The Gimps Chimp

Many thanks for your kind words EZ. Chimp

I've now started with the rigging, not my favourite part of the build but it's got to be done. I was going to fit the yards to the masts as shown in the videos but thinking about it, I felt it would be easier fitting the shrouds and ratlines without the yards fitted and before the masts are fitted to the ship. I might be wrong but I figured it would be easier having the mast sat in the vice rather that fitted to the ship. I would be interested to hear what other people think. I started on the foremast by fitting the futtock shrouds, which according to the AotS for the Beagle should be chains but OcCre don't supply enough chain for this and show 0.5mm thread. Before I go any further I should state that I make my own rope using a 3D printed ropewalk, which I'm now getting quite proficient at. I currently have 10 km of Gutermann Mara 100 polyester thread, so making rope isn't an issue for me. After the futtock shrouds I fitted the fore topmast shrouds and deadeyes. I then spaced the deadeye pairs using some 0.7mm brass wire. This was to try and achieve a consistent spacing between the deadeye pairs. I know it looks a mess but none of the ends have been cut off. After cutting the ends and lashing the deadeyes it looks a little better. Then I needed to progress with tying the ratlines. This would be the first time I've done ratlines and was worrying about it taking so much time and effort to get the clove hitch right. It was then I stumbled on a tutorial video on YouTube which explained everything and makes it so easy. There video can be found here: After tying a few lengths it was starting to take shape. By the time I was finished it wasn't looking too bad and to be honest, it didn't take too long (much to my relief). I know I still have much to learn and there's still plenty of room for improvement, but after this little success I'm actually looking forward to progressing with the rigging!! I'm hoping by the time I've finished this model I might have a clearer idea about what I should be doing. Chimp

Congratulations Dave, that's a fine looking model. You should be very proud of all the excellent work you've done there. Outstanding workmanship and a first build too!! Any thoughts about a display case? Chimp

Made from 15mm pipe lagging Chimp

Hi E Z Breeze, Will you be starting a build log? I've found it useful getting feedback about my build from more experienced builders, and it's useful for others who are starting their builds - as it sounds you have found. I would recommend starting one. Don't worry about putting your work 'out there' for others to see. We're a friendly bunch and we all started somewhere . It's a great learning experience. Chimp

Hi Penfold, Looks like you're making good progress. I found the second planking somewhat easier than the first. Looks like you're on track to making a very fine model Chimp

Hi Allan, There is nothing in the kit which identifies these items as hammocks. However, in the AotS for the Beagle the space which these items sit is marked as the 'Hammock rail'. Regarding relative size of components I think you are spot on. Again, looking at the AotS for the Beagle we have the following: Regarding the number of hammocks detailed in the kit, in relation to the size of the crew, I wouldn't want to comment. I think there's a lot of 'artistic licence' applied in the design of these kits. Regards Chimp

More progress. The parts which I had stained in the last post have now been assembled. This now forms the lower section of the main mast. There weren't any major issues here, just the need to make sure everything is true and aligned and at the correct angle remembering that the main mast is angled back slightly and the platform needs to sit horizontal, so isn't at 90 degs to the mast. Luckily the instructions have 1:1 drawings to align to. I then made the upper parts to the main mast. Next I started making the yards. After tapering and staining each yard there is some cladding to be added to the centre section. The instructions indicate this should be done using 1mm x 3mm limewood. I'm not sure why but I'm running short of this size and it's clear there won't be enough to use it on all the yards. Looking at other build logs this is a common problem. However, I do have plenty of 2mm x 5mm limewood left over from the first planking. So much that I could probably plank another hull, if not more. So what I've done is to cut this to the desired lengths for the cladding then cut it down the centre and glued it side on to the mast, as shown in the next photo: Once the glue has dried I then gently trim the depth down to about 1mm (or less): Once both ends have been cut down I then fill any gaps with wood filler, leave to dry and sand flat. I'm happy with the result. Using 2mm wide lengths gives a better coverage on the mast than the 1mm x 3mm would do. Now it's on with the rest of the yards..... Chimp

Looking at the AotS for the Beagle, it shows three bolts for each pintle on the rudder, spot on Allan During my build of this kit I've found so many areas where there has been a deviation from 'reality'. Like Clementine, I view the building of my kit as a learning experience, hopefully with better things to come. Chimp

When I did mine I started with a small hole and enlarged it with a rat tail file until it was the correct size. Chimp

Hi Clementine, I agree, now would be a good time to varnish the hull. I used a Vallejo matt varnish on mine which didn't change the appearance. So much so that I did one side and let it dry. By the time I came back to do the other side I had forgotten which side I had already done. I now have to do both sides again to make sure I do it all. This is what I used on mine: Chimp

There's been a small amount of progress since the last update. I've been working on the small boats. Progress is slow and steady. I've also started to work on the main mast. The first job after cutting the lower main mast section was to shape the top tenon to ensure the main mast cap sits at the correct angle (horizontal). I thought this was going to be difficult and may need a few attempts. As it was it was quite easy. I guess I got lucky and did it right first time. Then I've assembled a selection of parts and stained them ready for assembly. I know I'm not a quick builder but I now feel I'm getting back into the swing of things. Completing the masts will then take me into the process which I'm not looking forward to.... the rigging. Maybe I should try and make the most of this last bit of the build. Chimp

Hi Clementine, Looks like the second planking turned out just fine. You've done a nice job of fitting the rails too. The one thing I would say I've found helps is, before fitting any timber just give it a light sanding to remove any fibres. It's a lot easier to sand before fitting than after. Your build is looking good and coming along in good time. At this rate you'll be finished before me Chimp

I guess it's 'Horses for courses', what suits one doesn't necessarily suit all. As long as we can all find a way that works for our own style of building. It's good that we have so many different options to choose from

Hi Clementine, I suffered a similar issue on my build. After sanding I think it's not so obvious and looks okay. As with most parts of the build it's a learning curve and hopefully we're all learning all the time. It's great there are people here, like Allanyed, to point us in the right direction, and many thanks to them. During my second build I've acquired so much additional knowledge and skills that I'm looking forward to being able to practice them in my third build. Let's all keep learning Chimp

Hi Allan, Thanks for your comment. Regarding the kit, I'm finding there's quite a few 'substitutes for reality'. I'm now of the opinion that cheapness of kit is a false economy, especially when you consider your investment in terms of time spent building the kit. However, having said that it's been a useful learning experience. I don't think I could scratch build so I'll have to stick with kits. I already have my next build waiting, Caldercraft's HMS Granado. I'm determined to finish the Beagle before I make a start on that one. Chimp

Many thanks for your comment Prowler. Let me know how you get on with the ropewalk if you decide to make one. Chimp

Progress is still gradual but at least it's still progress. There are just so many deck fittings! One of the first things I done is to start fitting some of the many chains. First of all there was the anchor chains. These run from the area under the forecastle, wind around the windlass, then run to the chain pipe on the main deck. This sounds easy to achieve, and I guess in principle it is. However, as I had just spent the previous week fitting other deck fittings to the deck under the forecastle it made the job so fiddly. To be fair there isn't really any other option but to do it in this order. The difficult bit is getting the chain right into the forecastle and then getting the CA glue onto the end of it. I ended up using a length of 1mm brass rod from the kit which I bent over the end by 2mm to form a small hook. I then used this to push the chain into position. Then keeping everything steady I applied the CA glue using a very long applicator, kept everything still for a few minutes and hopped for the best. It worked well much to my relief. Not sure what I would have done without the long CA applicator tube. Once the glue was set, wrapping the chain around the windlass and gluing it to the deck was very straightforward. Once set, the chain pipe is fitted in place. Some other chains I've fitted are the bumpkin backstay chains, 'What are they!' I hear you cry. Well apparently they are..... probably easier to look here: Bumpkin link It's not crystal clear from the instructions just where and how these are fitted but after some research on other build logs and watching the Occre video of the build on YouTube I think I've achieved something which looks acceptable. I've also finished off fitting the structures to the rear of the ship. These are the two companionways for the captains cabin and the mess room. Also the ships wheel was fitted. I have decided not to fit the sounding winch, compass and the four davits just yet as I feel they may be vulnerable during fitting the rigging. Hopefully they should be easy to fit once the rigging is completed. In the following photo the rowing boat is just placed on the deck supports for effect. It's not yet fixed down, again so it doesn't imped access during rigging. I just hope once the rigging is completed I'll still be able to get the boat back in and be able to strap it to the deck. I'll have to keep an eye on the progress and make a judgment as to when is best to secure it in position. I've also spent some time working on the other three small boats. I started working on these much earlier in the build but never finished building them. I've got to the stage where they are now planked and I'm working on the fittings. In the instructions it shows them being stained but I'm not overly happy with that so I've decided to paint them, like the one in the photo above on the main deck. Not sure if this is accurate to the time but I feel it would have been. I would be interested in hearing anyone's opinion on this. You may have noticed that two of these three boats are very similar. If you are building this kit my advice would be to either just make one of these at a time or cut out the parts and keep them in separate containers as some of the parts are very similar but not identical. Working out which bits go with which boat can be a challenge. So until the next time...... Chimp

Hi Clementine, Feel free to come an view my build log at: What I found easiest was to start at the top and work down. Bulwark planking is easy as it's flat and straight. I worked down into the centre keeping off the bow and stern where shaping is required. Then I jumped to the bottom and worked up. Again this is all relatively straightforward. At the bow and stern wedge shaped pieces of planking can be cut and fitted to fill the gaps between adjacent planks. You'll soon find the knack of cutting the correct angle. Working up you'll eventually meet with your planking coming down. This is where you will find some thin slithers, odd angles and shapes my be required, but by this time you'll be an expert of knowing how to cut these. If you end up with small gaps then use a brown coloured filler. As for gluing I applied PVA to about 90% of the centre of the plank and used a dab of CA at each end to hold it in position while the PVA dried. I applied the PVA, fitted the plank then peeled back each end and applied the CA. Pressed into place for 20 secs, job done. I left a small gap between the PVA and CA as I'm not sure it's good to let them mix. Maybe other will tell you different. That's what worked for me. I'm sure there will be some shouting NO!!! at all this and advise another way, I will be interested to see what others suggest. This is only my second ship so I'm very much still learning. Good luck!! Chimp

Hi Clementine, Your model is progressing nicely. The second planking is very thin and will follow every contour of the first layer. It may be worth using a little more filler to get that really smooth finish. Chimp

A good application of filler will hide a multitude of sins. The first planking is just a base for the second layer.

Ropewalk.zip

Hi Todd, Thanks for your comment. I'm not aware of any 3D printed ropewalk details on this forum. I posted this on a different thread about my experience of making rope: The Zip file required to print the ropewalk was posted there. If this link doesn't work I'll post the file in this thread. Chimp

It's been two months since my last update so about time for another. With the change in the weather and the garden coming back to life, the competition for time has been difficult. I've been able to grab an hour here and a half hour there. Progress has been slow but it's still moving forward. I've been working on the deck fittings, and there's a lot of them. Nothing too difficult just time consuming getting them all done. I've also managed to acquire a 3D printed ropewalk so have been practicing making rope, with mixed results. Here is a photo of kit supplied rope (left) alongside my rope (right). Here's a photo of some of the deck fittings to be placed on the empty deck: Most of the deck fittings were straightforward to make. The only bit which was disappointing were the axles for the cannons. If using the dimensions given in the kit the wheels are spaced far too wide apart for the smaller cannons. I should have checked before gluing the wheels on. Once I realised my mistake it was too late to remove them without damaging them so had to cut the axles and glue the four wheels on individually. Not a big problem, more annoying in that it would have been so easy to give the correct dimension in the instructions. But then I guess that's another lesson learnt by myself during this build. A little bit older, a little bit wiser.... The next series of photos shows the progress I've made getting the fittings actually fitted onto the deck. Now I just need to keep the momentum going...... Chimp

Good to have you here E Z Breeze. Will you be making a build log? It's about time I updated mine. Work has been progressing but it's been painfully slow at the moment Chimp