The Gimps Chimp
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Everything posted by The Gimps Chimp
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Getting the planks to bend around the horizontal is straightforward. I've found a flower pot which has the same radius as the bow. Once damp the planks bend easily to this radius and keep their shape once dry. The problem comes when trying to bend them on the vertical.
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I've started to consider the planking, which I know is going to be a challenge. Hopefully it will also be rewarding if I can make a good job of it. The supplied planks are 5mm x 2mm limewood. I'm finding these quite difficult to bend to the required profile especially in two directions. I think I might be making things difficult for myself. The instructions don't seem to bother about getting a close fit between the planks and rely on filler and sanding once finished and the fact that the second planking will cover the first. I'm trying to get as close a fit as I can between the first planks and as a result progress is slow.
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Looks like you've made a great start to the build and are make fine progress. I'm doing the same build but having a few issues along the way. I don't find the instruction too helpful so I tend to just use them as a pointer. I'm very interested to see how you progress so will keep a close eye on your build log. Chimp
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Just a quick update on the build: I got some oak stain and applied it to the cabins and it had the desired effect. It darkened down the wood and retained the grain. It didn't bleed into the deck so I was happy with that too. I decided to not paint the brass doors as it would look a bit flat and would really need some texture, I'll live with the brass. I've now fitted the forward and aft decks as well as the bulwarks. It was during the fitting of the bulwarks and pinning them I managed to get one of the pins to surface through the main deck. As it turned out this was easily repaired. I've now started the process of fairing ready for planking. As I now know from my last ship, it's worth taking the time to get this right and will save time and effort in the long run. Chimp
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Hi Jaager, Many thanks for your response. I fear I may have lost my second gold star as the photo of the deck was taken before I simulated the trunnel pattern. Ah well, it's a learning curve and I must admit I'm still at the lower end. I was thinking of trying a weak water soluble oak wood stain on the external faces of the cabins to try and darken the colour down a little. I think the Lime wood veneer used is a little too light. I'll have to experiment with it first as I don't want it to bleed into the wood of the deck. Maybe start with drybrushing the stain on first and see how it goes. Chimp
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Hi guys, hopefully just a quick question here. In this kit there are four doors which are supplied as etched brass to be cut out and glued in place. I can't imagine for one minute they would have been brass doors so what would they have been, oak? So I guess they'll need painting. What would have been the wood of the cabins they are placed on, oak again? Same colour? Chimp
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A bit more progress on the deck. I've decided to go with your advice Cathead and try the individual planks. As you say, it's more work but hopefully it will give a better and more consistent finish. After cutting the planks to size I'm ready to start fitting them. Thought I would start in the middle and work towards one edge. The first couple of rows were straightforward and went on well but then one of the planks was slightly wider than the others. Unfortunately I didn't realize this until the glue had set so couldn't swap it for one the same size as the previous planks. I guess there is a tolerance in the veneer strips which the planks are cut from. If I were applying them as whole strips you would never tell the difference because they would be consistent along the entire length. As I'm now taking random planks from a pile made up of multiple strips I can get different width planks. Fortunately the gap wasn't really that noticeable so managed to recover without it looking too bad. I've now finished planking the main deck and I think it looks okay. Chimp
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I'm now ready to plank the deck but have a question. I've used a HB pencil to darken the edges of the planks (after sanding them smooth) to try and simulate the caulking between the planks. My question is, should I cut the deck veneer strips to 60mm lengths and fit them individually, or should I apply them as one strip along the entire deck length and mark on the plank length with pencil after fitting? Chimp
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After leaving the spine to 'rest' for a couple of days to see if the bend returns, it looks like things are looking good. There is a very slight bend but nothing to worry about, at least that's what I'm telling myself. I've decided to progress with the build as is. I've now added the reinforcing blocks to the bow and stern to aid planking. I've marked out the deck with a 1-3-5-2-4 butt shift. This seems to be the most sensible sequence as far as I can tell. The kit instructions are indicating a 60mm plank length, which at 1/60 scale would equate to 11' 10" (12-foot). Not sure if this is correct but it looks okay to me (but then I quite ignorant on these things).
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Many thanks for your suggestion Jaager, but being very much a novice at this and not having tools for metal working I think I should stick to the original plans. Looking at the spine today it's still looking very straight so I think I may be lucky with this one
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Update on the curved spine: I moistened the spine then bent it back straight and allowed it to dry. This took out the curve (albeit temporarily, time will tell). I've now cut out the bulkheads and done a trial run fitting them together. They fitted together without any forcing and when the deck was fitted the was little or no adjustment to be made. I won't get the time to fit any planks for the next few days so I won't glue anything just yet, and see if it warp returns. If it's still straight in a couple of days time then I'll glue the bulkheads and start the planking. Once the planking is started, my hope is that any movement will be constrained. Chimp
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Hi Jaager, just had a quick look and found some information on this site which you've commented on. I guess this is what you meant Many thanks Chimp
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Hi guys, thanks for your comments. The Beagle replica in Chile looks fascinating Cathead, thanks for the link to your photos. Regarding the warp to the spine, I've tried to bend it back flat which has worked but I take your point Jaager that it will probably only be a temporary fix and it will ultimately revert back to the warped state over time. I do like the sound of a mechanical support which will physically hold it in position. Fitting supports at each spine/bulkhead join should do the trick - thanks for the tip. Jaager, your comment about the deck is interesting. The kit is supplied with a plywood deck which is then laid with plank veneers. I guess I can have whatever deck butt pattern I wish. I currently know nothing about what would be realistic for this time. Where you say "read here about butt shift rules..." was that meant to be a link? I would be interested to learn more about what is realistic and how best to achieve it. Thanks again for your comments. Chimp
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My first consideration is whether or not I need to straighten the keel. When placed against a straight edge it has a very slight bend. Along the length of the keel (40cm) it is warped by about 1cm. I think this will straighten out when I fit the deck but it would be nice to have it straight to start with. I'll try making it damp and bending it back the other way. I guess I need to be careful I don't bend it too much the other way. Do you think it would be better the try and iron it on a flat surface? Chimp
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Hi guys, Here we go, starting my second ship. My first ship was HM Schooner Ballahoo, but I didn't make a build log for that one. To be honest I didn't think I would get very far with it. However, I did complete it and was quite happy with the result. During the build I relied very heavily on the build logs of others (especially The Lazy Saint) and now realize how important and useful build logs are to people new to the hobby. I'm obviously hoping this build goes well and I can get it completed. I must admit I'm still having problems with a lot of the nautical terms and the whole thing is a learning process for me. I started making plastic models of aircraft as a young boy back in the 60s and 70s (my father was in the Royal Air Force). That continued for many years, eventually moving on to military fighting vehicles in the 80s and 90s. Then last year, after a few years of deliberation, I took the plunge and got my first wooden ship, which as I said turned out okay. Now I'm converted Chimp
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Hi guys, Many thanks for your warm welcome and words of encouragement. I'm now looking at starting a Build Log for my next ship HMS Beagle. As I relied on the build logs of others when making my first model I now know how important they are. I just hope I can come close to the high standard set by others. Well there's one way to find out...... Chimp
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Here are some photos of my first model ship (HMS Ballahoo)
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Hi guys, First of all, Happy New Year to everyone! I think it's about time I introduced myself to the club. I joined over 7 years ago when first looking at making a model ship but it all looked way too complicated for me so didn't get around to doing anything. The desire to build a wooden ship has remained with me and at the start of the our first lockdown back last March I took the plunge an bought HMS Ballahoo. I used this forum extensively during the build and don't think I would have got through it without access to the build logs. I didn't make a build log myself as I didn't have the confidence that I would finish the build. To be honest I thought I would make a bit of a mess of it and leave it partially made. However, I did complete it and think I made a reasonable job of it. Now I have my next model ready to go, HMS Beagle (OcCre). This time I'll start a build log. Chimp
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