Kevin

Hi Bob
For future reference,I pinched an idea from Dafi on his Victory build.If you drill a hole in the end of a BBQ skewer and glue the drill bit into this.You can feed this through the gunport on the opposite side to the bulwark you are drilling.I have found it much kinder to drillbits and miles easier than using a pin vise in the restricted space.
 
Kind Regards Nigel

This is an update covering a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I started by attempting to drill all those inner bulwark holes for eyebolts and ringbolts. That came to a screeching halt when I broke my remaining drill bits and had to order more. While waiting for their arrival, I started making up ringbolts, a tedious task at best. I couldn't finish them or the eyebolts, however, because I am still waiting for arrival of some Birchwood Casey Brass Black.
 
I then decided to do the painting of the hull from the wales to the top of the copper. This was done with Pollyscale black. The edge is a little ragged in places, but this will be covered by the top of the copper. I also added pieces of molding at the joint of the hull and counter planking.
 
The drills then arrived and I immediately started breaking them again. Fortunately, I remembered an old trick. If even a small part of the cutting portion of the drill remains, they can still be used. In fact the broken drills worked as well and lasted longer than the unbroken ones. The holes are now done, but nothing installed in them yet.
 
Finally, I  experimented with the copper, and  began on doing it today. I'll post some pictures when I get enough done to be seen.
 
Bob
 
 
 

A very small change of plan. I decided to do the scuppers and bulwark sheaves, before moving to the inner bulwark drilling. Like on many other things  on this build, scale has caused me to simulate these items. 
 
The scuppers were drilled from both sides and do not connect, although I tried to position them as closely as possible to direct lines. I also did not use tubing, but merely painted them with Floquil graphite to represent the lead liners. The painting was done with a toothpick.
 
The sheaves are also "fakes", consisting of two drilled holes with the space between them deeply scribed to represent the sheave.The scribed line was blackened using an ultra fine marker.
 
Bob
 
 

"Drilling and filling" took less time than I thought that it would and, so, the treenailing  of the deck is done. I chose to fill with the lighter Golden Oak filler for the holly deck, rather than the Walnut that I used on the boxwood hull planking. After sanding, I finished the deck with Wipe-on Poly to seal and protect.
 
With the deck done, I have multiple choices as to what to do next. While the temptation is high to do some fun stuff, probably, in keeping with long standing habits, I'll drill all of the holes for the inner bulwark eyebolts, ringbolts and cleats.
 
Bob
 
 

A very happy and healthy New Year to all. 
 
Somehow, I did manage to find enough "sneak away" time from my houseful of visiting family to complete the deck planking. The limited nibbing at the bow was pretty easily done using small chisels. It is amazing to me that I had never used chisels until I did the Triton cross section, but now I can't imagine working without them. The diminishing planks moving toward the stern were done with scarphed planks, although I'm not really certain whether that is correct. 
 
As a final step, I added a waterway from boxwood strip. While not prototypically accurate construction, I believe that at this scale it provides the correct appearance.
 
Next up is the treenailing of the deck, which I have just begun. A lot of holes to drill and fill.
 
Bob

Planking of the gun deck is underway. This work began with the drilling of holes to mount the masts. After that, I drew lines on the false deck to represent the location of the deck beams. This will determine the placement of the plank joints.
 
The deck planking is holly. The first items to be done were the margin planks. The curved portions at the bow were cut from sheet stock, using the kit's laser cut parts as rough templates, and then sanding to fit the actual contours. The remaining portions were made from strip. The deck planking itself is holly strip, with pencil on one side and one end to represent caulking.
 
I must be sick in the head, but I find deck planking to be addictive. Once I get started, I find it hard to stop. I had intended to initially do only the center part of the planking (see first three photos), but before I knew it, I had just continued outward (see last two photos). There probably will be some pause now, as I have a houseful of family for the holidays, beginning today.
 
Bob

A couple of small pieces of progress. First, I planked around the outer side of the stern windows and painted that planking black. Secondly, I began the cabinetry in the Great Cabin. The planking followed my practice of using boxwood and was straight forward and quick.
 
The cabinetry is to be done following drawings in the Essex AOTS by Portia Takakjian. It will consist of an enclosure under the windows and two cushioned benches and a doored cabinet in front of that enclosure. I made the enclosure from boxwood sheet and strip to fit the space and finished it with Wipe-on Poly. I won't do the other items until after the deck planking has been done. 
 
I'm now working on the margin planks for the deck planking and will follow that with the remainder of that planking.
 
Bob

Latest Copy of Clamps Pegs & Pins available.. The new cover photo is shown below !!
 
All Righty Then I got the Spirketting done and all that is needed now is to shape it at the Aft Gun Ports Port & Stbd as it sits a little proud and to open out the Hawse Pipes (Anchor Holes)  I knocked up a couple for the transom also (not sure if these are right or not but they seem to work)
Next up is painting inside the gun ports and giving the bulwarks a final coat also..
 
Stay Well Folks.
 
Eamonn

Ok Folks... Ta Daaaa the Deck is done !!     (Insert Happy Dance Here!)
 
I corrected the Asymmetry as best I could though there is one fairly obvious place which stands out, the For'ad most Port/Stbd 'nibble' in the margin plank are not in line, hopefully it will be camouflaged by Ropes from the Belaying Pins for the fore mast (all those following in my wake with a Ballahoo please keep an eye out for this Asymmetry when lining up the deck before gluing it onto the Bulkheads to begin with.. not exactly sure where it originated admittedly, but it was most likely was a result of me being a tad careless!!   though I did spot the issue way back when I placed the deck paper template I made in place so perhaps it wasn't all me..  )
Anyhoo.. I finished the deck with a scraper and sanding (it will most likely get some more later) then cleaned it off (note it isn't as dark as it appears in the photos, that is just a result of my gentle wiping with a small amount of White Spirits)
 
Next up.. the Spirketting then finish painting the insides of the Bulwarks & Gunports (two per side have to be cut to the Cap Rail !)
 
Thanks for stopping by Folks
 
Eamonn
 

Okey Dokey.. Photos as promised ('cos I'm nice like that you see    )
 
Cap Rails in place (bit of a faf there as they didn't fit so I had to lengthen them slightly.. about 5mm .. Oh and did I mention the weird asymmetry! well it reared it's head again, so a bit of cap rail nudging was required to make it conform to the bulwark shape !! am beginning to think it was there from the very beginning. Oh Well, 'tisn't so bad really  )
Painted all the new stuff and inside the gun ports (needs to have a 2nd coat at least, and I may end up cracking open some of my mighty filler stock to smoothen them off.
 
That's us up to date folks, thanks for looking in on Little 'ol Ballahoo.
 
Stay Well
 
Eamonn

Photo Content Below .... Oh the Excitement eh!
 
Hi All,
  Well the Gratings/Hatch's have been faired and sanded to a 'pleasing' shape (ie one that follows the camber of the deck, which is actually a rather complex shape as it differs somewhat as you move aft !) the shape was achieved by placing some sand-paper onto the deck directly over where the Hatch will end up and working the Hatch fore and aft in short strokes along the sand-paper, after a very short time you will sand the particular Deck Camber at that point into the bottom of the Grating/Hatch.  The curved top was a result of simply sanding the Hatch in a rocking motion as opposed to holding it 'flat' to the sand-paper !   Simples !!    (BTW re the 'Top' curve.. you mayl also end up with weird shaped fingernails on the finger & thumb that are holding the rather thin Hatch .. mine ended up flat on one side..    )
 
All Righty Then It's Photo Time !!
 
Note the hatch's are not glued in place yet and have not been Matt Varnished, the dark colour is a result of my giving them a gentle wiping with White Spirits.. Oh and the little bits of stick protruding from them are just to remind me which way is forward!
 
Thanks For Stopping By Folks
 
Stay Well
 
Eamonn

Hi Gang, I have another wee update to Ballier !
 
The Timber Heads are in place and painted (photo below)
 
Thanks B.E. , Ollie , Jason , Bob & Dee_Dee for the kind words and all the Likes too !
Yea I have a pretty wide smile on the ol' face over here in Ireland, as much relief as anything to have gotten past the major construction phase relatively unscathed.. it is sooo true what I have read here on MSW that problems on wooden boat builds can be fixed fairly easily! thankfully
Still a bit of Clean-Up work required on the paintwork, but not too much.. the Rudder will be set free from it's wooden surround shortly and installed.. but that will be a few days away yet as work gets in the way again.
 
Question Time.. Tree Nailing ! it is almost time to give the Deck & Bulwarks some freckles .. any suggestions folks (I see a lot of methods on here, but if anyone has a sure fire way of doing them I would be only too happy to try!!  )
 
Stay Well Folks
 
Eamonn

Eamonn,
 
Is this something like you had in mind? I believe it's called a companionway, or doghouse (looks like a kennel?) perhaps. It has double doors on it's after side, both closed, and there is a thin strip across the top to represent a hinge. I had thought of having one door open but, as you say, you wouldn't be able to see much of any steps. I knocked it up from odd bits:
 

 
 
 
 

Hi All,
 
This is my first proper wooden boat build, I say proper because some time ago I began building the Bounty from those magazines that came every week (you may be familiar with them) and though she turned out reasonable enough (I'm about 80% complete, just the Rigging to finish) the instructions (there was no 'plan', just text with photos) left a lot to be desired and makes even the simplest task awkward.
Last Summer I came across MSW and having read and followed many build logs I decided to buy a proper kit, in fact I bought 3 over the past few months! Sherbourne, Convulsion & Ballahoo all at 1:64 and all Smallish Vessels (This is just a personal preference)
Anyhoo, I have decided to do Ballahoo first, and possibly stagger the others over the coming months.
(The first time I opened the box and was hit by that pleasant wood smell, reminded me of those old wooden pencil cases from school   Oh! and it was great to unfold 'actual' plans too!)
 
Right lets begin..
 
Whilst the Keel and Bulkheads were still in their 'Matrix' (or whatever the wooden surround is called) I oriented the Matrix to the appropriate instruction sheet (in the Booklet) and numbered each piece, as some of those bulkheads may end up in the wrong slots on the Plywood Keel (am sure it would be easy to spot, but why take the chance)
I then removed the Ply Keel and all the Bulkheads using a Jewellers Saw (tried using a craft knife but ended up having to apply pressure, which didn't sound like a great idea) All items once freed got a light sanding and were then 'Dry' Fitted (see Photos) So Far So Good..
 
I shall cut a Rabbet and Bearding Line etc (as per Jim Smits and his Ballahoo) though the Plans/Instructions do not call for them, it seems logical when you take the Ply Keel dimensions and 2 layers of Planks into consideration.
 
Should anyone wish to offer advice, please feel free to do so.. it all helps and I would be very grateful.
 
Take Care
 
Eamonn
 

Hello Shipmates.
   Thanks Paddy. I have to say your Cross section is one of the reasons I went into the cross section building.
 
The Orlop Deck is now in place
Very happy with the fit and the look.
 
The deck planks on the Top Right look as if they are not stained... Yes they are
The Housing and the Sail store walls are not fixed as they will need to be cut to size.

 

 

 

 
Now I can start to Cut the timber for the bulwark of the Orlop deck.
And so the Lower gun deck starts next week.
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
Regards Antony.
 

Hello Shipmates.
Thanks Rusty and Bob for you comments.
 
Orlop is now complete and ready for final adjustments before fixing into place in the void.
Gratings and planks that adjoin the Headers are not glued as they will be cut to fit after fixing the deck.
 
View from top.

 
Another angle of the Deck.

 
A different angle.

 
 
View of the underside of the Orlop deck.

 
Another angle

 
From the other side.

 
 
That’s it for now. Will take a few photos when deck is fixed into place.
 
Regards Antony.
 

Hello Shipmates.
Thanks for your comments... Na ..  I just make things look good .
 
Another update :-
 Filling in all the planking on the Orlop deck at the moment and built the enclosure on the Orlop deck.
Not yet cleaned up to remove the dust and lose fibers.
 
Not sure that the walls are ventilated but they look nice.

 
Door is built up with planks and the lock is a bolt through. No idea what’s on the real one

 
The plank's are rounded as they are removable.
The row at the back are as yet not stained or fixed. Need to stain before fixing.

 
Three rows done.

 
Progress is good and the Grating is made. But not cut to size yet.

 
First row of the Planking.

 
That’s it for Now.
Thanks for looking in
 
Regards Antony.
 

Hello Shipmates.
 Thanks for your kind words Jeff
Another few photos with the Orlop deck fitted into its position. Not yet glued as I have the top surface to sand and clean up.
 

 
Approx 5mm to trim off the pump house.

 
Temporary spacer plank to mark the amount I need to remove from pump house height.

 
View looking down onto deck.

 
Thanks for looking in
 
Regards Antony.

Hello Shipmates.
Another update.
The photos says it all
Not yet finished yet Now have the thin Deck timbers to add.
 
View fron the top.

 
Close up.

 
This is a view from the underside. The Wires are for the LED lighting.

 
The last set on the Orlop Deck.


 
Regards Antony

Hello Shipmates.
 
Another small update.
 
The pumphouse with the shot lockers in place BUT not glued because I will trim the height after fitting the Orlop deck into place.
 
Front view.
 

 
 
 
Other side still the front.
 

 
 
 
View from the rear.
 

 
 
 
Shot lockers lids raised.
 

 
 
 
The next two photos are prepping the Orlop deck construction.
 
The mill I used is a Proxxon .
 
 
 
These are only test joints on some scrap timber.
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
That’s about it for now.
 
Thanks for looking in.
 
 
 
Regards Antony.
 
 

Hello Shipmates.
 
Another update.
 
Have removed the Ship from the Build Jig temporary to Fit the Rear shot locker.
 
Been working on the Hold racks and fitting the Shot lockers to the pump house.
 
 
 
First a few pics of the Racks.
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
The covers are now complete.
 

 
 
 
The Hold.
 

 
 
 
Rear view of the Hold.
 

 
 
 
And the other side.
 


 
Will post another update over the weekend when Pump house with Shot lockers are fitted.
 
Regards Antony.
 

Hello Shipmates.
 
A Update..
Spent a bit of time doing the treenails in the hold area over the weekend.
The Dark treenails were soaked in stain for 1 hour then air dried they are tooth picks and I used a 0.8mm drill.
The light ones are normal tooth picks with a 0.6mm drill.
 

Close up view.

 
Will start to fix the ryders later on tonight. Will use the 1.1mm copper wire and also glue to hold them in place.
More pictures to follow as I proceed.
 
Regards Antony.
 

Hello Shipmates.
Done quite a lot of work but as yet not photographed anything.
I did change the hinges on the shot lockers.
As you can see they are very small and they come with the pins.

 
A single Hatch.

 
All the Hatches.

 
And made up the main mast.

 
Will post more tomorrow evening.
 
Regards Antony.

I was never happy with Mr. Crispy Toes so I have made two new crew members.  Small items, like the head and feet, were added after the torso was baked and then epoxied in place.  The captain has prohibitted drinking in bed so I have my sailor sleeping with his hands behind his head.  His buddy up top is holding a mug of ale.
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

The starboard side upper hull planking is now done. This entailed the same buildup of the bulkhead arms as previously described and followed the same methods as for the port side.
 
It is my intention to next do three areas: the upper and lower counters; the remainder of the planking to the wales; the wales. I still haven't decided about treenailing.
 
Bob