Jump to content

Sultana by Overworked724 (Patrick) – FINISHED - Model Shipways – Scale 1:64 – Solid Hull – First Wooden Model Ship


Recommended Posts

I have read logs on Sultana. As this was the first wooden model kit I bought – I was SO eager and vibrating with excitement to get my hands dirty and start building…only to get overwhelmed with the minutia of what tools/jigs/materials I needed to make a perfect job of my first attempt. So…this kit quickly got sidelined by a bit of frustration (as I am a bit of a perfectionist) on me part. Subsequently, started a build log for a plank on frame for newbies (Lady Nelson). However, life got in the way, and so did planking! (A skillset that will take some time to develop is planking) Fast forward many months, and the Lady has been sidelined by the Sultana. Having overcome one major obstacle…my fear of failure. Yes, I no longer care if I screw up – because that was what was holding me back from trying new things! That mind set was really killing my love of modeling (I have built many plastic models but always wanted to get into wood ship models). So….damn the torpedoes…the build logs/post/forums/ship club members really helped recharge my self confidence…and the fact that great ship models are nothing but a series of skilled mistakes overcome by patience, experience, laughter, and some wood filler. (Haha)

 

With that said, I can honestly say that my model's name, Sultana, could be replaced with more colorful Names….for instance:

 

The Bloody Thumb

The WhatTheHellDidIJustDo

The Chuckling Asymmetry (My favorite)

 

So…I have made some progress on my Sultana and intend this to be my first finish! I will be updating this posts with a variety of pics and lessons learned. Stay tuned!

 

-Patrick

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sanding...(inhaled 50% of the sawdust...invested in face mask)

 

Trimmed bulwark down and remove 1mm external hull to allow room for planking per Chuck's great practicum (cut myself numerous times...no hospital bills were incurred. Luckily)

post-23786-0-07208600-1484697792.jpg

post-23786-0-30484700-1484697810.jpg

post-23786-0-95002200-1484697830.jpg

post-23786-0-99524700-1484697861.jpg

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Planking above the Wales. Harder than it looks but a plank bender makes life easier)

 

Wales predetermined based on plans but need a lot of check/recheck.

 

Simulated trunnels (tree nails) using #73 drill in Dremel followed by wood glue and toothpicks in the holes. Shave off with straight razor...and sand down for final finish. (Have bandaids ready)

 

Work in progress.

post-23786-0-16288500-1484698113.jpg

post-23786-0-05460400-1484698139.jpg

post-23786-0-56797200-1484698161.jpg

post-23786-0-08713100-1484698196.jpg

post-23786-0-90566900-1484698217.jpg

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sad. 2 months of work distilled down to 30 min on a MacBook to start and catch up my project.

 

Life goes on. Next, completion of stern inner bulwark and planking...followed by transom prep, deck, and cap rail.

 

Amazing. I actually know what I am(almost) talking about.

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A brief word on my planking. Chuck's practicum fails to mention (or I missed it...which is possible)...every ship and build are different. If you trim the bow to look and feel like a can of soup...yes, the planks will be adjustable and easily stackable from stern-bow-stern. But hull geometry (which is a wierd and wonderful thing) will dictate how you can lay your planks. In my case, I had more bow curvature which forced me to consider how to even out the lay of planks. You can see that the first 5 rows of my planks above the wales requires trimming towards the bow. I had to do some math to figure out how much to trim off (and from where) in order to achieve a single flat plank that wrapped around the ship on planks #6/7.

Your ship is unique...so referencing anyone else's build log should be for information and ideas....NOT for direction..,.at least where planking is concerned.

Edited by Overworked724

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks like a clean start to me. You may find yourself caring about the outcome of this build before you know it! I think you will learn a lot from Chuck's practicum. His are all very good.

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agreed! Also good to see him kit bash a junior level kit to give you a sense of limitless possibility in building a modeL!

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes and I think it's a better choice than the Phantom, which he also has a practicum. The phantom is nice, but it's very small and I think you will learn more in this kit with all the detail and rigging. Look forward to your updates.

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Patrick,

 

    I recommend you replace your "Fear of Failure" with "Quest for Achievement".  I guarantee you will screw things up, learn from them and move on.  You can do like I do, screw things up and pull everything apart...they do it better the next time.  :rolleyes:  I don't think I have built a model yet where I did not have the 'opportunity to improve my skills thru dynamic restructuring'.

 

    I have started the SULTANA myself, many years ago, and really like it.  It is sitting in my garage getting ready for masting and rigging...one of these days.

 

    Go forth and achieve! :cheers: 

Chuck Seiler
San Diego Ship Modelers Guild
Nautical Research Guild

 
Current Build:: Colonial Schooner SULTANA (scratch from Model Expo Plans), Hanseatic Cog Wutender Hund, John Smith Shallop
Completed:  Missouri Riverboat FAR WEST (1876) Scratch, 1776 Gunboat PHILADELPHIA (Scratch 1/4 scale-Model Shipways plans)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quick picks of my toothpick/eElmer's glue tree nail process. Yes...cost savings from getting the cheapie toothpicks because you get 2 tree nails per toothpicks. Think green people!

 

Pics of gaps in the planking. Kills me but wood filler(Elmer's color change stuff) is water soluble. Thin it out with some water and it spreads like butter.

 

Might have to recarv the fake butt joints.

 

Good night all!

post-23786-0-79808600-1484711857.jpg

post-23786-0-68434200-1484711868.jpg

post-23786-0-39363400-1484711878.jpg

post-23786-0-15481500-1484711890.jpg

post-23786-0-11565300-1484711905.jpg

post-23786-0-32213600-1484711917.jpg

post-23786-0-94002200-1484711930.jpg

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nice! A new build to follow! Looking good, Patrick!

Yes and I think it's a better choice than the Phantom, which he also has a practicum. The phantom is nice, but it's very small and I think you will learn more in this kit with all the detail and rigging. Look forward to your updates.

Steve

You're right, it is small :D!

-Elijah

 

Current build(s):

Continental Gunboat Philadelphia by Model Shipways

https://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/15753-continental-gunboat-philadelphia-by-elijah-model-shipways-124-scale/

 

Completed build(s):

Model Shipways Phantom

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?showtopic=12376

 

Member of:

The Nautical Research Guild

N.R.M.S.S. (Nautical Research and Model Ship Society)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I actually have two kinds, both shown above in the pics. I use them both, and they have heavy bases so don't need to be bolted down, but you can if you wish.

 

I attached a mounting block on the main deck so I could work on the underside of the ship. And also drilled pilot hole into the keel for mounting purposes later...and can attached a block through them if I wish to mount it upright. For a small ship like this, I can use both without fear. A longer ship would be best using a keel clamp as the two points of attachment give it great stability.

 

Panavise:

https://jet.com/product/detail/ccdc67f92cb34135a5f61231353c02ab?jcmp=pla:ggl:a_nj_dur_gen_hardware_a1_b1:tools_tool_clamps_vises_a1_other:na:PLA_648327839_30263576182_pla-161691684060:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15

 

And Ship Modeler's Vise (keel clamp):

http://www.micromark.com/Ship-Modelers-Vise,7120.html?sc=WGB&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=GoogleBase&gclid=CKTuzsjNzNECFYEYgQod7hgPLg

 

Hope that helps. I use them both a lot!

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just a fun pic. Nice shot of my ship with my mates in the background at last night's Midwest Model Shipwrights meeting. ⚓️

post-23786-0-44664000-1484869055.jpg

post-23786-0-98525600-1484869069.jpg

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gus looks out of focus.  I need another beer.

Chuck Seiler
San Diego Ship Modelers Guild
Nautical Research Guild

 
Current Build:: Colonial Schooner SULTANA (scratch from Model Expo Plans), Hanseatic Cog Wutender Hund, John Smith Shallop
Completed:  Missouri Riverboat FAR WEST (1876) Scratch, 1776 Gunboat PHILADELPHIA (Scratch 1/4 scale-Model Shipways plans)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Counter in...think I might have over angled my sanding strip but the stern whale piece should cover it. Also built up the bulwarks and trimmed down the port side at main deck. Wood filler to the rescue in evening out bulwark walls...

 

Taking it slow now.

post-23786-0-19967700-1484892862.jpg

post-23786-0-88300600-1484892875.jpg

post-23786-0-73494800-1484892896.jpg

post-23786-0-26433800-1484892906.jpg

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Laughed when I saw the pic of the tree nails in the stern counter. Had this vision of my ship screaming "Oooouch!!"

 

 

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure if the tree nails are accurate but they look nice.

 

Sanding, staining and painting in my future.

 

Also remaking stem as over sanding the interior curve led me down the 'rabbit hole' and I lost my perspective.

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's strange how this website orders photographs. Attached are a few pics of my ship after final planking and treenails. Now I'm ready to paint the bulwarks and get the deck started.

 

Think I over sanded near the bow caprail where the volutes will go...oh well. Will adjust.

post-23786-0-64617000-1485136731.jpg

post-23786-0-22872000-1485136740.jpg

post-23786-0-77511600-1485136761.jpg

post-23786-0-83812200-1485136769.jpg

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A note on staining. Had my heart set on a deeper color stain. However, I noticed that superglue keeps stain from absorbing into the wood. My club mates recommended I use ting oil. My bad for mixing PVA and CA during the planking process. Since I don't want to paint over the wood and trunnels (after all that work) considering to go with ting oil. See pics below for some experimental planking using CA followed by staining. Yikes.

post-23786-0-88487200-1485137025.jpg

post-23786-0-57389400-1485137058.jpg

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tung oil. New found respect. Holy moly...what a difference. After the experiments and feedback from forum and club mates...the use of stain would have been a disaster. Thanks guys!!!

 

Moving on!!!

post-23786-0-92766500-1485140691.jpg

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well - a couple of problems.

1. Keel sanding - where it meets stem is 'rounded' as you see in the pics. 

 

Not my fault in this case and the uncarved hull came this way from ShipWays.  Will do my best to address with filler, but not exactly skilled as a putty master.  I could shave the stern and put in a filler bock - then reshape the hull to obtain a nice sharp corner, but not entirely certain I wouldn't screw other things up (i.e. over sand the keel as I shaped the stern).  Thinking safety here...try wood filler first then Plan B is adding wood and shaping.

 

2. Deck shaping/Bulwark removal - when I was following Chuck's practicum, I overshaved both the bow/stern 'steps' to the forecastle/quarter deck. 

 

Crap.  (I christen thee...the USS WhatInTheHellDidIJustDo)  So...as 'wood is forgiving', I will fill it in with wood.  But what wood?  Since I have only overshaved by approximately 2-3mm on both sides, I can simply 'add' a veneer on both sides and shape appropriately. So, this is where I will veer off script a bit and do my own thing – because it is my model! 

 

Instead of basswood or balsa veneer – which would simply be painted, I am thinking to use a veneer of dark walnut.  This would allow a visual break in viewing the painted inner bulwarks.  I think it might be a pleasant modification if I also stain the wood to help it blend better with the amber color of the bulwark paint. 

 

Note – I have not yet mixed the bulwark paint, and there is no way I am using flat red – too bright and garish.  So an darker rust or amber color would be less gaudy, and more easy on the eye.  Not trying for historical accuracy – I’m trying to enjoy myself and make a nice looking model!  (Also, my wife said she didn’t like the red painted bulwarks in Chuck’s practicum – so her request and only input is to choose a different shade of bulwark red.  =-)

 

3. Cap rails - I over sanded in the side near the forecastle deck rail meets the main deck rail. 

 

This means my cap rail might look 'odd or lopsided' if I stick in on without trimming down the respective width of the cap rail - which may impact overall appearance.  Nothing to do at this point but see how it goes - the cap rails on the forecastle deck have to be carved out of a larger sheet - but if I thin them down on the ends, it may impact how I can make the volutes for this rail.  TBD

Edited by Overworked724

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is a pic of my rough step forecastle and quarter deck step veneers. Wonder if this will work as good as I hope.

post-23786-0-45032900-1485407111.jpg

post-23786-0-61075600-1485407119.jpg

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Patrick! That tune oil turned out very nicely! Is the planking for this boat individual planks or is it scribed? Also, what is/was your profession? You seem to know a lot about how boats were run and how they were used. Thanks!

-Elijah

 

Current build(s):

Continental Gunboat Philadelphia by Model Shipways

https://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/15753-continental-gunboat-philadelphia-by-elijah-model-shipways-124-scale/

 

Completed build(s):

Model Shipways Phantom

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?showtopic=12376

 

Member of:

The Nautical Research Guild

N.R.M.S.S. (Nautical Research and Model Ship Society)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Elijah

 

Thanks for the compliment! Alas, I am a newbie. The only ship content I know is what I read from chuck's practicum and the variety of websites/articles/books I occasionaly skim as I creep my way through my first wooden model ship! My current profession is a global project manager for a pharma company. My past life is in science (I majored in chemistry in both undergraduate and graduate school) - long time ago.

 

Also, the planking is scribed sheets. But I think they won't look as good as individual planking, so I have decided to go with my own planking and have got basswood strips (~2-3mm width) slightly thinner than the deck planking which I plan to use. And I have learned from my mistakes....I will 'pre stain' them!

 

I am slow moving on this model - mostly out of fear. But I find myself becoming a bit more confident to 'overcome' my mistakes. My model might look nice - but it rrepresents 1000 mistakes! It will be amazing if I can get to the finish line. So...I will try to be honest about keeping this log! Wish me luck...

 

Best

Pat

Edited by Overworked724

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hazards of working with a Dremel. Sigh.

 

Trying to carve out stairway and slipped...my Dremel carving bit went for a ride across the deck. So...carved down using exacto blades until I was about 1/4 inch down. Nice ledge to act as a bumper for Mr Slippy Hands.

post-23786-0-90671700-1486242754.jpg

post-23786-0-44422500-1486242765.jpg

post-23786-0-93943900-1486242773.jpg

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So....decided to mark deck furniture and drill mast holes. Mast holes are not adequately covered in Chuck's practicum nor in the Model Sjipways directions. Specifically - what is the respective rake angles of the fore and main mast? The MS plans measure 7.5 and 8.5 degrees from vertical for the fore and main mast respectively. But...the original plans appear to have rakes of 4.5 and 6.5 degrees. Ok...executive decision...will go with her majesty's plans.

 

Problem: How to drill the right angle with a drill press.

 

Answer: Made my own trigonometry jig to flesh out the correct angle using my stubbornly vertical drill press.

 

There has GOT to be an easier way. But the proof is in the pudding. The angles and alignment came out perfectly.

post-23786-0-02755900-1486530060.jpg

post-23786-0-43813000-1486530071.jpg

post-23786-0-79180800-1486530082.jpg

post-23786-0-02169300-1486530093.jpg

post-23786-0-89647200-1486530104.jpg

post-23786-0-88947600-1486530120.jpg

post-23786-0-91393800-1486530157.jpg

----------------------------------------------------

“Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...