USS Constitution by Tom Schongar - Model Shipways

[Tom Schongar]

First build. Ordered all the paint and tools i need to start this build. I also ordered the cd`s for building the ship and doing the rigging. I built my ship stand, and a little piece of plywood to hold mini vise and a universal vise for small parts. i just spin the piece of wood around on the bench and clamp it down to use what ever side i need. Also bought a magnifier light/ lens. Got a mini anvil also. I usually build rc aircraft so i have a full selection of woodworking tools in my shop. Plus a sherline mill if i need it. This should be a fun project. I have read a lot of the post from other guys building this ship. Nice to know there`s help out there if you need it. I built the revell plastic model for my parents back in 1978. It took a year but it came out great. I`ve been wanting to build this ship for a long time but life gets in the way of your plans sometimes,lol. Now I have time to do it.

More to come! 6 compartment tray bought at harbor freight, and they have plastic small part boxes that have 24 indivigual boxes inside with lids. Great for all the small parts to keep them seperated. you will need 2 of these.  White building board is melamine workbench top 19 x 48 x 1`` thick for home depot. fits on my desk.

 

 

[MEDDO]

Looking forward to your build.  It’s a long one.  Don’t get discouraged and ask lots of questions.

[HIPEXEC]

Good luck. I'll be watching

[Tom Schongar]

Thanks, will probably start building in a couple of weeks. after thanks giving. Still waiting on a couple of tools to get here.

 

 

[Tom Schongar]

Well, I started my build yesterday. I removed and sanded all the keel parts. Then glued the 2 halves together, using 2 1/ drill bits as guides. TIP: Buy a box of med binder clips from office depot or where ever. Box of 144. You will need them. lol After glue dried overnight, this morning I sanded all the edges smooth, and test fitted the lower keel parts to the 3 main keel parts, getting them to fit properly. I used a 2 ft steel straight edge to check alignment. I them made card stock templates, as per plan. Marked reference lines, bearding line,and lower notch lines. Also marked where bulkheads will go. Next is epoxying the parts together,and adding 3/32 pieces of ply at joint lines to strengthen them on both sides.So far so good! 

Edited November 21, 2017 by Tom Schongar
spelling error

[kmart]

I'm pulling up a chair!  Welcome to the Connie Club.  I just started my build in Oct.    There are several great builds of Connie currently going on.  Check them out.  Some great information, ideas out there!!!

 

[Tom Schongar]

Well i finished sanding the rabbits on both sides,and fitted and glued on the lower keel pieces. So far ,so good. Cutting the rabbits were a point of concern with me because i didn`t want to screw it up. I found by drawing the lines on the sides and bottom ,then use a 1`` wide by 6`` long hardwood stick,with 100 grit paper rubber cemented on it ,i could sand the bevel to almost the line then go the length of the keel to get it perfect. Took about 1 hour per side.Next is tapering the stem post and stern post.

[Tom Schongar]

stem and stern post tapered, whole keel sanded smooth. Next up is the bulkheads.

[Tom Schongar]

Cut out all the bulkheads, marked reference line and bevel lines. Now i just have to sand the bevels ,and the slots to get them all to fit properly. 

[Tom Schongar]

Delay in posting this week. Busy at work. I finally got around to sanding the slots in the keel and the bulkheads, so they slide together with a firm grip. Not tight, not loose. They all sit square with the keel. Next is glueing them in and making sure everyone of them is in the correct spot, and fair with the rest of the bulkheads. Iam going to add bracing between all bulkheads to keep them from rackng when i sand the bulkhead to the final form. I dont want any to break. Will try and get pics. My phone is no good, have to use laptop to take pic.

Edited December 11, 2017 by Tom Schongar
added pics

[Cpt Jack Sparrow]

Looking good Tom.  This is going to be my next build, looking forward to it.  In the mean time, I'll watch how yours is coming along

[Tom Schongar]

The Black Pearl  is next on the list,lol

Will watch your build also. good luck.

 

[Cpt Jack Sparrow]

I'm actually building The Black Pearl for my wife.  When I told her I was wanting to get back into this hobby that's what she really wanted.  I wanted to do the Constitution.  So, in order to make her happy I agreed to do The Pearl first.  I know the Connie will take a bit longer.

[Geoff Matson]

Looks like you are off to a good start. Just take your time and have fun, it is a long build and easy to get frustrated. 

[Tom Schongar]

I have the bulkheads all glued in, and the counter and rudder shaped. Also spent a bout 6 hrs shaping the stern blocks and gluing them in. Next up is to stem blocks.

 

[Tom Schongar]

[Tom Schongar]

Finished the bow and stern blocks, fitted the rudder,and have half of the stem rails in place. boy, this is a tricky area to build. pieces are drawn on the plan are one size , but you need to trim the upright  posts,1-5 to fit the piece that`s even with the gun deck. then sand the parts flush, and the tops should be 1/16`` wide at the top. Take your time and visualize how it should look Then sand it to shape. I have about 5 hrs into one side. looks good so far.

 

[kmart]

Looking good Tom,   We are pretty much in the same place in the build.    

[Tom Schongar]

Slow and steady. I`m added the braces between the bulkheads this week. Then on to the stern parts.

 

[JSGerson]

Just discovered your build log. I look forward to following your progress as I am a few months behind you.

 

Jon

[usedtosail]

Like Jon I just discovered your log. You are off to a great start.

[Tom Schongar]

I added the braces between the bulkheads today,and started on the transom.

Edited January 3, 2018 by Tom Schongar
added phoyos

[MEPering]

Hi Tom,

   I did the same on my Constitution build, and it truly makes for a much more stable frame, and I would not want to try and fair without the braces.  It took me a couple of days to brace mine, using a pair of calipers to try and get it all exactly spot-on.  Looking forward to your progress and will be following.

 

Matt

 

[Papa]

Very nice work. i wish i could keep my work area so neat and well organized.

[Tom Schongar]

HA! This is my computer desk, covered with crap and dust. lol

 

[Tom Schongar]

Transom almost complete. Just have to sand off some filler. You have to use a digital caliper to get the measurements correct. It took me about 3 hrs to get this part of the ship done. Complicated , but it came out perfect.  Take your time and double check your measurements, and make an angle guage for the end frames 3.

I got this cool little vacuum from my son-in-law for Christmas. It plugs in the computer usb port. Works great for getting the sawdust off the ship, and desk,lol.

 

[Tom Schongar]

Mast supports installed.Masts knoches cut and checked. Next up is waterway.

[Tom Schongar]

Started on waterways today. Cut bevels and cut miter joints for stern section. Took about 2 hrs to get the first one cut and shaped, and 1 hr for the other side. When on a roll , stay with it. Have port side waterway glued on,and transom piece glued on. Will post pics after i get the other side done and the stem sections of the waterway in. Still have to cut them out.

 

update: waterways and planksheer are done. Inner bulwarks on both sides almost done. 1 more plank to go on each side. Bowsprit is fitted to stem.  Sorry aout pics, have to use laptop camera. 

Edited January 28, 2018 by Tom Schongar
add pics

[Tom Schongar]

Waterways , planksheer, and inner bulwarks almost complete. Bowsprit hole cut and bowsprit fitted. Lond day 8 hrs to do inner bulwarks planks.. Im using wood glue except for the stem parts. Its easier to glue with superglue when the wood is damp so it will bend around curves.

[Tom Schongar]

Worked on the gunport frames today,