USS Constitution by Modeler12 - FINISHED - Model Shipways

[Modeler12]

Carl, I probably shouldn't do this, but that tiny, little country of yours has lots of linguistic problems. When I traveled around the Netherlands I could not understand people from one place to another, unless they spoke the Dutch language that they learned in school. I was born in Rotterdam and even now Dutch people notice that I talk differently from our Jordaanse neighbors, for example.
 

It took me many years to realize that part of my accent (in English) was because I kept pronouncing words that end with a 'd' like it was a 't'.

Bad would be pronounced 'bat', etc. I had a dear friend whose last name was 'van der Wardt'. No problem for you; it would be vanderWart, but an American would try to pronounce both the d and t at the end.

[cog]

Jay,

 

I know, even regional differences are sometimes hughe, I could start but won't. At least we understand each other, since we both originate from the same city. And for my English pronounciation ... I'm lucky, it;s nearly propper English.

Edited February 18, 2015 by cog

[Modeler12]

Now it is back to the ship. I am installing the two whale boats, davits, etc.

Not difficult and after that is done things are shaping up.

Just spent a small fortune on oak wood for the displace 'cache', case. Wooden chips will be flying soon.

[Modeler12]

Display Case (right??)

 

I like to do my designing on 8.5 x 11 inch paper (special note pad). It is easier to have this handy in the shop, rather than a large drawing. I include a lot of details but the first thing is to cut material to the lengths I need. I have a cut-off saw, not shown.

 

In this case, because of the curved legs, I cheated a bit and tried to save lumber by crowding the legs together as much as possible (note green templates, two sizes). This is all for the table, not the case. I mentioned the furniture design of this earlier.

 

The stack of 1.5 inch oak in the background is all for the case. More details will follow.

Whow, it is nice to make some real sawdust again .

[GLakie]

It's always good to have a plan for a project Jay. I use regular paper for drawings myself. Seems to make cutting lists and assembly much easier. As for my question about the case, I actually didn't know what "cache" was referring to. It definitely wasn't any reference to regional differences in accent. When Steve answered the question, it made sense, and I understood right away. Sorry it got out of hand.

 

Cheers 

Edited February 19, 2015 by GLakie

[robnbill]

It is fun to see a plan come together. It is very satisfying to dream something up, draw it up, and see it become real!

[Modeler12]

Actually George it did not go out of hand. It was fun.

 

Bill, I totally agree with you. Here is one more picture of the way how I designed the legs to come together.

The corner is a long bevel joint, up and down, held together with tape for now.

I still have to do a lot of sanding of the curved parts, but I hope this will give you an idea of what it is all about.

Slender; and it is matching what I did before. When viewed from the outside, the legs will look like they came from one piece.

 

[Modeler12]

Let me add the following picture about the legs. The actual table will be much wider and what I don't show is the center post (yet to be cut, along with the other leg).

I hope that clarifies the design.

 

[HIPEXEC]

Beautiful build!

[Guest Tim I.]

Jay,

 

I like your led design for your case. Very interesting.

 

- Tim

[Modeler12]

Thanks Tim. The legs are a bit of a challenge. After I cut the pattern on my little bandsaw, there is a lot of sanding to be done. 

Then the two sections are glued up making sure the corners come together right with a minimum seam at the edge.

 

The other joints are mostly made with biscuits.

I should add that the picture is of a back leg. Only the front has the beveled pieces that have the edge seam I referred to above.

Edited February 21, 2015 by Modeler12

[Modeler12]

I don't know if this is of any interest, but as a wood worker I made this 'assembly table' several years ago and have used it numerous times. It is 3/4 inch thick particle board with a smooth, laminated cover. There are two aluminum angle pieces at right angles (with a small gap in the corner to let out dust). From time to time I give it a coat of wax so glue will not stick to it. I can store it along my garage wall and use a couple saw horses when I need it.

I use it for a lot of work, both flat pieces and for final assembly. This is the table/bookshelf that will support the display case.

   

[Modeler12]

Update

 

Things are moving slowly. Here is the table that will hold the display case. It is a dry fit to make sure the two shelves will meet the legs at the right spot. When assembled and glued together, the shelves will be part of the structure and glued to the legs at the corners. The top of the table is about 51 x 17 inches; slender but strong when finished. Because of the overall height with display case, the unit will be fastened to the wall where it is going. No tipping allowed.

Now the admiral wants to see more of the world, so I will be gone for a while and the display case is on hold for a few weeks.

[GLakie]

That looks real nice Jay! Sturdy, but elegant in design. 

 

Cheers

[cog]

Have fun Jay, we'll be waiting expectantly

[Modeler12]

Here are a couple pictures of work in progress. The display case will have a door (with more glass) to the left and the top will also have a pane of glass. The grey background is a piece of fabric glued to a 1/4 inch piece of plywood. 

 

I still need to mount the boats, rig the braces, make a new base and generally clean things up before I can call it done.

  

[robnbill]

Welcome back. Hope you had a great trip.

[GLakie]

Looks like it'll be a fitting berth for her Jay. How was the vacation? Hope you had a great time.

 

Cheers

[Modeler12]

Thank you Bill and George. The trip was just to see our grand-kids in southern California. All three had special events going like graduation from Cub Scouts, cheer leading competitions and a musical play (leading role in Shrek).
The real trip will be next week when we are going to Hawaii for ten days. We'll be on a small yacht and visit Molokai, Lanai, Maui and Kona. There will be lots of snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding and merry making in the sun (we hope).

 

I might mention that I am thinking of scratch building a cross section at the same scale as Connie. It would be forward and include the stove on the gun-deck, and go forward just to include the fore-mast. I think it would be fun to show how the crew lived, ate and slept, while further down it would also include part of the gunpowder and sail rooms. It would have only part of the mast showing and should fit on the first shelf of the display table. The two models then are 'complete'.

Edited March 16, 2015 by Modeler12

[GLakie]

Sounds like a great trip and an awesome up-coming new build.

[robnbill]

That would be a great addition to your Connie. Enjoy Hawaii. Save some for us. We are headed there in the Fall. We will be catching a ship there to Sydney.

[HIPEXEC]

Mighty fine looking Connie! Your case will great also.

[scott larkins]

That came out really nice.

[Modeler12]

She is finally finished.

It only took four years with major interruptions, to be sure.
 

After some minor repair work, adding the boats and making the mahogany base, I hoisted the flags and let her sails fill with our family room air.

             

 

One final touch will be a small brass plaque with the name and date mounted on a piece of the wood hopefully coming from our USS Constitution sailor friend. It will go inside the case in front of the bow.

 

Edited June 9, 2015 by Modeler12

[robnbill]

Congrats on a beautiful model. She looks as proud as the real Connie (although yours currently has more rigging!). What's next?

[GLakie]

She looks great Jay!! Congrats on getting her completed. Your case turned out beautiful also. A fitting final resting place for her.  

[dafi]

Very nice result, thank you for showing!!!

 

Congratulations, Daniel

[dgbot]

Job well done and the case goes well. The model.

David B

[usedtosail]

Jay, you have been an inspiration. Job well done. Thank you.

[CaptainSteve]

Simply beautiful, Jay !!!

 

She is a testament to all your hard work. Your logs are a treasure trove of tips and helpful hints.

Keep it up.