HMS Thorn by Kevin Kenny - 1:48 scale - Swan-class - David Antscherl practium

[Kevin Kenny]

First attempt at inlaying brass

[AON]

Not sure what I am supposed to see. I did sleep in so maybe I'll need a moment.

 

A moment later..  I see it, the ring on the too of the lower capstan. Looking good!

Edited November 30 by AON

[Kevin Kenny]

I did not have the correct size mill ends to cut the square holes. This is my first attempt. I will pick up some when i am in New York in 2 weeks time. I am not unhappy with this 1st try and know ill get it better. Some of the markings on my rotary table  have worn off so it makes it difficult to cut the holes   spot on. Trying to solve that issue. 

[AON]

They can easily be cleaned up with a very narrow chisel, if you have one.

If not, possibly I can bring you one  😃

[AON]

forgot to mention is was very cold this morning up here.

[hdrinker]

She’s coming along! Nice.  I like the

 white deck framing. Makes that really pop. I have a grandson who’s handy with a 3-D printer and was happy to print me up a ring in black for that capston.
Henry 

[Kevin Kenny]

Yes Alan i do have very fine chisels. But i want to horn the technique to film it so that i can share what Greg showed in the book. The reason i had trouble cutting the squares is that i did not have a mill end the exact size so used a center end instead. I was more interested in the technique than in the exact finish. I also  went about constructing the part different than what Greg showed in the book. Stretching my skill to try figure it out my self. . Next  time i will construct  it the way he built it and then decide which method is better.  I need some  new mill ends to do it his way.

 

I only have a few days left before i leave for New York so the next video will be last week of January next year so i  have time. Also my rotary table has most of the numbers missing so i have  written to  Sherline  to see how i can have them replaced. perhaps with a sticker. Failing that i will just have to mark the major stop points temporarily.  Thats the only way to get them to line up exactly. 
 

also Greg used a dark wood insert, Ebony, i used a brass strip which was not the correct width. I may stick with that as it worked well, but might try cutting it out of a brass sheet.  

[Kevin Kenny]

Thanks Henry, but if i do put it in Ill want to do it in Brass or wood. Need to refine the skill.

[Kevin Kenny]

I should complete the bottom today

[Kevin Kenny]

Coming along

[garyshipwright]

Looking good Kevin. 

[Pirate adam]

On 12/8/2025 at 8:53 PM, Kevin Kenny said:

Thanks Henry, but if i do put it in Ill want to do it in Brass or wood. Need to refine the skill.

Kevin,

 

I love every time you say “I just need to build the skill.”  It is a great reminder that one of the cool things about this hobby is it involves mastery of so many different skills and almost all of them are pretty manageable with enough practice. 
 

Adam

[dvm27]

I think those markings on the rotary table are laser engraved, Kevin. I've had my rotary table for almost twenty years and it still looks new. Have you tried contacting them for a solution? They are very responsive and once repaired my lathe for a minimal fee as well as replacing numerous old parts without charging me.

 

As for those square holes you need to fix I could envision using your smaller mill end and making a very small second cut a half a degree away or so. You only see the outside opening so the inside shape really doesn't matter.

 

Enjoy New York in the dead of winter. Don't you live in a tropical paradise? Are you one of those lunatics that wait in Times Square for New Years?

[Kevin Kenny]

Hi Greg

all my new tools are waiting for me in NY, nice new mill ends, the quick change  for the lath, new mill ends, Mito_tuyo Caliper, edge finder, parallel for the mill etc .

i wrote to sherline and they did say it was laser etched and that i  could send it back and they would redo it for me for only $60. Plus freight. When this is all over i will send it up some time next year. I was hoping they had a tape that i could stick  on the side, they thought it was a good idea but have not been forthcoming. 
The square hole were not done that well done  because i did not have the correct size mill end and i used a center drill which i knew i would give  trouble.  When i get back in January i will be redoing everything and filming the process as i  will have all the correct tools. 
 

i also had some creap with the deck beams so have to cheat a bit, the Capstan center hole lines up perfectly, so at least that good.  Its nice to get back on the mill and lath. 
 

best regards

 

kevin

[Kevin Kenny]

PS no time square for us. We are going up to Kingston, up to a tree farm, using a regular saw to cut down the Christmas tree and hall it home on the roof of the car.  We have not had a white Christmas for a very long time, so i  am going to be happy to freeze my *** of this year. A few concerts are on the agenda and lost of good food.