Karleop

Proper photo update is coming soon, but in a meanwhile - a little bit about the kit.
It sure has a lot of notches and parts connected by inserting them into that notches. 
The problem is that all that connections are too tight. Nothing could be inserted without filing it first. Using the brute force can lead to cracks and broken parts, and I hate doing it this way. Fine fitting connections + wood glue are better than brute force
 
So before she can build the next step - I spend some time with a file, knife and chisel, making sure everything fits. Frankly, that is quite tedious and boring. As you can see, the kit has hell lot of notches! And every single one should be enlarged with a file.
 

 

The kit: 

 
Super detailed plans:

 
Fine parts:

 
Castings:

 
Laser cut parts:

 
Laser cut finish level of planking and transom and other parts:

 
Building jig:

Ok, a small update again, done (almost) painting the dekorations for this time. Some touch ups to do but that's for later.
 
A little guy that will go next to the harpist from earlier:
 

 
The framing of the Cherubs:
 

 
The repainted lionheads and whatever the other two decorations are:
(Lot of touch-up to do here)
 

 
And this is how the Cherubs will be placed:
 

 
So far these parts have been painted:
 

 
So, now you'll have to wait another 3-4 weeks....

Hola:
 
Now I decided to assembly  the Windlass.  For this, the first step was to position the bowsprit (in a provisional way) to locate exactly where the Samson posts would be placed.
 

 
Before assembling the different parts I painted and varnishing them:
 

 
Saludos, Karl
 
 

Hola:
 
Now I decided to assembly  the Windlass.  For this, the first step was to position the bowsprit (in a provisional way) to locate exactly where the Samson posts would be placed.
 

 
Before assembling the different parts I painted and varnishing them:
 

 
Saludos, Karl
 
 

Hello mates!!! Small update: Building the rudder.
 
Start of planking the wooden template

 
Believe it or not, there is a rudder underneath 

 
Planking the rear most part. Since I couldn't get a piece of the same wood wide enough to cover the entire surface, I'm using two strips side by side.

 

 
Taking shape


 
And finished shaping, with a coat of Tung oil applied.

 
Next update will be the process of carving the hinges openings, placing the hinges in place and fixing the whole structure in place, a process I am not very fond of. 

I wish I were 70 again! Great progress and some very good work Karl.  Your planking looks great. When it comes to getting older my advice is Don't Panic! The fun part is the work not the end of the project. 

To me, the best part of finishing a model, is that I can start a new one!!!
 
Karl, excellent work. I'm starting the construction of the rudder in my RL: Will steal some ideas from you!

Hola Mike:
 
You are completely right, the important thing is to enjoy any step of the construction and not necessarily to finish it!!  Indeed, when you acomplished your model end there is some sadness.
 
Saludos, Karl

Hola:
Now I decided to change a little the activities, from wood to metal, so the first challenge was: what to do the with the chain plates. Supposedly they must be drilled and fixed on the hull with a couple of nails, but this is almost impossible to make due to the small size of the metal strip (1/32"). After several tries I decided to use brass wire, with a little loop on the side to insert a nail and hammered the wire to obtain  the desire chain wide.
 
Here you can see the channels and different chain tries:
 
.
 
Another challenge was to make the rudder hinges. To do this it is also necessary to drill the metal strip with small holes to place the nails. In this case, the strip of metal is 1/16" brass and the bit to use is the number 75 (0.020 "). To fix the metal strip I had to make a wooden base where it was fixed.  Also use a base for the Dremel that I had already done since my first models and which allows to adjust the height in a very precise way.
 

 
To know exactly where to do the holes and seeing that the sizes on the blueprint were useless, I made some aluminium strips from a soda can and bend them over the rudder and the stern post, marking the place where the holes should be. Then flatten the strips and transfer the marks to the brass strip.
 

 
Thank´s for watching and for the likes. 
Saludos, Karl
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Next up in the hatch parade is the crew access/galley hatch.  This is a little more intricate, but not too bad.  Took me two weeks to complete.
 
First, I framed up the walls, added the stained roof pieces and some inner walls.  My sliding hatch doesn't move, so everything is glued down tight.
 

 

 

 

 
Next, hatches were added to the top - there are 3 here: a long, dual portlight hatch on the left side, a single smaller one on the right and frame for the galley stack also on the right.  A life ring is placed on the sliding flat portion.  I mixed my own orange color from the ship's yellow and red (too little paint to go out and purchase), and I also left the galley stack chimney the base metal color - seems to match the ship better than the bronze the instructions called for.
 

 

 

 
Finally, a shot of the ship as it stands right now, before I continue onto the next largest hatch:
 

 
Andy
 
 
 

Hola:
Now I decided to change a little the activities, from wood to metal, so the first challenge was: what to do the with the chain plates. Supposedly they must be drilled and fixed on the hull with a couple of nails, but this is almost impossible to make due to the small size of the metal strip (1/32"). After several tries I decided to use brass wire, with a little loop on the side to insert a nail and hammered the wire to obtain  the desire chain wide.
 
Here you can see the channels and different chain tries:
 
.
 
Another challenge was to make the rudder hinges. To do this it is also necessary to drill the metal strip with small holes to place the nails. In this case, the strip of metal is 1/16" brass and the bit to use is the number 75 (0.020 "). To fix the metal strip I had to make a wooden base where it was fixed.  Also use a base for the Dremel that I had already done since my first models and which allows to adjust the height in a very precise way.
 

 
To know exactly where to do the holes and seeing that the sizes on the blueprint were useless, I made some aluminium strips from a soda can and bend them over the rudder and the stern post, marking the place where the holes should be. Then flatten the strips and transfer the marks to the brass strip.
 

 
Thank´s for watching and for the likes. 
Saludos, Karl
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Update. That transom rail or whatever that is, finished.
Next step: The rudder.
 

 

 
Thanks for watching!

Hello mates.
After a really long period without an update, I'm finally breaking the procrastination shell and here I am.
These have been really tough months for me. My sister's surgery and other severe family stuff prevented me from building. I was just not in the mood. And when I sat to build I faced the problem of those quarter galleries which gave me nightmares for months. In the end, they are not what they were supposed to be, as you will see. I had to improvise and the result is nothing I am proud of.
One thing is sure, nobody can say I didn't try. I tried aluminum, brass, plastic, wood, cardboard, epoxies, nothing seemed to work. So here it is. This will have to do. Please be lenient.
One thing that makes me happy is that finally I left that behind and I am now moving on with my build. Just one more sheet of instructions covering some deck furniture and fittings, and masting and rigging is on sight. 
 
Cheers!!!
 
At first I tried to fill that space with toothpicks
 


 
I later removed that and used a piece of prescribed balsa which seemed to work better.

 
This is the finished starboard gallery

 
And the port one.

 
Now move on!!!
 
Next is to build this structure on the deck.

 
Making a template of the curve.

 
Finally found some use for that set of French Curves I bought long time ago.


 
Using one of my favorite non-hobby-specific tools: A ladies large hair curler, used to bend wood.


 
The parts are roughly dry fitted over the template.

 
... and I will leave you in suspense until the next update... muahahahaha 
 
I plan to finish this part tomorrow.
 
See you all.
 
Best regards. 

Hola:
 
Now I finished one of the Vent Box.According to the instructions these boxes have no pre-installed coamings instead  they are bolted to the deck having only a couple of transverse wood strips.  But seeing pictures of the actual modern ship they have coamings so I put them.
 

 
Also, and to change activity,  I painted the lower part of the hull using a combination of dark green with forest green and a little blue acrylic paint. Now it has two layers of paint and only need to apply the layers of satin varnish.
 

 
Saludos, Karl
 
 
 
 
 
 

Hola harlekin:
 
You really got a bargain buying this model for 10.00 pounds!!!
 
Actually this was my first wood model and as far as I know Constructo discontinued doing this ship around five years ago. It was a big challenge to me but I learned a lot about modeling and constructing my own tools that help me a lot since now.
 
If you need some advice probably I can help you.  By the way, you can see some pictures of my Pandora following the link in my signature.
 
Saludos, Karl

Hola harlekin:
 
You really got a bargain buying this model for 10.00 pounds!!!
 
Actually this was my first wood model and as far as I know Constructo discontinued doing this ship around five years ago. It was a big challenge to me but I learned a lot about modeling and constructing my own tools that help me a lot since now.
 
If you need some advice probably I can help you.  By the way, you can see some pictures of my Pandora following the link in my signature.
 
Saludos, Karl

Hola harlekin:
 
You really got a bargain buying this model for 10.00 pounds!!!
 
Actually this was my first wood model and as far as I know Constructo discontinued doing this ship around five years ago. It was a big challenge to me but I learned a lot about modeling and constructing my own tools that help me a lot since now.
 
If you need some advice probably I can help you.  By the way, you can see some pictures of my Pandora following the link in my signature.
 
Saludos, Karl

Hola:
 
Now I finished one of the Vent Box.According to the instructions these boxes have no pre-installed coamings instead  they are bolted to the deck having only a couple of transverse wood strips.  But seeing pictures of the actual modern ship they have coamings so I put them.
 

 
Also, and to change activity,  I painted the lower part of the hull using a combination of dark green with forest green and a little blue acrylic paint. Now it has two layers of paint and only need to apply the layers of satin varnish.
 

 
Saludos, Karl
 
 
 
 
 
 

Slowly coming together - these are the latest progress photos.  Apart from 2 bunt lines to do on the foremast topsail yard, I have many (NO - very many) coils to make up and place, add the Ensign (waiting for it to arrive), finish the spare yards, 2 x mast tackles (showing them in use), add some boat details (oars etc), make the skiff and yawl and lastly - enjoy   
cheers
 
Pat
 

 
   

Hola:
 
Following with the deck furniture I already make the After cabin Trunk:
 

 
the more challenging part was the making of the windows hinges
 

 
and the Foc´SL  hatch:
 

 
and here in its provisional position on deck:
 

 
Saludos, Karl
 
 

Hola Andy:
 
Answering your question: the solution was simple I only sand the middle section to accomplish the desire curvature.  probably is better if you see a picture:
 

 
Saludos, Karl

Peter,
 
What's that song with --"Open your eyes"??
 
I've had that photo in my files and never "saw" the fid staring at me right in the middle of the photo. Looked at the photo for help with the platforms and totally ignored the masts - Gee whizz--But thanks so much for your guidance. much appreciated indeed. Now I will also add a fid to the main (:-)
 
Cheers,

 
Making some progress
 

 
 
 
 

Hola:
 
Following with the deck furniture I already make the After cabin Trunk:
 

 
the more challenging part was the making of the windows hinges
 

 
and the Foc´SL  hatch:
 

 
and here in its provisional position on deck:
 

 
Saludos, Karl
 
 

Hola:
 
Following with the deck furniture I already make the After cabin Trunk:
 

 
the more challenging part was the making of the windows hinges
 

 
and the Foc´SL  hatch:
 

 
and here in its provisional position on deck:
 

 
Saludos, Karl