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Glenn-UK

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About Glenn-UK

  • Birthday 05/13/1958

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  1. Build Log - Day 11 (8th- - 10th Nov 2025) Task 19 – Sanding and Filling The hull was sanded smooth, tapering the plank depth in the the dead area toward the stern post. I then brushed some water on the hull which helped to highlight gaps and depressions. Wood filler was applied and then, when set, the hull was sanded smooth again. Water was brushed on the hull once again which did show there were still some depressions. I highlighted these areas with a pencil and then filled them with wood filler. Once dried the hull was given another sand. It looked and felt smooth. It also looked Ok when water was brushed on. Task 20 – Lower Stern Counter The lower stern counter needs to be bent to follow the curve of the stern frames. The pattern was soaked in hot water for 45 minutes and then strapped to bottle. The bottle had a very similar shape to the stern frame. And just like @DelF the pattern cracked along one of the lasers etched lines. As this pattern will be painted it should not be a problem. Task 21 – Stern Post The three outer patterns were glued to the stern post and once set the stern post was glued to the hull. Task 22 – Keel and Stem Post Pattern Test Fit The outer keel and stem post outer patterns were test fitted so the rabbet could be checked. Using a test plank, I was happy with the rabbet. Task 23 – Test Fit Outer Bulwark Patterns The outer bulwark patterns were test fitted. They looked good and aligned perfectly with the gun ports and window openings. As they had not been bent around the bow it was not possible to check the alignment with the catheads and hawse holes. With the patterns slotted in the rabbet it did appear they were not aligned. However, when I made a cardboard template using everything did align up perfectly. As the template is not as thick as the actual pattern it might mean a simple bevel will be required. Most testing required to make sure I can make the right adjustment to the actual patterns. In the build manual it does state that: “Some adjustment at the bow may be needed as we’ve left a little extra material to allow for variations. Photos The first photo shows pencil marks where there are some depressions. The stern area. The completed hull after the first planking had been sanded smooth. Bending the lower stern counter pattern, the crack along one of the laser etched lines can be seen. The stern post has been glued in place. The keel outer pattern have been test fitted. The outer patterns have been test fitted to the stem post. The outer bulwark patterns test fitting The bow section of the outer pattern does not seem to align. Using a template of the outer bulwark pattern.
  2. Build Log - Day 10 (7th Nov 2025) Task 18 – First Planking Completed I have now completed the first planking. For the most part I am pleased with the result. The hull now be sanded and filled in readiness for the second planking. I will take great care to make sure the second planking above the water line is as neat as possible. I may try to follow the example shown in @DELF build log and go with fitting scale plank lengths. The planking below the waterline will be painted white so the planking will not be seen. Photos The completed hull.
  3. Build Log - Day 9 (4th – 6th Nov 2025) Task 17 – First Planking Continues I have been making slow but steady progress with the first planking. I am pleased that I have now completed the planking to the transom area and I am pleased with the result. This area will need a little bit of sanding and filling. I have now started to plank upward from the keel and I have 6 planks to fit per side to complete the first planking. Before moving on I measured the unplanked distances to check the required tapering, which confirmed there were only 6 more planks per side required in the central section. The tapering requirements from bulkhead 4 to bulkhead 1 for the remaining planks was not greatly different to my original measurements which was pleasing. Photos The first two photos shows the planking up to the transom. I was pleased I was able to make the sharp bend. For the really sharp bends I used steam from a boiling kettle which proved to be very effective method. The next photo shows the bow, the planking is more or less even on both sides. When working on one of the lower planks I decided to add a stealer but I had a senior moment which you can see in the photo below. No idea what I was thinking. Thankfully normal service was resumed when I added the next plank, this time with a correct stealer added.
  4. This post details the method I am currently using to add each plank. Step 1 - I take two planks, one for the right-hand side and one for left hand side and I mark the position bulkheads 1 - 4. Using my digital calipers I then mark the require plank width at these bulkhead positions. Step 2 - I draw a line between the marked taper points, as can be seen below, and then using a craft knife the taper is cut. Step 3 - With the two planks held together I ensure there the tapers are the same. Step 4 - The two planks are then laterally bent. Water is brushed onto the planks which are then clamped. Hot air is used to dry the planks from a hairdryer. Both planks are bent at the same time. Step 5 - The laterally bent planks are then test fitted and can be adjusted if necessary. In the photo below the angle for the stem post is being checked. Step 6 - With the plank held in position I add an alignment mark, usually on bulkhead 6, which I use when I am ready to glue the plank in place as I tend to work from the center outward adding pins left and right alternatively. Step 7 - Next I find the point where the plank bends around the stern which also requires a slight twist. Step 8 - Next I work out where the sharp bend is required to fit toward the transom. Step 9 - With the plank brushed with water the required bend toward the transom is made. I do this by gentle manipulation with my hands and using the hair dryer. Step 10 - Glue is then added to all the bulkheads and to the edge of the last fitted plank. I also add a bit of glue to both the bow and stern end of the plank. The plank is then aligned with the mark and pinned in place. Step 11 - I continue to add the pins, alternating between left and right of the first pin. In the next photo the first three pins have been added. Step 12 - Once all the pins have been added I do check everything looks Ok. Step 13 - The two planks have now been added, one to each side.
  5. Hello Enjoy yoyr build. The photos in your post are not displayed on either my phone or laptop.
  6. Build Log - Day 8 (3rd Nov 2025) Task 15 – Starting First planking – Garboard Plank I decided to start the first planking by adding the garboard plank(s). The bow end was shaped to follow the curve around the stem post. A camphor was then added to the plank edge that butts up to the false keel up to bulkhead 10. A twist was then added to the plank from bulkhead 10 to allow it sit to sit flush with the false keel up to the stern. The planks were then glued and pinned in place. Task 16 – Adding the First Two Planks The planks were tapered from bulkhead 4 to the stem post, tapering from 5mm (BK4) to 4.8 (BK3) to 4.2 (BK2) to 3mm (BK1) to 2.5mm (at stem post) as per the data detailed in my last post. The planks were then laterally bent to improve the fit around the bow section. Once I was happy with how the planks looked they were glued and pinned in place. Photos The first three photos shows the garboard plank. The next five photos shows the hull after the first plank (on both sides) beneath the bulwarks had been fitted. The final four photos were taken after the second plank (on both sides) had been fitted. There are still 14 more planks per side to be fit, which will take me some time to complete.
  7. Build Log - Day 7 (2nd Nov 2025) Task 13 – Checking Fit of Bulwark Patterns With the bulwark patterns still pinned in place I brush some water on them and then applied heat using a hairdryer. This will, hopefully, ensure that these patterns will retain the lateral curves once the pins and bulkhead ears have been removed. After the pins were removed from the bulwark patterns, I checked the contact with the top and bottom of the various bulkheads. The lower section bulkheads 4 to 6 on the left had side were slightly raised and sat proud when a plank was laid adject to them. I brushed some glue under the bulkheads and then repined, checking the bulwarks were fully against the bulkheads. I did use a quick blast of hot air from a hairdryer to quicken the curing process. I also repeated the above process for the lower bulwark right hand pattern section from bulkhead 2 to stem post. When these pins were removed I was happy that the bulwarks were sitting tight against all the bulkheads. Task 14 – Preparation Work Prior to starting first planking Using some cardboard strips the various distances between the bulwark and keel were measured for the first 10 bulkheads. There will be 17 planking layers required, and the planks will be tapered toward the bow with the taper starting from bulkhead 4. I will taper and / or add stealers toward the stern as I go along which is my normal working process for the stern section. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 51mm 71mm 81mm 85mm 85mm 85mm 85mm 85mm 85mm 80mm 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 17 3.0mm 4.2mm 4.8mm 5.0mm 5.0mm 5.0mm 5.0mm 5.0mm 5.0mm 4.7mm I then made a bow template plank (from spare planking material) which was tapered as per the above table. The tapered plank was a good fit around the bow section and could probably be glued in place without the need for the lateral (Chuck) bend. However I think the overall planking will look much better and should require less sanding / filling when complete if the planks are bent laterally. With a test plank in place the central point for the lateral bend is located, which was midway between bulkheads 2 and 3. A lateral bend was then added to the plank. I then had the idea to check the bend using the curve from the bulwark sheet cutout as an added guide and was pleased that my laterally bent plank was a good match. The laterally bent plank fitting is now so much easier. I will need to experiment with making the tight (almost 90 degree) bend for the planks which terminate with the transom before starting the planking in earnest. Photos Tapered test plank test fit, without a lateral bend, it is a good fit. Checking how the planks fit against the bulwark midships. With the tapered test plank in position the central point for the lateral bend is found. The test plan is clamped ready for the wetting and application of hot air from a hairdryer. Testing the laterally bent plank with the bulwark sheet curve, looks good.
  8. Thanks Ronald. I think the key me, for a good fit, was to spend time making the bending template and then gluing the pattern in place in sections.
  9. Build Log - Day 6 (31st Oct 2025) Task 12 – Fitting The Bulwarks – Part 2 Following on from my last post, where the bulwark patterns had been soaked and then clamped to the wooden bending template. When I removed the bulwark patterns from the template after 18 hours, I was really pleased that they were a perfect fit around the bow area. Note to self this is a really good method for ensuring the bulwarks have the correct bend. I might also be able to use the template when bending planks around the bow. I decided there would be enough flexibility in the bulwark patterns to cater the lateral keel to gunwale bow bend. I applied plenty of glue to the bulkheads below deck level and used spots of glue on the bulwark ears above the deck item as these ears will be removed later in the build process. In practical terms I started by gluing and pinning the right-hand bulwark pattern in place from stem post to bulkhead 2. After I had given time for the glue to grip, I then proceeded to work in sections gluing and pinning the bulwark pattern in place moving steadily toward the stern, doing my best to ensure the pattern was aligned with the top edges of the bulkheads. I am really pleased with the result and I will now repeat the process for gluing and pinning the left hand bulwark pattern to the hull. Photos Right Hand Bulwark Pattern Glued in Placed The bulwark pattern follows the curved line of the deck around the bow. The underside seems to be flush with the bulkheads with no kinks A test plank seems to sit flush with the bulwark Midships
  10. Build Log - Day 4 & 5 (29th & 30th Oct 2025) Task 9 – Faring the hull The hull was faired. I worked from stern to bow. I used a mixture of sanding sticks and sandpaper for this process. I did use my rotary tool when removing the excess material from the stern quarter sections. As the fairing progressed, I did use planking strips to check how they laid against the various bulkhead. Task 10 – Fitting the Stem Post The stem post was tested fitted and I was very happy how it looked. Looking further ahead the figurehead has to slide into the top section of the stem post. The figurehead, when test fitted, would not fit. I removed the laser char from the figurehead slot in the stem post, and I sanded a tiny bit from the bottom edge of the figurehead. Once that was done, the figurehead did slide into position. Next I did a quick check that the bulwark patterns would slot in the stem post. Now that I was happy with the stem post fit and that of the figurehead and bulwarks it was glued in place. Task 11 – Fitting The Bulwarks – Part 1 The bulwark patterns were soaked in hot water for 30 minutes and then clamped to a bowl. The clamps were then removed from the patterns after they had been left to fully dry out for 18 hours. However, when the patterns were test fitted, I was not happy how they looked. They were soaked in hot water again and then clamped to a different bowl. Once again I was not happy with the fit around the bow when they were test fitted. I then remembered something in a build log (I can’t remember which one, sorry) that a template was made for this task. I decided this was a great idea and I have proceeded down the same line. Once the template had been made the planks were soaked in hot water and clamped in place. Figured crossed for a better result after then bulwarks have been given time to dry out. There is also a difficulty as the bulwarks really need to be bent in two dimensions around the bow to sit with the top edges of the bulkheads especially from bulkhead 2 to 4. Photos Faired stern section Test fit of the stem post Test fit of the figurehead Test fit of the bulwark patterns Stem posted glued and clamped First bending of the bulwarks First test fit - it does not look good Adding a sharper bend Making a bending template, using the deck sheet as a guide. The completed template Check of a bulwark pattern prior to being soaked and clamped to the template.
  11. When looking at the prototype build log and some others there is clear evidence of fractured planks around the transom for the tight curve. I do like using half length planks when there is a double width middle bulkhead. This is not the case with this kit. I could add some addition material to widen the middle bulkhead but at moment I will probably use single length planks for the 1st planking. I can revert to shorter planks, as per DELF build log, for the second planking but I will decide on that when I am ready to add the 2nd planking.
  12. Build Log - Day 3 (28th Oct 2025) Task 5 – Stern Patterns The inner, middle and outer stern pattern were pushed into place and then diluted pva glue was brushed into all the joints. Task 6 – Deck Supports and Cabin Deck The rear and mid cabin deck supports were glued in place. With pva glue brushed to the tops of the frame the cabin deck was added. Clamps were used on the outer edges to ensure the deck was in full contact with the frame. The two bulkhead thickening patterns when then glued in place. Task 7 – Fore Deck Installation I removed the laser char from all the edges and openings on the fore deck. With the deck flexed it was carefully placed over the bulkhead ears and clicked nicely into place. This was not an easy task and unfortunately I did manage to break off both ears on bulkhead 3 when flexing the deck over the bulkheads. I decided to glue the two broken off bulkhead ears to the temporary cross beam and I was able to then glue the ears back in place. I will have to be extra careful when fairing the hull in that area. Task 6 – Stern Patterns There are two stern filler patterns per side. With the patterns in place, I marked the pre fair lines. After the chamfering the patterns (using a sanding stick) they were glued in place. Task 8 – Aft Deck Installation I applied pva glue to the top of the frames and then flexed the aft deck over the bulkheads and I was relieved that it clicked into place. I then pinned the four corners, where there were no locating bulkhead slots, to ensure the aft deck was fully seated on the framework. Task 9 – Miscellaneous Patterns The following patterns were all glued in place without any issue: a) Temporary cross beams b) Stern quarter filling c) Outer bow patterns d) Stern filler patterns The hull is now ready to be faired, once all the glue has been given time to fully cure. Photos The first photo shows the stern inner, middle and outer pattern in place. The next two photos show the rear deck and mid cabin deck support patterns. The next two photos show the cabin deck in situ with clamps. The next photo shows the bulkhead thickening parts, clamps were used whilst the glue had time to grip. In the next photo the dummy fore and main masts have been added to check there are no issues with locating them in the support brackets beneath the deck. The next two photos shows the broken bulkhead ears repair process. The next two photos show the stern filler pattern pre and post fairing. The next two photos shows the installation of the aft deck complete with a dummy mizzen mast in place. The final three photos show the bow, stern quarter and stern filler patterns in place. I have started to fair the stern section.
  13. Hi Chris This has to be one of my favourite models in the Vanguard model range. My daughter-in-law just lives my completed model I am more than happy to go again. I will do my best to go slow and steady and to avoid making to many mistakes on the way. That said I have just had I mishap which should not be an issue. Details will probably be provided in my next post
  14. Build Log - Day 2 (27th Oct 2025) Task 4 – Pre-fairing of bulkheads & support patterns I made a cardboard template of the main deck which was placed over the frame which gave me a good indication of the camphor required for bulkheads 1-3. I also referred to the photos in DELF and Jim’s build log. After making pencil guidelines I proceeded to add camphor’s to the bulkheads 1-3, 11-13 and support patterns. Task 5 – Foremast support patterns The two foremast support patterns were glued to the bow support patterns. With the bow support patterns dry fitted I did check that a dummy foremast would locate. I also checked that a dummy mizzen mast would also locate through the upper deck & lower decks. Task 6 – Gluing patterns With all the bulkheads, longitudinal patterns and bow patterns added to the false keel, taking care that the pre faired bulkheads were all facing the right way, some diluted PCV glue was brushed into all the joints. The hull assembly will now be left for several hours to allow time for the glue to fully cure before I will move onto the next task. Photos The photo below shows the cardboard template in place and the yellow arrows indicate the fairing points. The next photo shows the bulkheads and patterns mark up ready for the pre-fairing And now after the pre-fairing. The next photo shows the two bow patterns with the foremast support patterns in situ after gluing. The final photo of this post shows the trial fit of a dummy mizzen mast with the upper and lower decks. The upper deck was aligned with the bulkhead ears but it was not engaged with the locating slots.
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