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

[Mahuna]

Hi Rich:

 

Good work on the A/C!  I'm looking forward to seeing your shop this weekend.

[HIPEXEC]

We just had a meeting of The Arizona Shipwrights at my garage shipyard. We welcome all model ship builders who live in Arizona to join our group. We get together once a month at one of our homes. It's educational and fun.

[GuntherMT]

Rich is "Sir Not Appearing in This Photo".

[HIPEXEC]

I'd break the camera next to you handsome guys

[HIPEXEC]

I finally got all the gunwales to 5/32" like the instructions said. That's a lot of sanding. Now I can concentrate on planking.

[HIPEXEC]

The instructions say to paint the inside of the gunports and sweep ports before planking, so I did. I am now getting all my planking equipment in order. Soaking tubes and jigs, etc.

[HIPEXEC]

I'm pre-bending the first 14 planks. These are the planks about the wales and encompass the gunports. They are 1/8" Basswood and after a short soak, they bent without breaking! The pictures show my jig and soaking tube made of capped PVC pipe.

[HIPEXEC]

I've clamped (not glued) the first two planks after sitting in my jig overnight. Both sides seem to fit very snugly. I guess all my fairing and sanding has paid off. Since the planks have a small downward arch as well as a curve, I will leave them clamped for a while so they keep the arch. I'll assist with some hot air from a hair dryer.

[HIPEXEC]

I've begun planking. Here's the upper wale and two smaller planks above the upper wale. These were relatively easy since there's not much twisting and beveling needed. They were pre-curved in my jig. Only slight beveling. Above these requires nice neat cuts around the gun ports and sweep ports. Below, tapering and beveling, curves and twists.

[HIPEXEC]

I just unclamped the first three courses both port and starboard and they came out nicely. Now for the more difficult planks 

[Heronguy]

A great start on the planking!

[bbrockel]

Nice progress on your Syren build.  I will definitely be following along.

[Gahm]

This looks very good! And I really like your garage shipyard! In North Carolina we have the same heat problem during summer. It is getting really hot and humid! I might start a little garage project on my own 

 

Thomas

[HIPEXEC]

6 hours ago, Gahm said:

This looks very good! And I really like your garage shipyard! In North Carolina we have the same heat problem during summer. It is getting really hot and humid! I might start a little garage project on my own 

 

Thomas

The AC is great. It even heats if it gets cold. BTW I tagged your build site since day one. Nice job.

[HIPEXEC]

Planking the last wale before the intricate upper gunport planks.

[src]

Rich,

Been following along quietly now for weeks, really enjoying watching your Argus come together. The planking is looking good.

Sam

[HIPEXEC]

Well it took a while, but I finished the first plank course involving the gunports and sweep ports. That's a lot of cuts and none are quite perpendicular since the hull curves. They are all just a little bit off. Now for the same on the starboard side.

[Heronguy]

Great start on the planking Rich.  I feel like it is really going to be a ship once the skin starts to go on!

[Tigersteve]

I agree. I think it will finish nicely after sanding.

Steve

[HIPEXEC]

Another day...another course of planks. One plank course a day is all I can manage since I have to give the glue a chance to work. 

[LON]

Rich

 

It's looking very good.  I'm just finishing the Constitution and my next build will be the syren.  I'm looking forward to following your build.

 

Lon

[HIPEXEC]

Here I'm installing the trickiest plank yet...the top of the gunports plank. It required I carefully cuy out the top of each gunport so it conforms with the opening. I first just dry clamped the plank into position, then made the cuts with a sharp knife and sanding stick, then glued it into position.

[Heronguy]

Well handled Rich.

[HIPEXEC]

With the clamps off it's starting to look like a ship

[Tigersteve]

Looks like it's going smoothly for you. Nice work.

Steve

[rafine]

Nicely done Rich.

 

Bob

[HIPEXEC]

I've installed the last upper planks. I've made a slight mod to the plans which I will explain later.  I also noticed that one side is 1/32 higher than the other? Go figure. It's an east fix with some sanding, but with all the careful measuring I did for the first plank, something must have slipped in the first gluing.

[HIPEXEC]

Here's the upper planks without clamps. They look pretty good without any sanding if I say so myself.

[GuntherMT]

Great progress Rich, and the planking is looking good.

[Tigersteve]

Yes it does. 

Steve