themadchemist

Isnt it amazing how fast an hour goes while on MSW.

Note to non-wabbit people, those ARE NOT raisins.

So whats the personality of a wabbit like. I used to have a guinea pig named Vern. She was a riot. She loved riding on the dash of my Trans Am with the T-Tops out. Loved fresh lettuce too. She was very vocal too. You couldn't open the refrigerator with out her wanting a treat.  SCHREECH!

Nice Work Dee Dee.

That Walnut is hard to work with but it has some beautiful streaky grain texture. I love those 2 blackish streaked planks on the port side.

I had a similar planking dilemma on the Swift build. 12 planks was fine but pushing it a bit in the midsection. I also widened the last plank in that area by under 1mm. I just love planking, I find it relaxing.

Hey Ortho

The deck looks great. Nice curvature and I love your method for clamping. Its a hard bugger to get a clamp on and the symmetrical approach seems to have worked well.

Now to fairing the bulkheads and I'd recommend adding balsa blocks at least in the bow. I even added a piece close to the keel between bulkhead 2 and 3 so the garbord strake (the one next to the keel) had extra gluing area and am glad I did.

With the differing stern bulkhead on your ship I'd still probably add balsa. Always better to have gluing area on heavily curved planking areas IMHO.

Take the planking as an excercise in making many different shaped models (each plank) rather then making a hull. Also plank from side to side working your way back and forth. I put the top strake and garboard on first, then marked the bulkheads for plank spacing (12 a side on the older kit). I then planked towards the middle, workin both sides. This is also good as similar clamping stategies can be used from one side to the other.

That Camel's a cool looking kit, and its really detailed. How long did it take to build? My experience with plastic was primarily cars. I choose ships so I could expand my understanding of ships rigging. I just looked up the Camel kit and the engine detail gets my blood pumping and if that didn't the machine gun did. Do you have any pictures.

http://www.modelexpo-online.com/product.asp?ITEMNO=MA1030

Hey Randy,

It's probably one of those 50something teeth/inch blades, Thats what I use. I've found using a ... well ... this is gonna sound weird .. but ...its a Badger Sleep Balm, with lavender and bergamount. Your supposed to rub it on the back of your neck to relax muscles. I use it because its and olive oil and beeswax blend and smells nice. Anyway I just touch it with my finger tip and lube the bladewith a quick swipe, I started using this with my jewelers saw and found it help. The really cool part is the zero clearance 50something teeth blades burnish the cherry I've been working on as I cut.

I don't know if you used any type of lube but this is something I like using. Really any Beeswax/Olive Oil chapstick or natural type stuff would work It'd think.

BTW, I was slicing some 3/4'' dowel (birch I think). I've been thinking of how to make a ships wheel. Ive also made a 3" x 4" piece of striped decking and am planning to experiment with cutting planks, nailing (20g Brass wire) and finishes.  figure I have space for 4 test patches. I'm thinking tung oil and maybe shellac (french polish) and then maybe tung oiled with shellac and maybe tung and laquer. 

Hey JP,

Just catching up on my reading. While so many logs were being caught up after the crash it was hard to keep up. Went through you log last night start to finish again. Your doing a fantastic job planking. You planking philosophy is so similar to mine.

I love the rhythm of planking, and the beauty of it when its done correctly. Beautiful work! Great symmetry. Nice, tight and she fits the rabbet well.

Don't know if you, like me, dread laying that last plank. Rather then relief I was sad to be done. But still like having that complete smooth hull to fondle.

LOL. Like Adrieke needs pushing.

Yellow just means slow, so you can just push, but no passing.   :D        

Sound like a great way to celebrate spring. Have fun!

After seeing the Herny Ford inspired carriages I wondered if it was a sliced job. OUTSTANDING results. and ingenious method. WOW the dime really shows how small they are.

How badly did they splinter on cutting? What type of saw did you use. I can imagine is was quite a job. Sadly most will never even see that detail when she's all done. But for those of us that know, its the details that make it all count and worth it.

I give you a A++, and a 3 day weekend.

I'm just sitting over here in the cornor, sipping tea (I brought my own). Pictures YEA.... um uhoh deadeyes to re-rig. Oh well at least you have friends here to support you with the ups and downs. ..and when you start ratline the ups and downs become back and forths.

Either way just keep moving Up and with Anja pushing, you'll be there soon. Keep up the Excellent work!

One of the wonderful things I've found in transitioning from plastic to wood is the infinite beauty and character of wood. I love the way it can be wet and shaped. The internal structure and characteristics of differing woods is a fun learning curve. Just like every builder has their own mind, so does each type and also each piece of wood. 

In our polymer would of plastic, so many have forgotten the beauty and malleability of wood. Modeling has reconnected me with that.

Looking good Tex. I've found the unusual methods of mounting the ship interesting. I think it was PopJack that mounted the Mare Nostrum on a rock, which I thought was an interesting stand. Whatever you decide, she gonna look great, as she all ready does.

Keep the vaccuums away to at least 15 feet.

Nice to see you feeling well enough to do "yard" work. Interesting jig. Good to see you back up a running.

Looks good, isnt it amazing what finish does to a piece of wood. At least The Bob has an easy cradle to construct

Nice job on the deadeye chain plates and beak, Interesting seeing the stern go together. Is the white not supposed to show on the inner sills? It looks ok to me. I'm looking forward to seeing the transom work develop.

Very interesting thread, Ive read through it several time.

Garward, On the syringe needles, do you know what gauge needle is used for the treenails? I have some 19g that Tammy gets from the OR which look like they might work.

Yea I understand,

Ive postponed many a task to spend extra time thinking it over. The great thing about MSW is that there's always someone around to bounce ideas off of.

I looked forward to planking but also feared it a bit, but found the key is patience. Pace yourself and let the plank guide you. Learning to shape the planks soon becomes second nature and for me quite relaxing and enjoyable. I don't see it as 2 hours making a twisted stick, I see it as manipulating wood to do my bidding and when done achieving a complete model of a plank. Each piece is a model and deserves its own time.

A fine beverage and some tunes complete the enjoyment... and it is always acceptable to take a break to think or just let your mind wander.

.....for all you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be.....

Can't wait to see this one with planks.

I like that Lufkin ruler.

I knew you had it in you,

WOW beautiful work. And I love the colors with the red wheels, but not painted.

So where the tutorial? How about a picture of one next to a penny, That'll really show the size of the detail.

They Look great. Now I just need instructions for production.

I like the sheen on the cannons also, I'm assuming you used the same mix as the rudder hinges?

"Until I start?"

I thought we already did. Inventory, ordered missing parts, test fit, research, Finding small fitting problems in 2nd test fit, translating - so when does a build start officially, when glue hits wood.

I think we may have a false start here otherwise  

Here's a cheap and useful clamping solution

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/611-easy-planking-clamps/

I also like the small metal spring clamp. The important part is your clamping in 2 directions. into the bulkhead and into the butt-jointing plank. and the butt is more difficult to clamp typically. Personally I haven't used pins, yet.

HA HA, Just couldnt resist. How many test fits are you up to now?

She is one big lady. Makes the Endevour look small.

I think it looks fine.

Wood grain is just something that you can't scale. Plus I agree the deck furnishings will break up the grain lines some what. Either way I like the warmer dark stain better then the unstained.

I also like your numbered paint board idea. Your moving fast on this one, lots of progress to see. She's taking shape nicely.

Hey Ron

I liked that it stated stainable, I always worry about the finishing process. Everything looks great then the glue interfers with the finish. We have yet to see if its stainable statement is true but it does become rather water tight/resistant, although I have tested a laminated piece and with long soaking it can be de-laminated. It held long enough for the deck stringer shaping, which I was worried it wouldn't.

Things arent always as advertised.