Swift 1805 by BadMama - Artesania Latina - 1/50

[BadMama]

Hopefully this will be a good log where I can learn a lot. I have slapped together a couple of plastic models and two solid hull childrens versions of the Bluenose and Constitution, but nothing on this level. I love a challenge. I read through many of the excellent Swift logs and the information in the Ship notes section. I learned a lot. After buying some tools at Harbor Freight (which I found on this site), I jumped right in. My keel had a slight bend so I dampened it and set weights on top for a day. While that was going on I cut out my bulkheads, and hour and two cut thumbs later I cut them out with no damage. I dryfitted them the next day, since everything seemed in line and level I carefully glued them. I'm not sure what is meant by fairing so I havent done that yet. also worked on the bow filler blocks. Never have anything before, but I used some balsa wood traced out with the bulkhead and keel. Not sure if this is how it is supposed to look. Now I am stuck on how to do the stern. There are no measurements and not sure how to make a template. Also started on false deck. Wasnt sure how long deck planks should be so I made them 40mm but when I put in the treenail details I think I did it wrong. Should they be centered on top of bulkheads if so can I do it on my main deck without it looking bad. Going to try to add some pictures. My layout might be wrong but I will work on it. ANY and ALL comments welcome.

[Jack12477]

Looks like you are off to a good start. Enjoy your build.

[BadMama]

Thanks Jack. Any Tips on on how to start my stern block?

[mtaylor]

Nice start on the Swift.... 

[BadMama]

Thank you. Working on how to  develop the stern filler blocks now.

[jollymillar]

Looks like a great start, can I ask were the Jolly Roger popped up from ??  I have not seen it before.    JM

[cog]

Nice start ... stern blocks ... same way as those in the bow ... at least, that's the usual way

[Jack12477]

Thanks Jack. Any Tips on on how to start my stern block?

 

Sorry Betty, didn't see your question/post.  I think Carl answered it above - it's done the same way you did the bow section. Follow the plans for contour.

[BadMama]

Hi guys. The Jolly Roger was a cheap plastic model I bought at Hobby Lobby to see if I would like model shipbuilding. I messed up the first one and because I dont like defeat,m I boought a second one. I faired much better. I learned two things: I like ship modeling but I dont like plastic models. The first two pics were entered by mistake. The Swift is my first build. 

 

Now to my current progress. I looked through several of the posted Swift logs (adivedog, jared,giantdog, 3sheets and grimber) I discovered that my bow filler blocks needed more sanding to bring the bow more to a point. I took my deck and temporarily banded it down to see where corrections were needed, I think it looks better now,also sanded down tops of bulkheads so they were flush with bottom of deck. My deck seems to have a slope from stem to stern, but looking at the other logs this seems to be correct. Is that right?  Concerning the stern, when I put the last deck piece on it did not lie flat but on little points, is this area supposed to be flat from the front of the piece to the back? Also, in some logs they used the second piece at the tail and some didn't. Since I did I am having trouble trying to fit a block between there and the last bulkhead. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

 

 

[mtaylor]

I'm thinking she's looking pretty good.   I'm not sure about the Swift as I've never built that one, but generally, the deck from side to side is high in the middle and rounded to the sides (camber) and then from fore to aft, it sweeps down to about the middle and then back up (sheer).  There's variations and there's also flat decks. 

[jollymillar]

Well I agree plastic models were not for me either. You cannot beat working in wood  JM

[BadMama]

Well after 2 days and numerous failed attempts, I think I finally have something that kind of resembles a stern block. Its not pretty, but the plans I have were no help. I used the info in the NRG section and some pictures from posted Swift builds, to try and visualize how to delvelop the four sides.  I know there are some rough spots but I plan to use a very thinsheet of balsa to cover them and present a smooth surface. Any comments on how I may improve would be appreciated.

[mtaylor]

Betty,

Outside of buildlogs and most are excellent, there's this:  http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/forum/14-building-framing-planking-and-plating-a-ships-hull-and-deck/  Third pinned post down, the one by Jack Nastyface might be some help.  Maybe not right away but give you an idea of the shapes and reasoning for the blocks.

Edited May 11, 2015 by mtaylor

[cog]

You didn't do Bad at all Mama, es[ecially  for a first time and without clear instructions!!!

[BadMama]

Worked out most of the kinks on the stern block. Didnt use the balsa, tried a paste mixture of wood filler, sawdust and glue. It came out a little harder than I expected but i was able to get a better shape. I will know better next time.Oh Horrors!! I glued my upper deck after checking the position several times. I thought I had it in correct position. I planked it and while staring at it off and on for a couple of days while reading up on fairing and planning my planking, I rehecked my deck and discovered it is 2mm off. The right (starboard) side is 2mm greater  tthan the port side. Although I feel like an idiot, I'm sure somebody out there may have made the same or similar error and might have a suggestion on how to rectify it. What I came up with was: a) try to remove and reset the deck (probably would take forever and possible damage; or b)try to make shims for each bulkhead  to even out the sides. Are there any other options?

[mtaylor]

There's several options here... you could try to remove and then reset the deck.  If you used carpenter's (PVA) glue, then isopropyl alcohol on the joints will allow you to remove it.  Or, sand the overhang off, and build up the "short" side of the deck.  Sanding the bulkheads on one side and building up the other will offset the keel probably enough to be noticeable.

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[cog]

If Mark's methods do not work ... you could do it the hard way, but you should draw/copy the outline and openings of the deck on paper to transfer to a new deck, before ripping of the old one.It means you will have to remake the deck yourself, get the plywood, and wood for planking ... not the nicest solution, but an 'if all else fails' option.

 

Instead of ripping it of you could cut out the deck between the bulwarks and sand the remaionder down as far as possible/required and put the new deck on

 

I keep my fingers, as Mark does, crossed you'll get it done easily/the easy way

Edited May 14, 2015 by cog

[BadMama]

Thanks guys. Used a very small bottle for alcohol application, a couple of sewing needles to open the glued joints, a couple of dull knife blades to use as pry bars and my steam iron to help soften the glue. Armed with these items 2 1/2 hours later I was able to remove my deck intact with minimal damage to a very small area of the deck near the bow. Hooray!!. Will be extra careful putting it back on. It helps that the deck retained almost all of its curves.

[cog]

Well done, very well done. I'm real glad you could do it this way!!!

[mtaylor]

That is great news that you got off the easy way...

Edited May 14, 2015 by mtaylor

[HIPEXEC]

Looking good!

[BadMama]

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement, however  I am back with more questions. The first involves the bearding line and how to develop it, Do I need it to create a rabbet? I have read all the tutorials here, and reread most of the Swift build logs.  I also have read How to Build First Rate Ship Models from Kits and Planking the Built up Ship Model.  I checked the cross sections of my plans and the 2 1/2 pages of written instruct ions. I am stumped. Also on the cross section that depicts a straight line, midway the top and bottom and from stem to stern, is that the water line and where I install the master strake?  The three photos below are the bulk of my plans, the other 2 pages are for the sails and masts and rigging. I do no want to make any more major mistakes. Also reinstalled my upper deck and got a much better alignment.

[cog]

The bearding line is the line on the frame where the natural curve of the plank make it touch the would of the keel. You'll cut from the bearding line to rabbet to give the plank it's natural curve, and have it follow the normal curvature of the hull. I found this link helpfull (i.e. for me): http://www.modelshipbuilder.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?19970 The image on the third post is as good as self explanatory ...

Edited May 16, 2015 by cog