(or planer) that would be necessary if starting with the thicker stock that is needed for many pieces on the framed model.  In this case the stock was readily available ¾” maple cut to a thickness of 3½” (just over 1/32”).  It will be painted.
 
In the next picture the scarph joints have been formed at the ends and the piece re-pinned in place.
 

 
The piece extends about 3” outside of the outboard planking and covers about one-half of the margin plank.  The piece was initially formed by the process shown below for the second piece on the port side.
 

 
The ¾” width of maple strip was first marked to the shape of the stern from below as shown.  The piece is being test fit in the next picture after cutting the outer curve.
 

 
In the next picture end of this piece is being marked from the joint of the piece below.
 

 
The full width of the piece was then marked out using a compass set to the width of the plank with an extended leg held to the outer curve.  It was then carefully cut and shaped to this line.  Care is needed because of the weak cross grain at the ends.  I believe in an earlier post I pasted similar pieces to a scrap piece to protect the ends on a similar piece for cutting.  The next picture shows the piece slipped under the first piece, fit into place and being drilled for locating pins.
 

 
Once pinned the joint on the new piece can be marked out using a very sharp pencil as shown in the next picture.
 

 
The joint was then cut on the second piece and fitted to the first as shown below. 
 

 
This picture was taken during the cutting and fitting process.  Note that the joint has not yet been cut at the forward end of this piece.  I will not describe cutting these joints since the method appears in a number of my other posts and is fully described in the book – and in the Naiad books.
 
In the next part the side rails along the poop will be fitted and all these rails rounded off, painted and installed.
 
 
Ed

Young America 1853 – POB 1:96
Part 38 – Channels and Pin Rails
 
The upper channels were installed first.  They were glued into the gap in the outer planking left for the main rail.  In the first picture these have been installed and one of the lower channels is being positioned and glued.
 

 
 
The lower channels were first located and pinned then separated on the pins so glue could be applied as shown.  The next picture shows one of these being clamped after gluing.
 

 
The channel is both pinned and clamped.  The small screw clamp at the center adjusts and holds the lower channel in a horizontal position.  After the glue had set the pins were replaced by epoxied wire bolts to strengthen the joint.
 
Next the pin rails inside the bulwarks were made and installed.  The holes were drilled thru these on the milling machine to maintain even spacing and a smooth line.  In the next picture the paint is being filed off the inside of the top timbers below the main rail so the pin rails can be glued.
 

 
After the pin rail was fitted and any width adjustments made to ensure the correct projection inside the rail, it was clamped in position and holes were drilled through it into each toptimber.  These were used for pins to maintain alignment when gluing and later replaced by wire bolts – epoxied in to strengthen the connection against future rigging strains.  In the next picture a rail has been pulled out on the pins for application of glue.
 

 
The rail was then pushed into position and clamped.
 
With all this work completed, the hull could be painted.  The methods I used for this were covered elsewhere so I will not repeat here.  Once the hull and the sections of the white outer main rail were painted, those sections could be installed in the gap left in the planking.  The section around the stern that was made earlier is being glued in the next picture.
 

 
This piece was fitted and trimmed earlier to expose the correct width outside the planking.  The next picture shows one of the installed section between channels.
 

 
The last picture shows the hull on the port side at this stage.
 

 
The work I planned for this model was almost complete at this stage.  All that remained was to install the capping fancy rail along the top of the side. 
 
Ed

Young America - extreme clipper 1853
Part 132 – Forward Lockers
 
There were two forward lockers that abutted the forecastle breast beam and the bulwarks at the side.  The enclosure on the port side was evidently (also?) used as a toilet.  These were undoubtedly used to stow gear that needed more protection than that afforded under the open forecastle.
 
With the windlass permanently installed, these enclosures could be constructed and the ladder ways between them and the windlass also installed.  In the first picture a panel of siding has been edge glued and is being fitted between the rails of the port bulwark.
 

 
 
After fitting, the panel would be cut off square to size.  These would most likely have been made using tongued-and-grooved planks maybe 2½” thick.  To accentuate the plank joints, the edges were rounded before edge gluing – as was done for all the other deck structures.
 
The next picture shows some pieces in assembly.
 
 

 
Although the workshop is in the basement, I get very bright sunlight through the windows this time of year – hence some overexposure in some of the pics.  In the next picture the end walls have been fitted and the fore-and-aft wall with the door is being test fit.
 

 
In the next picture the wall has been installed, the roof has been planked and is being smoothed out.
 

 
The flat faced curved riffler is being used for this.  Note that door hardware was installed prior to setting the wall.  In the next picture the edges of the roof planks are being pared flush with the chisel.
 

 
The next picture shows both enclosures installed.
 

 
The ladder way on the starboard side is also installed and the glue on some decking for the port ladder is drying.  In the last picture the second ladder way has been installed and roof planking on both enclosures painted.
 

 
 
 
Ed

Thank you Erik,
 
I am delighted if you have become a convert.  Clipper ships are good, especially the many lesser known American greats.  I too like naval subjects, but he world has plenty of model warships - including two from me.
 
I plan to rig the 1:72 version and that will be the subject of Volume II of the book.  However the rigging information in the book will cover both scales.  The 1:96 POB model was done as a demo model for Volume I of the book and is finished as far as planned.  The build log on that will be winding up with the next post or so.The design/drafting work for the rigging is well along, but that work cannot really start until I complete the deck "furniture."
 
Ed

Yes Druxey - or like me making my way along Victory's gun deck.
 
Grazie, Alberto.
 
Ed

Yes Druxey - or like me making my way along Victory's gun deck.
 
Grazie, Alberto.
 
Ed

Young America - extreme clipper 1853
Part 132 – Forward Lockers
 
There were two forward lockers that abutted the forecastle breast beam and the bulwarks at the side.  The enclosure on the port side was evidently (also?) used as a toilet.  These were undoubtedly used to stow gear that needed more protection than that afforded under the open forecastle.
 
With the windlass permanently installed, these enclosures could be constructed and the ladder ways between them and the windlass also installed.  In the first picture a panel of siding has been edge glued and is being fitted between the rails of the port bulwark.
 

 
 
After fitting, the panel would be cut off square to size.  These would most likely have been made using tongued-and-grooved planks maybe 2½” thick.  To accentuate the plank joints, the edges were rounded before edge gluing – as was done for all the other deck structures.
 
The next picture shows some pieces in assembly.
 
 

 
Although the workshop is in the basement, I get very bright sunlight through the windows this time of year – hence some overexposure in some of the pics.  In the next picture the end walls have been fitted and the fore-and-aft wall with the door is being test fit.
 

 
In the next picture the wall has been installed, the roof has been planked and is being smoothed out.
 

 
The flat faced curved riffler is being used for this.  Note that door hardware was installed prior to setting the wall.  In the next picture the edges of the roof planks are being pared flush with the chisel.
 

 
The next picture shows both enclosures installed.
 

 
The ladder way on the starboard side is also installed and the glue on some decking for the port ladder is drying.  In the last picture the second ladder way has been installed and roof planking on both enclosures painted.
 

 
 
 
Ed