USS Constitution by xken - Model Shipways - Scale 1:76.8

[scott larkins]

Damn,  that is beautiful.  I'll be lucky enough to actually go visit that ship tomorrow.  Check this off my bucket list.  Yea!

[xken]

Post as many pictures as you can please!

[xken]

Finishing up a few more details on the spar deck and hull. I am trying to identify things to be completed before starting the mast installations. Of course just when you think you have everything you see something else to be done.

 

Here are acorn nuts I turned for the helm as well as the helm step that can be seen in some pictures. I think the acorn nuts would have been square rather than hexagon which would have been a more recent nut design.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the center tie down for the pinnace that will be used when the ship is completed to see the gun deck when lifted by the pinnace. I am just doing the center one for now since the mast and oars need to be added.

 

 

 

 

Next I added the six mooring staples and then using a period photo for reference I added the rope hand rail for the sea steps.

 

 

 

 

Now to see what else besides the main mast stay anchor points and rear backing plates for the exterior stern rings (perhaps for towing?) that I may have overlooked. Then on to the storage brackets for the sailing booms that can also be seen in the picture above.

 

A side note in this picture is the taller and straight smoke stack versus the shorter tapered one that is on the plans. 

Edited September 19, 2016 by xken

[md1400cs]

Ken,

 

Just discovered your build, when it came up in the sidebar. WHOA!! Will now follow along. Will go back and visit your log from #001 (I'll keep the espresso machine on.

 

Some very quick /observation/thoughts;

 

1) Brilliant work details, and beautiful example of this ship.

2) Thanks for the super large jpg's when clicked (wish more logs did this lol)

3) Love the added text within some photos

4) Excellent notes, as you progress

5) Great labor intensive build AND log.

 

OK on board - 

 

PS: love the area of CA where you reside (:-)

 

Cheers,

[xken]

Michael, thank you for your kind comments. Yes we do live in a great location with mild weather year around. I have moved on to the studding sail booms and realized that I had to locate the anchor in place first. 

In looking at how the anchor was rigged on the plans it seemed odd that all the weight was carried by the eyebolts. I then checked the above photo by zooming in and confirmed that there is indeed a support bracket that the anchor rested upon.

 

 

 

 

Next I tapered the studding booms and added the reinforcement rings and gooseneck hooks.

 

 

 

I then fabricated the first and second support brackets that are once in place will establish the boom location in order to fabricate the third bracket. Following is a sequence showing how I made them and will let the pictures speak for themselves.

 

 

Now on to making the third and a little more complicated brackets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JSGerson]

When making the goose-neck brackets, you stated: "Layers separated and CA removed from both sides and surfaces sanded smooth." How exactly did you dissolve the CA? Did you soak them in acetone? If so, how did the solvent penetrate between the metal layers?

 

BTY, have I mentioned before that I really enjoy your build log?

 

Jon

[JSGerson]

I just located an image of the studding sail boom bracket and I noticed that my image shows the two most external eyeloops are horizontal in orientation as opposed to the vertical ones you just made. Is that the way the plans show it? You are so meticulous, I wouldn't want you to make a mistake.

 

Jon

[xken]

Jon, I am working on that bracket right now, great picture and these loops will be like the picture. I do not have a clear picture of the center bracket, but could see that the outside loop was vertical so I made the inne r ones the same. Do you have a picture of that center bracket?

 

The parts pop apart by putting a blade on an edge to separate and then just scrape off the CA with the back edge of blade and sand. If not in a hurry you could soak them in acetone.

[JSGerson]

I don't have any other images of the brackets. I didn't realize the center one was different. I did however have some 1929 US Nay plans showing what the brackets looked like prior to the restoration. Believe it or not, they look like the bracket you already made! I also had some plans for the studding sail end and quarter irons.

 

I guess the choice is yours

 

Jon

25351-.pdf

25527 - Boom, Studding Sail, End and Quarter Irons.pdf

[xken]

Thanks to Jon's great picture I was able to fabricate these two rear brackets for the studding boom. here is an in progress picture showing the main straps that were bent and soldered together and then drilled for rings and this picture shows the double ring being soldered in place. Once soldered together they were adjusted to mate to the hull, blackened and then glued in place. 

 

 

This shows the rear bracket.

 

 

Here are a couple of overviews.

 

 

 

Now to add the tackle blocks to the cleat area and ends of the booms themselves before lashing them to the brackets. If anyone has any info or details of these blocks it would be appreciated.

[JSGerson]

The best I can come up with are these photos...and you have to look real close.

 

Jon

[xken]

Jon, thanks exactly what I needed! I suspected a couple of blocks but the ring is a nice detail.

Thanks again!

[xken]

Jon thanks again for help with reference photos, I continue to be impressed with the plans lack of final details on certain elements that would have been so easy to add.

 

Here is a sequence of details based upon your photos and I can only guess that the slip rings are for the sail. One other question you may be able to answer, I have seen in some images a second studding boom rigged to the main mast. Do you have any info on it?

 

 

After formed, the rings were final fitted on the boom with end being trimmed as needed and tightened on the boom for a slip fit.

I darkened the rings once final fitted due the scratch that would have happened with tool marks.

 

 

Here is an overview of the boom lashed in place.

 

Now to fiquire out my next move which may be the brass stanchions for the hatch covers.

[CaptainSteve]

Magnificent work, Ken. Your tutorials, your attention to detail and the stunning close-up photography are an immeasurable asset.

[xken]

Captain Steve, thank you for your kind words! Well I pondered the best approach to fabricating the canopy frames for the hatchways and started first with what I considered the more challenging parts, the stanchions.

 

I decided to turn them using 1/16" square brass bar on my Sherline lathe and use my combination slide to back cut with a second bit. This allowed one setup without having to change tool holders. I love this feature of the Sherline. I colored one side of the stock with a blue marker to mark the key locations from the locating pin shoulder up 7/16" to the top.

 

First I cut the .020" locating pin then advanced the stock in the chuck. In turning small stock like this one must cut close as possible to the chuck and use cutting fluid. Next I cut the shank to the bottom of the first square down to the angled flange above the locating pin forming a shoulder.

Next I used the back cutter to cut between the squares and also the top circular shape. The part was cut off and indexed back in the chuck to first drill the top with a 1/32" hole to receive the bent frames. Once the hole was drilled the rounded shape was formed carefully using a needle file.

 

Once the first one was cut and drilled with the 1/32" location holes for the rails it was used as a "master" to mark the rest for cutting as close as possible of course using magnification to keep on track.

 

I cut the first three and drilled for the three types that needed to be drilled differently. The end requires 10 parts drilled one side, the center requires 15 parts drilled completely through for the rail, the corners require 12 parts drilled two adjacent sides to receive the rails.

 

Here are a sequence of pictures that show where I am so far.

 

 

Here are the results of the back cutting tool.

 

 

 

 

Now that I have a system down back to cutting and drilling the 34 more to turn. This may take awhile and I will think of other things to do when my eyes need a break form cutting this small.

[JSGerson]

I thought I had seen a master craftsman make brass stanchions before when I saw Blues Ensign make them for his Pegasus, but I believe you sir, will surpass that standard. Beautiful work!

 

Jon

[scott larkins]

Holy Crap that's incredible.  I was just on the Constitution and that looks great.

[jwvolz]

Wow, just wow... Fantastic work. 

[xken]

Jon, Scott, Joe thanks for your comments. Jon thanks for the link to the Pegasus his work his great and the design just different that that of the Constitution. The real challenge for this design is that the finish is brass rather than being painted.

 

As turning away I thought that it might be wise to build one first before investing all the time in turning all the stanchions first. So I then drilled all the necessary parts for a complete unit. To borrow Scott's term I had a "Holy Crap" moment wondering if the bent upper frame would clear the bow of the pinnace and decided to do that canopy first.

 

I first fitted the length of rails for the first side, positioned them in place first and tacked them with CA. I also once tacked laid the assembly on a steel block to assure flatness. Once the glue set I added the end set of rails and allowed the glue to set completely. Then the third side was added with careful filing of the end rails to get the correct fit before tack gluing.

 

 

 

 

Next came the first diagonal frame and the moment of truth with the frame not coming near the bow of the pinnace. I bent the frame using a brass tube as a mandrel and matching the diagonal corners and inserting the ends into the 1/32" holes. I will turn little collar details later on for the ends that index into the holes. I chose the diagonal since it would provide the greatest strength for the free standing corner.

 

 

I now feel comfortable that all parts will work so now back to turning while I think through the center upper frame finials. Also the unit is being built to be removable because soldering will be needed for the upper frame center joints.

[JSGerson]

Thought you might want this picture of the center balustrades where the arches meet.

 

Jon

Edited September 28, 2016 by JSGerson

[xken]

Jon, great picture! Again exactly what I needed to see for details. I just added the second frame diagonal so this is very timely.

Thanks again!  Ken

[usedtosail]

Wow, that will make these even more complicated. Great work on these brass rails Ken. They really add a lot of detail.

[xken]

Thanks to Jon I had a better image of the center finial. I moved on and completed the first complete canopy. Following is a sequence of how I did them in detail for those who wish to try doing them. I could not find any other builds with details so hopefully not too much on these. These canopies are like the cherry on the top of a sundae and a critical element so I apologize if too images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Again thanks to Jon for his help with images!

 

Also had a pleasant visit to our harbor to watch the San Salvador come in to Morro Bay for a 5 day visit. She was escorted by many of the local craft. Also the Chumash tribe sailed out to her in their authentic reed canoes in native dress. There was a heavy fog as you can see in the pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

I will visit the ship to get more closeup details. If anyone needs a particular image please let me know.

 

 

 

 

[kurtvd19]

Ken:

Glad you got to see the ship.  It was supposed to be one of the NRG Conference visits while in San Diego next week - planned long ago but they moved up their touring dates and it will not be in San Diego next week.  Love the foggy photos.

And the canopy brass work is fabulous I am sure those at the conference next week will be looking it over closely.

Kurt

[xken]

Kurt, yes it was great watching it emerge from the fog as it entered to mouth of the harbor. What was very interesting was seeing the muzzle flash radiate within the fog when it fired it's cannon salute just before it became visible. I plan on visiting and taking many reference photos while it is here. I will inquire to see if any plans are available for it.

[xken]

I now have the second frame completed and am getting the turning down pat for the stanchions and finials. I may now turn the balance of the stanchions for the rear hatches all at once.

 

Here are a couple of pictures of the second canopy frame in place. They have been dipped into the JAX Instant Brass Cleaner for ongoing protection and luster.

 

 

 

Back to work turning and weekend honey-do's.

[CaptainSteve]

Ken.

I thought you might need this:

[xken]

I will need a bigger cart!

[md1400cs]

Ken,

 

Brilliant work indeed.

[xken]

Getting packed up to head down to San Diego for the NRG Conference Thursday. In the meantime I have visited the San Salvador a couple of times and have taken over 300 reference photos like these random samples. This could be a great scratch build subject. The only thing was that we were not allowed below deck into the hold area.

Here is Morro Rock in the background.

 

I live only 2 1/2 minutes from where she is docked in Morro Bay. his ship was suppose to be in San Diego during the conference time, but the schedule was moved forward for her Maiden voyage to up here.