kruginmi

This 'step' is coming up soon (pun intended) and I ask for some recommendations.
 
The ship plans only show the mast step from the side:
 

 
This shows a step on the keelson that appears to be parallel the keelson.  Note that the forward well wall pushes against the forward part of the step (no space for wedges).  For my full ship model oh so many years ago I made my best guess at how to do this:
 

 
From other builds (and the TFFM) the steps tend to lie perpendicular to the keelson with wedges forward and aft on the keelson to affix at a particular spot.  I am leaning towards using this perpendicular step and not what I did on the original build.
 
Thoughts?  Again, this was originally an American built cargo vessel from 1774.
 
Mark

Now where was I?  It seems a common question this time of year.  First off, a pic of my primary hobby the last couple of months, finishing a local sprint triathlon (my sixth).  Not even close to a podium finish but I enjoy them.
 

 
So on to the main mast.  The Druid plans I have show a max width approaching 1/2" so a wood blank was first cut to this dimension:
 

 
I then transferred the dimensions at the identified portions of the mast and planed, chiseled, and sanded to the correct profile:
 

 
next up was to make the appropriate portions of the mast octagonal and for this a jig was required.  I ended up making a small and large one at the same time for future spar work.  I put a stop block on the bottom for solid footing against the edge of the bench.
 

 
I dialed in the correct proportions on each face to render an equal octagonal face and hope it works out.  It didn't take too long to construct so if the first one has issues I will easily use it as a learning exercise and construct another better one.  No worries.
 
So tonight the mast sits in the jig ready for taking off some wood.  I intend to leave the tenon and the cap area square to allow laying flat if required.  I added an extra area near the 45 degree slot for this flat work.  
 

 
However, my next race is a week from Saturday so tomorrow AM I need to do some running.....
 
Mark

Now where was I?  It seems a common question this time of year.  First off, a pic of my primary hobby the last couple of months, finishing a local sprint triathlon (my sixth).  Not even close to a podium finish but I enjoy them.
 

 
So on to the main mast.  The Druid plans I have show a max width approaching 1/2" so a wood blank was first cut to this dimension:
 

 
I then transferred the dimensions at the identified portions of the mast and planed, chiseled, and sanded to the correct profile:
 

 
next up was to make the appropriate portions of the mast octagonal and for this a jig was required.  I ended up making a small and large one at the same time for future spar work.  I put a stop block on the bottom for solid footing against the edge of the bench.
 

 
I dialed in the correct proportions on each face to render an equal octagonal face and hope it works out.  It didn't take too long to construct so if the first one has issues I will easily use it as a learning exercise and construct another better one.  No worries.
 
So tonight the mast sits in the jig ready for taking off some wood.  I intend to leave the tenon and the cap area square to allow laying flat if required.  I added an extra area near the 45 degree slot for this flat work.  
 

 
However, my next race is a week from Saturday so tomorrow AM I need to do some running.....
 
Mark

Onto the thickstuff.  I have learned over and over that reading and studying only take you so far - it is the creation of an accurate 3D model that really brings things to life.  And this was reinforced again here.
 
I had never really associated the thickstuff planks with anything other than longitudinal support.  As I once again read over the available material it finally clicked:  The thickstuff planks correspond with the futtock joins of the frames.  This had escaped me primarily because half of these joins were never visible being on the other side of the frame.  It makes perfect sense and brings additional order.
 

 
Now I understand the ramifications of how I defined the frame joins at the beginning.  At first glance I would say my frames have their opposing joins too close.  However, I will invoke my American made cargo ship edict which lets me bypass all normal building standards.  I have learned something I did not know before.
 
The hull is at its widest near the forward part of this cross section and slightly reduced near the aft.  I decided not to reflect this change in the thickstuff planks themselves, keeping them straight and rectangular.  
 
The lines penciled on the internal hull represent the berth and gun deck locations.  Next up is the limber and garboard strakes.
 
Stay Building my Friends,
mark

The task for the day was a Keel Rabbet.  The difference for me is that this rabbet is more than for looks.  I actually need a garboard strake to fit into the rabbet and given the cross section you get to view the results on two ends.
 
So....off I went.  I did drill through the keel, the frames and partway through the keelson at each frame.  Four of these holes where then drilled through the false keel.  Adding trunnels through the whole assembly made it very stiff.
 

 

 

 
I am pretty happy with the results.  Now I get to start working on stuff that will for the most part be seen!
 
mark

It has been some banner time in the workshop the last couple of days.  I was boresighted on getting past the frames so this afternoon I was back at it, this time for the internal fairing.  To borrow a phrase "Say hello to my little friends"
 

 
Cabinet scrapers are very effective in removing wood on the internal hull.  Supplement that with some final sanding and you can do a lot without a lot of sawdust flying about.  More evidence of my activity is the current state of my rough worktable:
 

 
Definitely needs some cleanup tomorrow, but a tidy workshop does not show progress!  At the end of the day I can stand back and look at my hull with keel and keelson on (but not yet attached).  Still need another hour or so of refinement but I am happy with the progress and I can see the finish for this part of the project:
 

 
Tomorrow probably switch to the Lady Anne for awhile.
 
Stay Building My Friends,
Mark

As we say in the Army, no plan survives first contact and it was proven true once again.
  After rubber cementing the futtock templates to the Basswood sheet (grain oriented correctly) I cut each one out with about a 1/16" buffer, which was sanded to shape on the drum sander.  For the joining edges I used my sled on the table saw for precise angles (match the cuts).  Guaranteed straight and perfect 90 degrees.  I could shave off a 1/64th safely using this method.     The first layer was finalized (paper template removed) and glued together piece by piece over a copy of the frame (with wax paper). Then I finished each piece of the second layer and added each one separately to the existing finished layer.  I had thought of making the second layer independently and then joining both whole layers together but the piece by piece looked to be the better and more accurate solution.   In the following pic I was using the second layer pieces as clamp aids for the first layer.     After everything dried I did a gentle sanding by hand of all the surfaces.     I finished frame 19 first (second one in) since it will be totally covered up.  After I am confident in my technique I can then do the exposed frames of 18 and 27 (one side exposed each).  Next up is frame 26 so I can also start working on the base jig and get that trued up.  With everything going on, hope to have the skeleton complete and setup during Christmas break.   Very happy with this approach.  More time than with the original Druid but a lot less wood.   Mark

You make progress when you can.  I have affixed the futtock templates for ten half frames using around one and a third  boards (3 inch by 24 inch, 1/8 inch thick).  For comparison sake, using the expedited method created two half frames per board length if memory serves correct.
 

 
Many different techniques that probably vary with wood type, but for basswood I evenly apply a coat of rubber cement to the wood and allow to dry, usually around 5 minutes.  Then I apply a second coat and apply the paper templates to the wet surface.  You have around 5 seconds of maneuver time to slide them around before I apply pressure from the center and rub outwards to insure flat and totally affixed.
 
After getting the other ten halves affixed I will rough cut out using the scroll saw and cut the mating joints using the Byrnes saw with my sled.
 
Mark

Now where was I?  It seems a common question this time of year.  First off, a pic of my primary hobby the last couple of months, finishing a local sprint triathlon (my sixth).  Not even close to a podium finish but I enjoy them.
 

 
So on to the main mast.  The Druid plans I have show a max width approaching 1/2" so a wood blank was first cut to this dimension:
 

 
I then transferred the dimensions at the identified portions of the mast and planed, chiseled, and sanded to the correct profile:
 

 
next up was to make the appropriate portions of the mast octagonal and for this a jig was required.  I ended up making a small and large one at the same time for future spar work.  I put a stop block on the bottom for solid footing against the edge of the bench.
 

 
I dialed in the correct proportions on each face to render an equal octagonal face and hope it works out.  It didn't take too long to construct so if the first one has issues I will easily use it as a learning exercise and construct another better one.  No worries.
 
So tonight the mast sits in the jig ready for taking off some wood.  I intend to leave the tenon and the cap area square to allow laying flat if required.  I added an extra area near the 45 degree slot for this flat work.  
 

 
However, my next race is a week from Saturday so tomorrow AM I need to do some running.....
 
Mark

Hi Mark
 
Good luck on the masts and also, good luck with next week's race. Go get 'em!!!
 
Cheers
 
Patrick

Now where was I?  It seems a common question this time of year.  First off, a pic of my primary hobby the last couple of months, finishing a local sprint triathlon (my sixth).  Not even close to a podium finish but I enjoy them.
 

 
So on to the main mast.  The Druid plans I have show a max width approaching 1/2" so a wood blank was first cut to this dimension:
 

 
I then transferred the dimensions at the identified portions of the mast and planed, chiseled, and sanded to the correct profile:
 

 
next up was to make the appropriate portions of the mast octagonal and for this a jig was required.  I ended up making a small and large one at the same time for future spar work.  I put a stop block on the bottom for solid footing against the edge of the bench.
 

 
I dialed in the correct proportions on each face to render an equal octagonal face and hope it works out.  It didn't take too long to construct so if the first one has issues I will easily use it as a learning exercise and construct another better one.  No worries.
 
So tonight the mast sits in the jig ready for taking off some wood.  I intend to leave the tenon and the cap area square to allow laying flat if required.  I added an extra area near the 45 degree slot for this flat work.  
 

 
However, my next race is a week from Saturday so tomorrow AM I need to do some running.....
 
Mark

Moving forward as time allows.
 
Buttoned up the lower hold inner planking:
 

 
Big item for me is a self imposed milestone, with the addition of the keel, false keel (purpleheart of course) and garboard strake I have now surpassed the initial build in completeness.  
 

 
It wasn't a quick redo by any stretch but one I have no regrets for.
 
I now need to add the 3/32" planks next to the wales and think about painting them black while it is still easy.  I also want to get some deck beams in and maybe start getting a main mast prototyped out.  Oh, a stand.  Alright, a long list of things.
 
Always a next step....
Mark

Something I had meant to say with the last photo (an admission):  Some may notice the limber strake looks differently spaced with regards to the keelson than previously.  This is what happens when you just plow ahead and forget the basics.
 
When ready to apply I went to the previous prototype and liked the look so glued in at the same distance.  I had conveniently put aside in my brain that the limberstrake should still straddle the futtock join.  Of course this join had moved in the new build.  The next day this suddenly struck me and I wondered if I should do anything about it.  The join was on the aft side of each frame so once this was totally built and mounted 99.9% of people would have no idea of the issue.  But I would.
 
Luckily this was the perfect time for access so a quick deconstruction later I was able to re-glue in the correct position.  I probably spent more time sweating over the decision to re-do it than the time to actually make the change.  Soon as I started planking the outside this wouldn't have been the case.
 
So, lesson learned, never take for granted the next step of construction.  Always think it through, especially the why it is there.
 
mark

Patrick, thanks for stopping by!
 
I was pretty surprised with this cross section.  Having completed the full model in the Admiralty Style I had originally thought this was just going to be just a small scale repetition of that build.  I never knew what I didn't know.  The inter-relationship between all the components has really been brought home.  You can read as much as you want, but until you build......
 
Everything is there for a purpose, usually specifically tied to other parts of the build (like the thickstuff).  This build has been an excellent learning experience for me prior to undertaking a fully planked one (internally and externally).  I am looking forward to raising the mast one day in the future.
 
I like your simplicity comment.  Once you put in all the work and you do achieve that simplicity in look that is a key indicator that it was done right.  Hopefully this will continue in the future (without any more REDOs!).
 
Mark

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words...
 

 
Finished the 'stuff next to the thickstuff' and added the proposed filler pieces on one half of the ship (between the limber strake and keelson).  These pieces are not glued.  The one piece missing is where the pump is located.
 
Next up is the regular planks in the tween spaces and ponder the filling pieces in the meanwhile.
 
Mark
 

Now where was I?  It seems a common question this time of year.  First off, a pic of my primary hobby the last couple of months, finishing a local sprint triathlon (my sixth).  Not even close to a podium finish but I enjoy them.
 

 
So on to the main mast.  The Druid plans I have show a max width approaching 1/2" so a wood blank was first cut to this dimension:
 

 
I then transferred the dimensions at the identified portions of the mast and planed, chiseled, and sanded to the correct profile:
 

 
next up was to make the appropriate portions of the mast octagonal and for this a jig was required.  I ended up making a small and large one at the same time for future spar work.  I put a stop block on the bottom for solid footing against the edge of the bench.
 

 
I dialed in the correct proportions on each face to render an equal octagonal face and hope it works out.  It didn't take too long to construct so if the first one has issues I will easily use it as a learning exercise and construct another better one.  No worries.
 
So tonight the mast sits in the jig ready for taking off some wood.  I intend to leave the tenon and the cap area square to allow laying flat if required.  I added an extra area near the 45 degree slot for this flat work.  
 

 
However, my next race is a week from Saturday so tomorrow AM I need to do some running.....
 
Mark

Now where was I?  It seems a common question this time of year.  First off, a pic of my primary hobby the last couple of months, finishing a local sprint triathlon (my sixth).  Not even close to a podium finish but I enjoy them.
 

 
So on to the main mast.  The Druid plans I have show a max width approaching 1/2" so a wood blank was first cut to this dimension:
 

 
I then transferred the dimensions at the identified portions of the mast and planed, chiseled, and sanded to the correct profile:
 

 
next up was to make the appropriate portions of the mast octagonal and for this a jig was required.  I ended up making a small and large one at the same time for future spar work.  I put a stop block on the bottom for solid footing against the edge of the bench.
 

 
I dialed in the correct proportions on each face to render an equal octagonal face and hope it works out.  It didn't take too long to construct so if the first one has issues I will easily use it as a learning exercise and construct another better one.  No worries.
 
So tonight the mast sits in the jig ready for taking off some wood.  I intend to leave the tenon and the cap area square to allow laying flat if required.  I added an extra area near the 45 degree slot for this flat work.  
 

 
However, my next race is a week from Saturday so tomorrow AM I need to do some running.....
 
Mark

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words...
 

 
Finished the 'stuff next to the thickstuff' and added the proposed filler pieces on one half of the ship (between the limber strake and keelson).  These pieces are not glued.  The one piece missing is where the pump is located.
 
Next up is the regular planks in the tween spaces and ponder the filling pieces in the meanwhile.
 
Mark
 

Moving forward as time allows.
 
Buttoned up the lower hold inner planking:
 

 
Big item for me is a self imposed milestone, with the addition of the keel, false keel (purpleheart of course) and garboard strake I have now surpassed the initial build in completeness.  
 

 
It wasn't a quick redo by any stretch but one I have no regrets for.
 
I now need to add the 3/32" planks next to the wales and think about painting them black while it is still easy.  I also want to get some deck beams in and maybe start getting a main mast prototyped out.  Oh, a stand.  Alright, a long list of things.
 
Always a next step....
Mark

Nils,
 
I am doing my modeling lately by watching this build.  Love the progress.
 
mark

Nils,
 
I am doing my modeling lately by watching this build.  Love the progress.
 
mark

Starting with the stringers.......
 
 
 
 

 
it takes appr. 2-3 hours to have the glue cured, before removing the pins and the pegs for the next glueing session
 
 

 
I`ll have to move the screws that hold the frames more to the outside for having better access to the srews now, before further stringers are put on
 
 
 

 
the relatively long and gentle bows do not bring too much tension on the on the wooden strips
 
 

 
the tricky part of the job though will be the stern portion, maybe I shall use filler pieces to a certain degree....
 
 
 
 
 
Nils

Hey, look at me, I can glue a deck clamp!
 

 
A long story (with a pretty happy ending so far...):  I turned 50 in April and always knew this was going to be a breakout year.  Not to linger on the point but after a series of events I was diagnosed with a rare disease (Mommy always said I was special).  A few specialists and then a 3 week hospital stay I was back dealing with all the yard and house work that backed up.
 
But tonight, tonight I returned to the yard and cut and glued a deck clamp.
 

 
Well, that went so well I completed the keelson:
 

 
Not too much, I know, but a sign of things returning to normal.  Now I have to look at a sprint Triathlon in less than 60 days and a lot of training I am behind on so who knows when the next update will be posted, but make no doubt there will be more.
 
Stay Building my Friends,
Mark

Moving forward as time allows.
 
Buttoned up the lower hold inner planking:
 

 
Big item for me is a self imposed milestone, with the addition of the keel, false keel (purpleheart of course) and garboard strake I have now surpassed the initial build in completeness.  
 

 
It wasn't a quick redo by any stretch but one I have no regrets for.
 
I now need to add the 3/32" planks next to the wales and think about painting them black while it is still easy.  I also want to get some deck beams in and maybe start getting a main mast prototyped out.  Oh, a stand.  Alright, a long list of things.
 
Always a next step....
Mark

Moving forward as time allows.
 
Buttoned up the lower hold inner planking:
 

 
Big item for me is a self imposed milestone, with the addition of the keel, false keel (purpleheart of course) and garboard strake I have now surpassed the initial build in completeness.  
 

 
It wasn't a quick redo by any stretch but one I have no regrets for.
 
I now need to add the 3/32" planks next to the wales and think about painting them black while it is still easy.  I also want to get some deck beams in and maybe start getting a main mast prototyped out.  Oh, a stand.  Alright, a long list of things.
 
Always a next step....
Mark