samueljr #1 Posted January 11, 2018 IT'S HERE! 3 Canute, donrobinson and Ryland Craze reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #2 Posted January 11, 2018 8 coxswain, MikeB4, AnobiumPunctatum and 5 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #3 Posted January 11, 2018 So excited I forgot to attach the picture.............. 2 Ryland Craze and AntonyUK reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kurtvd19 #4 Posted January 11, 2018 The first build log - tune in tomorrow? Kurt 2 donrobinson and Canute reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #5 Posted January 11, 2018 Kurt Making a pot of coffee - may not sleep tonight............... Sam 3 donrobinson, Canute and CaptainSteve reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chuck #6 Posted January 11, 2018 Funny.....Sure tape over your address!!!!! Just kidding Sam. Everyone is welcome in the shop!!! Enjoy the project. 2 donrobinson and Canute reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #7 Posted January 11, 2018 You guys heard it - PARTY AT CHUCK'S! 5 Jack12477, Ryland Craze, Chuck and 2 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #8 Posted January 12, 2018 I've only submitted a couple of logs on MSW and they've been more progress than build logs in that It has been pics of where I'm at and not necessarily how I got there. I'm going to try to make this a little more comprehensive so here goes.......... The BARGE arrived to my house in Western New York from Syren's offices in New Jersey in about 4 days. Cant beat that. The box was much smaller than I anticipated only being about 15"x4"x6". I opened it to find everything neatly and securely placed and and well packaged. Included are two plan sheets 18"x24" at a scale of 1:1. The manual is a 3 part PDF download from Syren's website that I had printed out and spiral bound at Office Max. I opted to print it in B&W, after binding it was $12.99. The same production in color would have run close to $60 so B&W it is. The parts are all extremely well cut and appear to be very easy to release. What is surprising is the delicate feel of the parts. A lot of the sheets are only 1/32" so patience and care must be shown in handling. One thing that caught my eye was how pretty the cherry wood is even unfinished. The color is consistent and the grain is very attractive. With a finish coat or oil on it it should be beautiful. The flags provided are sharp and detailed as are the inlays for the BARGE and the markings for the oars. The details of the 7 castings included are crisp and need virtually no remedial work prior to finish. As far as unboxings go this was pretty uneventful. The quality of all included are what has come to be expected from Syren Ship Model Company - perfect. 12 Jack12477, Tom E, Seventynet and 9 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #9 Posted January 12, 2018 13 Tom E, coxswain, Archi and 10 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #10 Posted January 12, 2018 12 Canute, Ryland Craze, fnkershner and 9 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #11 Posted January 12, 2018 16 Mirabell61, Ryland Craze, druxey and 13 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rafine #12 Posted January 12, 2018 Sam, good to see you back and looking forward to watching your progress. Bob 5 Ryland Craze, Canute, donrobinson and 2 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mirabell61 #13 Posted January 12, 2018 Sam, I wish you all the best with that beautiful barge model, an enjoyable keellaying party, and I`m looking forward to your next log sequences... Nils 3 donrobinson, Canute and Ryland Craze reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beef Wellington #14 Posted January 12, 2018 Thanks for sharing this so far, looking forward to seeing more like so many others! 3 Canute, donrobinson and Ryland Craze reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
donrobinson #15 Posted January 12, 2018 Looking forward to watching your build 2 Ryland Craze and Canute reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MEDDO #16 Posted January 12, 2018 Can’t wait to see your progress. 3 donrobinson, Canute and Ryland Craze reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjdale #17 Posted January 12, 2018 Great to see your build log started Sam. Will follow along with intertest. 2 donrobinson and Canute reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tigersteve #18 Posted January 13, 2018 Following along too. Steve 2 donrobinson and Canute reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #19 Posted January 13, 2018 Good morning all Thanks to everyone so far who has checked and wished well so far. Bob - nice job on HALIFAX Thanks to Nils, Jason, Dan, Mike, Steve Grant - I'll PM you on my other project Anyway, the build is underway. The thing that is to be stressed continuously with this build/kit is patience. Care must be taken i handling the pieces and the builder should always read the directions thoroughly before proceeding. Unlike a lot of kits this is definitely a "manual" build. In that I mean the builder has to read the manual. Just a cursory read is not sufficient. The plans are supplemental to the manual. Chuck has provided a very clear process that will produce a beautiful build. I've released the first series of parts and removed the char as directed. The keel assembly needs to be beveled and then I can put it together. That will be later this weekend. 15 CaptainSteve, Jim Rogers, donrobinson and 12 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #20 Posted January 13, 2018 Boy am I having a hard time with this thread................ One more pic 16 gjdale, MEDDO, Chuck and 13 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #21 Posted January 13, 2018 Progress?............. One of the things to take note of with this kit is glueing parts. Obviously the goal is to have a pristine surface ready for finish. Glue on the raw wood will affect the sealer, oil or whatever is to be used. With the small surface areas that contact in these first few steps it is imperative that enough glue is used to bond but not so much to squeeze out and cause finish issues down the road. It is almost necessary to let the first (almost transparent) coat of glue to seal the char providing suitable surface(s) to bind. The second coat is just as thin. Tooth pics were used as spreaders and good old fashioned clothespins were the right depth and more importantly the best tension/pressure to act as clamps. I have been using Titebond (yellow) as my primary glue with just dots of a medium CA to hold pieces in place until the yellow sets up. 16 coxswain, Ryland Craze, Seventynet and 13 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #22 Posted January 13, 2018 Well the clamps are off and the work on the BARGE is done until next weekend. I have another personal build I want to spend some time on and a kit design project just getting underway. Keep an eye on MSW for news on that coming soon........... I taped together a couple of pieces of thin cardboard to make a small firm envelope to store the flags, inset and sweeps' artwork and the chip board laser cut piece. I'll leave them safely in the bottom of the box until they are needed. Sam 22 Jack12477, Ryland Craze, Tim Curtis and 19 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Canute #23 Posted January 14, 2018 Samuel, I'll follow your build, too! 3 CaptainSteve, donrobinson and mtaylor reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thistle17 #24 Posted January 14, 2018 Sam, so this is what you are doing these days in your spare time. Would be nice to have you visit the group, when the weather is nicer, and show us the work, in person, on this great project. I know all would like to see you and your work. You could share your experiences with us as I know a number of us are thinking about this project for themselves. Joe 4 Canute, Elijah, mtaylor and 1 other reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #25 Posted January 20, 2018 I returned to the QA BARGE this weekend and was able to get all the frames assembled. Just a few observations; The directions are specific in stating that each frame set should be separated and installed individually and then assembled. This should be followed as it is easy to mix up the parts as there is in some cases only a slight difference in shape and mixing them up is easily possible. Once all the frames were assembled I attempted to fit them into their respective slots on the boards. Once again as per the directions there was some mild sanding required to get the tabs inserted under a gentle press fit and not pressured in. Although not pictured I have dry fit the keel on the assembly. As with the bulkheads some of the slots on the keel were tight on the frames. I took a scrap piece of the cherry and used it as a test fit throughout. With a sanding stick I gently touched up the bottom of the bulkheads where needed. That's it for construction this weekend. I will spend the rest of my "BARGE" time testing finishes on the scrap wood. I am leaning towards a tung oil finish (maybe with some type of sepia wash) or a satin poly wipe on. Those results (and hopefully the assembled keel/bulkheads) here next weekend. Sam 18 mtaylor, gjdale, rafine and 15 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chuck Seiler #26 Posted January 20, 2018 I like the jig for the frames/bulkheads. I remember with the longboat, I had to take precautions that the frames wee square in all dimensions...the way that was planked you really had no room for error. This jig seems to, if not solve the problem, make it easier. 6 donrobinson, CaptainSteve, mtaylor and 3 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #27 Posted January 20, 2018 Chuck The jig does make it easier for squareness, alignment and setting a solid base for planking. But like any "tool" care must be taken to use it correctly and not to allow it's contribution(s) to lead to careless building habits. Chuck has designed and engineered a wonderful system for the builder to produce a plank on frame model but in no way is this reduced to a "slot A tab B" build. Care and patience as always should be taken to maximize the kit's attributes. Sam 9 CaptainSteve, druxey, fnkershner and 6 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #28 Posted January 23, 2018 Well I've decided on a finish. As I've stated I'm looking at a more "older look" (without weathering etc.) something along the lines that the Russian builders accomplish. Something with some depth of color. I tried about ten different types of finishes from tung oil (various number of coats) to sepia washes, wipe on poly etc. The tung oil left it to "orangey" with the cherry wood. So I had to get something to take that edge off. I've decided upon a 50/50 coat of MiniWax Golden Oak brushed on and allowed to dry naturaly. I'll buff it out in 24 hours to take up any surface oil. It may darken or natuarlly patine on it's own and that would be fine. Thank's to Ben and Chris for their input Sam 17 Chuck, Tigersteve, markjay and 14 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
samueljr #29 Posted March 5, 2018 OK so I skipped a few steps here but this is where I'm at. It's been pretty by the book (kinda') As I stated initially I wanted a deeper color scheme so I've opted for a first coat of 50-50 thinner and minwax golden oak stain and then a full strength (lightly applied) of golden oak. I then hit everything with a wipe on poly. The paint is a windsor newton galleria black (the usual 97 (LOL) thin coats). I have ordered cherry sheets to make the lower molding out of cherry to match the finish. The top moldings are ripped from scrap from the kit. The bow is painted full black as I saw some images of barges with a full field of color. I thought the paint between moldings looked a little "race stripey" for my tastes. The carvings (or in my case all castings) will be a gilded gold with a dull finish. BTW I have purchased the resin castings from Syren and they are beautifully done. For those of you who are wondering why the keel is doubled the kit as designed CAN NOT withstand a fall from a table top to a concrete floor. After several attempts I was left with the option of re-enforcing the keel or starting over. I am thinking if continuing the frieze pattern onto the bench arms. I've attached a mock-up of it - opinions????? Also I have accepted Chuck's "challenge" and will be doing some additional carvings/details to the bow.............. to be continued Sam ARMS WITH INSERT030518.pdf 11 mtaylor, paulsutcliffe, Rustyj and 8 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chuck #30 Posted March 5, 2018 Nicely done Sam.....try and keep it on the table top from now on though.... You might even want to sand those frames and caprail down even thinner if possible. The thinner it is the more elegant it will look. 8 Rustyj, Ryland Craze, Canute and 5 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
