md1400cs

Hi Mates,
 
Thanks so much for your supportive suggestions, comments, likes and just looking in, all are very much appreciated.
 
Continuing with the braces for the anchors; I focused on the single fish davit beam that was employed to help raise the anchor flutes towards the gunwales.  Only one beam was recovered indicative of the single beam being moved port to starboard as needed.
 
------------------
 
I used a sanding disk to thin out a piece of wood. Then tapered both upper edges, added grooves on its outer tip and inner ends as well.
 
Added the required ropes and blocks.
 
Drilled four holes in the weather deck to simulate the two rope attaching laces.
 
Knotted two pieces of rope together using a Carrick bend.  This knot was a guess (I’m good at that J)
 
Glued the two ropes and also added glue to the knot ends to simulate a natural relaxed looking resting appearance on the deck
 
The last three pics are for my next area, still repairing previous mistakes, and will be giving my Proxxon milling machine its first real user test for adding the grooves  into the knightheads - Hmmmm Let’s see how that goes.
 
---------------------------
 
YES I am sooo irritated at myself for not recessing the gun deck cannon framings. I had thought of it as I was inserting the four bits per opening but the lip seemed too thin AND my skills then were not as good as they are now.. Now its really too late for a retro fix.    Next time….
 
Always my regards,
 
Michael

Hi Mates,
 
Thanks so much for your supportive suggestions, comments, likes and just looking in, all are very much appreciated.
 
Continuing with the braces for the anchors; I focused on the single fish davit beam that was employed to help raise the anchor flutes towards the gunwales.  Only one beam was recovered indicative of the single beam being moved port to starboard as needed.
 
------------------
 
I used a sanding disk to thin out a piece of wood. Then tapered both upper edges, added grooves on its outer tip and inner ends as well.
 
Added the required ropes and blocks.
 
Drilled four holes in the weather deck to simulate the two rope attaching laces.
 
Knotted two pieces of rope together using a Carrick bend.  This knot was a guess (I’m good at that J)
 
Glued the two ropes and also added glue to the knot ends to simulate a natural relaxed looking resting appearance on the deck
 
The last three pics are for my next area, still repairing previous mistakes, and will be giving my Proxxon milling machine its first real user test for adding the grooves  into the knightheads - Hmmmm Let’s see how that goes.
 
---------------------------
 
YES I am sooo irritated at myself for not recessing the gun deck cannon framings. I had thought of it as I was inserting the four bits per opening but the lip seemed too thin AND my skills then were not as good as they are now.. Now its really too late for a retro fix.    Next time….
 
Always my regards,
 
Michael

Beautiful work Michael!
 
/Matti

Hi Michael,
 
after beeing back from my long summer holiday it really took a long time to read through lots of pages with wonderful pictures of your Wasa! I must repeat it again, an amazing and fantastic build and step by step I am learning more about the Wasa. I am looking forward to the next update.
 
Regards, Joachim

Karl,
 
As always Stunning work. You have such a mastery of this hobby, almost beyond words.
 
MIchael

Working on the port side, trying to show the anchor in a somewhat stored position.
 
Finished rigging the bow davit to the anchor ring and added support lines to the middle and end of the anchor.

 
View of finished port side


 
Coiled ropes from the bow davits terminal end


 
Coiled line from the starboard removable davit. 

 
Now onto the large pulleys above the mizzen mast  channels!
 
Thanks,
Frank

Hello Michael, Concurring other modeler's thoughts,the quality of your work is outstanding and your research helpful to many,thanks.Edwin

Adam,
 
You have made what is marketed as an intermediate "build look absolutely "Advanced". This build of yours is super exceptional. Gorgeous work. Very much enjoying following along.
 
PS: Bigger Pics ??? (:-)  were certainly missing some great details
 
Michael

Ahoy Mates
 
Russ; Coming from you I consider that compliment an honor. It was your help that was instrumental in me getting this far along in my build.   Thank you, it is people like yourself who make MSW what it is  
 
JS: I agree, clutter is a big problem "lol" I will try my best to avoid it. My decks will only be completed topside. 
 
Martin: Yours came out so good. I miss your updates. I did a search for your next build. Please PM me a link to it  
 
Ben: Thanks for checking in. Anytime I feel overwhelmed by my build I stop by yours for some inspiration. That truly is an amazing project you have going on there. You are doing an incredible job, thx for posting. 
 
Sam: Yea I was not a happy shipwright after the storm.
 
Augie: Rear Admiral "Sir" I am hoping that you and yours are enjoying yourselves. There is a line forming to see your next post. I think some are even camping out. One of them is wearing a Moose hat. I think its Sjors. 
 
Bill: Thanks, it is good to see your back in your shipyard too. 
 
Popeye: Yea I like that color best. Mother is the only one who makes it. She's a natural. 
 
 
Back to the Build 
 
Well we got our cannons. Our new sponsor "rocks" and I received them two days ahead of schedule. Sadly they are very close, I even put one in my Vanda Lay to try and get some conformity but I could not. If anyone wants them please PM me. You must have a active build here on MSW and promise to make a small contribution to this site through Paypal. It does not need to match their cost, I don't need to know what it is, and don't want any for myself. I will also pay to ship them to you USPS. I am however very happy with the toys I got 
 
I used Woodland Scenic transfers to do my badge. They were very easy to use and I am very happy with the results. Don't let anyone tell you they are hard to use: They are easy, just don't cut them out, use them straight from the sheet, The other letters on the sheet aide in registration, and follow the instructions to the "letter".  I used a gold metal flake which the camera does not capture very well. You will have to trust me when I say it looks really good in person. I can see I will be repainting the artwork and need to correct the port side of the placard. That image is over twice the actual size too. . 
 
I also finished the lower transom. As I mentioned before but I think those comments were deleted in the great crash, this Model Expo mahogany is not easy stuff to work with. I am glad to be done here. I would however use this wood again, now that I know it's limitations and how to work around them. Just not here 
 
I am having a really hard time with these ports. It was hard enough doing the port side. Matching them on the starboard side has turned into a major undertaking for me. Slow would be a compliment, Progress is so slow to the untrained eye "stopped" might be a better description. Galaxies are spinning faster in my telescope. I spend more time measuring, checking and postulating then sanding, cutting or building. I have however come up with a plan. I had to throw my other lady out of bed to do this, and she was not happy about it. Truth be told I should have; and highly recommend that anyone building any ship make a jig. Even if it is a flat bottom ship. You just can not beat a "constant" for making/transferring measurements from plans or side to side and a jig does this for you in spades.  Considering they can be made for under 2 dollars it really is a no brainer. 
 
 
Well happy building Mates. I am hoping that my next post shows my lady ready for a night out on the town. The thought of me ripping off the starboard side gunwale planking is a post I prefer not to make. 
 

Mark,
 
 
Thanks for the info. That, it seems to me, will make it even harder for the smaller rear towers to rise up enough to overlap the lower parts of the upper galleries as we have been discussing. It will be interesting to see how you figure that one out, allowing enough room for the standing stern guards.
 
PS: Fred has also just sent me a post indicating that the quarterdeck pinrails should not be there. “The museum got it wrong”, he said. You can check that out at the Vasa specific site, at my build postings. So, I just removed mine, and it left scars grrrrrrrrrr. He also discusses what should be there instead.
 
PS: No I am not rebuilding my towers.
 
This will be an ongoing problem with this ship as new data are turned up and subsequent changes to our builds are needed.
 
Enough already (:-) I'm just going to move forward from now on. My log is already SO filled with "going backwards” tearing out and making fixes. I'm now done with that. And as you said maybe six members here out of the more than ten thousand would even know the differences, and errors........
 
As Fred had mentioned last year there is some interest for a new kit that may be in its development stages. One that is 100% based on Vasa’s 1/1 current info inclusive of 3D/cad computer renderings. I say current info because the way this ship is "changing" I can just imagine after this kit "is released???" the museum will find more areas where they got it wrong.
 
Just going to have fun moving forward, not sideways, and definitely not backwards anymore. Pulling out those two pinrails that left scars is the last change for me.
 
I will however absolutely highly regard member’s suggestions for how to get this right in regard to nautical accuracy. Nigel, B.E, Ferit as well as some kind other members have been so gracious in offering their guidance as I move along.
 
Big thanks to the nice people, who click, or post comments. I need this project to be fun, not an exercise in frustration J
 
Sorry for the long post, but I needed to vent as well
 
PS: I do very much believe, however, that seeking the most accurate build possible is a wonderful goal that I wholeheartedly support. I'm only writing for myself here, certainly out of frustration. And Corel's is the furthest from what should be Oh well..
 
Regards,
 
Michael

Hola:
 
Before going into the sailing process I decided to finish the anchor fittings.  Here some pictures:
 
For the first step it was necessary to do the blocks due that the ones included in the kit seems not the appropriate.  To accomplish this I used a little piece of redwood, brass wire obscured with Black Patina (the one used to the lead in staining glass) and the metal strap for the pulley was made with a paper strip painted black.

 
The second step was to fix the anchor ropes. Here you can see the little pieces of wire in the opposite side of the anchor that were used to fix them inside the anchor ports

 
And finally, installing the anchors in its place. This was done according to the BB instruction manual, except I added little wood caps in the extremes of the anchor davits.  I made this because the ropes tended to slip off the pulleys due to the low weight of the kit anchors (in the original this did not happen due the great weight of the anchors)

 
Thanks for your comments and likes.
 
Saludos, Karl
 
 

Hey friends:
 
I had several days without showing progress in my Vasa, which does not mean I was not very busy working on the rigging.  
 
So, at last I finished the more than 1,000 knots that were needed to fixed the ratlines to the shrouds !!
 
Probably this ratlines could be a little thinner and darker but I used the material that came with the kit.
 

 
Now I will begin with another challenge: doing and sewing the sails in order to fix them to the corresponding yards.
 
Saludos, Karl
 
 
 

Hi Mates,
 
Continuing with the bow anchor cathead details, now turning to their needed kevels.
 
It turns out that I had built and installed a second pair that was at one time attached to the quarter-deck, turns out that this was incorrect (see first two pics).
 
 An early Vasa museum plans set (1980) showed two sets per side at that location, as did Landsröm. A second plan set dated 1981 had one set removed. I communicated with Fred Hocker, who indicated that the ’81 set had been corrected.
 
So the two kevels were just lying around, how convenient; shortened them for use at the bow railing, and just added a framing bit for attaching.
 
After gluing, then drilled small holes and inserted black fishing filament to simulate the needed nails.
 
The brilliant fishing line idea is not mine but belongs to one of our MSW members; apologetically I don’t remember whom (I did post a notation on his build log at the time of seeing his very clever idea)
 
Inserted the lines from the rear and left the front ends just a tad proud to simulate nail heads-sort of J
 
G-S cement is perfect for this task. If there were a bit of glue that travelled through the hole to the front end, after a few moments it can be removed with your thumb nail or tweezers, pulls completely off as would rubber cement. LOVE this glue! It has proved to be so versatile. Ferit thank you Again!! You found this.
 
Hint: I attempted to just “hack of" the front tips of the black filament to adjust them, but the blade snagged them and some resulted in angled cuts. Solution was to actually use the razor blade as a slicer moving the blade as I cut. Worked very nicely allowing for a nice clean flat cut. PS: Exacto type blade not up to the task.
 
--------------------
 
Thanks for your “likes”, dropping in for a look, as well as the very welcome supportive suggestions and comments J
 
Regards, as always
 
Michael

Nigel and Ferit,
 
Thanks so very much for your advice. I have made the subtle, but very noticeable change to the knots by counter-sinking the holes. I have also changed how the blocks were laced.
 
Lastly I added the small details of the metal bracings at the sides of the cathead pulley rods.
 
Cheers guys and (:-) for you
 
Michael

There still is a little work to be done on it.
 
Alexandru

Matti,
 
OK you are starting in an area that you were not so comfortable (same with me) Looks excellent one would never know of your earlier shared doubts. As Mark says, its one knot at a time (;-) Looks great.
 
Michael

Hi Mates,
 
Continuing onward with the carriage ropes and tackles installation.
 
After trying to install one completely assembled carriage with ropes attached, I found it to be too cumbersome and a pain in the @#&. That wasn’t going to work very well. Space was so limited and I needed to also, just below the upper blocks attach the hooks for the carriage stops. Too messy hmmm….
 
So, plan B; I completed all the rope/block assemblies for the14 carriages. Then chose to attach those to the weather deck first.  Made a small hook so basic but so perfect ha ah…
 
Sliding in the cannons, then attaching the pins to each side of the carriages will be a breeze (I think). I can then adjust the ropes and tackles for a tight fit.
 
Have not decided how to display the left over rope lengths. The Vasa museum sort of hangs the excess on hooks near the rear of each carriage side. I’m short on length of the carriages, as they had to be shortened (Corel kit weather deck too narrow).
 
As noted from the just previous post, I wanted to emulate the 1/10th assembly with the use of small wooden pins. Used tooth pics. The results are acceptable, but I find that the scaling is a bit “off” My error, but still achieved the intent. Again thanks for dropping by and the Likes and comments always a pleasure.
 
Regards,
 
Michael
 
 

Buck,
 
Hmmm thanks so much, blush blush your comments are sooooo inspiring. Thank you so much for taking the time to follow this build, as well as sharing your super kind remarks.
 
PS: Love your avatar..
 
Regards,
 
Michael

Nigel,
 
I appreciate your thoughts, yes the research bit certainly makes things more interesting. Even along with all of those inherent resulting frustrations it creates The learning bit is inspiring I enjoy this very much. Translating it into a kit build is the conundrum. (:-)
 
Though the research part sort of allows me to share in the thoughts from past lives, and how those people created to the best of their abilities. A nice facet of this hobby.
 
Scratch-building is a huge leap up (for me) . And certainly makes research the leading edge of a project, one that becomes very absorbing as well. Thanks for your confidence in my potential abilities. Presently I don't have that level of comfort. Your RW, for example is breathtaking---I'm not even on the same planet as you (:-) Though my next project will, just after opening the box, benefit from all that I have learned here at MSW from so many artists. Nigel you have always been so kind with your thoughtful comments, a heartfelt THANKS...
 
I am putting my current frustrations on the back burner and will continue with this Vasa, a build that, accuracy frustrations aside, am really enjoying. Again thank so much for being a kind follower, your esteemed mate....
 
Michael
 
Michael

Nigel,
 
I appreciate your thoughts, yes the research bit certainly makes things more interesting. Even along with all of those inherent resulting frustrations it creates The learning bit is inspiring I enjoy this very much. Translating it into a kit build is the conundrum. (:-)
 
Though the research part sort of allows me to share in the thoughts from past lives, and how those people created to the best of their abilities. A nice facet of this hobby.
 
Scratch-building is a huge leap up (for me) . And certainly makes research the leading edge of a project, one that becomes very absorbing as well. Thanks for your confidence in my potential abilities. Presently I don't have that level of comfort. Your RW, for example is breathtaking---I'm not even on the same planet as you (:-) Though my next project will, just after opening the box, benefit from all that I have learned here at MSW from so many artists. Nigel you have always been so kind with your thoughtful comments, a heartfelt THANKS...
 
I am putting my current frustrations on the back burner and will continue with this Vasa, a build that, accuracy frustrations aside, am really enjoying. Again thank so much for being a kind follower, your esteemed mate....
 
Michael
 
Michael

Nigel,
 
I appreciate your thoughts, yes the research bit certainly makes things more interesting. Even along with all of those inherent resulting frustrations it creates The learning bit is inspiring I enjoy this very much. Translating it into a kit build is the conundrum. (:-)
 
Though the research part sort of allows me to share in the thoughts from past lives, and how those people created to the best of their abilities. A nice facet of this hobby.
 
Scratch-building is a huge leap up (for me) . And certainly makes research the leading edge of a project, one that becomes very absorbing as well. Thanks for your confidence in my potential abilities. Presently I don't have that level of comfort. Your RW, for example is breathtaking---I'm not even on the same planet as you (:-) Though my next project will, just after opening the box, benefit from all that I have learned here at MSW from so many artists. Nigel you have always been so kind with your thoughtful comments, a heartfelt THANKS...
 
I am putting my current frustrations on the back burner and will continue with this Vasa, a build that, accuracy frustrations aside, am really enjoying. Again thank so much for being a kind follower, your esteemed mate....
 
Michael
 
Michael

Nigel,
 
I appreciate your thoughts, yes the research bit certainly makes things more interesting. Even along with all of those inherent resulting frustrations it creates The learning bit is inspiring I enjoy this very much. Translating it into a kit build is the conundrum. (:-)
 
Though the research part sort of allows me to share in the thoughts from past lives, and how those people created to the best of their abilities. A nice facet of this hobby.
 
Scratch-building is a huge leap up (for me) . And certainly makes research the leading edge of a project, one that becomes very absorbing as well. Thanks for your confidence in my potential abilities. Presently I don't have that level of comfort. Your RW, for example is breathtaking---I'm not even on the same planet as you (:-) Though my next project will, just after opening the box, benefit from all that I have learned here at MSW from so many artists. Nigel you have always been so kind with your thoughtful comments, a heartfelt THANKS...
 
I am putting my current frustrations on the back burner and will continue with this Vasa, a build that, accuracy frustrations aside, am really enjoying. Again thank so much for being a kind follower, your esteemed mate....
 
Michael
 
Michael

Mark,
 
 
Thanks for the info. That, it seems to me, will make it even harder for the smaller rear towers to rise up enough to overlap the lower parts of the upper galleries as we have been discussing. It will be interesting to see how you figure that one out, allowing enough room for the standing stern guards.
 
PS: Fred has also just sent me a post indicating that the quarterdeck pinrails should not be there. “The museum got it wrong”, he said. You can check that out at the Vasa specific site, at my build postings. So, I just removed mine, and it left scars grrrrrrrrrr. He also discusses what should be there instead.
 
PS: No I am not rebuilding my towers.
 
This will be an ongoing problem with this ship as new data are turned up and subsequent changes to our builds are needed.
 
Enough already (:-) I'm just going to move forward from now on. My log is already SO filled with "going backwards” tearing out and making fixes. I'm now done with that. And as you said maybe six members here out of the more than ten thousand would even know the differences, and errors........
 
As Fred had mentioned last year there is some interest for a new kit that may be in its development stages. One that is 100% based on Vasa’s 1/1 current info inclusive of 3D/cad computer renderings. I say current info because the way this ship is "changing" I can just imagine after this kit "is released???" the museum will find more areas where they got it wrong.
 
Just going to have fun moving forward, not sideways, and definitely not backwards anymore. Pulling out those two pinrails that left scars is the last change for me.
 
I will however absolutely highly regard member’s suggestions for how to get this right in regard to nautical accuracy. Nigel, B.E, Ferit as well as some kind other members have been so gracious in offering their guidance as I move along.
 
Big thanks to the nice people, who click, or post comments. I need this project to be fun, not an exercise in frustration J
 
Sorry for the long post, but I needed to vent as well
 
PS: I do very much believe, however, that seeking the most accurate build possible is a wonderful goal that I wholeheartedly support. I'm only writing for myself here, certainly out of frustration. And Corel's is the furthest from what should be Oh well..
 
Regards,
 
Michael

Nigel,
 
I appreciate your thoughts, yes the research bit certainly makes things more interesting. Even along with all of those inherent resulting frustrations it creates The learning bit is inspiring I enjoy this very much. Translating it into a kit build is the conundrum. (:-)
 
Though the research part sort of allows me to share in the thoughts from past lives, and how those people created to the best of their abilities. A nice facet of this hobby.
 
Scratch-building is a huge leap up (for me) . And certainly makes research the leading edge of a project, one that becomes very absorbing as well. Thanks for your confidence in my potential abilities. Presently I don't have that level of comfort. Your RW, for example is breathtaking---I'm not even on the same planet as you (:-) Though my next project will, just after opening the box, benefit from all that I have learned here at MSW from so many artists. Nigel you have always been so kind with your thoughtful comments, a heartfelt THANKS...
 
I am putting my current frustrations on the back burner and will continue with this Vasa, a build that, accuracy frustrations aside, am really enjoying. Again thank so much for being a kind follower, your esteemed mate....
 
Michael
 
Michael

Michael,
 
When I built mine seemingly eons ago, info was coming out hot and heavy.  For example, the color info came out just after I painted.  What I'm saying is to tell yourself, "ok.. there's new info but enough is enough, I'm building it now."  and get on with it.  With this ship in particular, the info will be changing for many years to come and if you wait, it will never get built.