Great Republic 1853 by rwiederrich - FINISHED - four masted extreme clipper

[rwiederrich]

That ridge with a little help from my 3D brain...bent over on itself..is the ticket.  Now to cut several to work with.

 

Rob

[BANYAN]

Great idea Rob; I look forward to seeing how these turn out.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[rwiederrich]

Some fashioning with the grinder to turn the little piece of metal into a functioning sheet block.

Drill a hole for the pin....which will secure it and attach it to the yard.

 

Rob

[rwiederrich]

Now it gets attached to the yard band...the entire thing gets a coat of my world famous *It covers a multitude of sin* black paint.....and there I go.

Ready to begin again and rigg more yards.

 

Rob

[rwiederrich]

The 42 lpi chain easily slides in from both sides.  I think this will do at this scale.

 

Rob

[BANYAN]

Nice 'bodging' Rob, looks functional and appropriate at the scale you are working 

 

cheers

 

Pat

[rwiederrich]

Spent some time today working on the foremasts yards.  Making the parrel bands and lots of eye bolts.

 

I'll begin to start installing the foot ropes and stirrups next.  Once done I'll rig the yard blocks.

 

I decided to add the sales after I finish up all the workings of the yards....just don't want to fight all that after the sales are set.

 

Here is where I am today.

[rwiederrich]

Just tinkering today  and I tested the iron sheet blocks on the lower topsail yard with 42 LPI chain.  Everything went smoothly.

 

These things are tiny...so is the chain.  The actual sheet blocks are pretty small on the real yard, about the size of half the yards diameter.  Underhills drawings demonstrate this.  That is why...even in my scale..they were going to be pretty small...like grains of wheat.  And chain has to thread through them smoothly and then be drawn down to a block and tackle purchase to the top.  Like threading a needle.

 

Rob

Edited October 16, 2018 by rwiederrich

[popeye the sailor]

amazing work...........very resourceful!    where do you find such small chain?

[rwiederrich]

Thanks Popeye.  Ed's method of fabrication is just not possible at this scale.  I even tried it.

 

I'm agreeable to just a simulation.  I try to scratch build most things...but as is my custom I love modifying someone else's engineered stuff to suite my needs.

 

I got my chain from, Cast your anchor.com

 

Rob

Edited October 18, 2018 by rwiederrich

[rwiederrich]

Making some blocks for the buntlines. 

 

Rob

[popeye the sailor]

I know what you mean.......I have the Sergal Thermopylae,  and I need to make yard fitting for it.   nothing comes premade in the kit.  how long is the Great Republic's hull?  the Thermopylae is at 1:124 scale and the hull from bow stem to stern is around 19 inches.  if this model was at a larger scale,  I would think it would be a lot easier to make the fittings like your making.  I'm using the model built by Cyril Humes

http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=211834&img=132358

to build it.  his model is based at 18" to 1 '...not sure what scale that would be.   I have placed an order at Billing USA.......I saw some fittings that might do the trick for the lower yards.  I'll just need to figure out the upper yards.   I have some small chain.......but I know that cyril used quite a bit,  and I see that you have as well.   I just wished that this model was a larger scale    I do believe that I have Cast your Anchor bookmarked.....I'll check it out.  thank you for letting me know  

[rwiederrich]

10 minutes ago, popeye the sailor said:

I know what you mean.......I have the Sergal Thermopylae,  and I need to make yard fitting for it.   nothing comes premade in the kit.  how long is the Great Republic's hull?  the Thermopylae is at 1:124 scale and the hull from bow stem to stern is around 19 inches.  if this model was at a larger scale,  I would think it would be a lot easier to make the fittings like your making.  I'm using the model built by Cyril Humes

http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=211834&img=132358

to build it.  his model is based at 18" to 1 '...not sure what scale that would be.   I have placed an order at Billing USA.......I saw some fittings that might do the trick for the lower yards.  I'll just need to figure out the upper yards.   I have some small chain.......but I know that cyril used quite a bit,  and I see that you have as well.   I just wished that this model was a larger scale    I do believe that I have Cast your Anchor bookmarked.....I'll check it out.  thank you for letting me know  

I'm at work..so I'm not sure how long it is..but it is 1/128 and 3/32=1ft.  You know about how large the Revell Thermopylae is  well that is 1/96 and my Great Republic is slightly larger in size but comparatively the CS was just over 900 tons I think and the GR was 4555 tons so if I built her at the 1/96 scale she would be over four and a half Ft long.

 

Billing Boats as well as Cast Your Anchor and Blue Jacket sell trusses.  I've not found anyone who makes Sheet blocks...that is why I made mine.  If you follow my method you can make some pretty small ones for your build.  I'm not sure the Thermopylaer or the Cutty Sark used them....possibly.

You can buy chain by the foot or longer.  Get plenty.

Good luck.....I'd love to see it when you start.

 

Rob

[popeye the sailor]

the Sergal kit is a beast......there are instructions,  but I found it better off to just scratch build everything,  aside from the planking.  I've already started it,  but I put it aside for the time being to work on other projects.   I figured it would give me the time to scare up parts that could be more easily fashioned.   I have a good supply of 2 mm blocks....even got some double blocks for her {can you imagine a kit not supplying them}.   the log is on page 21.......which means that I should get my butt moving,  before it reaches the vortex   

[rwiederrich]

51 minutes ago, popeye the sailor said:

the Sergal kit is a beast......there are instructions,  but I found it better off to just scratch build everything,  aside from the planking.  I've already started it,  but I put it aside for the time being to work on other projects.   I figured it would give me the time to scare up parts that could be more easily fashioned.   I have a good supply of 2 mm blocks....even got some double blocks for her {can you imagine a kit not supplying them}.   the log is on page 21.......which means that I should get my butt moving,  before it reaches the vortex   

Wait a minute...did you start it already....did I miss this?  Am I clueless?

 

Rob

[popeye the sailor]

I'm almost to the point of restarting it.  a few more deck fittings to go,  and I can begin on the masts.  it's a bugger finding the ship's boats for it,  I have some that will suffice.   the anchors are another problem........darn things are at least three scales larger    so I'll likely need to scratch build a pair.  

[rwiederrich]

Do you have a log for this build?

 

Rob

[rwiederrich]

I built a few more blocks for the buntlines.

[rwiederrich]

Spent some time adding blocks to the lifts and to the sheets.

 

Tiny scale is working my eyesight.......

 

Once I get the blocks in place....I'll fix the foot ropes....this is going to be very busy...with sails set too.

 

Rob

[rwiederrich]

Spent a bit of time today rigging up the foot ropes and adding more blocks and sheets.

 

Rob

[rwiederrich]

Next visit I will rig the upper and lower topsail's halyards block purchases that fix to the top.  The topgallant and royal sheets will follow the downward path along with the buntlines to the rail.

 

The interesting part will be when I add the first sail (Royal).  I will need to affix the clew to the sheet at the sail corner garnet (from the topgallant yard)...the trick is permitting just enough oversize or width of the sail so that when it is fixed it will naturally bow...giving the sail the *Full* effect.

Once this process is accomplished I will lift the sail up and affix it to the royal yard.

After this I can rig the buntlines.

 

Before all this funnary...I will add the foot rope stirrups.

 

Rob

 

Edited October 26, 2018 by rwiederrich

[BANYAN]

You've made some great progress in my absence Rob; those masts and their fittings look great.  A joy to come back and read this log.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[rwiederrich]

Thanks Pat...very much.

I failed to get some images last night, but I finished up the stirrups for the foot ropes and am set to begin adding the relaxed lifts(All the sails are going to be set) and I'll be adding the sheet blocks and their purchases for the topsails, which will be fixed to the top.

 

I try to do projects in separate stages(Like add the foot ropes, then paint any touch-ups...etc)...it makes the build go by faster I think.

And for the first time (In 40 years)I am building each mast individually, with all its yards and sails affixed.  I will only leave the main yards and their courses removable..so when I step the mast I can more easily rig the main shrouds and ratlines without any interference.  As I said...this is the first time I ever tried rigging a mast this way....the advantage is I can fully rotate the mast/yards apart from the hull...making the assembly and addition of new components far easier....then if the mast was already stepped and I had to work around(In my small space) the hull.  Pick in up and moving/rotating to the other side would be quite annoying.  I don't have the leisure of having my model on a center island where I can work around it. 

 

Rob

[rwiederrich]

Won't get to work on the GR tonight...Grandkids are coming over.  but here are some pic of yesterdays work.

 

Rob

[rwiederrich]

I tinkered on the GR today..not much because a dear friend of ours was admitted to the hospital today...she has early onset Alzheimer's and she had a Grand Mal seizure this morning and she is currently alert but unresponsive.....

So I only set the foreroyal.  I wanted to do more.....but we're off to the hospital now that she can see visitors.

 

I made the paper sail, rigged it prior to install.   Some of the buntlines are loose and so much more needs to be done...but I'm on my way...to setting sail.

 

Here are some images..

 

Rob

[rwiederrich]

Some more.

 

 

Edited October 27, 2018 by rwiederrich

[BANYAN]

Looks good Rob; best wishes for a good outcome for your friend.

 

regards

 

Pat

[Dowmer]

Rob,

When you have time would you detail how you make the paper sails, materials, techniques etc. I’ve seen many different techniques, but your sails look very nice. 😃

[rwiederrich]

On 10/28/2018 at 12:01 PM, Dowmer said:

Rob,

When you have time would you detail how you make the paper sails, materials, techniques etc. I’ve seen many different techniques, but your sails look very nice. 😃

Thanks for the fine compliments, and comment.

Their construction is very simple..first you take a piece of copier paper...draw in scale all the panel lines...mine is 3/32 to 1ft.  Don't forget both sides.

 

Then you measure and cut out the sail to size.  I then cut and place banding using simple white glue(dries fast).  You'll have to follow the design of the period and vessel you are building.

 

Next I form the sail by rolling it over a 1/4" dowel..working it gently and rolling it to form the billow.

 

I then us two colors of tan/cotton paint to simulate slightly different sail colors...to add dimension and realism. I'll paint one sail slightly darker then another...if you know what I mean.

Several light coats per side will do....you want the panel lines to show through opaquely.

 

Once done you can then add the hardware for the clews and sheets.

I still have to add these on this topgallant sail. 

 

Rob

 

[rwiederrich]

Once you've decided on the opacity of the panels...let it all dry then add the bunt and clew lines. Reef bands and reef points will be added only on the topsails and the main course.

 

I will glue the sail directly to the yard...since the jackstays will typically be hidden by the bent sail...in my scale I opted to not add the detail.  If the yards were bare poles..I surely would have added the jackstays.

 

Rob