mtaylor

I thought I'd add a couple pictures of the sanding jig. The dark brown curve is just a piece of wood the same dimensions and arc as the beam. Currently it's set up for the top of the beam. If I rotate it 180 degees, I'll be able to to the bottom of the beam. The sanding drum is turning about 5000 rpm and barely touching the wood, but two passes and the wood is clean and the slight angle on the cut edge left by the laser cutter is removed.

Your eye for detail is beyond impressive, Daniel. The sliders for the skylights is something that I don't believe ever gets modeled.

Progress of sorts. Back on Version 1, I didn't do anything to the hold area. However if one looked closely down the main hatch, the frames could be seen. So this time, I've planked the area there. I also have some hogsheads and barrels that I'm thinking of placing just in case someone peeks. That's basically it for the hold. The plans do show two platforms but nothing as to access. The admiral agrees with this... also the rest of the plan.... Currently, I've cut my deck clamps for all four decks (lower, gun, and the quarterdeck and forecastle). They're soaking and will be heat bent to shape. I'm checking the inside again for a fair run for the planks and clamps. Found a few spots that need some touch up with the sanding stick. I've got a jig made up with the glue drying for removing the char from 75 deck beams that I ordered from Chuck back before I bought my laser. Hopefully that won't get too monotonous... I'm also fiddling with the stern carvings in my "quiet" moments.... The rest of the plan.. As far as details on the lower deck.. there's a gunroom at the stern but nothing in any of the plans on the doorway nor for a scuttle to the deck above nor what is in the gunroom. I'll be referencing Hermione for this as the Belle Poule plans don't go below the gundeck. Forward of the gunroom I'll add the 4 officers rooms, two storerooms, and two breadrooms. And of course, the oven and hatchways. I'm also adding the bulkhead just behind the foremost hatchway with two doors (left and right to avoid the hatch. I'm not sure what was stored in that area even though there's six rooms in that cramped area labeled "storeroom". So I'm winging it a bit. To the stern, I'll add the 4 officers rooms, two storerooms, and two breadrooms. And of course, the oven and hatchways. There seems to be some subtle pressure from the Admiral on this suddenly... I think it's from earlier this week when I showed her the galleries and the little plaque. Now shes' already started talking "display case"... I keep telling her, it will be done when it's done... Once more, dear friends... into the breach.

I'd think you might want to take this small boat part over to the Steaboat topic. I think more folks will see it. There's is an awful lot of tapped and untapped knowledge at MSW. The hard part sometimes is figuring out who has it.

Keeping my fingers crossed for the next stage, Nenad. Your son has talent.

Jud, You can also true up the chucks... put a quarter as far back as you can get it and close the chuck. Use an "inside" cutting tool to very gently kiss the inside of the chuck clamps. Takes some time but it's worth it. Just don't feed the cutter fast.. very slow and just so it barely takes material off. I got this from an old machinist way back on MSW 1.0. Sadly, he's no longer with us but he knew his lathes and milling machines.

Thanks for the likes and comments. Yeah.... Marines have a sensitive side... shhhhh... don't tell anyone.

That last picture.. just Wow!. I agree about the floating but it has such a gracefulness to it that maybe it should. Thanks for letting us look over your shoulder.

JD, Don't sweat the picture size. As long as you're under the max and it loads, that's the important thing. Usually, clicking on the picture will open it full size. Having said that, Chuck recently increased the display size on what shows in a post and they look larger.

Congratulations, Brian. Looks great. I hope you have a display case for her... Too nice to let the dust settle into things.

Makes my head hurt to think about all those treenails. But they look really super.

And I thought the "old" ones looked great. These are above that.. Very nice.

Thanks for the "likes" and comments. I'm going to consider this Gaetan. Not blowing it off at all. I'm just not sure if I can pull this off in wood at this point. Partly my brain is mush and partly because the wood gets very delicate. I'll ponder photo etch and other alternatives while I proceed on with a few things less fiddly. The dedication plaque... simple to make, but for my lady, it has meaning. So.. down deep in the hold, behind the main mast is where it will go. Maybe, if the model is around.. sometime in the future, someone might see fit to peek inside with an endoscope. Probably not, but I know and Janet knows (and you guys know) it's there. I guess enough of the "mushy" stuff... diving deep into the bowels of the ship to start the lower deck.

I bought some photo etch letters quite some time ago from Model Expo. A quick Google for photo etch letters yields a number of hits.

On the photo, Chuck, those bow pieces don't look like long guns to me.

Don, ANCRE has a monograph and plans for a Xebec: http://ancre.fr/en/monographies-en/18-monographie-du-requin-chebec-1750-.html It's available in English.

If you have a particular model in mind, search MSW for build logs. You'll get a variety of ideas and methods. In this forum: http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/forum/12-shop-notes-ship-modeling-tips-techniques-and-research/are lots of topics on "how-to". We also have an article database: http://modelshipworldforum.com/ship-modeling-articles-and-downloads.php that has a lot of mini-practicums. I look at this way... the information is here on MSW and costs nothing... why buy it?

Hi Steve, Welcome to MSW. Here's a link on how to add pictures: http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/540-how-to-add-pictures-in-your-posts-and-pms/ There's more than few "pinned" topics here to help with just about everything: http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/forum/47-questionsinstructions-on-how-to-use-and-post-to-this-forumsite-problems-or-suggestions/ As for parts, if you can tell us what you're looking for, I'm sure we can help.

I'm going to follow along, Frank... looks like there's open seat over there....

No problem Mike. We all share... I may not use the "best" methods but I'm finding which ones work for me and so far I have no reason to turn her into kindling.

Thanks for the birthday wishes... Well.. it was back and forth.. cutting, breaking or feeding the carpet monster today.... but the gallery tops are done. The Admiral approves, which is good since I'm building this for her. So Happy Dance... I've only tacked the roof tops in place as I'm going to fiddle with some settings over the next couple of weeks and see if I can get better parts for the decorations. Doubtful, but worth a shot or two... I'm thinking a nice Kentucky Bourbon. Pictures below. Carvings are started and I'll work on them at a leisurely pace. But for now, I'm going to start the lower deck. Less fiddly, methinks. But first.. I need to refresh myself on the plans, make some spales, and put in a small dedication plaque. Did I mention, clean the workshop and do maintenance on the power tools?

Or the smell of cooking me.... Luckily, this unit has a good safety switch. If I open the lid, the laser shuts down. But my habit is to hit either the main power or the laser "arming" switch and make sure it's off even when the machine isn't cutting.

Nice looking launch, Sjors. Can I order a couple in assorted sizes?

On the first one, I was cutting at 6 maybe 7 mA according to the meter. The second was just above 3 mA (I was etching and the tube doesn't fire until 3 mA.) Max is 15mA = 45W and I never power over 13 mA to promote tube life. I was cutting and etching at 12mm/Second. When I was testing, they did claim 21mA is max but the testing sheet says 15 = 45.7W so for the test, I did run it one time at full power...but not going to do that again. It cut 1/4" box like butter.. so I think it's capable of more than 45W. Ventilation.. I have an air compressor at the lens and the standard exhaust fan leading outside. I've been cutting replacement bits and pieces all day today and no issue. Same settings, same wood, same thickness... same $!%&@ parts that either break easy or the carpet monster eats . As I said, it happens... I read a lot on Sawmillcreek and there's been a couple a year. Most of them were like mine, a flareup.. hotspot.., something... small flame that if not stopped will get bigger. I ended up with minor soot and some scorched wood.

What Carl said about the plates, Jason. As for plate up or plate down.... well, that's been part of a lot of discussion. On the cleats.... the size of these seems to vary by country and by shipyard it seems. When it doubt, go with the TFFM.