scrubbyj427

Thank you Brian. So far I’ve noticed that sanding MDF is quite easy so I’ve got my fingers crossed. Biggest challenge will be stopping those tall frames from snapping off. Thank you Chuck. Maybe outgunned but definitely not outmaneuvered! Thanks Glenn, I’ll let you know how the fairing goes soon. I left a model display with a friend for a few years while I rented my house out…he had to deal with the marriage counseling for me, that’s how you know who your friends really are.

So I got most of the structural prototype completed, again this was mostly to check the fit of major components and adjust my cut files. I ran way behind on schedule due to my machine being down but managed, with the aid of a lot of coffee and loud music, to crank out another set of parts for the prototype that I will begin to build shortly. These are now packed up and on their way back to work with me. More updates to come soon. JJ

Thank you. Im Not familiar with blender but I use rhino which is geared towards work like this, it’s easily plugged into any CAM software and makes converting 3D to 2D very easy as well as the opposite. I definitely borrowed the reference lines idea from Chuck, it is brilliant and necessary on a large model like this. The planking reference lines however will not show up on the next prototype. JJ

I bet you sell a lot more blocks than MS does though. I’m sure we would all still pay more for these given the results. Last time I bought MS anything was probably 10 years ago.

Whoa! I really like that mystery wood. Great color! All look great.

Today I made some progress on the transom and frames, including the jig. I’ve been staring at this on my computer for months in anxiety wondering if this will even make sense let alone work. It did. Some minor adjustments need to be made but I’m very happy with the results. the jig is fit to the hull dry and it’s pretty snug in order To keep things lined up properly. There are two pieces of the jig that align all the frames as well as the vertical components of the jig, none of these parts should be glued to the frames otherwise you’re in trouble. There are a series of transverse structure pieces that tie the frames Together and help with QG assembly. you can also see the gun port framing, this is all laser cut and etched for the gun port sills, they should just slide into place. The base for the upper balcony was also installed to test fitment and it worked, it’s made up of two pieces one lower and one upper, together they also create the deck camber at the balcony and are a landing for the balcony planking. The notches in the frames help hold their shape and then just clamp the upper on after the lower is dry. I also ran a test on the longitudinal piece for the gun ports on the lower deck, this also ties all the bulkheads together. On the bottom you will see the etchings for the gunport sills, tomorrow I will cut out the remaining 8 and possibly add all the sills. after all the gunport structure is in place and the bulkheads are stabilized, then I can remove the framing jig, the transverse parts of the jig will have to be cut loose in order to lift it out but this shouldn’t be a problem. Another jig will Be made in the center to contain the bulkheads when fairing, I will hopefully build this tomorrow. Thanks for looking in! Questions and comments are always welcome. JJ

Thank you Theodosius! Thank you Chuck, I appreciate it. Thank you Yves. Thank you Fred, I do plan to release the model in parts. I cannot say when the structural part of the model will be released yet, probably within a year. This is the most critical and challenging part of the design and I need to make sure it’s buildable and able to tie in with future construction. Once this is completed the only real uncertain challenge I face is the two part deck beams with deck camber and making sure all decks are at proper elevations. I do plan to use MDF for all future production of the main structure, it’s very consistent, usually very flat, doesn’t seem to warp and it sands quite easy. You will see some AYC appear on the next model as well as thin plywood. Obviously some boxwood will show up and possibly some pear, I’ve been entertaining that idea. Cherry is always an option to.

Wonderful work! as usual.

My laser control board was delivered this morning, I wasted no time installing and began cutting as soon as the machine was happy again. I made some headway in the structure, I do however have some fine tuning to do and tolerances need to be adjusted. Most everything is dry fitted with zero slop to it, I need to increase the cuts by just a bit in the next model I modified the design of the longitudinal stiffeners and reduced their size, they are now made up of two pieces and lock together In the middle. This helps with installation as you only have to manage half the bulkheads. This created a very rigid structure with all the bulkheads being well behaved and equally spaced on each side you can also see the two bow filler pieces that meet bulkhead 3 and overlap the longitudinal stiffener and help to tie the forward bulkheads in with the remaining ones, this keeps the forward part of the model square. The bow pieces all have reference lines for fairing as well. From the back side of the model you can see the reference lines for the wales as well as each deck, there are two sets of wales and three decks that will be built, each deck and wale is marked, I will explain more when I build the next model. like the bow fillers, the lower stern frames also tie into the longitudinal stiffeners to help keep the stern square, there will also be a stern frame jig included as the stern frames are very long and delicate, this will assist in getting the frames properly placed and tied into other structure on the model. I will get this assembled and on the model tomorrow . For tomorrow I plan to also get the longitudinal guides for the gun ports cut, these are going to be extremely tricky and complex, there will also be a continuation of the stern frame jig to help support all the upper frames when fairing, they are just too tall to leave unsupported. Thanks for stoping by. JJ

Thanks Rusty, I doubt I’ll get too much done on this trip, but it’s nice to be working on her again. Also great motivation as I cut parts for my Portland. Thanks Glenn, I blame it on my terrible lighting lol. I actually went back and added a small piece of filler wood on the back side and filed it down, since those three faces will be black, it will never be seen! It’s almost cheating.

While I await a new control board for my laser I thought I’d make some progress on my Winnie, I started chapter 12 and the headrails, spent a decent amount of time working on the stbd side fit, I may have removed a little too much so thank god for the bolster to cover up all my potential sins. The headrails are quite complex but yield great results if done properly. I’ll be fitting the port one tomorrow and then checking for symmetry. I’ve officially hit multiple builds in progress status.

Very nicely done! Displayed very well, looking forward to seeing the complete display.

Great work Frank! Very precise as usual.

Looks really good. Nice work Gabe.

Small update: So I’ve had very little progress as I’m experiencing some laser issues which is eating up a lot of material, so until I reach tech support and resolve the issue I’ve decided to postpone anymore attempts at cutting parts, especially AYC. But I’ve got a few bulkheads cut and I’m pleased with how they fit, establishing proper tolerances is challenging, I will find out how well it will go together when I get additional longitudinal structure installed. I hope to be up and running again next week and will make some progress updates. I have been experimenting with lining off the bulkheads for planking and so far the results look promising on the computer model, marks made on the bullheads are designed to accommodate required fairing. Both sets of wales as well as the deck elevations are also represented.

Thanks Glenn. No more real boats For me, I’ve moved onto the cushier side of being land based, but based far away…from my laser machine. I’m currently stalled as my laser machine is having some issues following cutting instructions, so I’m a little disappointed in my production for this trip home. Hopefully I’ll be back up and running next week and will be able to cut all the structure and take it all back with me to build the prototype. 🤞

Incredible work!

I’m working on assembling the first prototype, this one will be used primarily to test fit parts and it will only be built to accommodate the basic structure. Most all parts are MDF as it’s better place holder than more expensive woods. I’m hoping to get the bulkheads on tomorrow as well as the longitudinal structure, from there I will produce the longitudinal strakes for the gunport framing. More to follow soon.

I’m definitely going to keep these in mind for down the road.

Beautiful work Siggi! Everything looks perfect! Your Tiger build is my primary source of inspiration for my Portland model.

Great looking blocks! Wow!

Hi Fred, Yes it is, it needs some revising as I’ve learned more since I modeled the bowsprit, but you get the idea. Winnie should be very similar, I’m sure Chuck knows way more. Im flying home to begin cutting the first part of the model. I’ll be assembling two prototypes and will be posting updates very soon. Stay tuned!

Beautiful work Fred! Excellent idea with the balsa and your fairing looks really good from here. As Chuck Pointed out early on, it’s very important to get those frames all faired up to the right thickness. This should be a great build. You should be able to contain your bowsprit in the structure that comes down from the bitts, this should allow you to partially plank the forecastle deck. i have not looked at the drawings for Winnie but I’m betting it’s very similar to a 4th rate. There would obviously be structure where the end of the bowsprit would fit into.

Outstanding! What a beautiful model! This is just incredible work you have done. Congratulations!

Very nicely done! The table and charts are a wonderful addition!