Willie L Bennett by Jack12477 - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1:32 Scale - skipjack

[Jack12477]

Rob, the cutting jig came from MicroMark see here.  It works well. MicroMark is a good tool source, fast delivery to Northeast areas. The tubing fits in a V groove, the larger silver tube is where the slider moves in and out to set the cut length (see photos 2 <set for 3/32 cut> and 3 <set for longer cut> the material to be cut sits in the V groove, extends to the stop block <block with set screw on side>, the saw fits in a tiny saw slot visible in photo 3. The unsecured end (left side in photos) has to be held down with finger(s) or some other clamp. You can screw the jig to a larger surface as shown in the first photo (uses #6 screws). The cut off end just drops onto the work surface or in this case into the V groove because the stop block prevents it from falling out <hence the tweezers in photo>

 

Another good miter box is this one along with the razor blade saw

 

I get a lot of use out of both jigs/miter box. The razor blade saw is great.  Check out MicroMark's online catalog.

 

Also check out my post in the "What have you received today" forum for some additional tools. Also SRC's post a couple above mine.

Edited July 7, 2016 by Jack12477

[Jack12477]

Another small update ( summer gets in the way of progress )

 

Got the forward railings installed on both sides. Used the 1/16" x 3/32" brass tubes I had cut earlier, drilled holes in the rails at 1/2" intervals, pushed the bras nails (which are magnetic by the way ) thru the rails, inserted the tubes over the nails, then pre-drilled holes into the sheer and with a little persuasion from my hobby hammer drove the nails home. After that I gave each nail a drop of thin CA using a cut-off sewing needle eye as the applicator. Of course the rails were pre-painted green to match the wales and cabin roofs. Also installed the pulley to raise and lower the "dagger board" in the keel.

 

Photos follow:

 

Nails and stanchion tubes for the rails:

 

 

Rails installed

 

 

Pulley for raising/lowering "dagger board" (aka center board - my Sailfish sailing lingo is coming out)

 

Edited July 14, 2016 by Jack12477

[SWOHammer]

Jack,

Really looking good!  I think the rails look fantastic, as does the rigging to raise/lower the centerboard. 

 

Cheers,

Rob

[cog]

Nice bit a progress Jack. Will you leave the heads protruding, or countersink(?) them (e.g. in the railing) or maybe grind/file them of ...

 

Cheers

[Jack12477]

Rob, thanks for the compliment and for looking in - also thanks to all those who hit the LIKE button

 

Carl, I'm going to leave them as is - tried pounding them down further but they won't go in any further and I'm afraid I will break more than the railing if I hit them with anything heavier.  The rail material is pretty thin and I'm afraid grinding the heads off will damage the rails.

[Canute]

jack, your Skipjack is progressing nicely. Well done on those rails and the centerboard rigging.

[Jack12477]

Thanks, Ken.

 

More work on the railings - now have the entire railing done.

 

After marking and drilling the holes for the nails in both the railing and the ship's sheer. I insert the nails in the holes first, then place a 1/16" x 1/32" tube over each nail, then place a tiny drop of thin CA where the nail protrudes thru the tube. This keeps the tube from slipping off and winding up on the floor as I turn the rail over to align it with the pre-drilled holes.

 

 

Then using a tweezer to align the nails with the hold, and using finger pressure I press them into the holes.  To completely seat them into the deck I use a small hobby hammer (smaller and lighter than a standard tack hammer) to drive the nails all the way into the wood. Then another drop of thin CA to lock them in place.

 

Then finished rails

 

 

 

[mtaylor]

Niiiiccccceeeeee........   She's looking great, Jack.  I do like the way you did the rails.

[Canute]

Jack, nice little trick there keeping the brass stanchions attached for the inversion. She's looking sweey.

[cog]

So, now I dare step on board, if I may. Fat chance falling off with such a rail ... It gives her a very nice appearance

[flying_dutchman2]

Jack,

Pulling up a chair waaaay in the back against the wall. (better late than never).

That is a cute boat you are building and I like how you are putting the railing together.

Looking good.

Marcus

[Jack12477]

Marcus, welcome aboard and thanks for the compliment.

 

Mark, Ken, Carl, thanks for the compliments.

[popeye the sailor]

ditto!  great work on the railings and center board  

[gerty]

Looking good Jack !

[Jack12477]

Denis (Popeye), Gerty, thanks for stopping by and your compliments. Gerty, I've been using your excellent model as a reference to help me decipher these cluttered plans.

 

The shipyard will be a little slow the next couple of weeks as we have our youngest granddaughter visiting us for a few weeks. Lots of side trips planned.

[trippwj]

Coming along very nicely, Jack.  I am impressed with how well the rails have come out - they look smart!

[cog]

Hi Jack,

 

Having granddaughter blues, or does the garden take up your spare time ... I'll be seeing you ...

[Jack12477]

Thanks, Wayne.

 

Hi Carl. No not "granddaughter blues" or gardening, altho we did have a delightful time with her and the garden is producing - had to deal with some medical issues with Admiral requiring a week-long hospital stay but all is well now. Otherwise, it's just a case of procrastination and nice summer weather so why hide in the cellar shipyard. Also my Dad's 101st birthday is coming up in less than 10 days so will be heading west to visit him and celebrate with him. Then I promise ! It's back to the shipyard. 

[cog]

Jack,

 

My best wishes to your admiral. I do hope she is better. Ah the centenary plus 1, I remember last year's double 00 ... enjoy the family gathering, wish him happy birthday from a daft Dutchy

 

Cheers mate

[Jack12477]

Thanks Carl. Yes, all is well with the Admiral !

[Jack12477]

Hi All, just a quick update to let everyone know I am still upright and ventilating and have not abandoned the build.  Just on an extended summer hiatus. Just returned from celebrating my Dad's 101st birthday. Have been looking at various ways to solder the various brass fixtures together - soldering is not something I am very good at - I'll be back in the shipyard shortly.

[gerty]

Hi Jack - I'm " in the same boat" ...regarding summer hiatus  - but have been looking at the instructions/plans lately as I try to tackle the A-frame.

 

Hope the Admiral is doing better and Happy 101 to your Dad !

[Jack12477]

Thanks, Gerty.  Yes, Admiral is fine now.  I'm still struggling with the brass things, rails, dredge roller, A-frame and stern davits.

[popeye the sailor]

so........your mess'in with the metal glue,  are ya?!?!    soldering isn't too bad once ya get used to it.........a little goes a long way     I haven't done too much of it either,  but finding it hard to avoid,  with some of the stuff I want to do.    hope to see some of your progress soon  

[Jack12477]

Well, the summer hiatus is over, cooler weather has moved in (low of 45 F overnight last night) and it's back to the shipyard.

 

I've been debating with myself over how to fabricate the railing(s) around the side and stern section. Didn't like the wire that came with the kit so I got some jewelry wire and experimented with that. I like the braided jewelry wire better than the solid because it more closely resembles wire rope, or cable. I also picked up some jewelry crimp tubes is varies sizes and colors ranging from 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, to 4mm and silver, gold, brass, and bronze. The braided wire is less than 1mm in diameter and folded back on itself it should be around 2 mm + or - in diameter. In practice only the 4mm crimp tube would fit over the folded back rope, so I used that, choosing the darker bronze color for both the rope and crimp tube.

 

Pictures follow:

 

First the wire rope and tubes

 

 

The end results

 

 

Now to do more practicing with the soldering iron before tackling the other deck structures. So far the practice sessions haven't been going so well. 

[mtaylor]

Looks good, Jack.  I've never thought about wire rope before. 

[cog]

Nice touch, Jack. She's becoming a little gem ...

 

What are you soldering which gives you problems?

[Jack12477]

Soldering in general gives me problems, Carl.  For this I have to construct the oyster dredges, A-frame, side rollers for the dredges and not sure what else of the top of my head.  I have the tools for soldering, just have to perfect the technique.

[cog]

For the a frame I would sugest brass and silver soldering. Side rollers ...I wouldn't know what those look like

[kurtvd19]

Actual silver soldering isn't needed.  Try Stay-Brite a silver bearing solder that melts at a much lower temp than silver solder but higher than soft solder.  It can be blackened unlike soft solder and is plenty strong enough for the job.  Parts need to be clean and adjacent joints need to be protected from getting too hot - heat sinks or clay as a heat sink around the previous joint do the job.

Kurt