kruginmi

I think these links are among the most time consuming and frustrating things I have done on this build.  I have spent a lot of time trying to get them right and have probably thrown out enough wire to do 2-3 ships.  Never anticipated this at all.  After a lot of false starts and changes in techniques I finally have something that I am okay with:
 

 
Thirty eight (38) total pieces involved for this.  I have only kept track since about a third of the way in the build but I have to be over 2500 total pieces so far.....
 
Now to just do the same thing for the other five!  I am hopeful I can cut the time required for each to just a couple of hours per.
 
Stay Building My Friends,
Mark

Time to forge ahead and work on those channels!
 
First task was to generate the deadeyes.  I cut some square stock to the appropriate size and chocked it into the lathe.  After rounding it wasn't too much difficulty to get the deadeyes roughed in.  A lesson learned was to keep the length of the wood stock to around 3.5 inches.  This provided enough rigidity to make the lathing pretty straight forward.  Anymore and the flex just started to get too much, especially after a couple of inches of deadeyes were cut.
 

 
With the string of deadeyes it was straight forward to add the three eyes and THEN cut off the deadeye.  Much more handling power so greater accuracy.  With the deadeye figured out, it was a trial and error to define the wire lengths (20 gauge brass) necessary for the three loop lengths.  The intent is to silver solder the loops closed.
 

 
Then to check everything I put the channel in place (still missing the cap strip), made a template of the right angles to put the links on and affixed the prototype.  The bottom flat brass link is still missing.
 

 
Everything seems to check out and now I just need to make 29 of these for each side (2 different sizes for the deadeyes).  With the cap strip on the deadeye is angled more correctly.  If necessary I can add a bend to insure this happens.
 
Stay Building My Friends,
Mark

Moving right along.....
 
Rail transitions pieces complete, tree pumps complete, rudder chains complete, capstan rigging complete.  Misc Cleanup operations in-process.
 
Once the pumps were gel coated I used the ship as a drying rack.  Not your typical look.  Once the pumps were in place the gun deck is complete for this build.  Lots of stuff going on at the quarterdeck line:
 

 
I decided to attach the rudder chains (since I was blackening the pump metal, might as well blacken the chain).  The attachment points were equivalent to the cannon tackle on the gun deck.  The ships lettering goes right above the chains.
 

 
I can finally sit back and see how close I am:
 

 
The channels, ships wheel, ship name lettering and figurehead are all that remain (end of the month?)
 
Stay Building My Friends,
Mark

The case.
 
Yes I know the figurehead still looms out there, but I wanted a measure of safety with not only because of the kids but also spectators that love to put their hands near, if not on, the hull.  So....I needed a bottom to go with that plexiglass top.  Step one was to get some 1/2" oak and some 1/2" poplar (filler) to construct the main base.  Everything was glued together using biscuits:
 

 
Then I added some 5/8" inch cove molding to provide half the slot for the plexiglass dome.  The outside edge was also routed to add some character and the whole thing stained and urethaned:
 

 
Then I cut a 1/2" MDF board down to size to create the slot (between it and the molding) for the plexiglass to slide.  The MDF was painted a flat/flat black along with the stand previously made.  I did not paint the connection point that slides over the keel and between the ribs so it wouldn't stand out.
 

 
I still need to paint the bolt heads that go through all three pieces and are affixed with a nut recessed in the very bottom.  I affixed the Druid and I had not done anything really dumb (which I hadn't discounted):
 

 
So I carried everything (bottom, top and Druid separately) to the family room and put it in its designated place.  I put the top on and stood back (thinking about that FIGUREHEAD).  Yea, that will begin come Monday.
 

 
I really appreciate all the likes / looks / comments.  This last stretch is truly a stretch.  I keep thinking just another week and I will be done but that started 5 months ago and I am still plugging away.  I am still having fun and truly only have one item on the list left (the figurehead - did you catch that?).
 
Stay Building My Friends,
Mark
 
 

The case.
 
Yes I know the figurehead still looms out there, but I wanted a measure of safety with not only because of the kids but also spectators that love to put their hands near, if not on, the hull.  So....I needed a bottom to go with that plexiglass top.  Step one was to get some 1/2" oak and some 1/2" poplar (filler) to construct the main base.  Everything was glued together using biscuits:
 

 
Then I added some 5/8" inch cove molding to provide half the slot for the plexiglass dome.  The outside edge was also routed to add some character and the whole thing stained and urethaned:
 

 
Then I cut a 1/2" MDF board down to size to create the slot (between it and the molding) for the plexiglass to slide.  The MDF was painted a flat/flat black along with the stand previously made.  I did not paint the connection point that slides over the keel and between the ribs so it wouldn't stand out.
 

 
I still need to paint the bolt heads that go through all three pieces and are affixed with a nut recessed in the very bottom.  I affixed the Druid and I had not done anything really dumb (which I hadn't discounted):
 

 
So I carried everything (bottom, top and Druid separately) to the family room and put it in its designated place.  I put the top on and stood back (thinking about that FIGUREHEAD).  Yea, that will begin come Monday.
 

 
I really appreciate all the likes / looks / comments.  This last stretch is truly a stretch.  I keep thinking just another week and I will be done but that started 5 months ago and I am still plugging away.  I am still having fun and truly only have one item on the list left (the figurehead - did you catch that?).
 
Stay Building My Friends,
Mark
 
 

The case.
 
Yes I know the figurehead still looms out there, but I wanted a measure of safety with not only because of the kids but also spectators that love to put their hands near, if not on, the hull.  So....I needed a bottom to go with that plexiglass top.  Step one was to get some 1/2" oak and some 1/2" poplar (filler) to construct the main base.  Everything was glued together using biscuits:
 

 
Then I added some 5/8" inch cove molding to provide half the slot for the plexiglass dome.  The outside edge was also routed to add some character and the whole thing stained and urethaned:
 

 
Then I cut a 1/2" MDF board down to size to create the slot (between it and the molding) for the plexiglass to slide.  The MDF was painted a flat/flat black along with the stand previously made.  I did not paint the connection point that slides over the keel and between the ribs so it wouldn't stand out.
 

 
I still need to paint the bolt heads that go through all three pieces and are affixed with a nut recessed in the very bottom.  I affixed the Druid and I had not done anything really dumb (which I hadn't discounted):
 

 
So I carried everything (bottom, top and Druid separately) to the family room and put it in its designated place.  I put the top on and stood back (thinking about that FIGUREHEAD).  Yea, that will begin come Monday.
 

 
I really appreciate all the likes / looks / comments.  This last stretch is truly a stretch.  I keep thinking just another week and I will be done but that started 5 months ago and I am still plugging away.  I am still having fun and truly only have one item on the list left (the figurehead - did you catch that?).
 
Stay Building My Friends,
Mark
 
 

The case.
 
Yes I know the figurehead still looms out there, but I wanted a measure of safety with not only because of the kids but also spectators that love to put their hands near, if not on, the hull.  So....I needed a bottom to go with that plexiglass top.  Step one was to get some 1/2" oak and some 1/2" poplar (filler) to construct the main base.  Everything was glued together using biscuits:
 

 
Then I added some 5/8" inch cove molding to provide half the slot for the plexiglass dome.  The outside edge was also routed to add some character and the whole thing stained and urethaned:
 

 
Then I cut a 1/2" MDF board down to size to create the slot (between it and the molding) for the plexiglass to slide.  The MDF was painted a flat/flat black along with the stand previously made.  I did not paint the connection point that slides over the keel and between the ribs so it wouldn't stand out.
 

 
I still need to paint the bolt heads that go through all three pieces and are affixed with a nut recessed in the very bottom.  I affixed the Druid and I had not done anything really dumb (which I hadn't discounted):
 

 
So I carried everything (bottom, top and Druid separately) to the family room and put it in its designated place.  I put the top on and stood back (thinking about that FIGUREHEAD).  Yea, that will begin come Monday.
 

 
I really appreciate all the likes / looks / comments.  This last stretch is truly a stretch.  I keep thinking just another week and I will be done but that started 5 months ago and I am still plugging away.  I am still having fun and truly only have one item on the list left (the figurehead - did you catch that?).
 
Stay Building My Friends,
Mark
 
 

The case.
 
Yes I know the figurehead still looms out there, but I wanted a measure of safety with not only because of the kids but also spectators that love to put their hands near, if not on, the hull.  So....I needed a bottom to go with that plexiglass top.  Step one was to get some 1/2" oak and some 1/2" poplar (filler) to construct the main base.  Everything was glued together using biscuits:
 

 
Then I added some 5/8" inch cove molding to provide half the slot for the plexiglass dome.  The outside edge was also routed to add some character and the whole thing stained and urethaned:
 

 
Then I cut a 1/2" MDF board down to size to create the slot (between it and the molding) for the plexiglass to slide.  The MDF was painted a flat/flat black along with the stand previously made.  I did not paint the connection point that slides over the keel and between the ribs so it wouldn't stand out.
 

 
I still need to paint the bolt heads that go through all three pieces and are affixed with a nut recessed in the very bottom.  I affixed the Druid and I had not done anything really dumb (which I hadn't discounted):
 

 
So I carried everything (bottom, top and Druid separately) to the family room and put it in its designated place.  I put the top on and stood back (thinking about that FIGUREHEAD).  Yea, that will begin come Monday.
 

 
I really appreciate all the likes / looks / comments.  This last stretch is truly a stretch.  I keep thinking just another week and I will be done but that started 5 months ago and I am still plugging away.  I am still having fun and truly only have one item on the list left (the figurehead - did you catch that?).
 
Stay Building My Friends,
Mark
 
 

The case.
 
Yes I know the figurehead still looms out there, but I wanted a measure of safety with not only because of the kids but also spectators that love to put their hands near, if not on, the hull.  So....I needed a bottom to go with that plexiglass top.  Step one was to get some 1/2" oak and some 1/2" poplar (filler) to construct the main base.  Everything was glued together using biscuits:
 

 
Then I added some 5/8" inch cove molding to provide half the slot for the plexiglass dome.  The outside edge was also routed to add some character and the whole thing stained and urethaned:
 

 
Then I cut a 1/2" MDF board down to size to create the slot (between it and the molding) for the plexiglass to slide.  The MDF was painted a flat/flat black along with the stand previously made.  I did not paint the connection point that slides over the keel and between the ribs so it wouldn't stand out.
 

 
I still need to paint the bolt heads that go through all three pieces and are affixed with a nut recessed in the very bottom.  I affixed the Druid and I had not done anything really dumb (which I hadn't discounted):
 

 
So I carried everything (bottom, top and Druid separately) to the family room and put it in its designated place.  I put the top on and stood back (thinking about that FIGUREHEAD).  Yea, that will begin come Monday.
 

 
I really appreciate all the likes / looks / comments.  This last stretch is truly a stretch.  I keep thinking just another week and I will be done but that started 5 months ago and I am still plugging away.  I am still having fun and truly only have one item on the list left (the figurehead - did you catch that?).
 
Stay Building My Friends,
Mark
 
 

The case.
 
Yes I know the figurehead still looms out there, but I wanted a measure of safety with not only because of the kids but also spectators that love to put their hands near, if not on, the hull.  So....I needed a bottom to go with that plexiglass top.  Step one was to get some 1/2" oak and some 1/2" poplar (filler) to construct the main base.  Everything was glued together using biscuits:
 

 
Then I added some 5/8" inch cove molding to provide half the slot for the plexiglass dome.  The outside edge was also routed to add some character and the whole thing stained and urethaned:
 

 
Then I cut a 1/2" MDF board down to size to create the slot (between it and the molding) for the plexiglass to slide.  The MDF was painted a flat/flat black along with the stand previously made.  I did not paint the connection point that slides over the keel and between the ribs so it wouldn't stand out.
 

 
I still need to paint the bolt heads that go through all three pieces and are affixed with a nut recessed in the very bottom.  I affixed the Druid and I had not done anything really dumb (which I hadn't discounted):
 

 
So I carried everything (bottom, top and Druid separately) to the family room and put it in its designated place.  I put the top on and stood back (thinking about that FIGUREHEAD).  Yea, that will begin come Monday.
 

 
I really appreciate all the likes / looks / comments.  This last stretch is truly a stretch.  I keep thinking just another week and I will be done but that started 5 months ago and I am still plugging away.  I am still having fun and truly only have one item on the list left (the figurehead - did you catch that?).
 
Stay Building My Friends,
Mark
 
 

Well done Mark! Can't wait to see the figurehead and final completion. A truly outstanding piece of work of which you should be justifiably proud.

The case.
 
Yes I know the figurehead still looms out there, but I wanted a measure of safety with not only because of the kids but also spectators that love to put their hands near, if not on, the hull.  So....I needed a bottom to go with that plexiglass top.  Step one was to get some 1/2" oak and some 1/2" poplar (filler) to construct the main base.  Everything was glued together using biscuits:
 

 
Then I added some 5/8" inch cove molding to provide half the slot for the plexiglass dome.  The outside edge was also routed to add some character and the whole thing stained and urethaned:
 

 
Then I cut a 1/2" MDF board down to size to create the slot (between it and the molding) for the plexiglass to slide.  The MDF was painted a flat/flat black along with the stand previously made.  I did not paint the connection point that slides over the keel and between the ribs so it wouldn't stand out.
 

 
I still need to paint the bolt heads that go through all three pieces and are affixed with a nut recessed in the very bottom.  I affixed the Druid and I had not done anything really dumb (which I hadn't discounted):
 

 
So I carried everything (bottom, top and Druid separately) to the family room and put it in its designated place.  I put the top on and stood back (thinking about that FIGUREHEAD).  Yea, that will begin come Monday.
 

 
I really appreciate all the likes / looks / comments.  This last stretch is truly a stretch.  I keep thinking just another week and I will be done but that started 5 months ago and I am still plugging away.  I am still having fun and truly only have one item on the list left (the figurehead - did you catch that?).
 
Stay Building My Friends,
Mark
 
 

The case.
 
Yes I know the figurehead still looms out there, but I wanted a measure of safety with not only because of the kids but also spectators that love to put their hands near, if not on, the hull.  So....I needed a bottom to go with that plexiglass top.  Step one was to get some 1/2" oak and some 1/2" poplar (filler) to construct the main base.  Everything was glued together using biscuits:
 

 
Then I added some 5/8" inch cove molding to provide half the slot for the plexiglass dome.  The outside edge was also routed to add some character and the whole thing stained and urethaned:
 

 
Then I cut a 1/2" MDF board down to size to create the slot (between it and the molding) for the plexiglass to slide.  The MDF was painted a flat/flat black along with the stand previously made.  I did not paint the connection point that slides over the keel and between the ribs so it wouldn't stand out.
 

 
I still need to paint the bolt heads that go through all three pieces and are affixed with a nut recessed in the very bottom.  I affixed the Druid and I had not done anything really dumb (which I hadn't discounted):
 

 
So I carried everything (bottom, top and Druid separately) to the family room and put it in its designated place.  I put the top on and stood back (thinking about that FIGUREHEAD).  Yea, that will begin come Monday.
 

 
I really appreciate all the likes / looks / comments.  This last stretch is truly a stretch.  I keep thinking just another week and I will be done but that started 5 months ago and I am still plugging away.  I am still having fun and truly only have one item on the list left (the figurehead - did you catch that?).
 
Stay Building My Friends,
Mark
 
 

Here are the final photos
 





David B

Build log part 48
 
 
 

Rudder / tiller rigged
 

 

 

front ballustrade with ships bell (bell found from Christmas decoration)
 

 
 

and mounted, note : no sidewise spaces, because Access to forecastle deck is by integrated stair
 

the bits on the four front Posts still to be done
 

horizontal layed spare mast parts find their Support Areas...
 
 
 
 
Nils

I am just rolling along.  In a couple more hours I banged together the wheel stand and got the tiller rigging all set.
 

 
This is a big milestone for me given that the figurehead is the only item remaining.  I am currently sitting back and giving myself a break.
 

 
Maybe clean up the workshop a bit (hah, hah),
 
Stay Building my Friends,
Mark

Just to be a little more clear:  My break is painting the bathroom on Saturday and picking up some stuff across state on Sunday.  Monday is a the target.
 
Off to the store to pick up a carving glove.  Never done a 'true' carving before but I can draw and believe I have a bit of an eye for 3-D so I am hoping for decent results after a couple of tries.....
 
Mark

Just to be a little more clear:  My break is painting the bathroom on Saturday and picking up some stuff across state on Sunday.  Monday is a the target.
 
Off to the store to pick up a carving glove.  Never done a 'true' carving before but I can draw and believe I have a bit of an eye for 3-D so I am hoping for decent results after a couple of tries.....
 
Mark

I am just rolling along.  In a couple more hours I banged together the wheel stand and got the tiller rigging all set.
 

 
This is a big milestone for me given that the figurehead is the only item remaining.  I am currently sitting back and giving myself a break.
 

 
Maybe clean up the workshop a bit (hah, hah),
 
Stay Building my Friends,
Mark

I am just rolling along.  In a couple more hours I banged together the wheel stand and got the tiller rigging all set.
 

 
This is a big milestone for me given that the figurehead is the only item remaining.  I am currently sitting back and giving myself a break.
 

 
Maybe clean up the workshop a bit (hah, hah),
 
Stay Building my Friends,
Mark

Hi Mark,
 
I see you`ve been quite busy modeling Fitting out assemblies in the last days, it Looks fantastic..., all clean and exact
 
Nils

I am just rolling along.  In a couple more hours I banged together the wheel stand and got the tiller rigging all set.
 

 
This is a big milestone for me given that the figurehead is the only item remaining.  I am currently sitting back and giving myself a break.
 

 
Maybe clean up the workshop a bit (hah, hah),
 
Stay Building my Friends,
Mark

Time for that last piece of deck apparatus - the Ship's Wheel.
 
I didn't take a lot of pictures (getting caught up in the moment) but this worked out a lot more straight forward than I had feared.
 

 
For the outer ring I used a 7/8" forstner bit to drill out the inner hole on an oversized piece of boxwood previously sanded to thickness.  I nibbled away the outside excess on my Byrnes saw using a sled then switched to the circular sander for the finer rough in.  Finalized with hand sanding.  The inner ring was turned on the lathe along with the associated drum.  The next pic is of a prototype drum that was replaced with another:
 

 
For the spindles I opted for a size equal to the carbide blade width of the Byrnes saw.  So after marking on the outer ring the spacing of the ten spindles, I set the height of the blade to this depth and made five passes through the ring leaving a small ring of wood to keep everything together.  The same thing was done for the inner ring.  After complete it was quite easy to glue in the spindles:
 

 
I kept the spindle blanks as one piece over the entire ring (two spindles) to make shaping easier.  After completing shaping I cut off the connecting piece to make two separate spindles.  The inner hole for the axle was made after all the spindles were complete.
 

 
I was very happy to take the following pic of the wheel essentially complete:
 

 
Now I need to make the stand for it then attach to the deck and rig.  Hopefully by the weekend.
 
Stay Building My Friends,
Mark
 
 

I am just rolling along.  In a couple more hours I banged together the wheel stand and got the tiller rigging all set.
 

 
This is a big milestone for me given that the figurehead is the only item remaining.  I am currently sitting back and giving myself a break.
 

 
Maybe clean up the workshop a bit (hah, hah),
 
Stay Building my Friends,
Mark

Well done Mark - she looks terrific. Looking forward to the figurehead after you've had your break.