Geoff Matson
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Everything posted by Geoff Matson
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Sometimes when you don't post for several weeks, it doesn't mean you were not working on your model. In my case, it was several weeks of mistakes and figuring out how to do things. I decided to scrap several plans of rigging the futtock and bentinck shrouds on my Conny. After doing lots of research and viewing the pictures from the above posts by GSGerson I decided to go a different way. My main plan was to rig as much as I could off the model. When you view the photos on the real Constitution, the area of rigging under the fighting tops looks like a big spiderweb. Then if you figure in all the seizings it just looked clunky. I made all the metal parts using 28 gauge black annealed wire. My main tool was my needle nose pliers The end of my pliers was the diameter of my ring. There was a little learning curve, but it all went well. I even tried to simulate the serving on these parts with line. But, it was beyond my pay grade. I feel this gave me a less cluttered look and it looks more realistic. The real trick was to get these parts made and make them look close to scale. Please realize I have some paint touch up on the rings and metal parts. This is part one of the subassembly
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Great job on a real tricky concept. The one thing about this KIT, is you will be an accomplished scratch builder after completing your build. I know there are many frustrating parts, but you learn so much and solve so many problems. Again, great job
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USS Constitution by mtbediz - 1:76
Geoff Matson replied to mtbediz's topic in - Build logs for subjects built 1751 - 1800
I like how neat and crisp all your cannons look. Nice work on your home made ropewalk. The line looks great. You are making great progress. I enjoy following your progress. -
Looking good and a good job on your problem solving.
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I used dry transfer lettering on my Constitution.
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Jon, this should help. HMS Sphinx 1775 by glennard2523 - FINISHED - Vanguard Models - 1:64 - V2 Kit by Glenn Shelton
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Hello Schooner, Thanks for the help. I checked the log out and what a great build. It will help me when I do the mizzen mast. The tricky part about the Constitution is where the futon shrouds go through the rigging and end in an iron ring and the from the iron ring it goes down the bentinck shroud to the deck, I think I have it figure out. Thanks again for your interest and help .
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Welcome to the group. The Constitution can be an overwhelming model. I think of our plan of working on an easier model to build your skills will pay off in the end
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Great pictures. I am now troubled about the futtock stave. I know the pictures are present day and plans go back in time. I am trying to do this the easiest way. I wish I would have those three seamen on my model to do the job! The area on the shrouds by the top gets pretty crowed pretty quick. That is why I went with the jumps rings. I think it will give me a cleaner look on the model. And in the last picture, the one with the three seaman and no futtock stave should make the ringing a lot simpler. But you can clearly see the bar on the shrouds. Well, it looks I might have to revisit my plan of attack. And the ring on the bentinck shroud looks like the futtock shrouds on th eiinside just loop back to the bar or stave area. I don't see I could rig that on the model. Again, thanks for the pictures. Happy modeling
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I have come up with my plan for the Futtock and Bentinck shrouds. I did not like the kit supplied parts so I made my own. I made the hooks, and jumps rings out of wire, instead of hearts, I opened up some thimbles and used them instead. I can rig the futtock shrouds and the bentinck shrouds off the model. My connecting point will be the large jump ring. I will have two parts, on the top the futtock shrouds and on the bottom the bentinck shroud. Each futtock shroud will have a hook, two small jump rings in the middle, and then a smaller jump ring on the end. There will be five of them on each side. Each bentinck shroud will be attached to the waterway with a wire wrapped thimble with a lanyard in-between the two thimbles. The top end of the bentinck shroud will be seized to the large split ring. There will be two of them. One on each side of the model. While on the model, the lower ends of each futtock shroud will be slipped on the large jump ring. My final adjusting point will be the seizing at the bottom of the bentinck shroud. Once it has been adjusted it will be seized with diluted white glue like the rest of the seizings. I hope this all makes sense. Now all I have to do is make 20 futtock shrouds and 4 bentinck shrouds for the fore and main mast.
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I am trying to figure out how to do. the Futtock and Bentinck Shrouds. My biggest concern. is how to do it off the model. A little planning time is awaiting me. I have seen some solutions by other modelers. All worked well. I just need to figure out which will work well for me. It all looks easy on the plans. A few hooks, a few thimbles, a little thread, A ring, and figuring out how to place the attachment point between all m y cannon rigging. Oh well, Time to think about it.
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Just remember, a post a day a fence a year. Just be patient and take your time. The Conny is so full of many mini builds. The cannon, ships boats, all the deck furniture, masts. yards, and rigging just to name a few. Just have fun.
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Hello Peter, I love your build and look forward to your progress. I hate to age my progress, but I have been at this on and off for over 10 years. If I can answer any questions for you just ask. I used Bob Hunt's Practicum and could not have got this far without it.I also added a lot of my own way to solving some of the construction problems. This rigging is really challenging. I have made all my rigging line with the Byrnes Ropewalk. this way it gave ma a lot latitude on the rope sizes. I used about 8 different thread manufactures sizes so with single strand, three strand and nine strand I have about 27 different sizes in black and tan. This way I feel the rigging will look more realistic instead of just using the supplied rigging line. Right now I am a little hung up on the beatnik shrouds. But I thinkI have it figured out and will be posting some pictures soon. Happy Modeling and thanks for your interest
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Like Jon, I too have used Bob's Practicum as a guide. However, I could not have gotten as far as I have without it. During my build, my modeling skills have increased. The Constitution is quite an undertaking and make sure you have the time and patience to complete the model. I have often wondered how many Conny's were started and never finished. If I had to do it allover I might have skipped the rigging and made it an Admiralty Style model instead. You are doing a great job and I look forward to your progress
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I have been mulling around how to make and install the beatnik shrouds on my Conny. I want to rig as much as possible off the model to make it easier. So far I have made the staves for the lower fore and main mast and placed them on the rigging. Now to make the hooks and rings and then rig them. I know this is gong to be harder than it looks.
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Looking good. It is quite an accomplishment to get your Conny all coppered.
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USS Constitution by mtbediz - 1:76
Geoff Matson replied to mtbediz's topic in - Build logs for subjects built 1751 - 1800
Everything is looking great. I don't think most people realize how much work and time are involved this model. Glad to see it coming out so well. -
I finished up the ratlines on the lower shrouds. I am glad this part is over. I learned a lot on rigging the ratlines. First, make sure you use long lines to make the knot trying easier. Second, I used my rigging card as a sort of backstop when I tied my ratline. Third, I used diluted white glue to set my knots. This worked out well for making adjustments. Just wet the line to unglue them, make your adjustment and then set the ratlines with the diluted white glue. Fourth, I alternated from port to starboard to keep the tension on the shrouds equal. Fifth, if you have some slack in the shrouds, just wet them with water and will tighten up a bit taking the slack out. Sixth, when you put your eyebolts on the channels for your shifters, pay attention to where they go. My mainmast swifter eyebolts were to close to the shrouds, My foremast and mizzen mast swifter's were at the proper distance. Seventh, I made sure my tweezers were sharp and easy to help tie my lines. Overall, I learned as I went along and I am sure the next section of shrouds will go easier.
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His family is in my prayers. What a great loss to our community.
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Sometimes, you just have to regroup and forge ahead. I also am building my Conny with the help of Bob Hunt's practicum. I too scraped my first frame and purchased second one off eBay. I am glad I did and was very happy with my new start. One thing I Can rell you is this model is a bear. It will test all of your skills and patience. Just make sure you have things the way you want before you proceed. A little mistake early on will come back to haunt you. You are doing a great job. I look forward to your progress.
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I finished my foremast lower shroud ratline rigging. Lots of knots and lots of time. I am happy the way it turned out. It is really a learning experience as I go. A few techniques I learned as I progressed is I wet the ratline line first and then tie the knots. The water on the line seems to make the knots set and stay in place better. Then I set the knots with diluted white glue after each row is done. I am working from the bottom to the top. I am leaving the tails on each end of the ratlines in case I need to make some adjustments. As you are working it seems easy to snag line as you work your way up.
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I am making some progress on my shroud and ratline rigging. To keep everything equal, I am tieing the ratlines on both sides as I progress up the foremast. There are lots and lots of knots. I think I am getting a system with the clove hitch. The tweezers really help out a lot. One thing I found is that it is better to have a long line of thread to tie the knots. The short thread seems mohave mind go its own and goes where ever It wants. I usually go about five rows of ratlines and then double check them with my card and then set the knots with diluted white glue. (Elmer's). I also use just water with brush to help take some slack out of the lines. That is why I am doing both sides of the shrouds to make sure I don't get too much tension on the masts. So are it seems to be working.
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Isn't it amazing how many little "models" there are in this model. The ships boats, the cannons, it is really a kit that tests your modeling skills. It is also a kit that lets you expand your kit bashing ideas. Everything is looking great. So...go make some sawdust and have fun.
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USS Constitution by mtbediz - 1:76
Geoff Matson replied to mtbediz's topic in - Build logs for subjects built 1751 - 1800
What a great job! I am enjoying following your build.
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