robdurant

Hi all,
 
Moderators : Apologies if I've put this in the wrong place... please do move it.
 
I'm aware from watching the forums over a little while that uploading pictures to the forum can be a bit confusing and stressful, especially when it comes to why pictures that look fine are rotated wrong when they arrive on the website. It's confusing for us, but it also results in a bunch of questions to the moderators and admins on this site, which are hard to answer from afar.
 
To try and help with this, I've programmed an application for Windows 10 that takes images in one folder and puts them into another having resized and hardwired the rotation. If you then put more photos into the source folder, it'll just resize the new ones that haven't been resized before. You get to decide the maximum dimension of the resized image, and modify the filename for clarity. You can also set the quality of the new images to alter the amount of space the files created take up on your hard drive, and how much time they take to upload / download (this last piece of functionality was added after the video below was made.
 
Anyway - this YouTube video gives you an idea of what I've programmed... it describes installation and usage step by step.  I would STRONGLY recommend watching the video before you download the application and try it out. (It'll help me if I don't get asked to answer questions that are already answered in the video)
 
If it's helpful to you, you can find the video, and download link along with the documentation I'm half way through writing at the link below:
 
Please be aware - I've programmed this in my spare time... so whilst I use it myself, and it seems reliable, I can't be 100% sure it doesn't contain bugs. Please don't use it if you aren't happy to take responsibility for what it does to your computer. I can't take responsibility for loss of data / time or damage incurred as a result of using it. Nor can I offer 24/7 support (because it's just me). So - if you're happy to have a go, and try it out, then go ahead.  You will be asked to agree to this when you install it.
 
Download link and documentation:
https://www.durant.biz/pictureresizer/
 
 
 
 
Hope it blesses you. Let me know how you get on.
 
Rob Durant

If you use a quality around 85-90 you shouldn't have any issues at that resolution of 1200x1600 pixels, and the image should be good quality and not showing any noticeable compression artefacts.

Time for an update. I've had a week off, so progress has been made. I've added all of the iron banding (black card), and painted the tips of the spars. The remaining rails for the yards were assembled using jigs, soldered, sprayed black and installed...
 


 
Then I began to go through each yard individually (starting with 62, the mainmast royal yard), adding all of the eyelets, blocks and footropes (which are made from 1 strand, 3 threads per strand, ECRU #100 crochet thread, dyed to make approx a 0.5mm rope). This rope is too large for the eyelets, so it's secured to the eyelet using Gutermann sewing thread - the same thread I've used for sewing the sails.

The following pictures are from the third yard I've been working on - 62c - the Mainmast upper topsail yard. The stirrups for the footrope are from the same rope.
 


At the same time, the stunsail booms are fixed in position, and the blocks attached.
 
I've attached the topgallant stunsails to the booms they hang from, and attached them to yard 62d (the Mainmast topgallant yard), leaving the belayed end coiled until the yards are finally attached.
 
The Royal and TopGallant sails have then been attached to the rails on the yards, giving the following effect...


I've almost ready to attach the Mainmast Upper Topsail to the Upper Topsail yard, but first, I need to put on the reefing points. These will be from #80 DMC Cordonnet crochet thread, which is thin enough to fit through the needle, and unlike the sewing thread, can be glued with watered down PVA so that I can make the reefing points hang more naturally... Time will tell whether this plan works out okay
 

 
I think that brings me up to date. Thanks for all the likes and encouragment.
 
Rob

Time for an update. I've had a week off, so progress has been made. I've added all of the iron banding (black card), and painted the tips of the spars. The remaining rails for the yards were assembled using jigs, soldered, sprayed black and installed...
 


 
Then I began to go through each yard individually (starting with 62, the mainmast royal yard), adding all of the eyelets, blocks and footropes (which are made from 1 strand, 3 threads per strand, ECRU #100 crochet thread, dyed to make approx a 0.5mm rope). This rope is too large for the eyelets, so it's secured to the eyelet using Gutermann sewing thread - the same thread I've used for sewing the sails.

The following pictures are from the third yard I've been working on - 62c - the Mainmast upper topsail yard. The stirrups for the footrope are from the same rope.
 


At the same time, the stunsail booms are fixed in position, and the blocks attached.
 
I've attached the topgallant stunsails to the booms they hang from, and attached them to yard 62d (the Mainmast topgallant yard), leaving the belayed end coiled until the yards are finally attached.
 
The Royal and TopGallant sails have then been attached to the rails on the yards, giving the following effect...


I've almost ready to attach the Mainmast Upper Topsail to the Upper Topsail yard, but first, I need to put on the reefing points. These will be from #80 DMC Cordonnet crochet thread, which is thin enough to fit through the needle, and unlike the sewing thread, can be glued with watered down PVA so that I can make the reefing points hang more naturally... Time will tell whether this plan works out okay
 

 
I think that brings me up to date. Thanks for all the likes and encouragment.
 
Rob

Time for an update. I've had a week off, so progress has been made. I've added all of the iron banding (black card), and painted the tips of the spars. The remaining rails for the yards were assembled using jigs, soldered, sprayed black and installed...
 


 
Then I began to go through each yard individually (starting with 62, the mainmast royal yard), adding all of the eyelets, blocks and footropes (which are made from 1 strand, 3 threads per strand, ECRU #100 crochet thread, dyed to make approx a 0.5mm rope). This rope is too large for the eyelets, so it's secured to the eyelet using Gutermann sewing thread - the same thread I've used for sewing the sails.

The following pictures are from the third yard I've been working on - 62c - the Mainmast upper topsail yard. The stirrups for the footrope are from the same rope.
 


At the same time, the stunsail booms are fixed in position, and the blocks attached.
 
I've attached the topgallant stunsails to the booms they hang from, and attached them to yard 62d (the Mainmast topgallant yard), leaving the belayed end coiled until the yards are finally attached.
 
The Royal and TopGallant sails have then been attached to the rails on the yards, giving the following effect...


I've almost ready to attach the Mainmast Upper Topsail to the Upper Topsail yard, but first, I need to put on the reefing points. These will be from #80 DMC Cordonnet crochet thread, which is thin enough to fit through the needle, and unlike the sewing thread, can be glued with watered down PVA so that I can make the reefing points hang more naturally... Time will tell whether this plan works out okay
 

 
I think that brings me up to date. Thanks for all the likes and encouragment.
 
Rob

Time for an update. I've had a week off, so progress has been made. I've added all of the iron banding (black card), and painted the tips of the spars. The remaining rails for the yards were assembled using jigs, soldered, sprayed black and installed...
 


 
Then I began to go through each yard individually (starting with 62, the mainmast royal yard), adding all of the eyelets, blocks and footropes (which are made from 1 strand, 3 threads per strand, ECRU #100 crochet thread, dyed to make approx a 0.5mm rope). This rope is too large for the eyelets, so it's secured to the eyelet using Gutermann sewing thread - the same thread I've used for sewing the sails.

The following pictures are from the third yard I've been working on - 62c - the Mainmast upper topsail yard. The stirrups for the footrope are from the same rope.
 


At the same time, the stunsail booms are fixed in position, and the blocks attached.
 
I've attached the topgallant stunsails to the booms they hang from, and attached them to yard 62d (the Mainmast topgallant yard), leaving the belayed end coiled until the yards are finally attached.
 
The Royal and TopGallant sails have then been attached to the rails on the yards, giving the following effect...


I've almost ready to attach the Mainmast Upper Topsail to the Upper Topsail yard, but first, I need to put on the reefing points. These will be from #80 DMC Cordonnet crochet thread, which is thin enough to fit through the needle, and unlike the sewing thread, can be glued with watered down PVA so that I can make the reefing points hang more naturally... Time will tell whether this plan works out okay
 

 
I think that brings me up to date. Thanks for all the likes and encouragment.
 
Rob

A big milestone today   I've just finished sewing the bolt ropes onto the sails... Here's a photo of them all laid out on the plan

Onto the reef points, now... 
 
Happy building all, and thanks for looking in
 
Rob

Time for an update. I've had a week off, so progress has been made. I've added all of the iron banding (black card), and painted the tips of the spars. The remaining rails for the yards were assembled using jigs, soldered, sprayed black and installed...
 


 
Then I began to go through each yard individually (starting with 62, the mainmast royal yard), adding all of the eyelets, blocks and footropes (which are made from 1 strand, 3 threads per strand, ECRU #100 crochet thread, dyed to make approx a 0.5mm rope). This rope is too large for the eyelets, so it's secured to the eyelet using Gutermann sewing thread - the same thread I've used for sewing the sails.

The following pictures are from the third yard I've been working on - 62c - the Mainmast upper topsail yard. The stirrups for the footrope are from the same rope.
 


At the same time, the stunsail booms are fixed in position, and the blocks attached.
 
I've attached the topgallant stunsails to the booms they hang from, and attached them to yard 62d (the Mainmast topgallant yard), leaving the belayed end coiled until the yards are finally attached.
 
The Royal and TopGallant sails have then been attached to the rails on the yards, giving the following effect...


I've almost ready to attach the Mainmast Upper Topsail to the Upper Topsail yard, but first, I need to put on the reefing points. These will be from #80 DMC Cordonnet crochet thread, which is thin enough to fit through the needle, and unlike the sewing thread, can be glued with watered down PVA so that I can make the reefing points hang more naturally... Time will tell whether this plan works out okay
 

 
I think that brings me up to date. Thanks for all the likes and encouragment.
 
Rob

Time for an update. I've had a week off, so progress has been made. I've added all of the iron banding (black card), and painted the tips of the spars. The remaining rails for the yards were assembled using jigs, soldered, sprayed black and installed...
 


 
Then I began to go through each yard individually (starting with 62, the mainmast royal yard), adding all of the eyelets, blocks and footropes (which are made from 1 strand, 3 threads per strand, ECRU #100 crochet thread, dyed to make approx a 0.5mm rope). This rope is too large for the eyelets, so it's secured to the eyelet using Gutermann sewing thread - the same thread I've used for sewing the sails.

The following pictures are from the third yard I've been working on - 62c - the Mainmast upper topsail yard. The stirrups for the footrope are from the same rope.
 


At the same time, the stunsail booms are fixed in position, and the blocks attached.
 
I've attached the topgallant stunsails to the booms they hang from, and attached them to yard 62d (the Mainmast topgallant yard), leaving the belayed end coiled until the yards are finally attached.
 
The Royal and TopGallant sails have then been attached to the rails on the yards, giving the following effect...


I've almost ready to attach the Mainmast Upper Topsail to the Upper Topsail yard, but first, I need to put on the reefing points. These will be from #80 DMC Cordonnet crochet thread, which is thin enough to fit through the needle, and unlike the sewing thread, can be glued with watered down PVA so that I can make the reefing points hang more naturally... Time will tell whether this plan works out okay
 

 
I think that brings me up to date. Thanks for all the likes and encouragment.
 
Rob

Time for an update. I've had a week off, so progress has been made. I've added all of the iron banding (black card), and painted the tips of the spars. The remaining rails for the yards were assembled using jigs, soldered, sprayed black and installed...
 


 
Then I began to go through each yard individually (starting with 62, the mainmast royal yard), adding all of the eyelets, blocks and footropes (which are made from 1 strand, 3 threads per strand, ECRU #100 crochet thread, dyed to make approx a 0.5mm rope). This rope is too large for the eyelets, so it's secured to the eyelet using Gutermann sewing thread - the same thread I've used for sewing the sails.

The following pictures are from the third yard I've been working on - 62c - the Mainmast upper topsail yard. The stirrups for the footrope are from the same rope.
 


At the same time, the stunsail booms are fixed in position, and the blocks attached.
 
I've attached the topgallant stunsails to the booms they hang from, and attached them to yard 62d (the Mainmast topgallant yard), leaving the belayed end coiled until the yards are finally attached.
 
The Royal and TopGallant sails have then been attached to the rails on the yards, giving the following effect...


I've almost ready to attach the Mainmast Upper Topsail to the Upper Topsail yard, but first, I need to put on the reefing points. These will be from #80 DMC Cordonnet crochet thread, which is thin enough to fit through the needle, and unlike the sewing thread, can be glued with watered down PVA so that I can make the reefing points hang more naturally... Time will tell whether this plan works out okay
 

 
I think that brings me up to date. Thanks for all the likes and encouragment.
 
Rob

Thank you @rwiederrich and @gak1965. 
 
I finally got the model outside as spring is well underway here. Unfortunately in my excitement I hung the main mast sails on the foremast on this photo, but it gives a little idea of how the finished model will look... I haven't finished adding stunsail yards, so the stunsails are missing on the main upper topsail and main top gallant yards, too. 

Happy building to you all
 

A big milestone today   I've just finished sewing the bolt ropes onto the sails... Here's a photo of them all laid out on the plan

Onto the reef points, now... 
 
Happy building all, and thanks for looking in
 
Rob

I just couldn't resist it. I just had to try to make a small part that included cutting brass, silver soldering and blackening of metal. I have never done it before but thanks to all of yours excellent explanations in this forum I had a clue how to do. 
I decided on the swivel mounting pintle and according to the drawings in the Alert book this part have a interesting shape with 8 sides. It also have a Iron hoop on the top.
So I took a 4 mm walnut rod and put it in my dividing attachment for the Proxxon milling machine. This was also the first time I tried to use this divider. For the milling I used the 3mm cutter. 
 
 
I started to mill and form the mounting pintle. I milled a side, then choose another degree and milled that side. It was so easy to do with the divider.

 
And in no time I had a perfect 8 sided swivel mounting pintle.

 
A brass sheet was glued to a piece of wood and in this way did I manage to cut a 0.7 mm strip. I used superglue but I am open to suggestions of a better glue for this work.
 
 
I found the perfect tool to shape the 8 sides of the iron hoop and this was the smallest Tamiya photoetch bender. 

 
Then I managed to silver soldering it together. This was easier than I thought. I used soldering  paste and a torch. 

 
I made the Iron hoop little smaller than the pintle so it would get the right look and fit well. For this it was necessary to mill out the form for it but again this was easy to do in the milling machine. I took away another 0.1 mm wood.

 
And he hoop in place.

 
The hoop was blackened with Birchwood Casey blackening solution. Again this went well since I know how to do thanks to you all. I oiled the walnut (it will be colored black later) and mounted the hoop. 
Here is the result of my first try of this kind of work and I am more than happy over the result. 

 

To make matters more confusing, although both the Kit’s plan and the US Navy show eleven steps, the US Navy plan shows seven of the steps are below the gun port while the kit shows only six. To clear this up I checked my photos, only to find the actual ship only has ten steps total. It did show, however, that there are only six steps below the gun port. I think the eleventh step was removed at the very top to allow for the visitor gangway to be installed.
 
The step locations were marked by a piece of tape positioned on the hull which aligned the steps horizontally. A spacer block was used to ensure vertical spacing was consistent.
 
BTW, it’s been a week and I’m still waiting for the replacement rudder.

I neglected to do this properly, and it shows on my final model, so I think you've done a great job there. The more work you do to really get it sanded down neatly and ready for the second planking, the easier that will prove. It's a great start well made 
 
 
If you work it out again as you go every few planks, you can accommodate for the inaccuracies and push things back into line... it's the only way I find will work for me, as my planking is never accurate enough to get it right first time. The mix of planks that are never perfectly the dimensions I think they are, and slightly off marking, and slightly off cutting mean I'm never quite where I expected to be.  

Fore course
While comparing the kit's plans and Lees' book I found that there seem to be too many buntlines in the kit's plans (also already installed for the main course). Lees mentions only 2 per side - a total of 4 - while the kit has 3 per side. The total of 4 is confirmed by several Books of the AOTS series. Therefore I reduced the number of buntline cringles at - and the number of associated buntline clothes on the fore course accordingly and could at the same time simplify the hole setup a tiny little bit. The 2 superfluous buntlines on the furled main course remain for now.
 
Making the sail, bending it to the yard and hoisting up the whole shooting match was similar to previously fabricated yards and sails.
The yard tackles were installed as on the main yard.
 

fore course with the 2 buntline cloths on the port side visible
 
 

the yard tackle is hooked into the futtock shrouds
 
 
 
I also took advantage of the moderate weather (it was neither raining nor raining cats and dogs nor snowing although it is still the month of April) and took Bellona outside for a few photos:
 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Wax on - Wax off.....
Got the Starboard side slathered up with wood filler (not Elmers Glue-All) and then after a day or two, sanded most of it off.  Hull feels silky smooth.  Maybe a couple of touch up points but will probably seal and prime first for better visibility.  That filler sure is a fine talcum powderish dust when sanding.  Good ventilation is a must.  I stood in the middle of my front yard with a good breeze going.

Stern side up next then position the catheads / brace finally the fore and aft deck house bulkheads.
Mark

Here is the stack on Victory...
 
 

A big milestone today   I've just finished sewing the bolt ropes onto the sails... Here's a photo of them all laid out on the plan

Onto the reef points, now... 
 
Happy building all, and thanks for looking in
 
Rob

Here is the stack on Victory...
 
 

Here is the stack on Victory...
 
 

Here is the stack on Victory...
 
 

Here is the stack on Victory...
 
 

Well, ratlines are continuing apace. Starboard side is now most of the way up the main mast (just a little work on the topgallant to go), and I'll be starting on the mizzen, so the finish line is in sight. 
 
However, the real step is the first of the yards is basically ready to go. The photos below show it in position, but it's not glued and I still have to set the chain sling up. 
 

 
The upper end of the chains that are the course sheets are taped to the the mast so I can estimate how long to make them as there is no clew up there to attach the end to. The live end is held with yellow tape you can see in the photo. The next step is to fabricate a hook somewhere above where the tape is and then hook that to the tackles that you can sort of see around the base of the mast. At the moment the running lifts are just taped to the side of the hull, I want to move some of the sheet tackles out of the way (i.e. attach them to the sheet chains before I try to run them down into the mass of line down there. You can (may?) see the blocks for the clew and the reef tackle. On my Niagara I hooked the reef tackle to the clew on the course (above the course the clew was always attached to the sheet). I also mounted the bunt and leech blocks; I'm going to tie a knot in the end of each and leave them sitting up on the blocks. It gives the yard a bit of interest. 
 
Another view, with all of the lines strewn around the deck - as I imagine it was as she was being initially rigged.
 

 
And a quick overview of the whole ship:
 

 
As always, thanks for looking in!
 
Regards,
George K.
 
 

After mesh wrangling all weekend I have tried a test print on the unicorn... surprised it doesn't look too bad. Going to increase its thickness a little bit more so it stands out as a relief off the surface.