US Brig Niagara by Tom E - Model Shipways - 1:64 Scale

[CDW]

Tom

We visited our daughter and son in law in New Hampshire and loved it up there. Such a beautiful state, very nice people.

Love the way your model is turning out. She's a beauty.

[MESSIS]

Hey Tom...great! I would call it "a precision work"!

 

Stay healthy

Christos

[Tom E]

Evening folks, 

Hope everyone is well. 

Niagara is sorely overdue for an update. Progress has been made but slow and repetitive work.

Mostly stropping blocks for the cannon rigging. 

 

As a side note, 

The Boarding ladder is done! 

 

 

 

Continuing on with the carronade.

While blocks are being stropped, I usually get the sled installed first.

It is anchored to the deck with a small dab of CA.

Also off deck, the carronades are being prepped with the breach rope. 

 

 

With the sleds secured, I can figure out eyebolt placement. 

Using some simple thread with a loop in it I can get an idea where the eyebolts should be.

Hopefully giving a pleasing look to the eye.

Don't want these lines to low, high, or asymmetrical from the other side.  

 

 

With the rigging process getting better, and quicker, I was able to install another four carronade.

 

 

 

You can see in the below pic the next three sleds are installed.

The rope ends are still loose. 

I'm still working on how to make the rope coils. I've tried a few different varieties and should have some results soon.

I'm using the white glue/water mix trick to make them.

Just working out which "style" I like more. The proper Navy coils for an official inspection, or everyday kind of lumpy coils.

I'm leaning to the more informal coils. 

 

 

Keep building!

 

Tom E 

 

 

 

[Edwardkenway]

Those carronades are looking good Tom, lovely work!

[6ohiocav]

Tom,

 

I twisted rope coils by gripping the end of the rope with tweezers, soaking them in the glue solution, and turning them by hand on a glass plate and leaving them on the plate to dry. I then scraped them off with a razor blade when dried. If you get the right combination of glue and water, the solution will be tacky enough to keep the coils tight while they dry. You might also need to dab the coils with a paper towel to remove excess glue. 

[6ohiocav]

Tom,

 

I went back into my log and found a more detailed explanation on entry #163 if that helps.

[Tom E]

Edward, 

Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated. I never dreamed I would make it this far with this project.

Not the fastest builder, but I'm getting there.

 

Thanks to all the folks for clicking that "like" button! 

 

Darrell,

I just took a look at that entry. Your results are awesome!

I just realized it was "the puddle of glue" that I was missing. I would take a length of rope, soak it in a 50/50 mix, then wring it out when I removed it.

It was nothing but a sticky mess that never stuck together. Even if I did let it dry overnight, it would eventually unwrap. 

 

I would love to say I could dive right into the great ideas you've given me, but with Fathers Day this weekend I'm on the road. 

Have to visit Mom and Dad. Haven't been able to pay them a visit since Christmas. 

 

Tom E 

 

 

 

[Ciciak35]

Dear Tom, I went over your whole building log. It is very nice ship comming together. I am currently building my first wood model from Model expo and it is Armed Virginia sloop. Very nice coloring. I would like to make mine as woody as possible, but some coloring will be necessary.

 

Keep up the beautiful work.

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Absolutely beautiful summer day in New Hampshire today, too bad I was In work all day.

Came home from work and finally mowed the lawn. Recent heat wave held me off that chore. 

 

With that done, heating up some left over Chinese food......I think Niagara needs an update. 

 

The carronade continue. 

 

 

Ten of the twenty cannon are in.

 

 

The sleds for the next three carronade have been installed as well. 

I usually just do a couple at a time. 

The pace is really up to how quickly I can strop the blocks. 

 

 

With the sleds in, the carronade are secured with the Breech rope already installed. 

 

 

I should have tackle for all carronade on deck by this weekend. 

 

 

Should also have another three carronade installed on the Port side by this weekend as well...hopefully.

 

 

The plan is still, once the cannon are done, the furniture (and Tiller) will be next. 

I figure the Foremast and Bowsprit will be after the Furniture. 

 

Tom E 

 

 

 

 

 

[CDW]

Beautiful model Tom.

I agree, the weather in New Hampshire was gorgeous while we were there last week. Temps in the 40's at night were a refreshing change from the Florida evening temps.

[6ohiocav]

The assembly line continues..... looking good.

[mikiek]

Your blanket makes an interesting diorama 😜

[Tom E]

Evening,

Hope everyone is well. 

It has been a while since I last posted. Some building has happened, yet seems more "summertime fun" has happened as well.

 

It's been too nice to be inside this year. The fly-fishing was fantastic this spring, but cooled down quickly the dryer and hotter It got. 

The Largemouth Bass fishing has been OK, but they seem sluggish as well. It's like the dog days of summer are early this year.

 

Anywho.....

On the really unbearably hot weekends, I head to an air conditioned model shop.

The cannon continue. 

 

There are now 16 cannon installed on deck. 

I'm hesitant about installing the last four cannon in back until I get a grasp on the tiller and its rigging.

I want to avoid the tiller rigging fouling the cannon rigs.  

 

 

This really has been a robotic process.

Rewarding as they accumulate on deck and it starts to look really cool........but robotic....

 

I'm thinking about rigging the tiller before the very last cannon.

Should give plenty of room for my fat hands to move around!

 

 

I really need to start wrapping rope coils...........

 

 

So, I started the process of wrapping rope coils. 

There are a million different ways to do these, and I think I've hemmed and hawed over every single one.

I'm sure my process will evolve as I learn. 

 

Going to use the 50/50 white glue, water set up.

The moose shot glass is not available for shots sadly at this very moment!

That will hold the glue/water mix.

 

 

I'm going to use T-pins to gauge the size of the loops. The more T-pins, the larger the loop.

In test rope, I found I only need one T-pin for a "to-scale" looking rope coil........mostly. 

Hope to have those pics soon, I have my first batch drying, and there going to dry for a ridiculous amount of time. 

 

I'm hoping in the end to produce a "messy" looking rope coil.

Kind of disheveled, "just used" look. 

 

 

Be good

 

Tom E 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mikiek]

Hey Tom - As you finish out the guns, don't forget to be aware of a few eyebolts/rings that should be on your deck in between a few of the guns. You don't need to do anything with them right now but make sure they are still accessible. I believe there are also a few on the inner bulwark as well. Just make sure you can still reach them.

[6ohiocav]

Looking good Tom.

 

If you ever get the North East Ohio Area in early spring, give me a hollar. The Steelhead fishery in the Lake Erie Tributaries is first rate. I know of a hole or two. The walleye fishing in the lake is good anytime, especially this year.

 

You could also take in a visit to the Niagara in port in Erie Pa. Worth the trip.

 

 

[patrickmil]

Hi Tom,

 

Your build has been outstanding so far! I'm tagging along to see this to the end. I may have missed it in your build log, but are you planning on blackening the belaying pins or are you keeping them brass?

[Retired guy]

Looking very good 👍

 

Regards

Richard

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Well well, It has been a long time since I last updated the build!  Sheesh...as weird as the year 2020 has been, it's been a pretty good summer considering.

Lately, all the locally grown produce is every where!!!  

 

Patrick, 

I do plan on leaving the pins there natural brass color. I know it's not historical, call it modelers choice.

But, I think It adds a little "glint" to the interior of the ship. I like it.  

Hopefully brighten up a rather darker color scheme I've gone with for the entire ship.

 

The last four sleds for the carronade have been installed. 

The Tiller has made it's appearance on deck as well. It's not glued in yet.

I'm marking off where the rigging needs to be and the eyebolts needed for the deck.

It still needs a few small touch ups, like the tension rod on the top.  

 

 

I did remember to also consider the Spanker boom when marking the tiller.

I'll rig as much of the Tiller prior to installing. 

 

 

It's official!

The last four carronade are on deck. 

 

 

She officially has all of her teeth!   

 

 

Just need to finish the last block and tackle sets for these last four. 

 

 

It's funny, 

Looking at the below pic reminded me...I need to start some Quoins!

 

 

 

 

She's had a "naked" deck for the longest time. 

It's starting to get busy now!

 

 

Once the Tiller is in, the plan is to head to the bow next.

Bowsprit, then work my way back installing deck furniture.

I feel that I'll get better alignment with the furniture if the Bowsprit is in first. 

 

Wash your hands!

 

Tom E 

 

 

[patrickmil]

Hi Tom,

 

Your Niagara is looking great and you've done an outstanding job with her "teeth". I completely respect your position on the pins and was only asking out of curiosity. I look forward to seeing more of your work!

 

Thanks,

Patrick

[zappto]

Beautiful finish on the deck, your cannons are spectacular! Keep up wonderful work!

[Retired guy]

That does look brilliant Tom very nice work 👍 

[6ohiocav]

Looking great.  There will be time in the not too distant future that you will really miss that uncluttered deck.

[Tom E]

Thanks fellas, 

I appreciate the kind words!

 

Thanks to all the folks who hit that like button, much appreciated as well!

 

Hopefully, the build should become a bit quicker moving forward. 

With summer time fun ending, there should be a lot more time for Niagara.

 

With most of the repetition of the cannons behind me, should get a lot more exciting as well. 

Nothing more fun than watching a model that's currently in a hundred different little pieces come together. 

I forget sometimes that everything is truly built, just need to install. 

 

Tom E 

 

[Tom E]

Evening, 

A quiet night at home, not really in the mood for building, so an update is in order. 

 

It's official,

The Cannon/Carronade are all done, rigged and installed. Except for the rope coils, those beasts are next!!

 

 

A symmetrical look.

I was trying not to have cannon sticking out farther than the next.

Minus the natural curve of the sides, not too shabby. 

A good flow. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I never thought when I started this project I would get this far with it!

I may not be the fastest builder, but I'm happy with the outcome so far.

 

 

The Tiller is next. 

When I built the tiller and rudder, I realized I couldn't get the rudder thru the stern area and went with a two piece section.

The rudder itself will be installed afterwards, probably after the deck furniture. 

The tiller has been stained and the tension rod installed. 

 

Two 3/32 Syren single blocks are stropped and ready to be installed on the tiller.

Two other 3/32 single blocks with a lanyard have been stropped for the eyebolts in the deck. 

 

 

 

On a side note,

A Fall chill has hit New Hampshire...that means baking season in my book!

 

With some fresh local blueberries, made a Blueberry Crisp this past Sunday.

Snacked on this thing all day long. Even brought some to work the next day for lunch.

 

I see something with apples this weekend!

 

 

Be good!

 

Tom E 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chuck]

Nicely done Tom

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Hope everyone is well.

Niagara is sorely overdue for an update. Although I haven't been online a lot recently, I have been building. 

 

The Tiller has been permanently installed. 

I pre rigged the ropes before gluing into the deck. 

The eyebolts in the deck for the tiller are a bit oversized on purpose. The rigging for the Spanker Boom has a block attached later on.  

 

 

With all of these lines every where....looks like a drunk spider had a great night!  

 

 

They do tighten up nicely. 

 

 

The Catheads are back on the build table. 

These need a little prep work before permanently mounting. 

 

 

I want to install some bullseyes on the eyebolts prior. 

A tension rod needs to be fitted as well. 

 

 

The rope coils are slowly coming along. I have experimented with so many different variations.

I have been making them by wrapping them around T-pins and setting with a 50/50 glue water mix.

 

But what I'm learning is exactly how many T-pins make a suitably sized rope coil. 

One is to small, four is too large, It took several "batches" but three is the magical number. 

The below pic shows what one T-pin produces...too small for my tastes.

Although, I am getting the "look" I was looking for with the rope coils. Kind of disheveled, just used type of look.  

 

 

One day I had the Bowsprit out, thought I would see what she looks like with some masts in. 

 

 

I had the Bowsprit out as it needs some prep work. Once the Catheads are in, and rope coils done, the Bowsprit will be mounted on ship. 

She needs foot treads and cleats. Some of which cant be installed until mounted or it wont fit thru the opening for the Bowsprit. 

 

 

She's getting there!

 

 

Wash your hands!

 

Tom E 

 

 

[MESSIS]

She is looking great! 

[Tom E]

Evening, 

Hope everyone is well and safe during these crazy times.

So glad every chance I get, when I can bunker down in my Shipyard and ignore the world for a few hours.

 

Thanks Christos!

As always, a pleasure to have you look in on my humble build.

Thanks to all those folks hitting that "like" button as well!    

 

A mini update for tonight.

I attached some Bullseyes to the Catheads.

Supposedly these can be made by boring out kit supplied Deadeyes , per the instructions.

I should have filmed that attempt! Any type of force from drilling would disintegrate the deadeyes. Maybe they were old and brittle.

I ended up ordering some pre-made Bullseyes from Model Expo.....problem solved. 

 

 

The rope coils continue as well.

I've got it up to about 20 coils per batch.

 

 

Using Syren .012 Tan rope for these.

Tape one end down, wrap the rope around the T-pins and tape down the other end.

I paint on a 50/50 mix of white glue and water.

 

I tend to wrap a batch and let dry for at least 48 hours.

They do get a good soaking of glue water.

When dry, the T-pins generally slide right out.

The cork board underneath has a wax paper wrap around it, and the coils come off fairly easily.

I can safely say, no two coils will look the same. 

 

 

With the Bowsprit now back on the table full time, it's ready for it's final touches.

Starting with the Spritsail Yard.

 

This will be attached with Syren .025 Black rope. 

I'll attach the rope to the yard first, then attach to the Bowsprit. 

 

 

The below pic has the rope attached to the yard but not the Bowsprit yet.

Just using some clear tape, I wanted to see what it will look like. 

 

 

In respect to the angle of the Jib Boom Guys coming off the catheads, seems to be ok.

Wont truly know until it's permanently attached.  

 

 

Stay safe!

 

Tom E 

 

 

[Tom E]

Evening,

Thought Niagara needed an update.

Plus, I just don't have the heart to watch the news tonight and feel like keeping the tv off.

With all Thanksgiving plans cancelled and just staying home this year, I should have a good four days in the Shipyard.

Very much looking forward to that!!!     Hope I have enough coffee & creamer.

 

The rope coils are almost done!

Just have to install the last few.

 

 

I'm getting a better "look" to these coils as I wrap more.

The loose ends of the rope will eventually get trimmed. 

 

 

The Spritsail yard is officially mounted to the Bowsprit! 

 

 

I used some 1/32x1/32 square stock from the kit for the foot treads.

These were primed and painted with Model Expo paint.

There are more foot treads to install, but wont be until it's permanently mounted to the ship.

And that should be soon!

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving everybody! 🦃

Be safe!

 

Tom E 

 

 

 

 

[JesseLee]

That paint looks very nice! I'll have to get some of that sometime.