md1400cs

Hello,
 
Alex-Ks1 -- big thanks 
 
Here are some updated images of the continuing work with the stern gallery outer faces. I like how the outer windows turned out. Certainly more historically accurate (haha – this kit has nothing to do with historical accuracy).. though I am a bit regretful, in that all of the previous work (interior floorings, gold trimming on upper and lower inner window frames, and gallery planking are now totally hidden from view - oh well.
 
FYI: Last image offers a comparison of current kit's metal bit compared to vintage kit's solid bronze bits.
 
Regards,
 

 
 
 
 

Hi,
 
Been away from the yard for a bit of time - so no real updates..
 
Peter (@Katsumoto)
 
Thanks for your very kind post. Yes, you are right the Amati decorations tend to be a little more yellow. I think that over time that they will hopefully fade. Judging from the Amati bits that I added to the forward bulkhead, the others may also “fade” a bit more as well. Good luck with your current project, as well a possibly later starting a sovereign as well.
 

 
Wade13, Wow – so touched by your thoughts – that, BTW, go way beyond my perceptions of what I am capable of. You are overly kind – So appreciate that this project is of great interest for you. You also have a great gift for the written prose….also loved your exaggerations of my skills (;-)))
Again, so touched by your words….
 
I have finally ordered from Evan Designs as many LED’s of different sizes (took three orders) – both flickering and solid, and of different sizes as well that now can move forward installing lights were they may be the most useful. The power source locations are still a work in progress - given that the lights were an afterthought....
 
Regards,
 

 

Hi,
 
Been away from the yard for a bit of time - so no real updates..
 
Peter (@Katsumoto)
 
Thanks for your very kind post. Yes, you are right the Amati decorations tend to be a little more yellow. I think that over time that they will hopefully fade. Judging from the Amati bits that I added to the forward bulkhead, the others may also “fade” a bit more as well. Good luck with your current project, as well a possibly later starting a sovereign as well.
 

 
Wade13, Wow – so touched by your thoughts – that, BTW, go way beyond my perceptions of what I am capable of. You are overly kind – So appreciate that this project is of great interest for you. You also have a great gift for the written prose….also loved your exaggerations of my skills (;-)))
Again, so touched by your words….
 
I have finally ordered from Evan Designs as many LED’s of different sizes (took three orders) – both flickering and solid, and of different sizes as well that now can move forward installing lights were they may be the most useful. The power source locations are still a work in progress - given that the lights were an afterthought....
 
Regards,
 

 

Hi,
 
Been away from the yard for a bit of time - so no real updates..
 
Peter (@Katsumoto)
 
Thanks for your very kind post. Yes, you are right the Amati decorations tend to be a little more yellow. I think that over time that they will hopefully fade. Judging from the Amati bits that I added to the forward bulkhead, the others may also “fade” a bit more as well. Good luck with your current project, as well a possibly later starting a sovereign as well.
 

 
Wade13, Wow – so touched by your thoughts – that, BTW, go way beyond my perceptions of what I am capable of. You are overly kind – So appreciate that this project is of great interest for you. You also have a great gift for the written prose….also loved your exaggerations of my skills (;-)))
Again, so touched by your words….
 
I have finally ordered from Evan Designs as many LED’s of different sizes (took three orders) – both flickering and solid, and of different sizes as well that now can move forward installing lights were they may be the most useful. The power source locations are still a work in progress - given that the lights were an afterthought....
 
Regards,
 

 

Hi,
 
Been away from the yard for a bit of time - so no real updates..
 
Peter (@Katsumoto)
 
Thanks for your very kind post. Yes, you are right the Amati decorations tend to be a little more yellow. I think that over time that they will hopefully fade. Judging from the Amati bits that I added to the forward bulkhead, the others may also “fade” a bit more as well. Good luck with your current project, as well a possibly later starting a sovereign as well.
 

 
Wade13, Wow – so touched by your thoughts – that, BTW, go way beyond my perceptions of what I am capable of. You are overly kind – So appreciate that this project is of great interest for you. You also have a great gift for the written prose….also loved your exaggerations of my skills (;-)))
Again, so touched by your words….
 
I have finally ordered from Evan Designs as many LED’s of different sizes (took three orders) – both flickering and solid, and of different sizes as well that now can move forward installing lights were they may be the most useful. The power source locations are still a work in progress - given that the lights were an afterthought....
 
Regards,
 

 

Hi,
 
Been away from the yard for a bit of time - so no real updates..
 
Peter (@Katsumoto)
 
Thanks for your very kind post. Yes, you are right the Amati decorations tend to be a little more yellow. I think that over time that they will hopefully fade. Judging from the Amati bits that I added to the forward bulkhead, the others may also “fade” a bit more as well. Good luck with your current project, as well a possibly later starting a sovereign as well.
 

 
Wade13, Wow – so touched by your thoughts – that, BTW, go way beyond my perceptions of what I am capable of. You are overly kind – So appreciate that this project is of great interest for you. You also have a great gift for the written prose….also loved your exaggerations of my skills (;-)))
Again, so touched by your words….
 
I have finally ordered from Evan Designs as many LED’s of different sizes (took three orders) – both flickering and solid, and of different sizes as well that now can move forward installing lights were they may be the most useful. The power source locations are still a work in progress - given that the lights were an afterthought....
 
Regards,
 

 

More than a model ship designer, a full shipwright and your work is incredible. At every juncture, you question and redefine, until you feel and know the Sovereign like very few others (including those of the 17th Century). I feel like the child of time, sitting up high in dry dock, swinging my legs as I watch captivated; eating dry milled bread and a chunk of cured cheese. Practical, perfectionist and the patient beyond belief... you truly are a shipwright and have made me love the craft. Thank you 

You're welcome and thank you for having me aboard! 🙂
I've seen some of the Amati decorations between the other from Mantua, if you look closely at your pictures, the Amati decorations have a more yellowish color compared to the Mantua's. 
I haven't started due to the fact I'm still building my current project. Hopefully within 6 months or so I'll be finished with her....I have no deadline.... 😉 
However, thinking about SotS, she's big and complex, so I'm not sure if I'm ready for her yet....In the mean time I'm following your log and all the bashing you have done and going to do....
 
Nice addition with all the lights and man....you take the word "bashing" really seriously.... 😅
 
regards,
Peter

Hi Mates,
 
Kevin: thanks your post is much appreciated 
 
Been a while since I’ve updated – small update on current work – very part-time in shipyard these days (;-(( - other "things" have absorbed my free time)
 
---- Had always intended to allow a limited stern view to the inside through side upper and lower windows as well – so did not use Sergal instructions that just applied side window frames against hull timber. (note their instructions image FYI)
 
So, this area (my first image) is a disaster that had little foresight on my part. And will need lots of work…But I also knew that challenges would hopefully lead to better looking results than following straight  “out-of-the-box” instructions  IMO.
Short text -- images do most of the communicating. 
Thanks so much for the many taking a look and the likes, 
 
Regards,
 

 
 

Frank: Yes big quality difference indeed – just starting work with lantern housings will post comparisons between vintage and current kit's product as well.
 
Patrick: Thanks – PS: your new log looks to be another great build!
 
Peter:  Thanks as well for your much appreciated comment. – welcome aboard – so nice of you. I have, in fact, blended some of the Amati decorative pieces into this build. Have you started your Sovereign?
----------------------------
I did not think that they (all the outer gallery windows) would SO “blacken out” all interior details. SO have decided add LED’s – needed to remove the poop deck as well as the upper stern facing cover for better inside access.
 
Just purchased LED’s from Evan Designs (a vendor here at MSW) as I did for my Santisima cross section. His lights require a small flat coin battery 2032 holder - as well as incorporating a small on/off switch, or I could use his AAA battery holder, but how to place that inside as well as needing later access – have not figured that out yet. Work in progress….with the coin battery holder could just leave it under the poop deck grating. Tiny on/off switch will need a hidden spot as well. Adding lights should have been thought of - a long time ago - not at this stage of this build so far. Yikes 😁
 
Regards,
 

Hi,
I have been away from this hobby for more than two months and, it was now time to continue the stern portion of this project. 
 Here are some images of my continued work at the stern area.
 
For those of you who are kind enough to still follow or just drop in for a look (big thanks) – You may remember that I also intended to mostly scratch build the stern, as well as lowering the poop deck angle from what Sergal suggests in their instructions.
 
Here are some images, and inserted notes of the work so far.  
 
Cheers to all – enjoy your year-end holidays.

Hi all,
 
Sort of back-to back postings. This is a fix that was so needed. All deck gratings were so out of scale. grrr...
So replaced them. Thanks to the so kind member that suggested that I fix this lol...
 

May leave the bowsprit alone - Not sure yet.

After spending north of $60 USD back and forth with Cornwall in the UK - had to settle for slight size variations. yikes. I wanted to have them all of the size that is superimposed below - but after several attempts to get the same 1.5 mm size gratings that would fit the existing openings (not available) - had to give up  and settle for these 1mm bits that would cut to proper size for these four gratings
 
Nonetheless an improvement IMO 
 
Regards,

Hi all,
Have not posted since March as the shipyard had been closed for a couple of months. Admiral and I decided it was time for our home to have a remodel beyond just paint (shipyard became a storage room – yikes)
So just catching up here with work that I am finally moving forward with… thanks to members still following, as well as those just dropping in for a look – so much appreciated.
The poop deck and quarter decks have been my area of work. That said one glaring lack of foresight has resulted in a spacing issue.
I was very tempted to tear out the poop, and quarter deck to fix this - but way too much re-building work, as well as having to totally re-plank both decks, lengthen bulkworks, as well as railings.
 
So instead, just moving forward. Image notes sort of go through my thoughts, so keeping text brief.
Sorry could be too many images in this particular catch- up post….
Last several images include details that were also added to the other decks (sump pumps, finished catheads, cannon ball boxes)
 
Glad to be open and, working again…
 
Regards,

 
 

Allen; Do you have a build log - could not locate one for your build?
 
Minor update some quarter deck and upper hull bronze installations. Need to start seriously thinking about the stern, galleries and balconies. Plan on scratch building that entire area (except for the window framings (kit provided bits are excellent!)
 
PS: The bronze bits are actually much "warmer" looking - iPhone doesn't seem to "see" that - Yea I could play around with the images in iPhotos or in Preview with my Imac ---no biggies
 
Enjoy your holiday weekend (if you celebrate that holiday)
 
Cheers,
 

Allen;
 
Thanks for your very detailed post, and interest in this build log.
 
1) Yes, you are certainly correct – kit manufactures mostly include generic -one size fit all pins. I have purchased smaller wood pins from Cornwall Model Ships in the UK (they are my main after-market “go to” source, including kits).
 
With regard to the pin holes that seem too big. Yes, they are, but there is a method to “my madness” that I have found super helpful, and excellent when installing running lines, especially when adding sails which add several dozens of needed extra lines and pin locations.
 
These images from my Vasa log - my method.
 
drilled overly large holes that allow for inserting properly scaled ropes as well as leaving room for later inserting the pins.
 
So; Insert a given rope from the underside of the rail.
 
Slightly tension the rope then temporarily insert the belaying pin to temporarily "lock-in' rope tension– do the same with all ropes, one area at a time. DO NOT yet glue the ropes and pins together because  after tensioning a rope – another will slacken and not look properly tensioned – of course!! – so it’s a back and forth many times – Once all tensions look “ok” then remove pin – added a CA Gel to its tip and insert it into rail hole, that would also glue the rope into place. One at a time works very well...
 
Cut off the leftover line right at the pin (topsde of rail), then slip the rope coil over the top. This will hide the cut off rope and look as if the left over rope is correctly coiled about pin head.
 
PS: I will remove those pinrails from the forecastle rails on the Sovereign.
 
Regarding the hull planking, No -- instructions, as in most kits -- just run single long planks from bow to stern.
 
Second planking also offer the same method.
Builders need to look at other sources to get proper plank looking historically “correct”. Especially with kits....For this build I wanted to use Pear wood (arguably wrong -but looks great IMO). Stained some planks here and there to allow for a better “look”.
That created an issue – I did not do a fine second sanding – that would have removed the staining. It also meant that I could not treenail the hull as I had done with the Vasa (used a wood filler – then sanding). And needed to be super careful in properly aligning and spacing second planks. 
 
As far as historical accuracy – touch-and-go – I looked at several other sources, as well as trying to emulate the proper look from visiting other builder’s logs. Still learning here….I spent more time learning how to properly plank the decks for this build. Good learning for me there…
 
Flags, super nice of you to offer your help. Your knowledge is very impressive indeed. I have two sets – the ones that came with the Sergal, I also purchased an Amati flag set for their now discontinued SotSeas. Both flag sets are certainly made of “too thick” material – and yes a “correct hang” are one of the most difficult bits to get right in our hobby.
I will look at Chuck’s instructions. Thanks for the tip. Syren are the only blocks, and ropes that I have used for my previous two builds, this one will also be detailed with Chuck’s ropes, blocks and some deadeyes.
 
I have not yet thought of flags, but thanks so much for your offer of assistance – I may, indeed, take you up on your offer. I will take some measurements ---
Last image update of mid-ship work..
 
Again, thanks for your very informative post….
 
Regards,
 

 
 

OC. Thanks always so kind with you comments 👍
 
Finished the beakdeck bulkwarks as well as doing some needed fixes. Image notations reduce needed text.......
Ropes and deadyes are from Syren - So glad that Chuck's company is again selling ropes.
 
 
 

Hi – have not at all visited MSW for what seems like a  couple of months – yikes!!!
Been busy with a new work opportunity that required a lot of seat time, new learning, re-certifications and a test Grrrr. But during my free “mental time” I only worked on the SotS –, doing almost nothing else - good therapy (;-))
 
During that time finished up the forecastle. Here are some images (probably too many). As always thanks for dropping by, likes, and comments. Next up the side support railings for the bowsprit deck…..
 
OK - Now back to a more normal routine -- need to catch up and click likes at the great build logs that I am following here. Lot’s of catching up to do.
 
Cheers,
 

Continuing work in same areas, but now added two staircases as well as anchor knighthead details. Images will do all the talking. Thanks for your visits….
 
Regards,
 

J11,
 
Thanks much appreciated - PS: wasn't done without my having to use some phrases and words that I had not used since a teen 😂 

Hi all,
 
Here are some updated images for the hull second planking.
and I was getting very lazy about putting on/off small dust mask as I sanded and adjusted each plank before installing – so thought about a solution
(Amazon) – works very well – see last image
Thanks for looking in -- as always much appreciated! 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the nice posts - very kind of you.

Hi Mates,
Finishing up some needed details to main deck before installing. Also got my order from Cornwall so finished up the upper side railings as well.
Thanks for the likes - much appreciated indeed.
 

Frank,
 
Yes – perfect idea indeed. When I looked at saw reviews on Youtube one of the reviewers indeed made just what you suggested. I later realized that Proxxon now encloses just what you suggested. I may make one out of thin oak planks that I can cut to size.
 
Need to set that bit up – on my list – as soon as I need to cut very small planks – been using my very, small and old Proxxon KS-115 in the meantime
 
Stuglo: funny – that would have indeed been a disaster back then – No actually it is supposed to be a “slider” pin – creative silliness on my part.
 
That said back in those days is where the “he’s a sun of a gun”, came from: sailors (gunners) enjoying the working girls who would sometimes get them pregnant hence the phrase. Though some etymologists dispute this particular use of the phrase.
 
The most plausible is this; there was an allowance for some women (spouses or working girls) to live on English Navel ships. Any child born on board who had uncertain paternity would be listed in the ship’s log as “son of a gun”.
 
 
 

 
 

Took a detour to work on the transom, sternpost and false keel as well.
As always thanks so much for dropping by.
 

 
 
 

Hello,
 
While waiting for some new pedestals to come in for the base, I started working on the oars.
The oars that came with the kit leave much to be desired, so I figured I'd make them from scratch.
Instead of making all 59 at once, for my sanity (lol) I decided to make them in batches of 15 or 16 in order to verify my process before making them all, only to find out something was not right!
 
First step was to cut some stock .250 by .250 to the correct length.
Then mill one side to .220 for the oar width and the other side .160 thick. (Ending up with .160 x .220).
Finally milled the oar end to .120 thick
 

 
Put the oars into the 4 jaw chuck and rounded the oar side to .125 (1/8 thick) or so.
 

 
At the oar end, the wood was tapered from the center to the edges on both sides and the top end finished off.
 

 
At the handle end, the wood was rounded to about .135 and the stub end to about .090
 

 
16 oars finished. I'm happy with the way they turned out, so going back to make the rest of the 59 oars plus a couple of extra.
 

 

 
After the oars are finished, they will be painted and then the handles and lashings will be added.
 
Thanks for stopping by.
Frank