Charter33

Hi,
While work continues with copper plating the starboard side of the hull I've also turned my attention to the cannons and their carriages. Having found a way to assemble the carriages I started work on researching how to set about applying a painted finish to the cannons. An initial request for advice on spraying led to a whole new approach (see the thread in the 'Painting, finishes and weathering techniques and products' ) and subsequently the finish is now achieved using 'Brass Black'.
 
To reliably form the trunnion clamps I resorted to making a new pair of jaw inserts for my  Mantua plank bending pliers. With this tool I've also been able to replicate the slight left and right hand bias that these clamps need to compensate for the tapering sides of the gun carriages.


Cheers,
 
Graham.

When I started this topic the other day I had no idea that it would end up going in this direction. Proof once more of the value of this forum when it comes to sharing ideas and techniques.
Thank you to all those who have contributed to and followed the discussion.
 
With the resources now in place I managed to find time do a trial run :-

- before and after ....
 
After brushing and de-greasing, two 30 second immersions in the Birchwood Casey 'Brass Black', with a rinse and dry in between, I ended up with the finish shown above. This was followed by a coat of matt lacquer. I am delighted with the result to put it mildly!
 
Cheers,
 
Graham.
 

Cheers guys, the lower shrouds are to be installed as late as I can possibly leave them so I have access to those mast as much as possible. The only reason I fitted them was to enable me to fit the standing rigging over the tops of the shrouds and hide more work. 
 
I have been messing with my new DSLR today and the Victory was my target, so here is a few random shots of her as she stands today
 
Oh MSW the new site is fantastic and so easy to put pictures on than it was before, hats of guys and thank you 
 
 

When I started this topic the other day I had no idea that it would end up going in this direction. Proof once more of the value of this forum when it comes to sharing ideas and techniques.
Thank you to all those who have contributed to and followed the discussion.
 
With the resources now in place I managed to find time do a trial run :-

- before and after ....
 
After brushing and de-greasing, two 30 second immersions in the Birchwood Casey 'Brass Black', with a rinse and dry in between, I ended up with the finish shown above. This was followed by a coat of matt lacquer. I am delighted with the result to put it mildly!
 
Cheers,
 
Graham.
 

Thank you for your input on this topic, Toni. The brushes I ordered are brass ones, so as not to contaminate the brass cannons, and were waiting for me at work this morning, together with the blacking solution. A quick trial with the brush shows that it actually refines and polishes the surface. I'll see if I can source the chemicals and do a trial shortly.
 
Cheers,
 
Graham

Hi again all- finished adding the details to the bowsprit- think i got the stop cleats for bobstays and saddle for spritsail yard right- billings didn't bother with them!
As i was thinking only the hammock netting left before masting and rigging i realised i hadn't fitted the davit mountings and deadeyes/ chainplates for the breast and back stays.



the marines walk and supporting pillars arn't actually glued in place yet- just wanted to see how they would look and check clearances with bowsprit in place, also need to glue figurehead in place as well.
 
have fun all and ty for comments and support over the last couple of years- always appreciated.
 
Keith
 

Finally another update. The ship is completed, I am now working on the boats. My intention is to mount one of the boats on the Skid Beams one on the Davits and the other two on support cradles alongside Victory in the display case when that is made. I will need to tension the Main Stay tackle pendants when the boat is secured to the skid beams. I will post more photos when the whole task is finished. Meanwhile here are some photos of where I'm at now.
 
 
 

Hi Per,
No worries! No worries. I really did not know what is right or wrong half the time when I am on forums.... so I had to ask. Thank you for your input. The LAST thing I want to see is this forum for ship building to end.... It has been tremendously helpful to me as a new ship modeler. 
I am just taking a rest from ships and taking on a plane for respite. I am intrigued that there are two of us here now working on planes... and they happen to be arch rivals in the aviation world. There is a delicious irony (or perhaps coincidence) here. 
~john
 

Thanks' for the additional tips, Steve. The white vinegar is already in the workshop, the Birchwood Casey 'Brass Black' due for delivery early next week, as are the brass wire brushes for the Dremel which I hope will remove any traces of C.A. adhesive from the pivot rods (?) and the breach rings.
 
Cheers,
 
Graham

Thanks' Hornet - found it on ebay as you suggested and an order has been placed. I'll have a go and see how it comes out.
 
Cheers,
 
Graham

Hi Steve,   Building them is the easy part, learning to fly and keeping them in one piece until you do is the challenge. If you haven't thought about it yet I strongly suggest that you join a club, they will teach and guide you, you'll get much more from the hobby as without help early on it will not only get frustrating but become expensive.
 
Best of luck,   Ken

Hello all some of you may be wondering why I haven't posted in a few days that's because I have been spending most of my free time researching ,sourcing and planning my next build ive been contemplating my next build for some time now and have finally pulled the trigger on it the box arrived today
 

 
 
CUATION SOME VIEWERS MAY FIND THE NEXT IMAGE OFFENSIVE SCROLL DOWN AT OWN DISCRETION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



She sure is a large kit and I have zero experience in the rc or aircraft world so wish me luck
I will ofcourse not be starting this until completion of the bounty its just  the first step towards my next build there is much research to do and lots of other items required to build
 
heres a vid of the same kit completed
 
 
 
I will continue on with the bounty and try to keep further posts ship related

Hi Mates,
 
I had mentioned that I slightly tweak Chuck’s (Syren) already super excellent blocks. This how I do it. The changes are very subtle, but for me make it worth it.
 
1) enlarge the pre-drilled holes (I’m sure most of you already do this anyway)
 
2) using the same drill bit I now angle it to “round out” and deepen the pulley look further.

 
Using a file I add grooves to the upper and lower edges

 
Using a small sanding block I sand the four side edges a bit inward.

 
Last bit I just started “now” after going to Chuck’s site to order more rope I saw his new blocks that included the four pins that attach the two block sides together. Hmmm – that looked so great.
 
Granted his blocks are larger but nonetheless wanted to add that look as well.
 
Using a tiny drill bit just drilled eight holes.

 
Here are some comparisons. AGAIN absolutely NOT implying anything at all missing regarding Chuck’s super perfect blocks down to the smallest scale.

 
 
This pic is a perfect example of how amazing his super small blocks actually are without any of my obsessive tweaks (;-)

 
PS: whatever these are called I have to pull them all off. Again a novice with rigging when I made those it did not occur to me to be sure that ropes will be able to loop through – well they can’t – did not leave enough space grrrr.
 

 
Cheers,

never thought of that jack I would love to do that sounds like a great idea

Finally lower part of the hull all covered with the second planking, but still needs more work, sanding, sealing, varnishing... The small gap between the planks has been purposely left so I will fill with a black filler.  Probably now I will continue work on the upper gun deck and continue the upper part of the hull and wales later.
 
A few photos:







 

 
 
Robert

Hi All,
 
After screwing down the transom and re jigging the castings I found that what Pete has mentioned was correct. Everything now falls into place, all the castings fit perfectly and there is no need for cutting anything away and wow they look good. This part has got me quite excited now, can't wait to see it completed.
 
Ken

We are already in February 2017

Thanks' for the additional tips, Steve. The white vinegar is already in the workshop, the Birchwood Casey 'Brass Black' due for delivery early next week, as are the brass wire brushes for the Dremel which I hope will remove any traces of C.A. adhesive from the pivot rods (?) and the breach rings.
 
Cheers,
 
Graham

Thanks' for the additional tips, Steve. The white vinegar is already in the workshop, the Birchwood Casey 'Brass Black' due for delivery early next week, as are the brass wire brushes for the Dremel which I hope will remove any traces of C.A. adhesive from the pivot rods (?) and the breach rings.
 
Cheers,
 
Graham

Thanks' Hornet - found it on ebay as you suggested and an order has been placed. I'll have a go and see how it comes out.
 
Cheers,
 
Graham

Thanks' Hornet - found it on ebay as you suggested and an order has been placed. I'll have a go and see how it comes out.
 
Cheers,
 
Graham

The hottest and longest day of the year.  With the ‘shipyard’ inside the house uncomfortably hot a little ‘Al Fresco’ modelling was called for…….

 
With the scent of jasmine wafting over the improvised work bench, and a cold beer, life’s good …. and this picture was taken just after 8.30pm with the temperature still in the high 20s.
 
I came up with this jig to help me to construct the gun carriages – this is the test of the first of many to be assembled.
 

 
The four elements surrounding the carriage slide up across into place and keep the parts aligned and 'square' while the glue dries. The jig will allow five to be assembled at once.

Reliance on jigs has been made more necessary as recent medical treatment has left my fingers numb to the extent that I know I’m gripping something if I can see that I am. I’ve been assured that this side effect will eventually go but it’s very frustrating at times.
 
Finally a little trick to clean up the carriage wheels – mounted two at a time on the grinding disc mandrel of a Dremel and lightly rubbed on a sheet of glass paper.

 
Cheers for now,
 
Graham.

Thanks' for the info Nick. You're right - using the airbrush can be a lot of messing about. I'll act on your advice and try hand painting first.
I'm enjoying your Confederacy log - keep up the great work!
 
Cheers,
 
Graham

Thanks' for the info Nick. You're right - using the airbrush can be a lot of messing about. I'll act on your advice and try hand painting first.
I'm enjoying your Confederacy log - keep up the great work!
 
Cheers,
 
Graham

The hottest and longest day of the year.  With the ‘shipyard’ inside the house uncomfortably hot a little ‘Al Fresco’ modelling was called for…….

 
With the scent of jasmine wafting over the improvised work bench, and a cold beer, life’s good …. and this picture was taken just after 8.30pm with the temperature still in the high 20s.
 
I came up with this jig to help me to construct the gun carriages – this is the test of the first of many to be assembled.
 

 
The four elements surrounding the carriage slide up across into place and keep the parts aligned and 'square' while the glue dries. The jig will allow five to be assembled at once.

Reliance on jigs has been made more necessary as recent medical treatment has left my fingers numb to the extent that I know I’m gripping something if I can see that I am. I’ve been assured that this side effect will eventually go but it’s very frustrating at times.
 
Finally a little trick to clean up the carriage wheels – mounted two at a time on the grinding disc mandrel of a Dremel and lightly rubbed on a sheet of glass paper.

 
Cheers for now,
 
Graham.