rlb

More hammock crane work.
 
I decided I needed a better way to make the modeling clay form for the hammock covering cloth.   I had just kind of rolled it out and mashed it into rough shape, but it was a little TOO rough and varied in height and thickness.  So I made a mold out of scrap wood.  This is the length I need for the forward sections.  The previous clay form and removed covering paper are above it--

 
Then I mashed the clay into one side of the mold--
 
And clamped the outer mold piece against it.  There are spacers at the end to make the right thickness, and I used my calipers to make sure it was the same width at the middle.  They also worked as a clamp.  I mashed additional clay into the top where needed--

 
Then scraped the top smooth--

 
This gave me a piece of clay that was uniform in height and thickness--


 
I ran a finger along each side of the top to round and smooth it--

 
New pieces of Silkspan were moistened and folded around it--

 
When this dried, I tucked and glued the loose ends at the bottom, and let that dry--

 
Here it is fit into place--


 
 
I am much happier with this attempt.   It may be more uniform than it really should be, but it will be easy to go back and make it a little "lumpy" if I decide it needs it.  Here's a view from inboard--

 
As I finish up the hammocks I'm adding the capstan bars to the capstan.   It's always one of the things on a model that catches your eye, and I've been waiting a long time to add this touch!   I cut some blanks, and test fit a few times to get the length I thought was appropriate.  They look pretty chunky, but they haven't been tapered or rounded yet, hence they are also not glued to the capstan yet--

 
I numbered each hole and bar on the underside just in case it matters which one goes where--

 
As the afternoon light starts to fade--

 
That's all for now.
 
Ron
 
 

More hammock crane work.
 
I decided I needed a better way to make the modeling clay form for the hammock covering cloth.   I had just kind of rolled it out and mashed it into rough shape, but it was a little TOO rough and varied in height and thickness.  So I made a mold out of scrap wood.  This is the length I need for the forward sections.  The previous clay form and removed covering paper are above it--

 
Then I mashed the clay into one side of the mold--
 
And clamped the outer mold piece against it.  There are spacers at the end to make the right thickness, and I used my calipers to make sure it was the same width at the middle.  They also worked as a clamp.  I mashed additional clay into the top where needed--

 
Then scraped the top smooth--

 
This gave me a piece of clay that was uniform in height and thickness--


 
I ran a finger along each side of the top to round and smooth it--

 
New pieces of Silkspan were moistened and folded around it--

 
When this dried, I tucked and glued the loose ends at the bottom, and let that dry--

 
Here it is fit into place--


 
 
I am much happier with this attempt.   It may be more uniform than it really should be, but it will be easy to go back and make it a little "lumpy" if I decide it needs it.  Here's a view from inboard--

 
As I finish up the hammocks I'm adding the capstan bars to the capstan.   It's always one of the things on a model that catches your eye, and I've been waiting a long time to add this touch!   I cut some blanks, and test fit a few times to get the length I thought was appropriate.  They look pretty chunky, but they haven't been tapered or rounded yet, hence they are also not glued to the capstan yet--

 
I numbered each hole and bar on the underside just in case it matters which one goes where--

 
As the afternoon light starts to fade--

 
That's all for now.
 
Ron
 
 

Continuing with hammock cranes.
 
I was able to thread the three outboard lines and test the hammock covering cloth.  I'm not truly happy with the covering cloth, I may redo that, but I do like the overall look--


 
It was blackening residue in the holes that was making it so hard to thread the line.  And the end caps were clogged with Tung oil finish.  I had to carefully try and get the drill bit through the holes and clean them out.  The angle wasn't exactly right, and I probably should have just twisted everything out and re-glued them.  Some became loose anyway (and many bent this way and that-thankfully none broke).   But after clearing the holes, I found that I could get the thread through.  By the last one, I found that with the tip just stiffened by wax, rather than CA glue, I could get them through quite well--didn't need to push and pull with the tweezers.   The CA, though it stiffened the end, did increase the diameter a smidge.
 
Here are the first set of lines through, and the next set of hammock cranes glued in.  After all the lines are threaded, and the cloth in, I'll knot off the ends of the lines--

 
Now I'm off with my daughter to my parents' house in Rochester to try and see the eclipse.   It's supposed to be cloudy, but maybe we'll get lucky.  If not, we'll still have a nice, if brief, visit with my folks.   Hoping the traffic will be manageable, but it probably will be pretty bad.
 
All for now,
Ron 

Thanks Mike!
 
Continuing on with the hammocks, I made a line of clay, which fit between the hammock cranes--

 
I wrapped this in the black painted Silkspan and tested the fit.  It looks just okay.  I may work a bit on the "wrinkles"--

 
I removed the clay/paper, realizing it would be much easier to run the line through all the hammock cranes without having it in the way.  And it was FAR more difficult than I anticipated.   I spent hours trying to come up with a way of stiffening the end of the line with superglue, and cutting a point on it, but the holes in the cranes were just too small, and some had become partially blocked with blackening deposits (I think).  I spent a lot of time with a pin trying to open the holes--very awkward with them glued in place.  Some cranes came loose from the rail, or bent (though easily re-straightened).   I even tried supergluing a strand of fly tying thread to the end of the line to lead it through the holes, but that failed like all the other attempts.  I finally searched for a thinner line in my stock, and found one.  It was just enough thinner to work--
 
 
Hopefully I can get through the rest of the holes, and finally see what this looks like with the hammock paper inside.
 
Also, trying to finish everything on the deck before rigging begins, I glued some eyebolts and rings to the deck binding strakes, and some to the channels, which can be seen in the photos.
 
All for now,
Ron
 
 
 

More hammock crane work.
 
I decided I needed a better way to make the modeling clay form for the hammock covering cloth.   I had just kind of rolled it out and mashed it into rough shape, but it was a little TOO rough and varied in height and thickness.  So I made a mold out of scrap wood.  This is the length I need for the forward sections.  The previous clay form and removed covering paper are above it--

 
Then I mashed the clay into one side of the mold--
 
And clamped the outer mold piece against it.  There are spacers at the end to make the right thickness, and I used my calipers to make sure it was the same width at the middle.  They also worked as a clamp.  I mashed additional clay into the top where needed--

 
Then scraped the top smooth--

 
This gave me a piece of clay that was uniform in height and thickness--


 
I ran a finger along each side of the top to round and smooth it--

 
New pieces of Silkspan were moistened and folded around it--

 
When this dried, I tucked and glued the loose ends at the bottom, and let that dry--

 
Here it is fit into place--


 
 
I am much happier with this attempt.   It may be more uniform than it really should be, but it will be easy to go back and make it a little "lumpy" if I decide it needs it.  Here's a view from inboard--

 
As I finish up the hammocks I'm adding the capstan bars to the capstan.   It's always one of the things on a model that catches your eye, and I've been waiting a long time to add this touch!   I cut some blanks, and test fit a few times to get the length I thought was appropriate.  They look pretty chunky, but they haven't been tapered or rounded yet, hence they are also not glued to the capstan yet--

 
I numbered each hole and bar on the underside just in case it matters which one goes where--

 
As the afternoon light starts to fade--

 
That's all for now.
 
Ron
 
 

More hammock crane work.
 
I decided I needed a better way to make the modeling clay form for the hammock covering cloth.   I had just kind of rolled it out and mashed it into rough shape, but it was a little TOO rough and varied in height and thickness.  So I made a mold out of scrap wood.  This is the length I need for the forward sections.  The previous clay form and removed covering paper are above it--

 
Then I mashed the clay into one side of the mold--
 
And clamped the outer mold piece against it.  There are spacers at the end to make the right thickness, and I used my calipers to make sure it was the same width at the middle.  They also worked as a clamp.  I mashed additional clay into the top where needed--

 
Then scraped the top smooth--

 
This gave me a piece of clay that was uniform in height and thickness--


 
I ran a finger along each side of the top to round and smooth it--

 
New pieces of Silkspan were moistened and folded around it--

 
When this dried, I tucked and glued the loose ends at the bottom, and let that dry--

 
Here it is fit into place--


 
 
I am much happier with this attempt.   It may be more uniform than it really should be, but it will be easy to go back and make it a little "lumpy" if I decide it needs it.  Here's a view from inboard--

 
As I finish up the hammocks I'm adding the capstan bars to the capstan.   It's always one of the things on a model that catches your eye, and I've been waiting a long time to add this touch!   I cut some blanks, and test fit a few times to get the length I thought was appropriate.  They look pretty chunky, but they haven't been tapered or rounded yet, hence they are also not glued to the capstan yet--

 
I numbered each hole and bar on the underside just in case it matters which one goes where--

 
As the afternoon light starts to fade--

 
That's all for now.
 
Ron
 
 

Continuing with hammock cranes.
 
I was able to thread the three outboard lines and test the hammock covering cloth.  I'm not truly happy with the covering cloth, I may redo that, but I do like the overall look--


 
It was blackening residue in the holes that was making it so hard to thread the line.  And the end caps were clogged with Tung oil finish.  I had to carefully try and get the drill bit through the holes and clean them out.  The angle wasn't exactly right, and I probably should have just twisted everything out and re-glued them.  Some became loose anyway (and many bent this way and that-thankfully none broke).   But after clearing the holes, I found that I could get the thread through.  By the last one, I found that with the tip just stiffened by wax, rather than CA glue, I could get them through quite well--didn't need to push and pull with the tweezers.   The CA, though it stiffened the end, did increase the diameter a smidge.
 
Here are the first set of lines through, and the next set of hammock cranes glued in.  After all the lines are threaded, and the cloth in, I'll knot off the ends of the lines--

 
Now I'm off with my daughter to my parents' house in Rochester to try and see the eclipse.   It's supposed to be cloudy, but maybe we'll get lucky.  If not, we'll still have a nice, if brief, visit with my folks.   Hoping the traffic will be manageable, but it probably will be pretty bad.
 
All for now,
Ron 

Continuing with hammock cranes.
 
I was able to thread the three outboard lines and test the hammock covering cloth.  I'm not truly happy with the covering cloth, I may redo that, but I do like the overall look--


 
It was blackening residue in the holes that was making it so hard to thread the line.  And the end caps were clogged with Tung oil finish.  I had to carefully try and get the drill bit through the holes and clean them out.  The angle wasn't exactly right, and I probably should have just twisted everything out and re-glued them.  Some became loose anyway (and many bent this way and that-thankfully none broke).   But after clearing the holes, I found that I could get the thread through.  By the last one, I found that with the tip just stiffened by wax, rather than CA glue, I could get them through quite well--didn't need to push and pull with the tweezers.   The CA, though it stiffened the end, did increase the diameter a smidge.
 
Here are the first set of lines through, and the next set of hammock cranes glued in.  After all the lines are threaded, and the cloth in, I'll knot off the ends of the lines--

 
Now I'm off with my daughter to my parents' house in Rochester to try and see the eclipse.   It's supposed to be cloudy, but maybe we'll get lucky.  If not, we'll still have a nice, if brief, visit with my folks.   Hoping the traffic will be manageable, but it probably will be pretty bad.
 
All for now,
Ron 

Thanks Mike!
 
Continuing on with the hammocks, I made a line of clay, which fit between the hammock cranes--

 
I wrapped this in the black painted Silkspan and tested the fit.  It looks just okay.  I may work a bit on the "wrinkles"--

 
I removed the clay/paper, realizing it would be much easier to run the line through all the hammock cranes without having it in the way.  And it was FAR more difficult than I anticipated.   I spent hours trying to come up with a way of stiffening the end of the line with superglue, and cutting a point on it, but the holes in the cranes were just too small, and some had become partially blocked with blackening deposits (I think).  I spent a lot of time with a pin trying to open the holes--very awkward with them glued in place.  Some cranes came loose from the rail, or bent (though easily re-straightened).   I even tried supergluing a strand of fly tying thread to the end of the line to lead it through the holes, but that failed like all the other attempts.  I finally searched for a thinner line in my stock, and found one.  It was just enough thinner to work--
 
 
Hopefully I can get through the rest of the holes, and finally see what this looks like with the hammock paper inside.
 
Also, trying to finish everything on the deck before rigging begins, I glued some eyebolts and rings to the deck binding strakes, and some to the channels, which can be seen in the photos.
 
All for now,
Ron
 
 
 

Continuing with hammock cranes.
 
I was able to thread the three outboard lines and test the hammock covering cloth.  I'm not truly happy with the covering cloth, I may redo that, but I do like the overall look--


 
It was blackening residue in the holes that was making it so hard to thread the line.  And the end caps were clogged with Tung oil finish.  I had to carefully try and get the drill bit through the holes and clean them out.  The angle wasn't exactly right, and I probably should have just twisted everything out and re-glued them.  Some became loose anyway (and many bent this way and that-thankfully none broke).   But after clearing the holes, I found that I could get the thread through.  By the last one, I found that with the tip just stiffened by wax, rather than CA glue, I could get them through quite well--didn't need to push and pull with the tweezers.   The CA, though it stiffened the end, did increase the diameter a smidge.
 
Here are the first set of lines through, and the next set of hammock cranes glued in.  After all the lines are threaded, and the cloth in, I'll knot off the ends of the lines--

 
Now I'm off with my daughter to my parents' house in Rochester to try and see the eclipse.   It's supposed to be cloudy, but maybe we'll get lucky.  If not, we'll still have a nice, if brief, visit with my folks.   Hoping the traffic will be manageable, but it probably will be pretty bad.
 
All for now,
Ron 

Continuing with hammock cranes.
 
I was able to thread the three outboard lines and test the hammock covering cloth.  I'm not truly happy with the covering cloth, I may redo that, but I do like the overall look--


 
It was blackening residue in the holes that was making it so hard to thread the line.  And the end caps were clogged with Tung oil finish.  I had to carefully try and get the drill bit through the holes and clean them out.  The angle wasn't exactly right, and I probably should have just twisted everything out and re-glued them.  Some became loose anyway (and many bent this way and that-thankfully none broke).   But after clearing the holes, I found that I could get the thread through.  By the last one, I found that with the tip just stiffened by wax, rather than CA glue, I could get them through quite well--didn't need to push and pull with the tweezers.   The CA, though it stiffened the end, did increase the diameter a smidge.
 
Here are the first set of lines through, and the next set of hammock cranes glued in.  After all the lines are threaded, and the cloth in, I'll knot off the ends of the lines--

 
Now I'm off with my daughter to my parents' house in Rochester to try and see the eclipse.   It's supposed to be cloudy, but maybe we'll get lucky.  If not, we'll still have a nice, if brief, visit with my folks.   Hoping the traffic will be manageable, but it probably will be pretty bad.
 
All for now,
Ron 

Continuing with hammock cranes.
 
I was able to thread the three outboard lines and test the hammock covering cloth.  I'm not truly happy with the covering cloth, I may redo that, but I do like the overall look--


 
It was blackening residue in the holes that was making it so hard to thread the line.  And the end caps were clogged with Tung oil finish.  I had to carefully try and get the drill bit through the holes and clean them out.  The angle wasn't exactly right, and I probably should have just twisted everything out and re-glued them.  Some became loose anyway (and many bent this way and that-thankfully none broke).   But after clearing the holes, I found that I could get the thread through.  By the last one, I found that with the tip just stiffened by wax, rather than CA glue, I could get them through quite well--didn't need to push and pull with the tweezers.   The CA, though it stiffened the end, did increase the diameter a smidge.
 
Here are the first set of lines through, and the next set of hammock cranes glued in.  After all the lines are threaded, and the cloth in, I'll knot off the ends of the lines--

 
Now I'm off with my daughter to my parents' house in Rochester to try and see the eclipse.   It's supposed to be cloudy, but maybe we'll get lucky.  If not, we'll still have a nice, if brief, visit with my folks.   Hoping the traffic will be manageable, but it probably will be pretty bad.
 
All for now,
Ron 

Congratulations, B.E.  She looks great.
Ron

Continuing with hammock cranes.
 
I was able to thread the three outboard lines and test the hammock covering cloth.  I'm not truly happy with the covering cloth, I may redo that, but I do like the overall look--


 
It was blackening residue in the holes that was making it so hard to thread the line.  And the end caps were clogged with Tung oil finish.  I had to carefully try and get the drill bit through the holes and clean them out.  The angle wasn't exactly right, and I probably should have just twisted everything out and re-glued them.  Some became loose anyway (and many bent this way and that-thankfully none broke).   But after clearing the holes, I found that I could get the thread through.  By the last one, I found that with the tip just stiffened by wax, rather than CA glue, I could get them through quite well--didn't need to push and pull with the tweezers.   The CA, though it stiffened the end, did increase the diameter a smidge.
 
Here are the first set of lines through, and the next set of hammock cranes glued in.  After all the lines are threaded, and the cloth in, I'll knot off the ends of the lines--

 
Now I'm off with my daughter to my parents' house in Rochester to try and see the eclipse.   It's supposed to be cloudy, but maybe we'll get lucky.  If not, we'll still have a nice, if brief, visit with my folks.   Hoping the traffic will be manageable, but it probably will be pretty bad.
 
All for now,
Ron 

Thanks Mike!
 
Continuing on with the hammocks, I made a line of clay, which fit between the hammock cranes--

 
I wrapped this in the black painted Silkspan and tested the fit.  It looks just okay.  I may work a bit on the "wrinkles"--

 
I removed the clay/paper, realizing it would be much easier to run the line through all the hammock cranes without having it in the way.  And it was FAR more difficult than I anticipated.   I spent hours trying to come up with a way of stiffening the end of the line with superglue, and cutting a point on it, but the holes in the cranes were just too small, and some had become partially blocked with blackening deposits (I think).  I spent a lot of time with a pin trying to open the holes--very awkward with them glued in place.  Some cranes came loose from the rail, or bent (though easily re-straightened).   I even tried supergluing a strand of fly tying thread to the end of the line to lead it through the holes, but that failed like all the other attempts.  I finally searched for a thinner line in my stock, and found one.  It was just enough thinner to work--
 
 
Hopefully I can get through the rest of the holes, and finally see what this looks like with the hammock paper inside.
 
Also, trying to finish everything on the deck before rigging begins, I glued some eyebolts and rings to the deck binding strakes, and some to the channels, which can be seen in the photos.
 
All for now,
Ron
 
 
 

Found my rhythm and finally produced first parts!
Admittedly got carried away with the shape of these mast posts, they are supposed to be much more boxy-looking and utilitarian. I was inspired by a few other models with very elegant posts For the same aesthetic reasons iron bolts are omitted and edges are aligned with the run of the planking.
I really love the look of curvy pear parts, big fat black dots would spoil it a bit. And after all these parts would be hidden deep in the hold.
It is more labor intense without a disk sander, so shaping and beveling involved a lot of chiseling. Though it is a pleasure with a nice and honed chisel.

The most pleasuring moment was chamfering these edges with some relaxing background music Super happy, the joy is back!
 
Finished with my new go-to finish Osmo Polyx 3062. Contemplating leaving smaller parts unfinished later during the build, but these are right next to the dark shiny pear frames, would be too much of a contrast. 
Before and after the finishing, side by side:

 
In the hull (dry fitted). Quite ashamed with the quality of planking at the bow, who left all these giant gaps? 🫣 Did not look that bad on photos from 2021...
No big deal, it only means I should be more careful next time. Also spotted an obvious misplacement of the top breast hook notch, it was the same guys fault. I was too young back then  


 

Thanks Mike!
 
Continuing on with the hammocks, I made a line of clay, which fit between the hammock cranes--

 
I wrapped this in the black painted Silkspan and tested the fit.  It looks just okay.  I may work a bit on the "wrinkles"--

 
I removed the clay/paper, realizing it would be much easier to run the line through all the hammock cranes without having it in the way.  And it was FAR more difficult than I anticipated.   I spent hours trying to come up with a way of stiffening the end of the line with superglue, and cutting a point on it, but the holes in the cranes were just too small, and some had become partially blocked with blackening deposits (I think).  I spent a lot of time with a pin trying to open the holes--very awkward with them glued in place.  Some cranes came loose from the rail, or bent (though easily re-straightened).   I even tried supergluing a strand of fly tying thread to the end of the line to lead it through the holes, but that failed like all the other attempts.  I finally searched for a thinner line in my stock, and found one.  It was just enough thinner to work--
 
 
Hopefully I can get through the rest of the holes, and finally see what this looks like with the hammock paper inside.
 
Also, trying to finish everything on the deck before rigging begins, I glued some eyebolts and rings to the deck binding strakes, and some to the channels, which can be seen in the photos.
 
All for now,
Ron
 
 
 

Thanks Mike!
 
Continuing on with the hammocks, I made a line of clay, which fit between the hammock cranes--

 
I wrapped this in the black painted Silkspan and tested the fit.  It looks just okay.  I may work a bit on the "wrinkles"--

 
I removed the clay/paper, realizing it would be much easier to run the line through all the hammock cranes without having it in the way.  And it was FAR more difficult than I anticipated.   I spent hours trying to come up with a way of stiffening the end of the line with superglue, and cutting a point on it, but the holes in the cranes were just too small, and some had become partially blocked with blackening deposits (I think).  I spent a lot of time with a pin trying to open the holes--very awkward with them glued in place.  Some cranes came loose from the rail, or bent (though easily re-straightened).   I even tried supergluing a strand of fly tying thread to the end of the line to lead it through the holes, but that failed like all the other attempts.  I finally searched for a thinner line in my stock, and found one.  It was just enough thinner to work--
 
 
Hopefully I can get through the rest of the holes, and finally see what this looks like with the hammock paper inside.
 
Also, trying to finish everything on the deck before rigging begins, I glued some eyebolts and rings to the deck binding strakes, and some to the channels, which can be seen in the photos.
 
All for now,
Ron
 
 
 

Thanks Mike!
 
Continuing on with the hammocks, I made a line of clay, which fit between the hammock cranes--

 
I wrapped this in the black painted Silkspan and tested the fit.  It looks just okay.  I may work a bit on the "wrinkles"--

 
I removed the clay/paper, realizing it would be much easier to run the line through all the hammock cranes without having it in the way.  And it was FAR more difficult than I anticipated.   I spent hours trying to come up with a way of stiffening the end of the line with superglue, and cutting a point on it, but the holes in the cranes were just too small, and some had become partially blocked with blackening deposits (I think).  I spent a lot of time with a pin trying to open the holes--very awkward with them glued in place.  Some cranes came loose from the rail, or bent (though easily re-straightened).   I even tried supergluing a strand of fly tying thread to the end of the line to lead it through the holes, but that failed like all the other attempts.  I finally searched for a thinner line in my stock, and found one.  It was just enough thinner to work--
 
 
Hopefully I can get through the rest of the holes, and finally see what this looks like with the hammock paper inside.
 
Also, trying to finish everything on the deck before rigging begins, I glued some eyebolts and rings to the deck binding strakes, and some to the channels, which can be seen in the photos.
 
All for now,
Ron
 
 
 

Thanks Mike!
 
Continuing on with the hammocks, I made a line of clay, which fit between the hammock cranes--

 
I wrapped this in the black painted Silkspan and tested the fit.  It looks just okay.  I may work a bit on the "wrinkles"--

 
I removed the clay/paper, realizing it would be much easier to run the line through all the hammock cranes without having it in the way.  And it was FAR more difficult than I anticipated.   I spent hours trying to come up with a way of stiffening the end of the line with superglue, and cutting a point on it, but the holes in the cranes were just too small, and some had become partially blocked with blackening deposits (I think).  I spent a lot of time with a pin trying to open the holes--very awkward with them glued in place.  Some cranes came loose from the rail, or bent (though easily re-straightened).   I even tried supergluing a strand of fly tying thread to the end of the line to lead it through the holes, but that failed like all the other attempts.  I finally searched for a thinner line in my stock, and found one.  It was just enough thinner to work--
 
 
Hopefully I can get through the rest of the holes, and finally see what this looks like with the hammock paper inside.
 
Also, trying to finish everything on the deck before rigging begins, I glued some eyebolts and rings to the deck binding strakes, and some to the channels, which can be seen in the photos.
 
All for now,
Ron
 
 
 

Thanks Mike!
 
Continuing on with the hammocks, I made a line of clay, which fit between the hammock cranes--

 
I wrapped this in the black painted Silkspan and tested the fit.  It looks just okay.  I may work a bit on the "wrinkles"--

 
I removed the clay/paper, realizing it would be much easier to run the line through all the hammock cranes without having it in the way.  And it was FAR more difficult than I anticipated.   I spent hours trying to come up with a way of stiffening the end of the line with superglue, and cutting a point on it, but the holes in the cranes were just too small, and some had become partially blocked with blackening deposits (I think).  I spent a lot of time with a pin trying to open the holes--very awkward with them glued in place.  Some cranes came loose from the rail, or bent (though easily re-straightened).   I even tried supergluing a strand of fly tying thread to the end of the line to lead it through the holes, but that failed like all the other attempts.  I finally searched for a thinner line in my stock, and found one.  It was just enough thinner to work--
 
 
Hopefully I can get through the rest of the holes, and finally see what this looks like with the hammock paper inside.
 
Also, trying to finish everything on the deck before rigging begins, I glued some eyebolts and rings to the deck binding strakes, and some to the channels, which can be seen in the photos.
 
All for now,
Ron
 
 
 

unfortunately i have put my indy on a short hold, here is the reason why, copied from one of my many FB Cocker Spaniel sites
 
 
Dobbie Pingate Periscope  Blogg Day 3159 aged 8 years 8 months
Two weeks ago during a referral ear infection check-up, I mentioned that the boi was a bit grumpy, and out of sorts, and I suggested it might be a flare up of his pancreatitis, the Vet  examined his tummy area  and suggested that it should be looked at again at his next visit, his ear infection had not improved so  another course of antibiotics and Metacam for his tummy problem
Two weeks passed and another vet visit Wednesday 3 April, took a fairly happy boi into the vets
What she felt previously had grown and it was decided to leave Dobbie in for a ultra sound, this detected a large mass on his spleen,
He was booked in for a general anaesthetic, Xrays and spleen removal yesterday, 4th April but a phone call after the x-rays confirmed the dreaded news that he had tumours throughout his body and classed as stage 4 cancer,
We have been given 3 to 6 weeks life expectancy 6 to 9 months with surgery and chemo
Dobbie is showing very little signs of being ill and that helped us with the decision we as a married couple made, that hardest decision was to cancel surgery and bring home our boi and let him enjoy his time with us
Perhaps not written very well, and maybe against many others’ views, I felt it was important to let others know what is happening, after all, a lot of members have been seeing posts of him for over 8 years now
Please don’t flood this blog with hate messages, the quality of life for a short period of time outweighs the slightly longer time he possibly could be given with all the surgery and drugs, we will let Dobbie enjoy his remaining time with us, and not allow him to  suffer
From a devastated Dobbie owner
Kevin, Ruth and puppy Apollo

 
i will of course return to my Indy when i can and feel up to it,
 

Thanks Mike!
 
Continuing on with the hammocks, I made a line of clay, which fit between the hammock cranes--

 
I wrapped this in the black painted Silkspan and tested the fit.  It looks just okay.  I may work a bit on the "wrinkles"--

 
I removed the clay/paper, realizing it would be much easier to run the line through all the hammock cranes without having it in the way.  And it was FAR more difficult than I anticipated.   I spent hours trying to come up with a way of stiffening the end of the line with superglue, and cutting a point on it, but the holes in the cranes were just too small, and some had become partially blocked with blackening deposits (I think).  I spent a lot of time with a pin trying to open the holes--very awkward with them glued in place.  Some cranes came loose from the rail, or bent (though easily re-straightened).   I even tried supergluing a strand of fly tying thread to the end of the line to lead it through the holes, but that failed like all the other attempts.  I finally searched for a thinner line in my stock, and found one.  It was just enough thinner to work--
 
 
Hopefully I can get through the rest of the holes, and finally see what this looks like with the hammock paper inside.
 
Also, trying to finish everything on the deck before rigging begins, I glued some eyebolts and rings to the deck binding strakes, and some to the channels, which can be seen in the photos.
 
All for now,
Ron
 
 
 

Thanks Mike!
 
Continuing on with the hammocks, I made a line of clay, which fit between the hammock cranes--

 
I wrapped this in the black painted Silkspan and tested the fit.  It looks just okay.  I may work a bit on the "wrinkles"--

 
I removed the clay/paper, realizing it would be much easier to run the line through all the hammock cranes without having it in the way.  And it was FAR more difficult than I anticipated.   I spent hours trying to come up with a way of stiffening the end of the line with superglue, and cutting a point on it, but the holes in the cranes were just too small, and some had become partially blocked with blackening deposits (I think).  I spent a lot of time with a pin trying to open the holes--very awkward with them glued in place.  Some cranes came loose from the rail, or bent (though easily re-straightened).   I even tried supergluing a strand of fly tying thread to the end of the line to lead it through the holes, but that failed like all the other attempts.  I finally searched for a thinner line in my stock, and found one.  It was just enough thinner to work--
 
 
Hopefully I can get through the rest of the holes, and finally see what this looks like with the hammock paper inside.
 
Also, trying to finish everything on the deck before rigging begins, I glued some eyebolts and rings to the deck binding strakes, and some to the channels, which can be seen in the photos.
 
All for now,
Ron
 
 
 

Thanks Mike!
 
Continuing on with the hammocks, I made a line of clay, which fit between the hammock cranes--

 
I wrapped this in the black painted Silkspan and tested the fit.  It looks just okay.  I may work a bit on the "wrinkles"--

 
I removed the clay/paper, realizing it would be much easier to run the line through all the hammock cranes without having it in the way.  And it was FAR more difficult than I anticipated.   I spent hours trying to come up with a way of stiffening the end of the line with superglue, and cutting a point on it, but the holes in the cranes were just too small, and some had become partially blocked with blackening deposits (I think).  I spent a lot of time with a pin trying to open the holes--very awkward with them glued in place.  Some cranes came loose from the rail, or bent (though easily re-straightened).   I even tried supergluing a strand of fly tying thread to the end of the line to lead it through the holes, but that failed like all the other attempts.  I finally searched for a thinner line in my stock, and found one.  It was just enough thinner to work--
 
 
Hopefully I can get through the rest of the holes, and finally see what this looks like with the hammock paper inside.
 
Also, trying to finish everything on the deck before rigging begins, I glued some eyebolts and rings to the deck binding strakes, and some to the channels, which can be seen in the photos.
 
All for now,
Ron