Charles W Morgan by texxn5 - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1:64

[patrickmil]

Great work John. I've been keeping up with your build, I just have been quiet lately. I'm anxious to see your upper rigging and masts.

[texxn5]

Thanks for the likes and comments guys.

 

Yes Piet, well worth it, and I like the end results.

 

BW, I'm sure the ratlines are more difficult and everybit the challenge. The boards are much easier to space out. I am glad to be done with this part though. The uppers are ratlines so I'll get to do some of those too.

 

Thanks Tony and Grant glad you guys approve...

 

Hi Patrick, thanks for stopping by the shipyard. The uppers have begun, should have some photos later today.

[texxn5]

Well things are moving upward. Got a couple of upper mast shrouds done. Serving these puppies is a challenge of course. These are smaller diameter lines served with my small thread like around .008 serving .008. Had one break while finishing it off on the serving machine and it looked worse than a birdnest on a fishing reel...needless to say it had to be done over. So once the mizzen upper shrouds were made I kept them taught through the bullseyes and lanyards which caused the upper mast to bend backwards with the tension. So before running the ratlines I decided to go ahead and rig the Mizzen Topmast Stay to pull it back forward and straighten it out. This of course required installing the Main Topsail Mast and shrouds which are rigged with deadeyes. Upon doing this I realized that I had forgotten to install the Brittania Main Upper Topsail Parrel Tub and Truss. I thought that worse case I would cut off the truss and attach to a cardstock ring around the mast. To my surprise I could saw the Brittania and carefully pry it open to get it around the mast, and then squeeze it back together with pliers and never know the difference. So this was accomplished and then painted white. So here's a few pictures of the progress.

[texxn5]

a couple more

[texxn5]

some more

[GLakie]

Nice! She's getting taller John! 

 

Cheers

[Piet]

Looking good John and a good thing you lucked out with that Britannia stuff, it can be brittle.

 

Cheers,

[texxn5]

Thanks for all the like buttons guys. I've managed to finish the Topmast Shrouds and the Topmast Fore Stays. All that's left to do to them will be to tie the Ratlines on them. They are a mix of Ratboards and Ratlines. A couple of my deadeyes are off some but I'm going to live with them for now, they're not bad, just not perfect.

[texxn5]

a couple of more...the Topmast Stay runs through the Bee on the Bowsprit and ties off through Bullseyes to an eye on the Hull by the Bowsprit.

Edited March 9, 2015 by texxn5

[GLakie]

She's reaching for the sky John! Looks good!

 

Cheers

[Piet]

Progressing nicely Joh, she's looking great.

 

Cheers,

[lambsbk]

It looks good John. Maybe it is just the camera angle but is the rake a little steep on the mizzen mast? Is that something the standing rigging corrects later on - I am a long ways from this step but was curious.

 

Dave

[texxn5]

Hi Dave, good to hear from you. Hope Fran is doing better and all is well in your household. As for the rake, it could be the ship is not totally level when the photo was taken, but it also is almost 5 degrees to aft. The stays correct that to where the Topmast and mast are parallel but still with the 5 degrees. It seems a bit extreme but not really. I've always set mine that way and then let the stays correct it. That also helps keeping everything tight - at least for me.

Thanks for looking in,

John

[GLakie]

On my Connie, the plans call for 5 degrees on the Mizzen, 3.5 on the Main, and 3 for the Fore. Don't know if it's by design, or if it's for the modeler's benefit when rigging though.

[texxn5]

Hi George, my plans show Mizzen 4.75 degrees; Main 4.0 degrees; and Fore 3.5 degrees. Having no way to measure this I eyeballed them and compared them to the plans. I think all ships follow pretty close to the same parameters. My main concern was first to the look, then from forward looking aft to make sure all is straight and in alignment without one going one way too far and the others not lining up.

Edited March 10, 2015 by texxn5

[lambsbk]

It really overall looks fantastic. Keep up the good work.

[texxn5]

Thanks for the likes and visits. Dave good to see you here, look forward to when you get back to your Conny.

 

Today - didn't get much done. Got the Mizzen Topmast Backstay done, then moved to the Fish Tackle up Forward. I was waiting until I got the Fore Topmast installed prior to rigging this. I used the last 5/16" Double Blocks from Chuck, painted them white and used blackened brass wire to strop them. Then rigged them to the Fish Hook with a small piece of chain. I hooked it to a small rope loop which is looped around the chock on the cathead. This is all rigged on the starboard side only. The rope is a dark brown rope I got from Chuck. All is tightened up and then tied off on the board above the Windlass.

[GLakie]

She's looking better all the time John.  You just gotta love those blocks. Night and day compared to the kit-supplied ones.

[texxn5]

George, they're not even in the same ballpark. I'm glad I discovered them before attempting to use the joke that came with the kit. Especially with as big of a focal point that they are. I have replaced ALL of the blocks that came with the kit with Chuck's, and I'm really glad I did.

[lesterpalifka]

John... she is really shaping up to be a beautiful ship. your rigging is excellent....to bad you didn't come over to the seaport to rig the real deal... could have used you.....keep up the great work.. when your done i'll send you a thump drive and if you would id like all your pictures of this build as a reference...lester

[popeye the sailor]

she looks awesome John........adding the mechanics to a ship is always the most satisfying part

[texxn5]

Lester, no problem, thanks for looking in. Thanks Dennis, she's getting there...

 

Todays progress, again not a lot but it is progress. Rigged the Mizzen Topmast Ratlines and boards. They only go up five "steps" to about the height of the mast cap. Rigged the Mizzen Topgallant Stay, and the backstays which tie off on 1/8" Deadeyes on the Mizzen Channel. Also got a better picture of the Fish Hook Rigging.

[texxn5]

Stays and Backstays

[Piet]

Wow John, what nice work on all the rigging.  Yeah, most if not all kit supplied rope and blocks are a joke.  I'm glad that Chick is around to supply us with some serious rope and blocks.  Hmmm, comes to think about my VOC ship, a gezillion blocks - - - translates into mucho dinari - - - for me.  I'll have to make my own I guess 

 

Cheers,

[texxn5]

Thanks Piet, glad you stoppped by. Chuck's blocks are really very reasonable in price. Depending on size they are either 25 or 50 in a package for $6.75 or so...just need to shop his website for prices depending on what's needed.

[popeye the sailor]

looking sweet John! 

[texxn5]

Thanks for the likes and comments guys. I'm still moving upwards. Managed to complete the Topmast Ratboards & Ratlines and the Topgallant & Royal masts and shrouds. Only thing left will be the Shrouds and Ratlines for the Topgallants. The Shrouds are siezed to Bullseyes and then tied off with Lanyards at the crosstrees. Then they get more Ratlines. Problem is I am waiting again on Model Shipways to deliver. Should have them Tuesday ore Wednesday. I didn't count correctly or I could have had them on my last order, so - gotta wait.

[texxn5]

The Topgallants and Royals

[GLakie]

She's standing tall now John! Spars for her width come next? 

 

Cheers 

[homer]

I've been keeping an eye on your build and have used your comments and uploads to assist me with the build of my Charles Morgan! I like what you have been doing and your build site!!! Wish I could afford some of those tools. I'd like to get the lathe but with all the attachments .....Yikes!!! I've been using my large drill press as I squeeze sandpaper around the dowel. Ron