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

[texxn5]

Well, it looks like there will probably be a delay in progress for the Skylight.  I was moving along finally after figuring out a few things, only realizing after setting it on the deck that it was quite a bit Too Big.  It kind of grew as I was building it, and it is way out of scale.  This means I'm going t have to scrap a week's worth of work and start over.  I would check it periodically for size, and thought it would be ok, but then when I got it to where I am now, I realized it's a lost cause.  So, after many bad words (sailor's do that you know) I have come to the conclusion that it is too big to use.  Part of the problem is figuring out the proper size of wood that should be used.  The basswood won't allow me to drill holes for the brass bars to go into without splitting or breaking.  I think I might need to consult with Jeff at Hobbymill for some replacement wood before I waste a lot of time and frustration.  So, it is now time for me to ask from the forum, a suggestion on type of wood I should use for this.  Also, about how long it takes to get a shipment from him.  It sounds like he ships pretty fast, and I assume he makes some very small scale wood strips.  Any and all advice is appreciated.  Meanwhile, once I get my composure back, I'll work on the rest of the hatches and another deck house farther forward.   Here are a couple of pictures to show my delema......

[texxn5]

Some more for scale, as you can see it is oversized......

[texxn5]

From my assessment, it is about 1/4" too wide, and about 3/8" too tall.  The scale size of the framing is also too bulky looking.  Most of it is 1/16" ( 1.65 mm) square frames, with 3/64" x 3/32" (2.45 x 1.10 mm) side planking, and the corner posts are 7/64" x 7/64" (2.50 mm).  The piece I tried to use first was .1" x .24" (2.45 x .6 mm) for the side planking and was too flimsy to work with without splitting and breaking. I'm calling it side planking, but in cabinetry it is known as styles.  It is a quite large piece of furniture as you can tell from the real ship photo's. 

[Charley54]

Really nice work though John. What you did looked really outstanding. Heck to me the one in the real ship picture looks almost to large, although I am certainly no expert. I guess its just a reaally big skylight.

 

You know, maybe its the picture, but to me the bottom looks closer than the top.

 

I admire your dedication. My skills are a long way from accomplishing anything like this.

[gjdale]

That's a shame John - the work you had done looks really nice. Do you have any dimensions available for the real thing, so that you can calculate the scale size of the components? I'd suggest trying Boxwood for your next attempt, and yes, Jeff can mill it for you to whatever size you want.

[mtaylor]

John,

 

What you have showed the promise.   Hmm... I'd go with either boxwood or pear.  Maybe 1/32" for the framing ?????

[texxn5]

Thanks Charley, I'm contemplating options, I might go ahead and paint the bottom and see if that changes anything...probably not, but if it's not too bad, I might try to make another peaked roof....only try to make it about 3/8" shorter.  Not sure at this point.

[texxn5]

Hi Grant, the only dimensions are from trying to scale it from the drawings.  From them it almost seems like paper would work better.....that's why I went with the smallest  lumber I had.....thanks for the reccomendation for Jeff.  I should probably get some boxwood anyway to keep around.  I just have to figure out what size and how much to make it worthwhile.....

[texxn5]

Thanks Mark, I'm trying to get some ideas on sizes to be sure that I order the right stuff.  I haven't used hardwoods of this size before, so I'm guessing that if I have a thin and narrow piece that it could handle multiple holes drilled into it without splitting.  

[augie]

Darn it John, that's a beautiful piece of work.  Boxwood does seem to be the way to go and I'm sure Jeff can help you out.

[WackoWolf]

I agree whit Augie and Mark, the is some very nice work. I also think the Boxwood is the way to go but the is only my option, talk with Jeff I am sure he can help you out. Keep the pictures coming.

[Captain Slog]

Hi John,

Its a pity it is too big as it looks really well executed.

 

I have kind of been doing this build in my head in preparation for eventually obtaining it trying to work out any problems. My solution for you would be to buy the required section sizes out of Evergreen styrene strip.

 

It will be painted 'yellow' any way and the styrene will be dimensionally consistent.  Surely cheaper and easier to obtain than Jeff's beautiful wood, unless of course you are leaving it natural.

 

Anyway I think I will use styrene when dealing with small square strips.

 

Cheers

Slog 

Edited November 17, 2013 by Captain Slog

[mtaylor]

John,

 

It's a crying shame that we lost Dragon's buildlog in the crash...  He had a very detailed how to on every aspect of this ship.   I'm wondering.... let me check my HD and a few other places.  I might have it.

[Piet]

Hello John, yes, your assessment is correct, it's a little too large when comparing it to the pic of the real ship.  I agree with using boxwood.  It's a fine grained wood that you can cut down into very small pieces and can still work with, like drilling small holes in it.

What kind of material (metal) is it for the protective grill rods in front of the windows?  Did it come with the kit or do you have to supply that yourself?  What did the kit manufacturer recommend?  

 

Like all of us, sometimes we have to redo something, so don't feel bad.  You are doing a great job to make your ship look as close to the original and you'll lick this minor setback too.

 

Cheers,

[Captain Slog]

Hi Mark/John,

 

I have most of his build photos, but no words.  I wasn't sure of posting bits and pieces of them for John since they are Dragons etc.

 

Let me know if I can be of assistance.

 

Cheers

Slog

[mtaylor]

Slog,

 

Just pictures is gray area indeed.  You can PM them to John.

 

 

Sadly, I can't find that copy I had from DDM,  Missing some other ones also, guess I need to dig out that HD from my old 'puter.

[mtaylor]

Aha.... a bit of Googling...

 

http://shipmodeling.net/photopost/member535.html

[popeye the sailor]

very nice first attempt on the skylight.    with how good that one looks....when you figure it all out,  it's gonna look even sweeter! 

[texxn5]

Thanks Augie, still in the contemplation stages.

[texxn5]

Hi Slog, I was thinking about Evergreen, but there isn't anyone around here that sells it.  I haven't located it online yet, but I haven't searched for it much.  I think I'd like to stay with wood even though it would be painted......not sure yet, I might try to experiment.

[texxn5]

Thanks Slog, you can PM me or private email, which ever is more convenient.  Email address is:  texxn5@aol.com

[texxn5]

Thanks Mark, I appreciate the attention.

[texxn5]

Thanks Mark, I just saw the link in your previous post.  I really appreciate you looking into this for me.  I'll look at it in a few minutes after I respond to the other folks that have been helping.  Appreciate it Bro'

[texxn5]

Hi Mark, the photos on the link will help as I proceed.  Too bad I didn't find this one earlier.  It doesn't appear that he completed the ship though, and it seems to end in 2006.  Any idea what happened?  Or did he just quit posting....

[mtaylor]

Hi Mark, the photos on the link will help as I proceed.  Too bad I didn't find this one earlier.  It doesn't appear that he completed the ship though, and it seems to end in 2006.  Any idea what happened?  Or did he just quit posting....

 

I think life got in the way.  He had a similar log on DDM and also here MSW 1.0 where he was a moderator.  Look for his id as "Gerald Spargo" here on MSW.  Maybe an email will get you an answer. 

[lambsbk]

I feel your 'redoing it' pain (see my chain pumps). What about brass square tube John. It is small, sturdy, and when cut can be soldered to form the frame. I used it to form the frame for the camboose floor on my Connie. I then blackened it and it could have held paint but I used dull coat instead. Would the brass hold paint long term is a question some of these more experienced guys and gals on the forum would probably know. Just a thought. On my camboose floor frame I notched the tube in a "V" shape not quite filing all the way through the tube. I then folded it over and soldered. Worked great.

Edited November 19, 2013 by lambsbk

[texxn5]

The problem with the skylight is corrected.  The Deck House & Berth are also finished.  Both are attached to the ship now, and it is time to move on.  I'll leave my comments or descriptions at that.

[Chuck]

Well done on the skylight Tex. 

[texxn5]

Hello Guys, I am happy to be back in the shipyards again.  I know many of you have missed me, and I greatly appreciate that.  In the jest of this Forum, I please ask you to refrain from the "welcome backs"  and the yada yada that could go with it.  I know many of you know what I'm talking about.  I will be posting photo's shortly of the progress that has been made during my absence from the yard.  Please PM or email me at: email address removed by moderator to prevent spamming should any one need to discuss something out of the build logs, since we are trying to keep the build logs primarily  ship related.  Let's liven this place up some and get to posting update pictures and discussions and quit looking over our shoulders--- we Are among friends here. We should police ourselves if you know what I mean.  More to come a little later, now let's start livening this "morgue" up again and keep up the good work all of you are doing......

Edited November 25, 2013 by Anja
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[texxn5]

The next several posts that I'm going to make will mainly be a series of photos mainly for the benefit of future builders of this ship as it really isn't documented very well in the instructions and to the best of my knowledge no one else is building it on this Forum.  So, bear with me as I can only post 3 pictures at a time and I have several.  I'll try to leave out the multiple views, but will try to show enough details for someone to see what it is supposed to look like.  As far as documentation goes, ME provides good blueprint/plans, but one needs to understand how to read them, and realize that there are mutiple views on several different sheets to give you the correct 3 dimensional picture.