Batelina by Pierretessier - FINISHED - MarisStella - 1/10 - first build

[Pierretessier]

 

Welcome to my official first build log and first ship build. After careful consideration, and thanks to many of you, I have decided on the Batelina as my first ship build. I was told this would be a good choice to get me going, so, I picked up this kit from Rick at Modeller's Workshop. He also hooked me up with Zoran from MarisStella, both are really nice guy's, going out of there way for the hobby.

 

Now to the kit itself, I noticed how nice a quality the wood was, properly bundled, no warping whatsoever. The laser cut plywood parts are equally nice. The step by step manual looks complete and readable, good pictures and a full scale plan with all the views needed.

 

One more reason I picked this kit was the two build logs I found on this forum. Both have super detailed build pictures and extra info not found in the kit.

 

Here is the one from Zoran

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/11779-news-and-info-from-marisstella-ship-model-kits/?p=420044

 

And this one is from donrobinson

 

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/14153-batelina-by-donrobinson-finished-marisstella-110/?p=438912

 

 

I'm not sure that I can add much to what has been done. This will simply show how a first timer can do at this kit. All that I can hope is for mine to turn out half as nice.

 

Here are some pictures after a few nights. Slow but steady....

 

Here you can see my home made Keel Clamp. Rudimentary but it works...

[Pierretessier]

Did a bit more filing of the bulkheads and frames...gluing and clamping... now waiting...

Edited December 9, 2016 by Pierre Tessier

[hof00]

Hi Pierre,

Nice start!!

Have seen and "Drooled" over these kits but I have enough stacked up in the Cupboard right now.

(I like your choice of words, "Gluing and Clamping....Now waiting." )

Your Keel Clamp is a very good innovation!!

 

There's a bit of waiting in this particular pastime, it's good.

Time to reflect on what has been achieved thus far and time for forward planning, steps/methods employed for next steps.

 

I wish you well and will be watching your build with interest.

 

Cheers....HOF.

[donrobinson]

Great start Pierre, you are going to really enjoy building her. You made a good choice using the Batelina as your starting point in your new hobby Have fun and I'll be watching for more

[Pierretessier]

Thanks Don and hof. hope not to disappoint! 

Here she is out of he clamps and jig. looks strong, nice and straight.

[Pierretessier]

Fairing the hull. Making sure the hull frame is as smooth as a baby's bottom. 

[John Cheevers]

Excellent keel clamp; simple, cheap, effective. Model is going to be great!

[John Cheevers]

And.....you have the coolest workstation!

[donrobinson]

That is looking good Pierre, be sure to lay a plank at different locations on the hull making sure the plank sits flat on all bulkheads. I noticed in your signature you have the Santa Maria "on hold". That is one I want to build also, sometime in the new year.

[Pierretessier]

Thanks John, Don and others. A little bit of an update. I have been busy with the holiday's approaching, Our son is visiting from Japan with his new girlfriend so I've been removed from the shop to say the least. I am looking forward to continuing my build and log. PS. Got an early xmass gift from myself this week. A nice Amati Keel Clamp!!!

[Pierretessier]

Holidays kept us busy... Got some new stuff... Had to do some changes to the shop...

 

New Tool Box and some new Special tools just for ship building....

 

Now maybe I can return to building.....

Edited January 7, 2017 by Pierre Tessier

[hof00]

Nice set-Up Pierre!!

(Puts my Plastic boxes to shame....)

 

Cheers....HOF.

[donrobinson]

Great looking shop Pierre, I am feeling like a slob after seeing this   . Hope you had a great holiday season and I'll be watching for more.

[Pierretessier]

Oh! and did I mention! I got this little gem as well.....

Edited January 7, 2017 by Pierre Tessier

[donrobinson]

Hey that's sweet Pierre, any chance of a peek inside? This one is defiantly on my list

[Pierretessier]

Just for Don...LOL

[donrobinson]

Thanks Pierre    , she looks like a fine looking kit that should make into a great model, I see a few cannons and a couple of ships boats to be built. Going to be fun, I'll be watching for your log.

[Pierretessier]

Did a bit of laminating the past few days. Ready for some sanding. Not sure if I should treat the wood now or wait till the end?

[donrobinson]

Looking good Pierre, not sure where you are thinking about treating. As long as you don't have to glue to the surface later you could treat it now, I always tend to get a little excited about how it's going to look and give it a coat early on in the game.

[Pierretessier]

Started with the bottom planking last night. This is my first hull planking job, easy as it may be compared to other ships, attention to detail as this is a single plank build. Not sure who to give credit for the clamp Idea, but seems to do the job.

[donrobinson]

Coming along nicely Pierre. When I plank I will put a bead of white glue along the edge of the plank then on the bulkheads put ca glue.Little or no need for clamping, just a little finger pressure is all that is needed. 

Edited January 16, 2017 by donrobinson

[John Cheevers]

I like your tool chest. It's very similar to mine--my one extravagance!

[Pierretessier]

Thanks guy's. I've wanted one of these tool chest for a long time, finally ordered it for myself, guess I can call it a late retirement gift to myself....lol

Here is the bottom done up trimmed and just about ready to start on the sides.

 

[Pierretessier]

It is a slow process but I have not given up. Plank by plank, I think I may need some help with the Santa Maria. Single plank, got to get it right the first time.

 

[MarisStella.hr]

Hi Mr. Pierre...
I think You are doing great....
Regarding Santa Maria... I will send You the new build log drawings... It is a single planking, but I will show You how to fix the hull so it will be the same as double planking ... I feel You'll do it great .... It is visible at Batelina already now ...

Regards,
Zoran

[donrobinson]

Not sure why you are worried it all looks nice and tight, you are doing fine. Many people use the first planking as just a base and do not put any real thought into it as filler will fix everything(I've been there more than once  ) and although this is not wrong nothing is really learned. You are learning now what single planking is all about and are doing fine, when it comes to the Santa Maria you'll breeze through it. Furthermore after finishing these first two, single planked, kits you'll be striving to make your first double planked kit into a single planked one, then you will be happy happy!!

[Pierretessier]

Thanks guy's, although hesitant sometimes I'm really enjoying this so far, nice to have words of encouragement. Looking forward to seeing the new build logs for the SantaMaria, thanks Zoran.

Soon I will be doing the 4 top gallant rails, this is my first edge bend job. I will be doing the soak in water method as described in the manual.

[Pierretessier]

Did a bit more planking, taking my time, meanwhile thought I would start shaping the 4 pieces for the top gallant rails. Soaked for 1 hr then put them in a jig and added some heat. I'll leave them in the jig overnight and take them out in the morning. Will most likely have to do some fine tuning with more water and heat.

 

Edited January 30, 2017 by Pierre Tessier

[Pierretessier]

These are servo arms from my RC days. The thikness is just perfect to hold the planks flat on the surface. A bit of a complicated setup but I ran out of clamps...lol. Need more clamps...

[donrobinson]

Looks good Pierre, they may "bounce" back a little so you might need to do this a second time. But you are on the right track, welcome to edge bending  I used a hair dryer at this point just to speed things up.

Edited January 31, 2017 by donrobinson