SkerryAmp

Thank you Adam 
At the moment she is on hold because I have also the Aggy to work on.
Each first of the month I'm changing models.....
A few weeks and it is Fonzie time again 
 

Hi Adam,
 
This Database has turned out great . Good job mate.
 
One suggestion (if it's possible) - can you add a Filter to sort the Ship's Names alphabetically? This would be helpful to a builder who wants to build, say, a HMS Victory to give him look at the different kits produced by all the manufacturers in one area of the Database.
 
If that feature is already there and I simply didn't find it, ignore this request .
 
BTW - "Golden Hind" was a Galleon, "Santa Maria" a Carrack or Nau, "Nina" and Pinta" were most likely Caravels .
 
  Danny

Are you going to include data on kits that are no longer made, if the data is available? This might be helpfull to Ebayers for example.  Scientific and Sterling come to mind.

Adam - You can stop apologizing.  It would take an anal DBA to do what you are doing and go to school and maintain a real life. I think you are crazy!! But your craziness is to our benefit. So if we have to wait...No Problem.

I know how it feels to hit the shop after a long absence.  Well done and try to sneak a few more sessions soon.  Its good for the soul!!!

The trim looks great so far. Nice work.
 
I am also back in the shop this evening. It is amazing what a little time with some wood and glue can do for one's sanity.
 
Russ 

Welcome back!

Steering Rigging
 
I also rigged the Steering Wheel to the Tiller. I removed the previously fitted eyebolts in each side, as it's MUCH easier to strop the blocks to them in my vice rather than on the ship.
 
The blocks are 6" (3mm) from Syren Ship Models, and the line is 3" (0.45mm) from the same place - great stuff, thanks Chuck . I also seized the line to the starboard side of the Tiller off the ship :
 

 

 
Then I replaced the eyebolts/blocks on the starboard side and glued in the wheel :
 

 
Five turns around the wheel Hub, replaced the Port side blocks and did the rather fiddly seizing to the port side of the tiller - TWICE. The first attempt wasn't as successful as I'd have liked - I took over an inch of slack out of the line the second time :
 

 

 
Some views of the completed rigging. Note the very small nail in the centre of the turns on the hub :
 

 

 

 
See you all in a couple of weeks.
 
  Danny

Thank you Geoff - you didn't have long to wait for this one, but the next update won't be for a week or two - I'm back up to the van and some more will be done on that Victory re-build (maybe even get her finished I hope ).
 
Brake Pumps Fitted
 
Going through my "Finished Parts" drawer this morning I realized I could fit the already finished Brake Pumps, so I did :
 

 

 
  Danny

John, David, Nils, Patrick, mij, Toni, Grant, E&T, Jason and Laman - thank you all very much for your kind comments.
 
 
I ended it the way shown on the NMM sheer plan - in mid-air. It's only 16 (real) inches from the last gun mount, so doesn't need anything more :
 

 

 

 
The NMM plans don't show a Taffarel Fife Rail, so none will be fitted. If it had been fitted the Roughtree Rail would have butted against it.
 
  Danny

Thanks once again for the "likes" and the nice comments to Robin, Brian, Piet, Ben, Popeye, Michael, Nils and Mohamad. Always appreciated .
 
Head Works - Cheeks
 
I've started work on one of the most interesting and complex parts of the build - the work around the Head of the ship.
 
First thing to do was remove the forward support which holds the hull in position on the baseboard. It doesn't really get in the way as such, but work on the lower cheek especially is a lot easier without it being in the way and there was the problem of it pulling the Knee of the Head out of position as work commenced in this area. I hadn't used the aft support for a long time - before the rudder was installed actually - so I had to move it backward a bit.
 
This starts off with making the Lower and Upper Cheeks, which laterally brace the Knee of the Head. It's quite tricky to get the inner faces to mate up with the Knee and the curvature of the hull. A card template was used to get the inner faces somewhere near right, but my first attempt still resulted in a failure. The second go was spot on .
 
The main problem is that there is a substantial bevel on the inner face where it curves around the hull to allow the forward part of the cheek to run at the correct angle on the knee. It took me a couple of hours to sort it out, but at least I now know where I'm going with the other three.
 
The forward part of the cheek also has a slight upward curvature, so I made the piece from thicker stock and sanded that into it. You may be able to see this in the next pic against an unshaped blank :
 

 
Two moldings were scraped into the outer face :
 

 
  Danny

Just a light update... been working on frames.  Have several cut and test fitted and all reference points marked.
 
The pics below show how I'm solving the issues that plagued me on Version 1.0.   
 
Since all measurements are referenced to the build board, I've added a tab to each frame to securely locate that point (green arrow). After I cut in that part of the frame, I fit it and re-measure, re-refrence the other points. 
 
One set of points is where the deck clamps need to be so the red arrows show those.  1/8" deck beam, a 1/8" clamp and 1/16" inch plank will put the deck height were it needs to be.  This particular frame is #1 and thus, there's three decks.. lower, gun, and forecastle.
 
The blue arrows reference the outside dimensions of the gun port cutout for the sill to sit properly.  I'm using a 1/8" sill and when they're fitted I'll finesse them to be exact.
 
The black arrows point to the line for the wales.  These are small cuts into the frame and filled with colored glue to hightlight  They only demarcate the transition line from wale to planking and vice versa.
 
The black arrow with the white fill is the cutline for when this beast is finally cut from the build board.  A top rail will sit on top of this line.
 
I'm going slow and careful to avoid dong wrong what I did the last time.
 

Let's see if I got this right... first we make lots of little pieces of wood from big pieces, then we make big pieces of wood from the little pieces so we can cut and shape and make little pieces of wood from those big pieces.   er.. right?          Ok..  I think I got it.    I finished making all the bigger pieces of wood from the small pieces.   All 60 frame blanks are ready to go.  
 
Now to start cutting the frames from them. 
 

Thanks for the support and the likes...
 
Minor milestone... took the big pieces of wood and made about 850 small pieces of wood.  Oh... and sawdust. 
 
I've closed the sawpits for now and the pieces have been sent to the yard for gluing up into frame blanks and then cutting into frames.
 
Here's pics... and for those who wanted it.. a picture of (naturally) the sawdust from cutting the pieces.
 

 
Hopefully, I didn't mis-count but I still have some "big" pieces left just in case.
 

 
Now where did I stash that really large bottle of glue??
 

Christmas in April!!!     Wood has arrived from Jeff at Hobbymill.  Wonderful wood and it's perfectly dimensioned.  I'm plotting out the frame blanks and hope to start making sawdust later this evening.
 
Time to start getting this build back on the road.... err... building slip.  The wood isn't warped, the camera is having issues. I think it was the setting I choose.
 

I swear, my next ship is going to be Gaetan sized..... if I can figure out where to put it. 
 
Anyway, keel number 5 is just stuck in position and not glued up yet.  Once glued, I'll do the final 3 half-frames but I do have to work on the transom first.  That would be that small pile of planks in L-square.  I've cut the rest of my planking and it's in the pic.
 

 
Just another quickie side-topic.... here's a shot of the setup on my saw for cutting the planks.  I set the wood to the fingerboards, move the fence, and cut a plank.  Move the wood to the left and then the fence and rip another strip.  I do it backwards since I'm left handed.  The featherboard is locked down (in this case) to produce a 1/32" thick plank.  The wood I'm cutting it from is 1/8" thick boxwood.
 

Quick update:  Most of the frames have been cut and shaped.  Once the keel is in place, the half frames at the bow will be shaped and installed.  I'm working on the keel, transom, and stem now.
 

The mold is almost done.   I cut out the lifts and glued them together then sanded and shaped and sanded some more.  I'm in the process of cutting in the slots for the stem, keel, and stempost.
 
The first figure shows how I jigged up a sled on the saw and cut the slot using a 1/16" dado washer.  MM doesn't do dado blades, you add an appropriate washer next to blade and since the washer is cut on an angle, the blade is angled and cuts a slot.    The rest of the pictures show the mold with the slots cut and being cleaned up.  There's still more work on the mold before I start laying the frames.
 
It's a fun but nerve-wracking process (to me at least) as I'm in unknown territory here. 
 



 
 

Thanks for the "likes"...
 
Sam,
I'm happy with the way this is going.  Really happy. 
 
Mobbsie,
I was hoping for some wise words... but I'm glad you like what you see. 
 
 
Update time,  yippee!!!
 
The backbone is complete.  (Almost.. forgot to finish trim the keel at the stern according to the picture).  The stem has been appropriately (I think) tapered and now attached to the keel.   The deadwood was made from the cherry since I didn't have any boxwood thin enough and attached along with the sternpost.   And, an rudder blank has been made. 
 
I discovered that misinterpreted the plans on V 1.0 for the stern deadwood and the sternpost.  The deadwood on V 2.0 isn't tapered but the sternpost and keel need to be.  It appears that the best way will be after planking when the planks, keel and sternpost can all be done at once.  Or least that's the way it appears in the Hahn photos.... 
 
I can now go wander off and fiddle with cleaning up the salvage parts, maybe make some bits and pieces, etc. while waiting for my framing wood to show up. 
 

I was wrong.... about tomorrow for pictures.  Keel #3 went well......  boxwood for the keel and ebony for the false keel.  I'll need to touch the keel notches lightly with a file later when I'm ready to mount it to the frames.  If you're so inclined, clicking on the pics will enlarge them.
 

 
 

I'm still sorting things out and testing.  I made a batch of colored glue using EdT's instructions but with black pigment instead of the raw umber he used.  I've tested it and may have to add a touch more pigment.
 
Here's a photo of a wood sample I worked up.  
 
Bottom section is cherry, boxwood, and swiss pear with three coats of wipe on poly, sanded with 600 grit paper between coats. I'm happy with the poly and will (hopefully) use boxwood for the keel, stem, and stern (including rudder).  Cherry is framing and Swiss Pear is the external planking.
 
Top half was with the colored glue.  Boxwood, Swiss Pear, and Silver Maple.   I like the effect though I need a tad more practice with it.  Maybe a bit darker but I'll hold until I can see it under something other than a gray, overcast sky and indoor lighting.  Testing will continue.
 

I have broken free!!! 
 
At least for tonight, so will be trying to make the most of it
 
First order of business......  give some love to the Mayflower.  She has been patient over there on the workbench, although I could feel the judging, condemning glares from time to time.
 
So - gave 'er a littel bit of attention.
 
I went ahead and just added the white trim pieces along the railings and sides.  Not a great deal of progress, but considering the last update was from March -   it is something!!
 
The trim was painted using artists acrylics, which I am starting to get an affinity for.  It covers nicely and with a little bit of leveling agent added seems to go on nice and smooth!   They were glued into place, trimmed, sanded just a little to give them a bit of a worn look and then sit waiting for the next step. Which is the other pieces of molding as well as the green stripes and detail work. 
 

 

 

 
 
Ahhhh.  SO GOOD to work with the wood and paint and get something done!!!
 
Am now going to head on in and watch a little TV with the Admiral as she goes to bed much earlier than I do and then I will be back and catch up on the nearly 400 updates (according to that little notifier up there in the corner)
 
Thank you all for being patient!   I will be making the most of my new found time until it gets snatched away again!!!
 
 
Enjoy and happy modeling!!!

I have broken free!!! 
 
At least for tonight, so will be trying to make the most of it
 
First order of business......  give some love to the Mayflower.  She has been patient over there on the workbench, although I could feel the judging, condemning glares from time to time.
 
So - gave 'er a littel bit of attention.
 
I went ahead and just added the white trim pieces along the railings and sides.  Not a great deal of progress, but considering the last update was from March -   it is something!!
 
The trim was painted using artists acrylics, which I am starting to get an affinity for.  It covers nicely and with a little bit of leveling agent added seems to go on nice and smooth!   They were glued into place, trimmed, sanded just a little to give them a bit of a worn look and then sit waiting for the next step. Which is the other pieces of molding as well as the green stripes and detail work. 
 

 

 

 
 
Ahhhh.  SO GOOD to work with the wood and paint and get something done!!!
 
Am now going to head on in and watch a little TV with the Admiral as she goes to bed much earlier than I do and then I will be back and catch up on the nearly 400 updates (according to that little notifier up there in the corner)
 
Thank you all for being patient!   I will be making the most of my new found time until it gets snatched away again!!!
 
 
Enjoy and happy modeling!!!

Okay - so, my shipyard continues to stare at me nightly casting accusing glares of neglect, I still havn't even found time to go through the VASSSSST list of post updates that is up in the corner there on MSW.
 
HOWEVER, I did squeeze out some time to go through and adjust/correct the existing measurements on the site.  I think I got all the ones I could do at the moment and they should be aligned with the correct system.
 
So at least that update is done =)
 
My sincere apologies for the lenghty updates,  hopefully next semester will be a little lighter than the last!!
 
Enjoy and Happy Building all!!

Hello all,
 
Ever wanted to know what kits are available for 17th Century British Frigates?
 
How about what kits are beginner and which kits are advanced?
 
Worried about space and want an easy way to find out what ships are available which are a certain 
lenght or height?
 
 
Read on my friends, read on!
 
Since joining Model Ship World, I have continuously been impressed with the quality of its members and the level of help people get with their hobby.  It is incredibly refreshing to find a place where people of all skill levels and interests, from all over the world, can come together in one place and help, encourage and applaud the wonderful works which can be found from its members new and old.
 
There is one trend I have noticed, with regards to questions and requests for advice, and that is related to the kits themselves.  Questions regarding quality of kits, availability, types, subjects and overall level of difficulty.
 
We have great resources for that, several articles, build logs etc.;  but I got to thinking it may be helpful to have this information in one place.  Not to replace what is on MSW in its various forms, but to supplement it.
 
While not an expert modeler by any means yet, I am a code jockey =) and enjoy doing techy codey things (that is a technical term by the way), so I decided to try to put that to use.
 
This is to announce a project which I am working on and am making available as of tonight.
 
The Model Ship World Ship Kit Database
 
What is it?
 
Well, it is a database of Model Ship Kits.  A central repository for what is available out there along with as much data regarding each kit as I can scrape up.
 
Secondly, Model Ship World Ship Kit Database is a living project.  This basically means it is intended to grow and expand based on feedback and contribution from the model ship world membership.
 
What does it do?
 
Right now, it allows you folks to search for ships.   As of this evening you can search for available ships based on Manufacturer, Scale, Type of Kit, Type of Ship, Period of Ship and the Ships Nation of origin.
 
You can search for these ships based on one of the above criteria or build out the criteria to get as refined a search as you want.
 
So, for example, if you want to see all the ships Model Shipways Currently has available – you can do that.
 
If you want to find all the ship kits which are 19th Century French 1:64th scale Plank on Bulkhead Frigates – you can do that too.
 
Is that all that it does?
 
As of this evening, yes it does.  Is that all it will do? No.    I actually have big plans for this and was going to wait to announce it until much more was done.  However it will take a little time to get everything in so I wanted to “release” it in stages.  Mainly to get it out there and let people get some hands on it and start giving me feedback.   
 
The idea is to make this as useful to the MSW community as possible.  I think it is in a good starting point, but really want to hear from you guys regarding it so I can develop it over time to make it as great as it can be.
 
I can’t promise all suggestions will make it in, or that they will go in overnight, but this in my mind is for MSW so I look forward to collaboration and the discussions to do as best we can.
 
Where does it stand right now?
 
Currently I have identified the following manufacturers for inclusion in the database.  Some have their kits added while others are queued to be completed over the next week or so.
A.J Fisher: Data not started Artesania Latina: Data started, 80% complete Billings: Data not started Bluejacket Ship Crafters Inc.: Data Complete Caldecraft:Data not started Corel:Data not started Constructo:Data not started Dusek:Data not started Mamonli:Data started, test entries only Mantua Models UK:Data not started Midwest Prouducts:Data Complete Model Shipways:Data Complete OcCre: Data started, test entries only.  
You said there was a lot planned so what else is there?
 
I am so glad you asked
 
Not only is this meant to be a list of what is available but it is also a place where people can come and find out about the ships.   Here is what is on deck....
More refined filter parameters: Ability to filter on length and height Ability to filter on skill level General Search:  Ability to type part of a kit name and search for all related kits. Data page:   This will be a drill down into the kit including a picture of the kit completed and important details regarding the kit itself. Some of what is currently in the data view will be moved here to make the data view a little less cluttered. Reviews: The ability for those of you who have built some of these kits can review them for others.  The reviews will have scales for the quality of materials, documentation and plans as well as a way to rate the kit for accuracy and skill level.   It is one thing for the manufacturers to say it, it is more meaningful when those who actually have worked with it say it. Links to related build logs.   Just another way for the MSW to find build logs related to their ships or for people to get a preview of what they may be in for. Manufacturer Data Page:  Just a quick data sheet on the company itself, where it is, contact information etc etc. Search launch:  A simple mechanism for people who may have found a ship they are interested in to one click google search for the kit in question. That is what I have on my list, the best part (as is usually the case) what comes out of the community.
 
As I mentioned, my hopes is this becomes a think tank project and grows from ideas provided by the MSW Community.
 
Why announce it with so much more to do?
 
  Feedback. 
 
Like it, Love it, Hate it I can take it; let me know.  
 
Whether you like it or not; let me know.   What people like I will continue with and what they don’t I will try to change so that they do,  but I can’t unless I know.
 
I can promise to take all suggestions and comments under consideration, but can’t promise all will be done.  
 
I will do my best to address concerns and questions as quickly as possible; after all if you take the time to lend a suggestion I can at least take the time to acknowledge it =)
 
My only goal is to make this as useful as possible and make it a solid resource for the Model Ship World community.
 
We can use this thread (I think) as the think tank for this project.   I will post updates to the database as I do them as well as keep a running list of ideas and where I may be at with them.
 
Where is this database hosted? I see it doesn’t have an MSW domain.
 
This is true,
 
this project is hosted on my own hosting service. 
 
I have been using them for quite some time and have not had any issues so am fairly confident it will have acceptable uptime for us to use this. 
 
The ampitcher.com well, ampitcher is me =)  
 
There is no link behind the scenes to MSW so your MSW information is safe, and this database does not require any sensitive information for you to access it.  If you have any concerns please PM Me I will be glad to address them.
 
This is however an MSW resource, meaning I am doing this for MSW and the MSW community. 
 
People from the outside may find it in a search or what not, but all efforts are to grow from within MSW and to drive TO MSW from the outside. =)
 
Anything we can do right now to help?
 
Kit companies and information
 
I have several in there (see list above) but I know there are more.   If you see any companies that are missing please let me know.  Right now I am focused on wood kits, but will be adding in plastic and card shortly.
 
Likewise, while in the database you will see many entries have blank data.  This is because of one of several things; either I could not find it, couldn’t figure it out or had conflicting information so wasn’t sure what to put.  
 
IF anyone has any knowledge they can lend me towards those empty slots please PM me with ID (first column) and the information.  I will edit them asap!  And thank you heartily!! =)
 
Well, I think I rambled on enough.   
 
Here is the link to the database.  
 
http://mswshipkits.ampitcher.com/
 
Take a look, let me know what you think and I want to thank you for your time.  
 
Updates will be coming so stay tuned!
 
For now, if we can limit data error information to PM and leave the forum topic for discussion related to the database, new ideas, feedback and updates – it would be appreciated!!
 
Thank you again, hope you like it and looking forward to creating the best model ship database on the web – with your help I know we can do it!!
 
As always
ENJOY!!