olliechristo

Thanks Ollie.
 
The figures are the 25mm/1" Amati ones, though I think they might be a bit short for 1:48 - think I got my scales mixed up.
Probably better with the 35mm versions for a 5'5" standing height... 4' is likely a bit too short - might end up being a cabin boy or powder monkey... though I doubt the Mermaid had the latter

A bit more progress...
The building instructions that came with the kit suggest using the crimping method for shaping bends, but I found the timber was more prone to snap at the ends. So I'm soaking each plank in water for about 15-20min before pinning in place, waiting for it to dry and then gluing-up/reclamping.
 
Seems to be coming along...


 
The Captain and some of the crew arrived recently from cornwall model boats in the UK (you were right Grant, cost and postage very reasonable). Came aboard for a quick review of progress - the boatswain is giving me the hurry up. Cheeky!

 
All ahead...

You are doing a lovely job there Donny. I will be also building the Endeavour (starting soon) I will keep an eye on your proceedings.. regards Oliver

Securing Stays in place on Port Side of Endeavour.

I have to admit, the World Cup is proving to be a major distraction.  However, I did manage to install and rig the bowsprit and jib boom.  The boomkins (sometimes called the bumkins) were also added and rigged.  Everything seems to have turned out as planned with no problems.  Once the games are played less frequently, I will work on the fore mast.

Thanks very much for your comments Alistair,Denis and Augie.Not getting much time on it these days but there's no hurry.

Hi gang, hope you are all well... Well the glee continued today..  I negotiated the cabinet for a price i liked and got my mate to help me move it and set it up...   When i got it all setup and light turned on i couldn't believe how well it suits..  There is a even gap all around the ship, same distance from top of mast to top and bow and stern to sides..   Anyway the photos really don't do it justice,, It was just meant to be.. 
 
It is not completely airtight, (gaps between glass..  but i think that is good in this environment to have some amount of airflow....
I made a jig and started coils for belaying points this morning...   Over and out, Ollie

A good pick-up there Ollie - as you say it suits the model.
 
cheers
 
Pat

Ollie, your only problem now is that your next models have to be of a size to fit the other shelves. 
 
John

Hi gang, hope you are all well... Well the glee continued today..  I negotiated the cabinet for a price i liked and got my mate to help me move it and set it up...   When i got it all setup and light turned on i couldn't believe how well it suits..  There is a even gap all around the ship, same distance from top of mast to top and bow and stern to sides..   Anyway the photos really don't do it justice,, It was just meant to be.. 
 
It is not completely airtight, (gaps between glass..  but i think that is good in this environment to have some amount of airflow....
I made a jig and started coils for belaying points this morning...   Over and out, Ollie

Hi gang, hope you are all well... Well the glee continued today..  I negotiated the cabinet for a price i liked and got my mate to help me move it and set it up...   When i got it all setup and light turned on i couldn't believe how well it suits..  There is a even gap all around the ship, same distance from top of mast to top and bow and stern to sides..   Anyway the photos really don't do it justice,, It was just meant to be.. 
 
It is not completely airtight, (gaps between glass..  but i think that is good in this environment to have some amount of airflow....
I made a jig and started coils for belaying points this morning...   Over and out, Ollie

Hi gang, hope you are all well... Well the glee continued today..  I negotiated the cabinet for a price i liked and got my mate to help me move it and set it up...   When i got it all setup and light turned on i couldn't believe how well it suits..  There is a even gap all around the ship, same distance from top of mast to top and bow and stern to sides..   Anyway the photos really don't do it justice,, It was just meant to be.. 
 
It is not completely airtight, (gaps between glass..  but i think that is good in this environment to have some amount of airflow....
I made a jig and started coils for belaying points this morning...   Over and out, Ollie

Okay I think im with you guys on the flag... I will prefer it without.. Enough said..  Part of me wanted to use it because i bought it...
 
 
 
Well o well, i cant believe it! no more blocks, rings eyebolts etc etc..   Not that i havn't enjoyed it..  At first i was like what is all this stuff ruining my build, it all just looked a bit funny. Until ALL the rigging was in place, now i think it really makes the model..
 
I might have to adjust boom up just a bit and do all the rope coils on belaying points and cleats and i am almost done...
 
I had this wild idea that things would kind of get easier towards the end! No sir.. It's difficult right to the end o frigging, oh i mean rigging
I'm sure these last coils will test me, it just gets so scary and tricky having to work amongst tight spaces and im glad i dont have huge wide hands..
 
I also kept feeling i was close to the end of the build and it keeps going! Yes It still is..  For those who have started more than one ship without finishing their first, I think you really should follow one through first to know all the aspects.  The build changes dramatically throughout... There are stages that feel and are totally different to each other. Towards the end it becomes a whole new game with the rigging and the risks of damaging your previous many months or years of work is very. You dont need amny tools towards to the end but lots of patience...   At times i bumped rigging lines and scared myself, the strength of the whole thing has surprised me at times.. 
 
Anyway, I'm on a bit of a high and the pictures are not doing it justice, I really need to get outside and do some natural light shots. perhaps down the creek...  Will take some detailed shots soon...    Ollie
 
 
 
 

Well in that moment of glee I noticed another kit error, the topping lift needed to be mounted lower down at bottom mast cap.. Fixed that and raised the boom a little.. Looks better :-)

Nice
David B

Hi gang, hope you are all well... Well the glee continued today..  I negotiated the cabinet for a price i liked and got my mate to help me move it and set it up...   When i got it all setup and light turned on i couldn't believe how well it suits..  There is a even gap all around the ship, same distance from top of mast to top and bow and stern to sides..   Anyway the photos really don't do it justice,, It was just meant to be.. 
 
It is not completely airtight, (gaps between glass..  but i think that is good in this environment to have some amount of airflow....
I made a jig and started coils for belaying points this morning...   Over and out, Ollie

Well in that moment of glee I noticed another kit error, the topping lift needed to be mounted lower down at bottom mast cap.. Fixed that and raised the boom a little.. Looks better :-)

Yes that looks about right on the gaff ... much better!! I don't know about you but I prefer to go with what looks right than do all the math that you have to on a real sail boat. I have and don't like to spend 4 days in calculations....you can probably get a program to do it in a couple of minutes now a days   rats!
 
 
Tom

Well actually from the sketch it shows about 25 to 30 degrees, so that will be about right! :-)

Thanks so much for the heads up Eamm and Tom.. Tightened up the throat and is now sitting at about 30 degrees. Will take it up a little higher.

Okay I think im with you guys on the flag... I will prefer it without.. Enough said..  Part of me wanted to use it because i bought it...
 
 
 
Well o well, i cant believe it! no more blocks, rings eyebolts etc etc..   Not that i havn't enjoyed it..  At first i was like what is all this stuff ruining my build, it all just looked a bit funny. Until ALL the rigging was in place, now i think it really makes the model..
 
I might have to adjust boom up just a bit and do all the rope coils on belaying points and cleats and i am almost done...
 
I had this wild idea that things would kind of get easier towards the end! No sir.. It's difficult right to the end o frigging, oh i mean rigging
I'm sure these last coils will test me, it just gets so scary and tricky having to work amongst tight spaces and im glad i dont have huge wide hands..
 
I also kept feeling i was close to the end of the build and it keeps going! Yes It still is..  For those who have started more than one ship without finishing their first, I think you really should follow one through first to know all the aspects.  The build changes dramatically throughout... There are stages that feel and are totally different to each other. Towards the end it becomes a whole new game with the rigging and the risks of damaging your previous many months or years of work is very. You dont need amny tools towards to the end but lots of patience...   At times i bumped rigging lines and scared myself, the strength of the whole thing has surprised me at times.. 
 
Anyway, I'm on a bit of a high and the pictures are not doing it justice, I really need to get outside and do some natural light shots. perhaps down the creek...  Will take some detailed shots soon...    Ollie
 
 
 
 

That's wot I was thinking too Nigel, as you say without retracting the 'sliding' roof arrangement all you would see would be the top step at best (and the tops of the 'sides' if you follow) I was thinking about half sliding the roof back.. your wee box painted black will be the solution I feel with inside the Dog House (Thanks Kester   that's also what we called the little 'sticking up' cabin on racing yachts, way back when I did that sorta thing  ) painted white,  as per Ollie's Mermaid (though Mermaid is a little later I think, I'd still like to brighten the place up a little as opposed to the bare walnut interior of the kit! the box will still be matt black though)
 
Thanks Nigel
 
Stay Well
 
Eamonn

I was with you all the way as far as 'If'...     :huh:    just kiddin mate   I'll give it a shot and see wot happens..   
 
Thanks for the help !
 
Stay Well
 
Eamonn

Brilliant work Ollie. I see the Jacobs Creek is empty - just as it should be when you are celebrating your fine work!

If you try using strips of wood as spacers between the treads it keeps them parallel and if their ends are sanded exactly square on some sort if jig/sanding disc, they go together quite easy.. I do them in a stack with tape, so they all come out identical. I spot weld them with ca then wood glue after.. get the angles on bottom of risers right and rest should follow off that. Hopefully that makes some sense.. Regards :-) oh and I wouldn't worry about cutting grooves into risers, that gets very tricky.. That is me though.