Washington 1777 by Pirate adam - 1:48 scale - Galley - POF

[Pirate adam]

I am taking a break from my HMS Alfred to build the Washington Galley from the NRG plans.  I will start with the obligatory shout outs:

 

- The plan set by Jeff Staudt is fantastic.  

- I am using the timber package in Swiss pear from Crown Timberyard.  The wood from Jason is beautiful and has been great to work with.  I am also planning to use some of the extra castello boxwood from my Lumberyard Alfred timbering set, which is also very nice.

- I have learned so much from all the build logs on this site, and I wouldn't even know where to start on a build like this or Alfred without all the tips and pictures from everyone.  Thank you to all.

 

Adam

[kurtvd19]

Adam:

This is great news - another Galley Washington build log.  I will be watching with anticipation. 

There should be more build logs of this project by now with plan set #68 having been mailed out on Friday.  You will be one of the pioneers. 

Take care,

Kurt

[Pirate adam]

First step was constructing the building board.  The building board was inspired by the one in Ed Tosti's Naiad build log and books.  I used melamine coated MDF for the board.  Two slots were cut into the board and two parallel sections of T-track were screwed in place level with the top of the board. I also attached some bracing to the back of the board with scrap lumber to add some stiffness and make it easier to pick up.  

 

I drew a centerline down the middle of the board and attached the framing drawing to the board with spray adhesive.

[Pirate adam]

I drilled 2 holes in the building board, and then glued in place some short sections of brass rod to help hold the keel in place during construction.  

[Pirate adam]

The next step was assembling the keel.  Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of the process.  Trust me it is done and here it is.  I cut the slots in the deadwood using a sled on a Proxxon table saw.

[Pirate adam]

Here is the keel mounted on the build board with the brass pins for alignment.

[Pirate adam]

Next step was building some fixtures to properly attach the keel to the building board.  I used moveable fixtures to hold the stem and the stern post.  This makes everything removable and should allow me to readily re-use the building board once I cut my Alfred model from its upside down Harold Hahn-style building board.

[Pirate adam]

Next I cut out all of the frame timbers with the scroll saw.  Here are the ones corresponding to the numbered frames.

 

 

[Pirate adam]

Now things will slow down with the posts, as I assemble the frames.  I have completed all of the lettered frames as well as the cant frames.

[Pirate adam]

I am using brass wire for the drift bolts.  I though about leaving these out, but I am pretty happy I didn't.  I am going to leave them natural brass color.  This is the back side of the frame, as the drawing is still attached to the front.  The color should pop a bit more as the pear wood darkens over time.

[Nirvana]

Adam,

This looks both interesting and very good. Guess I will be one of the first to pull up a chair, to watch this build.

[yamsterman]

hi adam

nice work so far!

just be careful with some of those drift bolts on the forward and aft frames......some of the frame drawings dont show any bolt locations.....if youre tempted to put them in you may find them getting a tad close to the frame edges when you come to fair the hull.......or it could just be my build!!!!!

shall be following avidly

 

cheers....mick

[Mike Y]

Forward and aft frames could be bolted safer by drilling shallow holes from each side independently, after initial pre-beveling. That is easier to do comparing with a full-depth single hole. Nobody wll find out that you have two short bolts instead of a single long one

Did it on my model, worked like a charm, even on a really bevelled frames.

Edited August 24, 2016 by Mike Y

[dennistestagrossa]

Very nice work. Thank you for sharing it. An inspiration.

Dennis

[tlevine]

Great to see another Washington build.  Mike's idea of two blind holes after beveling is great.  

[Pirate adam]

I have started work on the hawse timbers.  These were made by laminating 5 pieces of wood together.  I attached the patterns from the plans with contact adhesive.  Here I have cut the first of the profiles with the scroll saw and sanded to the line.

[Pirate adam]

Here I have attached the partially shaped hawse pieces to the first cant frame.

[Pirate adam]

Here I have finished shaping the hawse pieces using a combination of a drum sanding attachment in a Dremel tool and hand sanding.  There is some additional fairing to be done to the cant frame once it is attached to the keel with the other frames.  I didn't want to mess it up for now.

Edited September 1, 2016 by Pirate adam

[Mike40]

Good progress and nice work Adam. I will following your log with great interest. I just received my Washington plans in the post today. They are wonderfully done. I haven't yet decided on a wood species, but I am leaning towards maple or basswood as I have both in my shop and also some walnut and other sorts that might be useful for trim here and there. I also have some small chunks of pear in case I can find some use for them. This will be my first ship model so I'm sure I will pick up a lot of helpful tips from your log. Now I just have to mill the wood (not a fun job) and then start building!

[Pirate adam]

Progress continues much faster than updates.  I haven't given up on this thing.  All framing is now done with the exception of the ports for the sweeps.

 

 

[Pirate adam]

[Pirate adam]

Fairing of the frames is more or less done inside and out.

[Pirate adam]

Construction is underway on the stern frames.

[Pirate adam]

The tricky ones....

[Tigersteve]

Nice work!

Steve

[Mike Y]

Nice and so quick!

[the learner]

Nice job on the framing! almost makes one want to stop there and display it in a case! 

[Pirate adam]

Progress on the model continues much faster than progress on the build log.  I will try to get caught up.  Here are the stern timbers all boxed in.

[Pirate adam]

Deck clamps in place.

[Pirate adam]

Mast steps and limber strakes.