HMCSS Victoria 1855 by BANYAN - 1:72

[wefalck]

Pat, think a jig like this will work.

 

On the other hand, I wonder whether a simple (but dimensionally precise) mock-up of the mast-head wouldn't be sufficient. The cheeks could be held temporarily in place with pins driven through the holes. This would then ensure a tight fit to the mast-head.

[Glen McGuire]

I agree with Wefalck.  Well done on the jig, Pat.  That is so much better than what I usually do which is use small strips of duct tape to hold down the pieces I'm soldering.  Here's how neanderthals in Texas do it!

[Jim Lad]

Some clever soldering solutions going on here. The original builder of the 'Herzogin Cecilie' that I'm working on at the museum had an idea - he made the lower masts of brass, so all the subsequent brass parts are simply soldered on.

 

John

[BANYAN]

Thanks @wefalck, @Glen McGuire and @Jim Lad, appreciate the feed back.  Eberhard, I did have the same idea but using the actual mast.  That is pin and glue the cheeks in place first, but with the very small items I was concerned about keeping the tops of the trestletrees parallel and exactly aligned.  This jig at least keeps one of these variables (spacing) under control, and with a bit of care should be able to control the parallel aspect.  The central spacer is exactly the width of the masthead BUT, there is a tiny bit of 'slop' in the hound/cheek slots, so I may have to seriously reconsider your idea. 

 

Glen one of the three key 'bodging' tools - duct tape, 16 gauge fencing wire and a big hammer.   I may have to resort to duct tape if all else fails  - then again I could get those pesky penguins to hold it in place if Keith will spare a couple - yeah I know 🤐

 

John, if I hadn't already made the masts that could have been an serious option to consider; thanks for the idea.

 

cheers

 

Pat

 

Edited June 24, 2024 by BANYAN

[BANYAN]

Hello all, unfortunately, after my re-start back in June, my modelling ground to a halt yet again with some medical issue I needed to attend to.  I have had a bit of a 'C' scare but all is clear now having undergone some colorectal surgery. The doc has given me the all clear (completely clear) so, after some recouperation during the Christmas break, I will be back to the work bench .

 

One positive from this was that, between the various procedures etc, I was able to find some time to complete the first draft of Volume 5 (Rigging and Belaying Plan) of my Book about Victoria.  I now have a working basis from which to test rig the model and iron out any issues I encounter, and then update the book. Unfortunately, everything else ground to a halt, including redrawing the revised sheer drawing (to remove a major distortion in the original drawing). Unfortunately, this has identified an error in the model's hull ()depth of hold) which (at scale) is about a centimetre or slightly more too shallow, but only the 'rivet counters' will notice.

 

In the meantime I am preparing some CAD files to experiment having the upper masts and yards CNC turned. If this works, which I am pretty sure it will, I can start assembling the spars and get on with the rigging.  Many thanks to @JohnOz for his kind offer to do this.  BTW, John should be encourage to show some of his fine engineering and 'smithing' work, especially his cannons, they are a true work of art.

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas/festive break.

 

cheers

 

Pat

Edited 23 hours ago by BANYAN

[bruce d]

Pat, great to hear your 'all clear' news.

[Jim Lad]

Thanks for sharing the good news with us, Pat. Looking forward to seeing you back at the work bench soon. 👍

 

John

[Glen McGuire]

Thanks for the health update, Pat.  So glad to hear that you are all clear.  Full speed ahead with your Victoria!!

[Keith Black]

 That's fantastic news, Pat! And a Merry Christmas to you and yours. 

[wefalck]

Good to hear, Pat, that the intervention went well and that you are back at the project!

 

[druxey]

Glad to see you back and recovered, Pat!

[CDR_Ret]

Good news, Pat. I was wondering whether something had come up. Very glad that you received a clean bill of health.

 

Don't push your recovery. The model will be there.

 

Terry

[BANYAN]

Very many thanks to all for your very kind messages.  The medical team was great, I was up and about that evening (after a four hour procedure), eating normally and getting about the next day, and released from hospital the next.  It never ceases to amaze me what these health 'magicians' can do these days.

 

The intention is to now prove my rigging plan by trying it on the model.  This should help to resolve some of the remaining issues I have and establish whether some of the leads etc I have used were/are practical.  This is not to say the plan is  the 'actual' configuration used in the ship itself, but this  process should lead to a reasonable 'representative' rigging and belaying plan.

 

Once I start, I encourage you all, especially the more experienced modellers and mariners, to challenge my assumptions.

 

In the interim I am preparing myself for the onslaught of Christmas, especially with my three gorgeous granddaughters (or should I call them 'organised chaos' '

 

cheers

 

Pat