jablackwell Posted October 16, 2017 Share #1 Posted October 16, 2017 All, Back to ships! With so many excellent builds of the Syren here on the site, I have decided to put my skills to the test and give her a whirl. I'll need all the help I can get, as this will be my first plank on bulkhead build. Looking through the other logs, I can tell there will be more scratch work than I have done to date, too. I am really looking forward to the journey! All parts have been accounted for. Plucking out the keel board, the very first order of business is to straighten it out. There is a slight curve to it, so I gave it a quick soak in water and have clamped it flat. We'll see how it looks in a couple of days when dry. The curve is slight, so filler blocks would very likely be able to set it right, but I like to make things a little easier on myself. Making those filler blocks is something I am not quite sure that I am looking forward to doing. Well, I can say this: my woodworking skills are going to get a workout! Onward! ~john Tom E, alde, Nirvana and 2 others 5 Quote Builds: U.S. Brig Syren - 1803 - Model Shipways - First PoB Build Sopwith Camel F.1 - 1916 - Model Airways - Not a Ship!, Completed Kate Cory - 1856 - Model Shipways - Second Build, completed Sultana - 1767 - Model Shipways - First shipbuild, completed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Rice Posted October 16, 2017 Share #2 Posted October 16, 2017 Congratulations, you didn't get any of that poor quality "pink" plywood. I am still cursing the stuff. I'll be watching. At my current speed you should catch and over take me soon. Nirvana, scasey88 and jablackwell 3 Quote Starting the Model Shipways U.S. Brig Syren Working on the Caldercraft HMS Snake Completed Scratch Built of Russian Armed Merchant Ship Neva 1801-1805 Scratch Commercial Fishing Vessels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jablackwell Posted October 16, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted October 16, 2017 37 minutes ago, David Rice said: Congratulations, you didn't get any of that poor quality "pink" plywood. I am still cursing the stuff. I'll be watching. At my current speed you should catch and over take me soon. I think I was lucky on the wood, as I ordered the kit well over a year ago - it has been sitting on the shelf calling to me from time to time. Not sure that I'll overtake you.... this is going to be one LONG build for me. ;-) Cheers, ~john Nirvana 1 Quote Builds: U.S. Brig Syren - 1803 - Model Shipways - First PoB Build Sopwith Camel F.1 - 1916 - Model Airways - Not a Ship!, Completed Kate Cory - 1856 - Model Shipways - Second Build, completed Sultana - 1767 - Model Shipways - First shipbuild, completed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fnkershner Posted October 16, 2017 Share #4 Posted October 16, 2017 Welcome to the Syren club! When you mentioned excellent builds I am sure you were not referring to mine. But I will make all the mistakes possible to pave the road for you. Overworked724, jablackwell, scasey88 and 1 other 4 Quote Current Builds - 18th Century Longboat, MS Syren Completed Builds - MS Bluenose, Panart BatteStation Cross section, Endevour J Boat Half Hull, Windego Half Hull, R/C T37 Breezing Along, R/C Victoria 32, SolCat 18 On the shelf - Panart San Felipe, Euromodel Ajax, C.Mamoli America, Its a sailor's Life for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scasey88 Posted October 16, 2017 Share #5 Posted October 16, 2017 Welcome to the Syren club John. My bulkhead former had a slight curve too, after wetting and clamping, it was straight and then went back to curved, but you are right, the filler blocks took care of it, and its nice and straight now Nirvana and jablackwell 2 Quote Shawn Current Build: US Brig Syren https://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/16822-us-brig-syren-by-scasey88-model-shipways-164-scale/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svein erik Posted October 16, 2017 Share #6 Posted October 16, 2017 Hi John and welcome on board the syren Journey , I have started on mine but still working on confederesy build Soon I get back to the syren build Svein.e Nirvana and jablackwell 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Bloemendaal Posted October 16, 2017 Share #7 Posted October 16, 2017 Welcome John, I'm sure I'll be helping you out by making a few mistakes to show you how not to do it... I'm with Shawn, The filler blocks took care of a slight curve with my bulkhead former as well. Cheers, Peter Nirvana and jablackwell 2 Quote Current Build: USF Confederacy 1778 - Model Shipways - 1:64 Completed: US Brig Syren - Model Shipways - 1:64 San Francisco Cross Section - Artesania Latina - 1:50 Future build: HM Granado - Caldercraft - 1:64 LeRenard - Artesania Latina - 1:50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richvee Posted October 16, 2017 Share #8 Posted October 16, 2017 Hi John, Enjoyed your Kate Cory log. It's been a great aid as proceed ever so slowly on my KC. Like you, my next build will probably be my first dive into planking. I'll be following along. 7 hours ago, jablackwell said: I can tell there will be more scratch work than I have done to date, I'm sure your scratch work will be outstanding. Your tryworks and other deck furniture on the KC were an inspiration for me to get back to building mine after a very long layoff. Rich Nirvana and jablackwell 2 Quote Rich Member - Ship Model Society of New Jersey Current Build: Pride of Baltimore 2 Finished: Kate Cory Finished for now (Not rigged): Medway Longboat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchman Posted October 17, 2017 Share #9 Posted October 17, 2017 I'll be sneaking and peeking in as well, if you don't mind. Syren will be my next build. I'm deck planking the Lady Nelson at the moment, so ït will take some time yet for me to finish her. But it'll be interesting how your build will go. A learning opportunity for me Have fun! BTW, I got a replacement set of the plywood after mailing them. Great service! jablackwell and Nirvana 2 Quote currently: master korabel Schooner Polotsk finished: the Swift 1805, the Lady Nelson on the shelf: US Brig Syren, Le Renard and the Hermione Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD11pilot Posted October 17, 2017 Share #10 Posted October 17, 2017 Howdy John, and welcome to the Syren club. I'm looking forward to following along. jablackwell and Nirvana 2 Quote Eric O.<p>Current Build: US Brig Syren, kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overworked724 Posted October 17, 2017 Share #11 Posted October 17, 2017 Will watch with interest!!! Nirvana and jablackwell 2 Quote ---------------------------------------------------- “Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nirvana Posted October 17, 2017 Share #12 Posted October 17, 2017 John, A warm Syren seems to be most popular ModelExpo kit so far. Pulling up a chair to tag along this build. jablackwell 1 Quote Please, visit our Facebook page! Respectfully Per aka Dr. Per@Therapy for Shipaholics Finished: T37, BB Marie Jeanne - located on a shelf in Sweden, 18th Century Longboat, Winchelsea Capstan Current: America by Constructo, Solö Ruff, USS Syren by MS, Bluenose by MS Viking funeral: Harley almost a Harvey Nautical Research Guild Member - 'Taint a hobby if you gotta hurry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jablackwell Posted October 18, 2017 Author Share #13 Posted October 18, 2017 Thanks, everyone! I am looking forward to this build as well. The keel is still a little itty bitty bit curved, but I think now manageable with filler blocks. I need to get some wood.... that will be the weekend mission.... some 1"x2" strip to use. ~john fnkershner 1 Quote Builds: U.S. Brig Syren - 1803 - Model Shipways - First PoB Build Sopwith Camel F.1 - 1916 - Model Airways - Not a Ship!, Completed Kate Cory - 1856 - Model Shipways - Second Build, completed Sultana - 1767 - Model Shipways - First shipbuild, completed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overworked724 Posted October 18, 2017 Share #14 Posted October 18, 2017 Good luck! The adventure starts! jablackwell 1 Quote ---------------------------------------------------- “Work like a Captain....Play like a Pirate!” — Every Ship Modeler...everywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jablackwell Posted October 20, 2017 Author Share #15 Posted October 20, 2017 The adventure DOES start! Had some time to figure out that an empty vodka bottle makes a fine way to soak rabbet strips for a keel ;-) It is now curved around the keel and waiting to dry before I glue it in place. After that, onto the rabbet itself. In the meantime, I am starting to hunt around for filler block material. I was thinking balsa, but not quite decided. Any commentary or advice on this? Perhaps something stronger would be appropriate? ~john scasey88, fnkershner, Overworked724 and 4 others 7 Quote Builds: U.S. Brig Syren - 1803 - Model Shipways - First PoB Build Sopwith Camel F.1 - 1916 - Model Airways - Not a Ship!, Completed Kate Cory - 1856 - Model Shipways - Second Build, completed Sultana - 1767 - Model Shipways - First shipbuild, completed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fnkershner Posted October 20, 2017 Share #16 Posted October 20, 2017 I would suggest that it really doesn't matter. the only purpose is to add strength while you sand and to help keep the False Keel straight. I just used some 1 X 2 scrap I had laying around. I believe it was Fir. jablackwell 1 Quote Current Builds - 18th Century Longboat, MS Syren Completed Builds - MS Bluenose, Panart BatteStation Cross section, Endevour J Boat Half Hull, Windego Half Hull, R/C T37 Breezing Along, R/C Victoria 32, SolCat 18 On the shelf - Panart San Felipe, Euromodel Ajax, C.Mamoli America, Its a sailor's Life for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jablackwell Posted October 25, 2017 Author Share #17 Posted October 25, 2017 Making slow and steady progress here with the Syren. I spent some good time working on the rabbet, a first for me. I ended up becoming frustrated with wielding a sharp knife and took out a small finishing sander. That did the job remarkably well and in little time. The stern knee was then tapered to accept the figure head, and then glued on along with the 3/16" square keel along the bottom. I made sure to clamp the bulkhead former onto a flat workspace while gluing things to it... hopefully to help remove some of the slight warp that it has. I know this will be completely rectified when I get the bulkheads and filler blocks installed. Any little thing to help is good, in my opinion! For the filler blocks, I made a quick trip to Home Depot for a 1x2" strip of pine. I am ready.... I also spent time getting ALL the wood sorted and labeled for easier work in the shop. A Sharpie and blue masking tape made great labels... ;-) Some images below. ~john Overworked724, scasey88, GrantGoodale and 6 others 9 Quote Builds: U.S. Brig Syren - 1803 - Model Shipways - First PoB Build Sopwith Camel F.1 - 1916 - Model Airways - Not a Ship!, Completed Kate Cory - 1856 - Model Shipways - Second Build, completed Sultana - 1767 - Model Shipways - First shipbuild, completed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alde Posted October 25, 2017 Share #18 Posted October 25, 2017 Great start. I am looking forward to tagging along on your build. Syren has been in my closet for a long time too. Nirvana and zappto 2 Quote The heart is happiest when the head and the hands work together. Al Current Builds: HMS Halifax 1/48 POF Lumberyard Kit Model Shipways Glad Tidings Acoustic Guitar Build FINISHED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nirvana Posted October 25, 2017 Share #19 Posted October 25, 2017 John, as a filler in-between the bulkheads I used balsa. Easy to cut, and makes a huge difference for straighten the keel up. No need to use any harder wood. Maybe pine is cheaper, have no idea. My three blocks of balsa 1x2x12" was some 6 dollars. jablackwell 1 Quote Please, visit our Facebook page! Respectfully Per aka Dr. Per@Therapy for Shipaholics Finished: T37, BB Marie Jeanne - located on a shelf in Sweden, 18th Century Longboat, Winchelsea Capstan Current: America by Constructo, Solö Ruff, USS Syren by MS, Bluenose by MS Viking funeral: Harley almost a Harvey Nautical Research Guild Member - 'Taint a hobby if you gotta hurry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fnkershner Posted October 25, 2017 Share #20 Posted October 25, 2017 (edited) Like you I am wary of the damage that can be done with a sharp knife both to me and the model. I found a Sander did a great job. I just had to be careful not to take too much. Great start! Edited October 26, 2017 by fnkershner jablackwell 1 Quote Current Builds - 18th Century Longboat, MS Syren Completed Builds - MS Bluenose, Panart BatteStation Cross section, Endevour J Boat Half Hull, Windego Half Hull, R/C T37 Breezing Along, R/C Victoria 32, SolCat 18 On the shelf - Panart San Felipe, Euromodel Ajax, C.Mamoli America, Its a sailor's Life for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chance Posted November 21, 2017 Share #21 Posted November 21, 2017 Ahoy, I am pulling up a seat with a martini and will watch the progress. My kit is next after a little more work on the Morgan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jablackwell Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share #22 Posted November 21, 2017 2 minutes ago, chance said: Ahoy, I am pulling up a seat with a martini and will watch the progress. My kit is next after a little more work on the Morgan. Ahhhhhh! Well, that sounds like a good way to watch this build ;-) I love a good martini, but the question is this: Gin or Vodka? It's been a while since my last post, so perhaps I owe everyone a status. I am working on taking the bulkheads and sanding them down, then shaping them appropriately so that they sit on the keel board properly. I am tapping them into place and then cutting small pieces of 1x2 as filling blocks. My main line is a tiny bit curved, but the filler blocks will take care of that. Welcome to the build! I'll post some images soon. ~john Jmfoss03, Peter Bloemendaal, fnkershner and 1 other 4 Quote Builds: U.S. Brig Syren - 1803 - Model Shipways - First PoB Build Sopwith Camel F.1 - 1916 - Model Airways - Not a Ship!, Completed Kate Cory - 1856 - Model Shipways - Second Build, completed Sultana - 1767 - Model Shipways - First shipbuild, completed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chance Posted November 21, 2017 Share #23 Posted November 21, 2017 Hi John, vodka is the way to go. Have fun with the project, remember it is not a race but a hobby. jablackwell 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jablackwell Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share #24 Posted November 22, 2017 2 hours ago, chance said: Hi John, vodka is the way to go. Have fun with the project, remember it is not a race but a hobby. I hear that! But there is also a wonderful mix with BOTH... the infamous James Bond version: 3 ounces Gordon's Gin 1 ounce vodka 1/2 ounce Kina Lillet Lemon peel for garnish I am more of a vodka man. But I digress,,,,,, I will post build images soon ~john Jmfoss03 1 Quote Builds: U.S. Brig Syren - 1803 - Model Shipways - First PoB Build Sopwith Camel F.1 - 1916 - Model Airways - Not a Ship!, Completed Kate Cory - 1856 - Model Shipways - Second Build, completed Sultana - 1767 - Model Shipways - First shipbuild, completed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jablackwell Posted November 23, 2017 Author Share #25 Posted November 23, 2017 (edited) Got a little work done on the Syren this week, between cooking chores for the big Thanksgiving thing. I have most of the bulkheads sanded and dry fit (no glue yet) and am working on the filler block concept. I also fashioned a jig to hold her straight while all this is taking place. I decided on a jig with one half bolted in place and the other fence made adjustable and managed by using clamps. This way I can keep it tight, but also remove the ship, when needed, with ease. Happy day to you all. ~john Edited November 23, 2017 by jablackwell scasey88, lmagna, Tigersteve and 3 others 6 Quote Builds: U.S. Brig Syren - 1803 - Model Shipways - First PoB Build Sopwith Camel F.1 - 1916 - Model Airways - Not a Ship!, Completed Kate Cory - 1856 - Model Shipways - Second Build, completed Sultana - 1767 - Model Shipways - First shipbuild, completed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jablackwell Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share #26 Posted November 26, 2017 Got those bulkheads roughly shaped and in place: not glued yet until I can cut and shape all the filler blocks. The ship is taking on a shape, which just makes me smile a lot. Long way to go! Looking at the second image, you can see that there is a slight bow to the bulkhead former, which I will need to figure out how to un-bow, or straighten. Your choice of verbs. Any ideas for easy ways to do this? ~john Overworked724, Nirvana, scasey88 and 3 others 6 Quote Builds: U.S. Brig Syren - 1803 - Model Shipways - First PoB Build Sopwith Camel F.1 - 1916 - Model Airways - Not a Ship!, Completed Kate Cory - 1856 - Model Shipways - Second Build, completed Sultana - 1767 - Model Shipways - First shipbuild, completed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nirvana Posted November 26, 2017 Share #27 Posted November 26, 2017 That slight bow you have in your frame will straighten up with filler blocks, make sure they are accurate sized, so they do a proper job. Once out of that, things will be easier. By the way, warm welcome to the Syren land. jablackwell, Overworked724 and fnkershner 3 Quote Please, visit our Facebook page! Respectfully Per aka Dr. Per@Therapy for Shipaholics Finished: T37, BB Marie Jeanne - located on a shelf in Sweden, 18th Century Longboat, Winchelsea Capstan Current: America by Constructo, Solö Ruff, USS Syren by MS, Bluenose by MS Viking funeral: Harley almost a Harvey Nautical Research Guild Member - 'Taint a hobby if you gotta hurry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jablackwell Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share #28 Posted November 26, 2017 16 minutes ago, Nirvana said: That slight bow you have in your frame will straighten up with filler blocks, make sure they are accurate sized, so they do a proper job. Once out of that, things will be easier. By the way, warm welcome to the Syren land. Thank you, Per! I'll be sure to measure twice (or more) and cut once for those filler blocks. ~john fnkershner and Overworked724 2 Quote Builds: U.S. Brig Syren - 1803 - Model Shipways - First PoB Build Sopwith Camel F.1 - 1916 - Model Airways - Not a Ship!, Completed Kate Cory - 1856 - Model Shipways - Second Build, completed Sultana - 1767 - Model Shipways - First shipbuild, completed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Bloemendaal Posted November 26, 2017 Share #29 Posted November 26, 2017 Hi John, The way I did it is to cut them about 0.5mm larger and to sand them down until a friction fit. At one stage I had them all sitting in position without glue. I had a slight curve as well. The filler blocks took care of that. The other choice to make is whether you position them level or slightly above the bulkheads and sand them down to create a fuller deck area (a lot of sanding...) or glue them below that level and glue the deck planks later on the bulkheads. I took the first road but it raised a few eyebrows from other builders. I am not saying that any of what I did is the correct way, just sharing my experience... jablackwell 1 Quote Current Build: USF Confederacy 1778 - Model Shipways - 1:64 Completed: US Brig Syren - Model Shipways - 1:64 San Francisco Cross Section - Artesania Latina - 1:50 Future build: HM Granado - Caldercraft - 1:64 LeRenard - Artesania Latina - 1:50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jablackwell Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share #30 Posted November 27, 2017 Hi Peter, That sounds like a good idea - sanding down from a slightly larger size. From what I have been seeing in other people's logs of the Syren, there is a lot of sanding. ;-) When it comes to making them level with the deck or not: I am undecided. The deck should have a slight curve to it, and the region is a tight fit for sanding, but I am tempted. Keep sending ideas my way as I work through the build. I am going to need all the help I can get! ~john fnkershner, Peter Bloemendaal, Nirvana and 1 other 4 Quote Builds: U.S. Brig Syren - 1803 - Model Shipways - First PoB Build Sopwith Camel F.1 - 1916 - Model Airways - Not a Ship!, Completed Kate Cory - 1856 - Model Shipways - Second Build, completed Sultana - 1767 - Model Shipways - First shipbuild, completed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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