Bill Hime

As you can see, the shipyard has finally come to life!
 

 
Here you can see that everything has been inventoried, separated and tagged.
 

 
Upon examining the laser cut sheet stock, I found the center keel sheet and the bulkhead sheet to a lesser extent, were cupped. Something I will keep in mind when gluing and squaring the hull frame.
 

 

 

 
Next, then, all the bulkheads and the center keel have been removed, with the center keel given a light sanding. Bulkheads have been lettered and each marked with a reference line.  
 

 
At this point, I have put a lot of thought into changes I want to make to this kit. I plan on incorporating Wenge Wood into the keel and rudder, as well as the deck railings and plank sheers. I will also be using boxwood instead of basswood for the hull planking and I will be using Yellowheart  for the decking. Here below are an example of two of the woods.
 

 

 
I am going to cut out the keel pieces and plank sheers and use them as a finishing template for these pieces. I will use the laser cut outline, then, to lay the pieces out directly on the hardwood for cutting so they will be larger than needed. From here they will be rough cut and finished. Below, you can see that I have laid out dimensional stock on each of the pieces to determine how much wood would be needed and what size pieces of wood I would fit them into.
 

 

 

 
So tonight, I will be gluing up the center keel and pressing it under some weight as it dries. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so it'll be back to the shipyard on Friday for some bulkhead gluing. Until then, happy Thanksgiving to all you guys and have a great holiday!
 
Warm regards,
 
Bill
 
 

As you can see, the shipyard has finally come to life!
 

 
Here you can see that everything has been inventoried, separated and tagged.
 

 
Upon examining the laser cut sheet stock, I found the center keel sheet and the bulkhead sheet to a lesser extent, were cupped. Something I will keep in mind when gluing and squaring the hull frame.
 

 

 

 
Next, then, all the bulkheads and the center keel have been removed, with the center keel given a light sanding. Bulkheads have been lettered and each marked with a reference line.  
 

 
At this point, I have put a lot of thought into changes I want to make to this kit. I plan on incorporating Wenge Wood into the keel and rudder, as well as the deck railings and plank sheers. I will also be using boxwood instead of basswood for the hull planking and I will be using Yellowheart  for the decking. Here below are an example of two of the woods.
 

 

 
I am going to cut out the keel pieces and plank sheers and use them as a finishing template for these pieces. I will use the laser cut outline, then, to lay the pieces out directly on the hardwood for cutting so they will be larger than needed. From here they will be rough cut and finished. Below, you can see that I have laid out dimensional stock on each of the pieces to determine how much wood would be needed and what size pieces of wood I would fit them into.
 

 

 

 
So tonight, I will be gluing up the center keel and pressing it under some weight as it dries. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so it'll be back to the shipyard on Friday for some bulkhead gluing. Until then, happy Thanksgiving to all you guys and have a great holiday!
 
Warm regards,
 
Bill
 
 

As you can see, the shipyard has finally come to life!
 

 
Here you can see that everything has been inventoried, separated and tagged.
 

 
Upon examining the laser cut sheet stock, I found the center keel sheet and the bulkhead sheet to a lesser extent, were cupped. Something I will keep in mind when gluing and squaring the hull frame.
 

 

 

 
Next, then, all the bulkheads and the center keel have been removed, with the center keel given a light sanding. Bulkheads have been lettered and each marked with a reference line.  
 

 
At this point, I have put a lot of thought into changes I want to make to this kit. I plan on incorporating Wenge Wood into the keel and rudder, as well as the deck railings and plank sheers. I will also be using boxwood instead of basswood for the hull planking and I will be using Yellowheart  for the decking. Here below are an example of two of the woods.
 

 

 
I am going to cut out the keel pieces and plank sheers and use them as a finishing template for these pieces. I will use the laser cut outline, then, to lay the pieces out directly on the hardwood for cutting so they will be larger than needed. From here they will be rough cut and finished. Below, you can see that I have laid out dimensional stock on each of the pieces to determine how much wood would be needed and what size pieces of wood I would fit them into.
 

 

 

 
So tonight, I will be gluing up the center keel and pressing it under some weight as it dries. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so it'll be back to the shipyard on Friday for some bulkhead gluing. Until then, happy Thanksgiving to all you guys and have a great holiday!
 
Warm regards,
 
Bill
 
 

As you can see, the shipyard has finally come to life!
 

 
Here you can see that everything has been inventoried, separated and tagged.
 

 
Upon examining the laser cut sheet stock, I found the center keel sheet and the bulkhead sheet to a lesser extent, were cupped. Something I will keep in mind when gluing and squaring the hull frame.
 

 

 

 
Next, then, all the bulkheads and the center keel have been removed, with the center keel given a light sanding. Bulkheads have been lettered and each marked with a reference line.  
 

 
At this point, I have put a lot of thought into changes I want to make to this kit. I plan on incorporating Wenge Wood into the keel and rudder, as well as the deck railings and plank sheers. I will also be using boxwood instead of basswood for the hull planking and I will be using Yellowheart  for the decking. Here below are an example of two of the woods.
 

 

 
I am going to cut out the keel pieces and plank sheers and use them as a finishing template for these pieces. I will use the laser cut outline, then, to lay the pieces out directly on the hardwood for cutting so they will be larger than needed. From here they will be rough cut and finished. Below, you can see that I have laid out dimensional stock on each of the pieces to determine how much wood would be needed and what size pieces of wood I would fit them into.
 

 

 

 
So tonight, I will be gluing up the center keel and pressing it under some weight as it dries. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so it'll be back to the shipyard on Friday for some bulkhead gluing. Until then, happy Thanksgiving to all you guys and have a great holiday!
 
Warm regards,
 
Bill
 
 

Hi Bill
If that false keel is still warped after it is joined you must flatten it. I had this problem and got the keel flattened by wetting it, heavily weighting it and drying it several times over. It finally flattened. DO NOT put the bulkheads onto a warped keel - it will cause you no end of problems later. I'm sure you know this.
 
Look forward to your build and the interesting timbers you are planning to incorporate into it. I used boxwood for my hull and it is a very nice timber to work with, so much better than walnut which is, comparatively, brittle and splinters more easily.
 
Cheers
Alistair

As you can see, the shipyard has finally come to life!
 

 
Here you can see that everything has been inventoried, separated and tagged.
 

 
Upon examining the laser cut sheet stock, I found the center keel sheet and the bulkhead sheet to a lesser extent, were cupped. Something I will keep in mind when gluing and squaring the hull frame.
 

 

 

 
Next, then, all the bulkheads and the center keel have been removed, with the center keel given a light sanding. Bulkheads have been lettered and each marked with a reference line.  
 

 
At this point, I have put a lot of thought into changes I want to make to this kit. I plan on incorporating Wenge Wood into the keel and rudder, as well as the deck railings and plank sheers. I will also be using boxwood instead of basswood for the hull planking and I will be using Yellowheart  for the decking. Here below are an example of two of the woods.
 

 

 
I am going to cut out the keel pieces and plank sheers and use them as a finishing template for these pieces. I will use the laser cut outline, then, to lay the pieces out directly on the hardwood for cutting so they will be larger than needed. From here they will be rough cut and finished. Below, you can see that I have laid out dimensional stock on each of the pieces to determine how much wood would be needed and what size pieces of wood I would fit them into.
 

 

 

 
So tonight, I will be gluing up the center keel and pressing it under some weight as it dries. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so it'll be back to the shipyard on Friday for some bulkhead gluing. Until then, happy Thanksgiving to all you guys and have a great holiday!
 
Warm regards,
 
Bill
 
 

Thinned epoxy did firm up Basswood nicely.
 
Replacement parts seem to be a slightly thicker and better plywood. After learning on first go this hull is shaping up nicely.
 

 
 
Not a Jim saw but seem ok for not so perfect work.
 

 
Ripped 1/8" Bass to 1/2" cut in 3 sanded to length and smooth. I bought bulk wood on sale a couple months ago just to have around. Finally needed it!
 
I also ripped some Rosewood to about 1/8". This saw is nice quite, handy for lite work but not really up to level to do major mill work. Maybe with different blade and insert mod it can do thinner rips. It was only $130 bucks and does basic stuff I need today, $600 for Jim saw is too much right now.

Hi All.
 
Just a few more pictures, Fitted the lamps on the stern and fixed the figurehead on.
I drilled a hole through his hand so I can push a brass rod in, instead of trying to straighten
the spear that he's holding. Also replaced the belaying pin that came with the kit for the longer
more correct type.

With the bow section now completed minus the stanchion rails and netting it was time to decided  which part of the build to do next. The choice was to do the deck fittings or the sides, I decided to complete the ships sides details,I first looked at the position of the channels and chain plates to make sure they did not interfere with the gun ports the fore and main mast channels needed moving by about 5mm to allow the links from the dead eyes to run at the right angles with out passing over the gun ports, I had plenty of the slotted rail to replace the now short ones rather than infilling with small bits, the mizzen channel will sit above the gun ports on the main deck and on top of the rail. I also decided to make new gun port lids as seen in the photos, so far then I have fitted the channels drilling them and adding pins, plus fitted the oar ports and vents,one side done and about half way through the other.
 
Rails removed

 
Channels dry fitted

 

 
New gun port lids

 
First side done minus the support brackets

 

 

The channels, gun port lids, plus the oar ports and ventilation ports and the eye bolts have all now been fitted, plus the channel support brackets and the anchor lining boards I found the best way to work on her, was keel up, it gives much better access to the under sides of the channels, this would not be such a good idea if the deck fittings have been added.
 
One problem I found was that parts no 258 the channel support brackets there are only 22 supplied, and the plans shows 26 and if there are ones behind the anchors you need 28 I will get around this by making the extras from the brass strip around the etched parts.
 
This might be the last update for a bit as we are off on the QM2 for a holiday and Xmas is coming.
 
Working upside down

 

 
support brackets

 

 

 
All the parts fitted to both sides
 

 

 

 

Why not make your own?! Something to hand down as an heirloom. I'm building a roll around cabinet. The top as a surface to run my power bench tools. Several draws for parts, blades, bits, etc... I'd like to put a 2 plug outlet on it as well
 
 
Bill

Of course Joe

Along the years I built some tool boxes. Recently a major reorganisation to regroup  the small tools in only 1 chest all at hand. I came close to buy Bisley cabinet (up to 15 drawers). Finally I opted to build one. Most of the drawers are only one inch high and most of the tools fit in and some drwaers could even be less high.

I use this one available from harborfreight.com, currently on sale for $79.99, but not sure what shipping would be to various locations.
 

I too have found Walnut difficult to work. However, I have discovered that if you sand or file it with a medium grade something it works very well. Something else in a dark wood is African Blackwood. Can be as dark as Ebony, but not quite as difficult to work/
Larry

I agree on Walnut being brittle. Especially if cutting for planks, etc..I guess the question is, "what other dark woods are there?". Any wood can be stained dark. If you're thinking of celebrating a woods characteristics rather than covering it up, then look to African woods.
 
Wenge, is a dark dense wood with interesting contrast in it's grain.
 
Bublinga, has variuos tones of reds to almost black. Works well. it's used for instruments and fine woodworking from the smallest details to the largest projects. (this is one of my favorites)
There are others, but these are the two that stick out to me. In fact, i'm going to incorporate Bublinga into my current build
 
Of course there's Ebony, but for many reasons, you're better off ebonizing Boxwood in my opinion.
 
 
Warm Regards,
 
Bill

It's nice to see another AVS getting started. Feel free to ask for input, there is a lot of experience on this site with this kit, I'm nearing completion with mine.
 
Are you planning to work with any of the practicums available? I used this one, the cost was right for me.
 
http://www.modelboatyard.com/avs_articles.html
 
Ken

Biggest help to me was someone that said fit it. fit it, fit it and make sure each plank is correct and by the way fit it again!!!!! Did we talk about fitting each plank yet??? SORRY ABOUT THAT.
 
Tom

Thanks everyone.  I wasn't going to even mention it until Robbyn let the cat out.  Had to remove 14-15 rows of planks to port, all notched for sweep and gun ports.  Set to the task immediately so there was no time to think of photo documentation.  Actually, it will be fine....just a lot of do-over.  I'm getting really good at notches as the result.  The new ones are ''Buenos Notches" (sorry, couldn't resist).

Hello Ollie,
 
This is a great build log! Nice detailed explanation. Your work speaks for itself, quite beautiful. I'll be following along for sure
 
Warm Regards,
 
Bill

Looking forward to your build.

Looking forward to your build Bill and the first progress pictures.

Wow, FINALLY!!! It's here! I chose the Pride of Baltimore as my side build while building the USF Confederacy. I'm waiting to see if the Confed might be marked down during the holiday shopping season. So I ordered the Pride so I can dig in and get the doors of the C.W. Hime Shipyard open for business.
 
Today's the day! This is a Model Shipways kit. I ordered it through ebay from a wholesale hobby outlet. As advertised, everything remains in it's original packaging. It even had an enclosed invoice dated 1999. 
Tonight the Admiral and I are taking inventory of the kit. I'm also paying close attention to the integrity of the wood since this kit has been sitting since 1999.
I'm already planning on replacing the Basswood planking/decking with Boxwood. as of now, I do not plan on painting the Pride except for her mast where black is noted.
I have built cabinets of the highest grade. I have done historical restoration in libraries, manor homes and more. But I do not kid myself for a moment, this is a very different endeavor. Here, among all of you, I find myself once again an apprentice.
 
I look forward to the challenge and most of all learning, adding to my skill set, and perusing what has beckoned me my entire life, building tall ships.
I welcome all of you to pick up a chisel, choose your favorite mortise and set a peg!
 
 
Warm Regards,
 
Bill Hime
 
 

Hello Ollie,
 
This is a great build log! Nice detailed explanation. Your work speaks for itself, quite beautiful. I'll be following along for sure
 
Warm Regards,
 
Bill

Hi Nigel! Thank you for the warm welcome! And thank you for a great post!
 
For me, once I start walking through the build, I see it as if I too were 1/64th scale. My imagination can see every mortise and tendon. I can smell the aroma of wood being worked. I can feel my thickened hands wrapped around every tree nail as I set them with my beech wood mallet.
 
My chisels, they are sharp and cut true, a relationship with the wood that rings like Mozart through the shipyard. Each day is like a first date. Time stands still until suddenly the night is over. I walk through her one last time. Lantern held high, my eyes trace her lines as the shadows frame her beauty. My chest grows tight, I am in love.
 
Each day I spend with her she grows in her splendor. She is a princess of the best stock. Each plank and beam hand picked for her approval. Every man that looks upon her, if he's worth his salt, can't help but feel as I do.
 
Nothing is rushed, I simply don't want it to end. Someday she will leave my shipyard. All that I can do is make sure every detail has been given it's proper time, so she is prepared to survive an uncertain world...
 
 
 
Passion is Patience...and I am a carpenter at any scale
 
 
Bill Hime