md1400cs

Nigel, Thanks (:-) You certainly know about detail work. Your nice words are a real treat. Regards MIchael

Mark, Thanks. I'l look for that next time. Nonetheless your jpg. which is for a pc, does not look the same from my Mac when I load pics. I do appreciate your suggestion..

Thanks Matti, getting there. Now I will actually move forward..... PS: I now have to give up on getting the photos in the right order. I numbered them, I added notes to each one, I loaded then IN order. And they still came up all weird half way through. I know that a moderator some time back gave me some hints. Didn't seem to help. I wonder if the MSW mainframe is not so happy communicating with Macs (:-) MJD

Here is the latest retro-update. When I first started this Corel kit, I was very ignorant in general regarding 16th century nautical accuracy as I was putting this boat together. In fact I was uninformed in general. I have, since joining MSW, had a steep learning curve. And I am now much more aware of what I am doing and how "things" should look. In that regard, the weather deck gratings needed to be removed and replaced with examples that were appropriate for this ship. As well as properly built. So my rebuilding continues. I ordered some new gratings as I could not correctly fit those that were removed. I further decided to follow the 1/10th example by simulating cross member nails in the gratings. After much detail work this is how it turned out. I'm much more satisfied with this latest fix. Though I do still see errors that I could have circumvented had I been more knowledgeable, and better skilled (for example early in the build, I would have correctly tree-nailed the deck, and recessed the lower and upper cannon openings). Moving on...I took Matti's suggestion and installed a cover over one of the grating frames (thanks nice idea) I apologize for the, too many photos in this update. I may have lost my sense of proper perspective. I personally love to look at a lot of photos here at MSW, so I took some liberties with this post. It also occurred to me that many of you whom I follow are very informative with your notes. From which I have become a better modeler. So this post will include more written details. Again thanks for looking in.original grating installation removalslight damage to deck framing. Easy fixstarting construction of new correctly shaped frameschecking for proper fit. On the capstan I also tomahawked the top a bit. I was too tall. Now it looks much more in scale to the original. The upper deck is not complete, but I had no intention of creating it, as some of you have done so beautifully. So from the weather deck looking down it looks correct.experimenting with the cross member nails look. I used a punch to first set marks for the super small drill bit. I found that, on a test piece, the drill bit would sometimes roam before biting into the wood. So, some of the holes were too far off center. The punch marks precluded that. This task took a while.getting there as well. I understand that each grating frame should stand as a separately framed piece, but as a static display this was, for me, in the aggregate OK.initial positioning. Close up shot "gives up" the holes, but viewing with the naked eye from a normal distance almost impossible to read, unless you're looking. Very nice Trompe L'oeil. Purists will be saying, "Hmmm cheating are you?" Yes I am, and I did (:-)measuring for the inner frame separators starting construction of inner separators. The woods had curves on the upper surfaces as well as creases down the middle. So I chose this solutionI curved the tops and added small strips to each upper side. These small strips allow the curved upper surface to maintain its visual perspective. adjusting fit for inner framesset up for small transverse cuts in lower portion of main framesgluing the frames in place, ready for inner pre-measured frames.took a break and drilled out weather deck water drains now preparing transverse cuts for upper inner frames. I then used fine sandpaper to flatten the inner transverse cut. small cut out pieces are now in placethose cover handles will be removed and replaced with metal rings. I was trying to be "creative again".

Matti, Yes indeed, your stern as well as your painted figures along with the rd timbers are really super nice. R/ Michael

Andy, On the contrary in your case close-ups' highlight your super well replicated attention to details. Always a pleasure looking in on your build. Regards, Michael

Lawrence, Thanks so much for your very kind thoughts. They are, of course, very much appreciated. I will update some new build details in the next day or so. Again thanks for following this build, very nice of you (:-). PS: love your country, been there twice Regards, Michael

Matti, Excellent comparisons. As Nigel said, you really got it right. Michael

Andy, Finally got caught back up on your build Whoa looks awesome. So in catching up; 1) have a nice trip 2) welcome back home 3) sorry about the trees Your rope details are super nice to look at. Your build is magnificent. A real treat for the eyes. Regards, MIchael

Matti, Happy B. Day as well. A good Nice round number. Your lighting will add a very special dimension to this already wonderful example that you are building. Kudos to you (:-) R/ Michael

Nigel, Stunning. Your upgrades will be spectacular as well as adding so much to this already superlative example that you are building. Your skill set is awesome. We will certainly all look forward to your interior updates. Regards, Michael

Andre, Regarding the Landstrom book interesting updates; I found several links that had downloads of the complete book available for free. I forwarded those to my son who "filtered through them" I was worried about corrupted files laced with malware. My son happens to be a computer genius (in fact he works at Google in N. California) In the interim, I figured that all of these "free book" offers were false, so I negotiated a better price with the Amazon vendor I mentioned earlier. He agreed to my offer, and he lowered his price on Amazon asking me to purchase ASAP at the lower price. In the meantime my son located a good link and sent me an Ebook english version. Whoa great book with so much information, awesome drawings. I felt badly about the Amazon vendor (I was going to let him know that had changed my mind). But that was not ethical, since we had negotiated in good faith, so I also purchased his book. So now I have both versions Oh well (:-) I should get the paper book this coming week. Sorry about the personal stuff, but thought that you might find it interesting. Michael

I am learning so much from you. As everyone has said beautiful work. A real pleasure to follow. Michael

Ferit, Yes, enjoy your time away. Try to not think about your build (:-)

Nigel, Thank you very much for your suggestion, as well as your time in thinking of this for me. As it turns out I have purchased some gratings from Amati. (Pre-assembled Size:50 x 50 x 2 mm; 2 x 2 x 3/32 inches ) I am currently assembling the grating frames as well as cutting to size the new gratings themselves. I am using the 1/10th, as well as some of the other Vasa builders, and the 1:1 photos as references. The finished effort will certainly improve on what I had originally installed; those were totally inappropriate. I marvel at your work, and so appreciate your continued kindness, as well as your constructive comments on my build. I would have responded sooner, but I have been away for a few days. Regards, Michael

Bill, Were all thrilled that the planks did not end up tinted red (:-) PS: Nice job with those planks. R/ Michael

Mark, Super nice. After seeing your amazing galleries, I now realize (thank you) that I have to add some small wood details to mine. Small vertical uprights between the gallery sculptures at gallery upper and lower openings. Though I'm sure that I won't achieve your level of detail (:-) PS: I am still astonished at your white paper scalloping. Whoa! R/ Michael

Ferit, Brilliant as usual !! R/ Michael

John, Thanks for your very kind words. You made my day (:-) I note that you are building the CW Morgan, always loved that boat with its, today, unhappy tasks. I will look in on your build.

Yes, that makes more sense. I have tried to find this book. Out of print, it seems. One is available through Amazon (a third party vendor) but he wants $275.00 USD Hmmm don't think so - Oh well.

Hola, Su trabajo sigue siendo espectacular. Hermosa. He vivido en México durante dos años, así que aprendí la (su?) lengua. Saludos, Michael

Andre, An other very nice update. I really like your vivid colors. So much in keeping with the Vasa as it might have looked. Excellent paint work you are very gifted. Thanks for mentioning me very nice of you. I also have been helped by visiting other's builds. Regarding Matti's question, I also noticed that the 1:1 and the 1:10th do not have a railing at that location, but I did find this reference. PS: After seeing your bow entry doors I wanted to pull mine out and start again (:-) Yours are so perfect. Regards, MIchael I did, in fact see a reference for that railing in the Corel instructions

Matti, Your boat is looking so awesome Whoa!!! Your research is also just as impressive nice project. It seems as though you are really enjoying this ship's build. Good for you (:-) R/ Michael

Yambo, thanks I looks identical to the Allwin, but with diff. badging.

Thanks Gentlemen, I am still sort of debating. The Byrnes I looked at but, I find it to be much to pricy for me. Proxxon gets consistently good reviews. I'll prob. get that one and give up on the belt option. I did searches at Lowes and HD.com and find that their offerings are either too big or mirror the Allwin for a bit more money. Also, I imagine that, if a part fails it would be easy to order parts for the Proxxon. Again, thanks for your opinions and help much appreciated. /Michael