Surabaya by Piet - 1/80 - Mid 17th-Century VOC ship

[GLakie]

Wow, some of this stuff is so small, you need an electron microscope to work on it.

 

Cheers

Edited September 8, 2015 by GLakie

[cog]

Unfortunately, my magnifying glass doesn't work at that size ... WHERE IS THAT PINTLE PIN ... you have what age ...!?!?!? Goodness me, talking about small ... and soldering ... you did soft solder right, for hard solder would burn the pin for certain ...

 

A magnificent job, extraordinairy size too .. well done

 

Cheers,

[ianmajor]

Piet,

 

Have been away for a while so am catching up with your log. Glad to see that you continue to create great work. Like Carl I am struggling to see the pintle pin.

[newbuilder101]

Looking great Piet - although I think I'm cross-eyed now from just viewing the photos of the tiny parts.

[Omega1234]

Marvellous work, Piet! A true credit to your skills and perserveance!

[Piet]

Thanks to all who clicked the like button, it's much appreciated and motivates me. 

 

Thank you George, Carl, Ian, Sherry and Patrick.

 

Yeah George, this stuff is getting way too small for my hands to handle but so far I only got one minor cut in my finger.

 

Hey Carl, I am using a cheapy "optivosor" and had to flip the second magnifier glass thingy up.  With my 3X reading glasses I had to squint too much and eyes started to tear-up.  Having had both cataracts replaced helped a lot but its still been a real strain for my 81 year old eyes.  The heat from my little torch disintegrated the heatproof "stone" and kinda crumpled over the pintle.  It's there though.  You are right in that I could only silver solder one pintle because of that bleeping "stone."  I tried a stone from the garden but that didn't work either.  So, I reverted to soft-soldering.

 

Good seeing you back in my shipyard Ian, thanks.

 

Hi Sherry and cross-eyed ladies don't look so pretty - - - watch for the clock not to strike midnight  

 

Thanks Patrick for the compliment.  You think I'm ready to build a miniature ship now?    It's on my bucket list you know   

 

Cheers to all, 

[Piet]

Completed all 16 pintles today that I started on yesterday or so I thought.  As I mentioned in my previous post above to Carl, I had to go back to soft soldering them little buggers.  This was not as easy as i thought though because of the size.  I clamped the pintle bolt in a wooden clothe pin and held the cross piece with tweezers.  Oh boy, several "twanged' away and I had to make new ones.  Frustrating to say the least but after many hours of work I managed to solder all of them.

 

Next came dressing then with a file to remove any excess solder and make the cross pieces smaller.  Then running a #80 drill bit through the holes and clean them out.  Yes, I used my newly bought hand drill for that.  When i got to the last two pintles they just started to bend every which way.  Turned out to be the two I managed to silver solder but the pintle bolts were just too soft and had to make them ever again.  No sense in annealing these two, easier to make new ones.

 

Then i thought how to cement them into the hull with each one lining up horizontally for the pintle to gudgeon hinge pins to line up.  I figured that If I make a long enough "rod' for two of them I am assured of a good line-up.  I can then also use these rods as the pins, after cutting them to size that is.

The problem is that I don't have brass rod thin enough to go through these 1/2 mm tubes.  I have some 0.32 mm brass wire that i had to "machine" down to 0.25mm.  First I took a length of it and clamped one end in the vice and pulled on the other end to stretch it.  This made it thinner and hardened it some.  Still a tad too thick so i used a small file to draw it across the wire while rotating it.  Very time consuming but hey, I'm on permanent "vacation."    

 

I next measured the holes for the pintle bolts above the gun ports.  Funny thing is that the correct size drill bits are all busted.  I found the broken one I needed (yeah, I save the broken ones) and filed a point to the broken end where the side flutes end.  Lo and behold it worked.  Leave it for a cheap Dutchman to do but beggars can't be choosers.    So, I guess the moment has arrived to cement these pintles into the hull with slow-cure epoxy.  

 

Here are a few pics of what's done.

 

This is me filing one of the pintles to size and removing the solder.  That's my left hand thumb and fore finger holding a pintle.  I used a small square file so it would fit between fingers that I used as a file guide.  I tried a pair of pliers but that had a tendency to crush the delicate brass tube.  I used the same method with drilling through the cross pieces.

 

This shows one pintle pushed into the removable plug in the hull with a gun port lid installed and a gudgeon temporarily laid in place.  I wanted to see if it would fit and work.  It does. 

 

This shows my pintle cementing jig.  I added the #11 blade and gun port lids for size reference.  

 

Cheers, 

[Omega1234]

Thanks to all who clicked the like button, it's much appreciated and motivates me. 

 

Thank you George, Carl, Ian, Sherry and Patrick

 

Thanks Patrick for the compliment.  You think I'm ready to build a miniature ship now?    It's on my bucket list you know   

 

Cheers to all,

 

Hi Piet

 

Thanks, but trust me, you're far away more than ready for a miniature, if judging by your dingy for the O19 is anything to judge by! I've got heaps to learn, still!

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

[GLakie]

Amazing work Piet! Those tiny details look difficult to say the least. 

[Piet]

Thank you all for visiting the VOC shipyard and your very kind comments, it's much appreciated.  Thanks also to all who clicked the like button.

 

I'm so disappointed by not being able to use the hard solder set-up.  When I get some time I'll try again with a different "hold-down" system.  Then there is the fact that this thin brass stock loses all it's temper and re-tempering it must be done rather quick before the part cools off too much.

 

I didn't get around to cement the hardware to the ship's hull, procrastinating a little I guess and playing with the pulley blocks.  I discovered one of the reasons why I couldn't make them smaller as shown a few posts back.  For the scale this ship they are still too large and the slot for access to the sheaves are way too long.  Also, for the double sheave pulley blocks the sheaves were too far apart.  I am now making the separation on the two sheaves much smaller.  So you see - I'm still in the trial and error mode with them but at least I'm on the right tack.

 

Well, perhaps tomorrow I can find some time to at least cement the pintles in, after I mow the front yard.  With all the rain we've had the grass grows like a weed.  Not complaining mind you 

 

Okay, almost bed time but forst finish my glass of red wine.

 

Cheers to all,

[Piet]

Hello everyone, hope all's well in your neck of the woods.  It's still rather warm and humid here in Florida with a daily shower and T storms.  Poor Ivanna the cat runs to her bunker, under our bed, as soon as she hears thunder.  Doesn't like the rain either.

 

I have been working on the ship though regardless of the heat and humdedity. Open the garage doors and turn the fan on.

 

I managed to cement all the gunport lid hinge pintles into the hull AND the hardware to all 8 gun carriages. Today I tried to cement the gudgeons to the lids with two part epoxy but they won't stick.  Don't know why.  Next thing to do is to use gel CA glue.  I'll try it first with some scrap and see if it holds.

 

The problem with CA is that I need a few seconds to manipulate the gudgeons so they are placed correctly.  With this tiny stuff that aint easy.

 

I also made 6 more single sheaf pulley blocks and strapped a rope around one to see how difficult that's going to be.  I even whipped the splice at the block end.  I used the West Country method for this small diameter rope.  The "rope" is rather thin, like the thread we use to sow buttons on clothing.  I may have to go one size up though.  For the whipping cord I took a thinner sowing thread of cotton over a nylon core.  I unwound a small pieces of this thread and used the nylon core, it was VERY VERY thin but nice and strong.   West Country whipping consists of a series of overhand knots. The way I did it is after one knot I turn the "rope" over and do the next not etc. till I have a about 2 or 3 mm done.  A drop of nail polish and it should last for a long time.

 

I am slowed down with making blocks because of my Poxxon drill/carving motor tool is still in for repairs. I was informed this afternoon that the motor had died.  I'm just wondering how a motor of such a high quality tool can just die.  If I had abused this tool I can understand but after infrequent and light use - - - I'm not impressed with Proxxon, this is two out of two Proxxon tools that broke after light and infrequent use.

 

Okay, at least 'll be out "only" $48.34 for the repair, it's still cheaper then having to buy a new one.

 

Here are a few pics of what I have accomplished in the last few days, hope yuns like it.

 

 

 

This is just a trial piece.  Whenever I I feel like it I'll use the next size thread and try to make it less bulky. I also have to strap an eyelet to a series of blocks.  That'll be fun.  The pulley block is 5 mm long and 2.5 mm wide, the rope holes are 1.5 mm apart.  Glad that I have small hands and slender fingers, makes it easier to handle these small parts.

 

This is to show how small the double sheaf and single sheaf blocks are.  The reason for not doing serious block making is that I need that Poxxon tool in it's drill press gizmo so that I can drill the rope holes straight down. The two single sheaf blocks I lucked out with by drilling the holes pretty good using a small hand drill.  It just takes too much time.

 

This shows just a couple of the gunport lids with the gudgeons cemented onto them.  I haven't tried yet if they are sticking okay.  If not then we'll go the CA route.  Bummer.

 

This is a closer up pic of the removable plug with the gunport lid hardware cemented on.  Yeah, The hull has taken a beating but I'll take care of that in due time.

 

Cheers,

[mtaylor]

Looks good Piet.  I like the guns and blocks.   How high does the removable plug go?   It looks like the port lid ropes go into a hole above the top of the plug.  I hope I'm wrong and my eyes are playing tricks.

[cog]

Nice work, especially on such a small scale,Piet. Looks like you cut an opening for viewing inside ;-). Those gun lids, blocks and carriages look stunning. Couldn't match it, even if I wanted to!

 

Cheers

[Omega1234]

Hi Piet

 

Everything you've done is just marvellous! Tiny in size, but huge in achievement!

 

Nice!

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

[Remcohe]

Very nice progress Piet, you are the "master of tiny pieces"

 

 

 I'm just wondering how a motor of such a high quality tool can just die

 

Lets just say high quality anno 2015 isn't what it used to be :-D

 

Remco

[*Hans*]

 

 

...I am slowed down with making blocks because of my Poxxon drill/carving motor tool is still in for repairs. I was informed this afternoon that the motor had died.  I'm just wondering how a motor of such a high quality tool can just die.  If I had abused this tool I can understand but after infrequent and light use - - - I'm not impressed with Proxxon, this is two out of two Proxxon tools that broke after light and infrequent use.

 

 

 

 

Cheers

Proxxon is a German company and they usually make good stuff.  

Maybe this has to do with the fact that Europe is 230 Volt / 50 Hz and the US 110 Volt / 60 Hz.  The machine can be the same, only the elektromotor has to be changed to a 110 Volt type. And if this one is of less quality due to the manufacturer who makes these, well.

 

Some other fact we had here in Europe (a bit off topic - I know) that the voltage changed to 230 Volt with a +/- of 10% instead of 220.  So you could sometimes have over 250 Volt on the net.  A lot of nice 80's amplifiers went down in this way. If you have rather high fluctuation on the net this can cause trouble.

Edited September 20, 2015 by *Hans*

[NenadM]

Just fantastic !!!!

[Piet]

Thanks everybody for visiting and your comments, of course also my thanks to all who clicked the like button. 

 

Thanks Mark T, the plug goes up to the bottom edge of the lower wale.  The porthole lid lifting rope goes through a hole in that wale.  The hole you see between the two wales is for the water run-off from the deck.  I made a big mistake in making this plug square.  What I should have done is let its planking go sideways some into the hul planking, that way the plug is better concealed then it's now. It's too late in the game to redo it the correct way.  In my next post I have added a picture of the hul with the plug removed.  

 

Yes Hans and Remco, I understand that Proxxon is a German company and like most everything made in Germany is good stuff, that was the reason for me buying my two Proxxon tools.  When they are marketed here in the States they replace the motors and a few other electronic devices with 110 volt, 60 Hz units, at least that's what I am told.  Also, and this is what I'm also told, these devices are made in China.  The good part is that the repair "only" cost me $48.43.  Still better then having to buy a new one.  I really like this small tool, it fits nicely in the hand and has plenty of torque for light routing.

Remco send me a Dremel hand tool that's rated at 220-240 volt, 50-60 Hz.  I bought a converter that can change my 110 volt to 220 volts and apparently the 60 Hz doesn't bother it.  I tried it out this morning and it works quite well, that you. When push comes to shove I can now buy German, English or Dutch made tools and plug it into my handy dandy converter, which is rated at 500 Whats.

So yes, the question remains for the US marketed Proxxon tools, what's inside, German quality or Chinese stuff.

 

Cheers to all,  

[GLakie]

The fact they're made in China is a little upsetting to say the least.  I hope their MF-70 Micro-Mill isn't. 

[Piet]

Today was mostly taken up with gardening.  I had to cut back on the vines next to our house, in the vacant lot.  They are encroaching on our property and a general nuisance.  Then I had to mow the front yard and pull a few weeds there too.  

 

I didn't get to CA the gunport lid hinges though, I want to take my time with them.  Instead i made a few more single sheaf pulley blocks, that makes a now a total of 12 out of the 32 I need for the center deck guns.

 

Last week Friday I stropped two blocks to see if brass wire would work and look like compared to using black thread.  There is to be a hook at one end so that makes the tread method a little bulky.  I kinda like the brass but how to make them black.  I can't use the blackening method because I have to tack-solder the end where the hook is.  Yes, I made the strap and hook from one piece of 0.3 brass wire, rather then using a hook separate.  I can try to use a VERY small brush and paint the brass black.

Question is, what's all your opinion?  Hmmmm, I'm wondering - -  if I carefully paint the blackening on the brass, will it stain the blocks?  Any thoughts on this from the experts?

 

I'm attaching a photo of the port side hole open for yuns to see what I had in mind.  The hold will be loaded with wooden barrels and perhaps bales of "stuff."  Hey, it's supposed to be a merchant vessel and we need to have some cargo in the hold.

 

This shows two pulley blocks, one is strapped with black thread and the other with brass wire.  Don't forget that each pulley block is 5 mm long and about 2.5 mm wide.  It's really not easy to make a respectable knot or fastening with thread.  At this scale things quickly begin to look too bulky.

 

Here is another view

 

This show the opening in the port side of the hul where the plug goes to close it. Yes, everything still is in the rough state.  It'll all be stained and or painted when all the work in that area is done.

 

This is my handy dandy voltage converter for the 220 - 240 rated Dremel tool.  Yup, I'm actually drilling a rope hole for the next single sheaf pulley block.  Credit goes to my dear bride Gwen who took the photo.

 

Cheers,

[GuntherMT]

Yes Hans and Remco, I understand that Proxxon is a German company and like most everything made in Germany is good stuff, that was the reason for me buying my two Proxxon tools.  When they are marketed here in the States they replace the motors and a few other electronic devices with 110 volt, 60 Hz units, at least that's what I am told.  Also, and this is what I'm also told, these devices are made in China.

 

 

So yes, the question remains for the US marketed Proxxon tools, what's inside, German quality or Chinese stuff.

 

Cheers to all,  

 

Piet,

 

My MF-70 was purchased used, so I don't have a box for it.  The mill itself does not have any country of origin labeling.  However, the back page of the instruction booklet that I got along with the mill says:

 

Made in Luxemburg

Distributed in the U. S. by Prox-Tech, Inc.

 

My DB-250 lathe, which was purchased new near the end of last year, has the same Made in Luxemburg label on both the box and the instruction booklet.

[*Hans*]

Piet,

 

About blackening the brass - just give it a try!  I use some blue fluid (which I call Eau de Cologne) to blacken the brass, but it does exactly the same on copper and on soldering tin as well.  The fluid is normally used to blacken tin on tiffany lamps (I once made some of them)  and is (I guess) about the same chemical bad stuff as any other blackening fluid.

[Landrotten Highlander]

Hi Piet,

regarding blackining your hooks, see this topic

 

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/1240-another-type-of-blackening-agent-and-some-experiments/?hl=%2Bblackening+%2Bbrass+%2Bglass

 

In this method glass-staining is used to blacken soldered brass wire already attached to blocks (the whole thing is submerged in the blackening agent).  Only the metal is blackened, the block remains unchanged.

 

Perhaps an option?

 

Peter

[JesseLee]

I have painted thin wire next to wood with the tip of a toothpick but the solution mentioned by Hans & Peter might be better.

[Piet]

Thanks to Gunther, Hans, Peter and JesseLee for your comments and also to all who clicked the like button.  

 

I'm still seeking your overall opinion on which method I should pursue, brass hardware around the pulley blocks or thread.  Please let me know.

 

@ Gunther:  The Scroll Saw DSH/E that I bought here in the States is made in China.  I'll attach a picture I just made of the data plate.  I don't remember from whom I purchased that unit but it failed about one year I bought it.  Out of warranty of course.  I had it repaired at ProxTech in Hickory, N.C.  The charges were very reasonable and great people to deal with.  

My little hand tool is also repaired by ProxTech and also very reasonable.  They asked if they could post a few pics of my models for their website and Facebook to show what Proxxon tools can do.  Here is the pic of the scroll saw data plate.

 

 

@ Hans:  Thanks for the input but my blue fluid doesn't smell like Eau de Cologne though   Mine is called "Blacken-It."  I'll try it on one and see how the boxwood react to this stuff.  

 

@ Peter:  Thanks for the link.  I'll have to try and get the stuff they are using, it looks like what I need unless my blue stuff is the same or works okay with wood.  

 

@ JesseLee:  Yeah, painting would be the last resort.  Blacken it will also be a lot faster when I start the rigging.

 

Cheers to all,

[Piet]

Hello everyone,

 

Today I experimented blackening the brass strapping on the one pulley block I made, also as a trial.  First I used the diluted batch and waited about 10 minutes.  It did blacken it some but not as I would like it.  It did not effect the wood, which is a good thing.  Next I put it in the undiluted stuff and let it "cook" for a few minutes.  It blackened it a little more and could be acceptable.  But i would like it a little more.  It could be that the stuff may have lost some its power, who knows.

 

I'll be ordering the Novacan Black Patina, it seems to be an okay product.  I also read up on Black Onix Patina that's good for all metals.  

 

I also took the bull by the horns and CA cemented the gudgeons to the gunport lids.  That was a rather trying exercise that really taxed my patience.  I could have used three hands but the Almighty Creator thought different about that     Lucky though that I have rather steady hands and things worked out okay.  One port's pintles were stopped up with the epoxy cement and I had to remove them.  So, I'll have to remake two of them little buggers.

Next will be cementing the cannons to their preinstalled carriages. There is still a lot of cleanup to do before I can put the poly on.  

 

I got a message back from ProxTech who informed me that they are having a problem fitting the new motor in the hand tool.  It appears that the new motor is for the later models.  We'll have to wait and see how they are going to fix it.  They also informed me that this hand tool was made in Luxemburg and so is the replacement motor.  That makes me breathe a little easier as far as quality is concerned.

 

Okay, here is a pic showing yuns the blackened pulley block strap.  Please give me your thoughts.  

 

 

Cheers,

[GuntherMT]

Looks pretty good to my eye.

[mtaylor]

Looks good, Piet.  It looks a bit rusty like it's been out in the elements.

[Omega1234]

Piet...once more, outstanding work!

 

Nicely done!

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

[popeye the sailor]

lots of nice progress Piet........sorry to hear about the gun port lids.   at smaller scales,  it's hit or miss to do aspects that are movable.  although,  I seem to have the greatest success with rudders.........try as I might to glue them in permanent,  by the end of the build.......they move!      I wish I had something to add about the power tool end of the conversation........the only two I have is a dremel and a scroll saw.   if I had anything more,  I'd probably be lost 

 

great progress my friend.......love the idea about the cut out.   there are so many possibilities