US Brig Syren by Hipexec - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1:64 - building as USS Argus

[HIPEXEC]

I'm working up the energy to start sanding, so to still stay busy without sanding, I built a 15/32" X 15/32" square  jig to help me when I start making the gunport sides. Somehow using a jig to supplement my eyeballs will give me square gunports. 

Edited February 22, 2017 by Hipexec

[Mahuna]

Way to go, Rich.  Jigs are good!

[HIPEXEC]

Let the fairing begin!

 

There was a tremendous amount of excess material on the lintels, so I rough faired the lintels with my Dremel, and now the tedious task of smooth fairing the lintels on both sides. In the pic you can see the bent plank I use for a gage along with the various sanding sticks I use.

[HIPEXEC]

Still sanding lintels. My shop looks like it snowed and I'm not finished.

Edited February 24, 2017 by Hipexec

[HIPEXEC]

I used the port and starboard templates provided to mark the gunport sides. I was surprised that it was a harder task than meets the eye. The goal is to get gunport symmetry, but on a couple I had to tweak them a millimeter or so? Go figure. This frame is as straight and square as I can make it, but it is off just a tiny bit?    

(I placed the template in the photo just to show you what it looks like. When making the marks it has to be fixed up tight to the gunwale.)

Edited February 25, 2017 by Hipexec

[HIPEXEC]

I glued in the first gunport sides. Some sides are not as thick as most. The great news is there will only be a small amount of sanding to fair these pieces once installed since they are almost net size.

[HIPEXEC]

The instructions said to wait until the last frame before sawing bulkhead #24 because the structure will now be very strong. They were right. I had no trouble sawing through the bulkhead frame. If you remember....these same frames were very fragile when first installed.

 

I then lightly sand the frame smooth, so I can glue the the gunport sides. These side do not appear to be square with the frame.

[Heronguy]

a nerve wracking moment I'm sure!

[HIPEXEC]

Believe it or not, that lintel warped upward after I cut the frame so I rebuilt the whole aft end to take out the warp. It's glued and clamped as we speak. I'll let you know how it works out.

[HIPEXEC]

Here's the aft gunport repair. It looks straight now. I guess I made one or more lintels too snug and they put lateral stress along the whole series of lintels. When the bulkhead was cut it allowed the stress to relieve itself with an upward bulge. Moral of the story....do not make lintels too snug.

[Mahuna]

Good work, Rich.  It's better to find the problem early, so that it's easier to fix it.  You're moving right along - looking forward to seeing the Argus in a few weeks.

[HIPEXEC]

Hallelujah!  All my starboard side gunports match the supplied template!

[HIPEXEC]

The door has been disconnected since I moved in 5 years ago. Thanks for the tip, though.

[GuntherMT]

Cruising right along there Rich.  Nice repair, looks like nothing ever happened.

[HIPEXEC]

Moving right along I started installing the port side gunport sides.

[HIPEXEC]

Port side gunport walls roughed in except for the end port where I have to saw through the last bulkhead extension. I'll wait for the PVA glue to do its magic and cut it tomorrow. 

[HIPEXEC]

I cut the aft bulkhead and got no warping this time. I sanded the cuts ad glued and clamped gunport sides.  After the glue sets I shall begin sanding and fairing the gunport sides.

[Heronguy]

Another milestone and no drama this time!  Looking good!

[HIPEXEC]

Sanded and faired the starboard side inside and out. Much easier than the initial fairing. Port side tomorrow. 

[HIPEXEC]

Finished sanding and fairing the port side. That rocket ship looking thing is a kids balloon blow up pump. Since I sand with a mask, I use that to blow off the saw dust.

 

[Guest Riccardo1966]

Taking shape very well, good job.

Cheers Richard

[HIPEXEC]

Believe it or not, I had to remove another pair of bulkhead extensions to make room for the sixteen sweep ports. This ship comes with 16 very long oars or sweeps and there will be 16 sweep ports installed.

[Heronguy]

Thanks Rich,

 

I'll make a note of that in my instructions - it looks like it was the 8th bulkhead from the bow - is that right?

 

(edit - I found it in my instructions - it does say to take out bulkhead extension at 8)

[HIPEXEC]

Yes...these two are at #8. Don't worry...these things are now strong as an ox unlike when they were first installed.

[HIPEXEC]

• I'm installing the tops for the sweep ports. Seems like an overkill since the ports are 1/8"  x 1/8" and the top is 1/4"? Oh well it will give me more surface for gluing planks.

[HIPEXEC]

Finished both sides sweep port tops. I'll wait until tomorrow to sand and fair them before gluing on the sweep port sides.

[Heronguy]

Ripping along there Rich.  Well done.

[HIPEXEC]

Finished sanding and fairing the starboard sweep port tops inside and out.  I'll do the port side later

[HIPEXEC]

I finished sanding and fairing both sides. I installed the first sweep port side. 

 

I'm glad I found an error in logic in these very detailed plans. After making all 16 sweep port tops to have a 1/8" x 1/8" opening, the instructions call for using 3/16" stock to make the sides????   There is a slight mention of having to sand a few down, but that  too is  wrong. I'd have to sand all of the 3/16" to 1/8".  I just found some 1/8" stock.

[HIPEXEC]

Just finished the starboard side sweep ports. Pretty easy using 1/8" stock.