Byzantium by qwerty2008 - Scale 1:20 - RADIO - based on the Pride of Baltimore

[qwerty2008]

I have been working on the rigging but work is going slow due to me not having any idea what I'm doing. If anyone could provide any diagrams on how similar vessels would be rigged, that would be a life saver. I'm specifically looking for the topmast running rigging. The standing rigging would be nice to but I can probably figure it out on my own. Also any feedback on my current setup would be nice. PS. A few things in these pics are temporary... among other things I am missing a double block for the fore gaff.....

 

 

 

 

 

Lextin.

Edited September 7, 2015 by qwerty2008

[qwerty2008]

I took a few photos of how I made the blocks. I use a l method I see used pretty often here on MSW. I did make my own changes, for the larger blocks I used several layers of wood laminated together instead of a solid stick.

 

 

 

 

 

Lextin.

[qwerty2008]

Here is my serving machine. I am thinking of building a new one with a better gear ratio so I can serve more line faster. I have already served over 4 feet of line with it, the first three with a 1/1 gear ratio the last (plus a few shorter lengths and some seizings) with the current 2/1 gear ratio.

 

 

 

 

Lextin.

[mtaylor]

Everything looks pretty good to me though since it's RC I have no idea what needs to be movable, etc.  I love the blocks and serving machine. 

[mikegerber]

Hi Lextin

 

This is a great serving machine - very well done! I really admire your ingenuity and look forward to every new post from your shipyard ...

 

Best regards,

Mike

[qwerty2008]

I have done some more work on the rigging but the big thing I have done is re-step the mainmast to correct the rake as well as fixing the height. The mainmast had a full 3 inches difference at the top when compared to the foremast and was 1.5 inches too short. I have also decided to make a jackyard for the main topsail and chop off the extra 5" from the top of the topmast.

 

 

 

Lextin.

Edited September 10, 2015 by qwerty2008

[Omega1234]

Hi Lextin

 

Nice progress on the masts and rigging. I must admit that I didn't realise just how raked the masts were until I saw the photos above. I guess it's characteristic of these types of boats.

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

[Piet]

Hello lextin,

 

Yes, building multiple sheaf pulley blocks by laminating veneer is another method and works and looks really good.  As far as help with rigging this ship I suggest looking at many pics.  But you know that already.  From what I see you seem to be handling it quite nicely.  

She's looking very nice.

 

Cheers,

[qwerty2008]

I have been working on the shrouds and have completed the fore topmast shrouds. After completing the topmast shrouds I started work on the lower shrouds, so far I have made one. I did also make the main mast 'Dingleberrys' but forgot to take photos. The mainmast 'Dinglberrys' are the same as on the foremast cept there are only two loops per side instead of three.

 I also made two of the four working blocks for the yard braces. The blocks are the same as the rest but have brass sheaves.  

Close up of how the shroud attaches to its 'Dingleberry'.\/

 

 

 

Lextin.

Edited September 16, 2015 by qwerty2008

[Omega1234]

Good work with the rigging, blocks and seizing, Lextin!

[qwerty2008]

A bit of a mini update I have made two more shrouds, one on the starboard and a second for the port side. I was wondering if i should serve all the shrouds or just the ones prone to chafing?. the string I am using is kinda thin and the serving bulks it up quite a bit. The center shroud might look a bit weird if left un-served as per convention. Serving goes pretty fast now that I have bumped the gear ratio of my serving machine up to 5-1 and ditched the motor in favor of a hand crank.

 

 

 

 

Lextin.

[Omega1234]

Seeing as it's a working model, I would be inclined to serve them all. Saves wear and tear and hopefully work in the long run.

 

My opinion, only, of course.

[qwerty2008]

Last week I measured my moms van (2005 Chevy Uplander) to confirm the Byzantium would fit. Today I went down to Santa Monica with a friend and when I got home this was in the driveway.

[Omega1234]

...so, your Mum upgraded the Uplander to a Kia? Does the boat fit now?

[qwerty2008]

The Byzantium barely fit in the Uplander and the Kia is half the size so no the boat wont fit. On the bright side we did keep the Uplander but my dad is using it now and it will be less available for my use.

 

 

 

 

Lextin.

[pollex]

Hello Lextin,  You mentioned earlier (post #301) that you weren't sure of

some rigging details. Let me refer you to "Rigging  Period Fore-and-Aft Craft"

by Lennarth Petersson. I hope you'll be able to find it. My copy is dated 2007 and

was published both by Naval Institute Press, USA and Chatham Publishing, UK.

ISBN 978-1-59114-721-3 The contents cover the British Naval Cutter, the French

Lugger and the American Schooner.  I paid C$53.95, good value for over 110 pages.

I hope this helps. Mark Pollex

[qwerty2008]

@pollex

I currently don't have any source of income so just about anything is out of my price range. I was able to find a copy for $24.99 and will keep it in mind but as for now I will have to make due without it.

 

 

 

 

 

Lextin.

[Cabbie]

Have a look on google books. If you don't mind reading on the computer they have some of the older books free.

And other ones quite cheap.

Also an online library site called Scribd has some books free to read just by joining, and others for a monthly fee.

Cheers Chris

[qwerty2008]

Google books is the first place I looked unfortunately they only have a limited preview available. I did however find several other books that seem helpful in the similar books section.

 

 

 

 

Lextin.

[mikegerber]

Hi Lextin

 

Concerning the rigging topic you will maybe find something on: ...

 

https://archive.org

 

... You have to search under books with keywords like "naval architecture", "ship building", "masting, rigging" a.s.o.

There I have found the following book: "Masting, Mast-Making & Rigging Of Ships".

You can download this item for free (PDF about 15MB).

 

All the best,

Mike

[qwerty2008]

I have managed to get in a few hours of work on the Byzantium today. I made some blocks, now I have all 3 sizes. I also repainted the nameplate as it got covered up during paint touchups. But most importantly I have tied 112 clove hitches on the port side ratlines.

My box of fittings is filling up

 

 

 

 

Lextin.

[Omega1234]

Hi Lextin

It looks like you've been busy, what with all the blocks, cannon carriages (disassembled but ready to go), blocks, etc. The clove hitches on the rigging are really nice. How's your eyesight and fingers after doing all of those?

Cheer

Patrick

Edited September 30, 2015 by Omega1234

[qwerty2008]

Eye sights fine, I did however, stab my index finger with a file which, as you can imagine made tying the knots real fun.

 

 

 

 

Lextin.

[mtaylor]

Nice work on the ratlines and necessary "supply stash", Lextin.  Those files hurt even worse than an x-acto, don't they?

[qwerty2008]

I just realized I had not posted the completed port side ratlines.
The Masters Comission was canceled for this year. My whole year was planned around that, I even canceled my college app to go. Now I have nothing planned for the next year so I decided to apply for the National guard instead. I am going to take the  ASVAB Wednesday.

 

 

 

Lextin.

[Omega1234]

Hi Lextin

 

Nice job on the ratlines.

 

I have no idea what the "Master Commission" is, though. Can you explain?

 

Regardless of that, the National Guard sounds pretty darn exciting! Tough, but I'm sure you'll get through it all.

 

Most of all...Good luck!

 

Patrick

Edited October 13, 2015 by Omega1234

[qwerty2008]

Patrick:

The Masters Comission is a 9-month discipleship program that my church does every year. Sadly it was canceled this year due to not enough interest, as only two people (including myself) signed up.

 

 

 

 

Lextin.

[mtaylor]

I think that cancellation falls into the "oh crap" category....  you have my sympathies as I've run into things like that more than once.   NG should be good.   Take the tests and see where they'll place you. 

 

Byzantium is looking very ship-shape, Lextin. 

[qwerty2008]

Mark:

I took the ASVAB yesterday and scored an 83. They haven't told me what positions I qualify for yet.

 

 

Lextin.

[Piet]

Hi Lextin, bummer on the Masters Commission but a great score with the 83.  Wish you the best.

 

Cheers,