Joe Lane by ahb26 (Andrew Bodge) - FINISHED - Marine Model Company - Scale 1/8”=1’ - Revenue Cutter - Inherited kit, novice modeler

[ahb26]

The masts are in, and I've made a fair amount of progress with rigging.  The three stays between the upper parts of the masts are in, as are the stays running from the foremast to the bowsprit/jibboom.  The halyards for the main topmast stays'l, the two jibs, and the fore stays'l are rigged and secured (they were belayed previously).  I rigged the foremast yard braces and started to belay them, but realized that I needed to get the foremast stays to the bowsprit in place first so the mast would be stable.  I'm going to be away for a week, will continue with the rest of the running rigging when I return.

[ahb26]

The running rigging is done (I think) except for trimming off the excess line and adding rope coils.  I'll hold off on that in case problems arise that require a redo of something.

I was having a difficult time with the belaying using a tool I fashioned.  I made up a different tool consisting of a sewing needle inserted point-first into the end of a chopstick, using the eye to guide the line around the belaying pins.  It worked very well in the tight spaces around the bottoms of the pins.  The needle has to have a very small eye, as close to the end as possible.

It's very satisfying to have reached this point.  The shrouds and ratlines are next!

[ahb26]

Making progress on the shrouds.  I made up a jig to hold the top deadeye in place while I lasso it with the shroud and secure it.

Then reeve the lanyard, leaving it loose for now:

One set of shrouds done, with the sheer pole tied in place.  I will hold off on tying off the lanyards until they are all done, so that I can tension the shrouds in pairs.

[ahb26]

We have shrouds!  After a week off with a family visit, I finally finished rigging the shrouds.  Working with the larger deadeyes was relatively straightforward, compared to the smaller ones used with the topmast shrouds (and the backstays, not yet rigged).

In anticipation of the next step, I also made up a set of dummy shrouds to practice tying ratlines.

[ahb26]

And so it begins...

The paper backing is for vertical spacing only (I made it up for my practice shrouds, with different horizontal spacing).  The most difficult knot is the initial cow hitch - I just haven't gotten the hang of it yet.  The clove hitches and the last cow hitch are relatively easy, and I think I've gotten a handle on how to position the knots so the ratlines aren't too long or short.

 

Three down, 97 to go

[ahb26]

Half way there.  I need to work on eliminating slack without introducing a curve in the shrouds.  The knots are getting easier, but the topmost ratlines, where the shroud spacing is almost non-existent, try my patience.

[EJ_L]

What you have so far is looking very nice. Getting the lines to the proper tensions without distorting other lines, shrouds or even the masts themselves is always a tough challenge especially in the standing rigging. The running rigging is not as important since it can realistically be loose as tensions on those lines vary depending upon their use in changing situations. You are well on your way and I think you will have a nicely rigged ship!

[ahb26]

The ratlines are done.  I definitely improved as I went along, but I still had trouble with the ones at the top of the shrouds - it was hard to get the knots tight and small.  And when they are that close together, they look larger.  Anyway, the ratlines didn't turn out to be the frustrating ordeal I thought they would be.  That said, I can't imagine doing a three-masted warship with six or more shroud lines per side, per mast...

I also tidied up the rigging and put rope coils on the belaying pins.  I had to repair a couple of places in the rigging; I'm not proud of the repairs but that's life.

Next up are the backstays and whisker stays, after a week away to tend to grandchildren.

[ahb26]

Making progress on the backstays.  I tried tying the line to the mast, then lassoing the deadeye with the line and tying it on.  That was going to drive me mad so I changed tactics, tying the line to the deadeye first and then tying the line to the mast.  I re-used one of my block tying jigs for the deadeye:

I made up another jig to get the spacing between top and bottom deadeyes.

I found that I couldn't tie a secure square knot on the mast while maintaining tension on the backstay.  It would loosen as I completed tying the knot.  What worked for me was to tie a simple overhand knot, which would hold tension while I put a dab of glue on it.  After the glue had dried completely, I added another half hitch and another dab of glue, then removed the spacing jig to release tension on the line.

I've been reeving the deadeyes loosely (not tensioning and tying off yet) as I go along.  Glad there are only eight!

 

Edited April 16, 2018 by ahb26

[ahb26]

Wow, it's been a month since the last update.  I finished the backstays and whisker stays, and turned to the last major task, the anchors.  The kit provided no guidance, so I rooted around on here and in the Textbook of Seamanship to get some idea of what to do.  Here is what I came up with:

I didn't realize until I started researching that the cathead contains sheaves and a block is rigged underneath.  The chain was purchased in link form from Bluejacket and assembled.  The attachment at the throat of the anchor leaves something to be desired

 

I have some minor touch-up to do, and I have to drill and finish the display stand furnished with the kit, but Joe Lane is essentially done.  I'll take a final set of photos when she's mounted, but that will probably be a while.

[Fright]

Wow... love the photo of your bow. Really, a nice job! 

[ahb26]

As finished as she's going to be!

It's been an adventure and I've learned a lot - about ships, modeling, and especially patience and perseverance.  There are plenty of problems with the finished model, but a lot of good, painstaking work as well.  I'm not eager to dive into another project right away, but I would like to build Bluejacket's Bowdoin if I think I can do her justice.  I may do something less challenging first to build up my skills.

Thanks to all who followed along and provided encouragement, and to everyone who shares their techniques and photos of their work.  It sets a high standard that can be discouraging at times, but it's an invaluable resource for the novice.

 

[EJ_L]

Well done!! Display her proudly as you did a great job on her. Those first builds are always the toughest and we are our own worst critics.

 

Like you said, you learned a lot and I hope it was overall an enjoyable experience. For what it is worth I looked up the Bowdoin and I think you can take her on and be just fine. There will be some new challenges but, I think you will meet them and do her justice. So, when you have cleared you head from this build and that urge to attempt another one sets in, go for it! We will be here to follow along and help out like always. Good luck!!

[Tigersteve]

Nicely done!

Steve

[ccoyle]

On 6/28/2018 at 8:05 AM, ahb26 said:

As finished as she's going to be!

 

I missed the conclusion of your beautiful project. She's very striking!