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

[gjdale]

Hi John,

 

Sorry to hear of your computer problems - one of the main reasons I migrated to Mac years ago (to get away from Windoze!).

[texxn5]

Hi guys, thanks for all the likes and such.  Grant, I just never have cared for Apple computers....old IBM guy and never switched.  I emailed SONY last night, and got a reply from them today.  The guy actually had an immediate fix which he instructed me through and it worked the first time I tried it.  Wow, I think I might even be impressed.......My camera is a SONY DSC-R1 which they quit making in 2006.  It was a very expensive DSLR camera at the time but I am amazed that they still supported it this long.  Good for SONY, I'm happy.....well, perhaps now I can get back to the shipyard.....

[popeye the sailor]

same thing happened with vista & w/7.........everyone had to scramble to do the drivers for their products.   my admiral was having fits!

 

I'm still hunkered down with XP...........I won't give up without a fight! 

[texxn5]

Yeah Popeye, I know what you mean.  I had another thought on the Hobby Lobby thing we discussed earlier.  If an item is damaged, they will almost give it to you if you talk to the manager.  I had a piece of brass sheet, like .5mm x 4"x6" and a 1/32" piece of 2"x24" basswood sheet.  The brass had a slight visible crease on one end, and the wood was split for about 2".  I showed it to the manager, and got the brass for $1.50 and the basswood for $0.50.   only needed small parts from each so the damage meant nothing.  Saved about $7.00, and the checker gave me another 40% off the brass since it doesn't stipulate markdowns are exempt.

[texxn5]

Well, it has been a slow day in the shipyard today so far.  I worked on different parts of the masts today, mainly for getting the feel of what I'm doing and what I need to do.  Couldn't really get into it today for some reason, so it's mostly piddly stuff.  I cut the pieces for the foremast and worked on them.  Squaring them and tapering them, and building crosstrees.  I put them back on the ship for reference and to visualize how it's going to look.  One thing is for sure...the masts are going to be tall.  Added a few more tools to the Tryworks area.....scrapers, copper dippers, and hand hooks.......right side of front of Tryworks on the brick step....don't show up well in pictures....tomorrow more work on the mainmast and the bowsprit......so here are some random pictures for you know who....

[texxn5]

a couple of more

[texxn5]

some general over views of the deck

[DSiemens]

.  One thing is for sure...the masts are going to be tall.  

 

I guess they didn't call them tall ships for nothing.  Great work as always.

Edited January 4, 2014 by DSiemens

[Salty Sea Dog]

Hi John - Just getting caught up again. Really liking your detail work!

 

Best wishes,

[texxn5]

Hey Buck, thanks for the cudos....I'll be following your whaleboat when it's time to do my 5.......lots of repitition

[texxn5]

Hi Dan, thanks for dropping by.  It's definitely taller than I thought...had to check my plans a few times to be sure I was reading them right.

[texxn5]

Hi Lawrence.  It definitely is a new challenge.  This is all very new to me since this is my first wood model.  I'm not used to making some of these parts.  I am enjoying it though.  With playing with the detail things I find myself trying to dream up what those guys must have needed while cutting up something like a whale.  So I'm trying to think of various tools and containers.  I might add a few more barrels and tubs, tools, knives, hooks and anything else I can think of to the work areas.  Yes, once the hull is satisfactory it's a new ball game.....

[DSiemens]

John I actually run into that a lot as well.  When fitting ships for bottles I really have to pay attention size.  It's hard because most bottles are long and narrow and ships are at least as tall or taller then they are long.  Especially the square rigged ships.  I have to find shorter bottles or add more things into the bottle like scenes or more ships.  A good general rule is as mentioned ships are as long as they are tall.  

[Sailor1234567890]

Awesome. She's looking just stupendous.

[Moonbug]

Pretty sweet deck fixtures!

 

- Bug

[texxn5]

Thanks Sailor and Bug.....glad you like....

[CaptCraig]

Looking good John!

[popeye the sailor]

looking really good John........masting is coming along well.....good to see.   I look in the clearance areas at Hobby Lobby......I as well picked up some brass sheeting,  and some simulated aluminum siding.   I got to make my way back there soon......I remembered that they also sell the small bottles of lacquer that I use.  I still have some Christmas money left

[texxn5]

yeah they are really good for glues and basswood and stuff with that coupon.  40% off a $5 item is making it $3....kinda gets affordable...

[texxn5]

Not a lot of progress of late.  Lot's of little stuff on the mast construction.  I did get the bowsprit and jib boom finished and ready for rigging, needed some metalwork and eyebolts mostly as well as painting and getting glued.  Pictures shall follow later today.  I also had some corrections that needed to be made on the bowsprit as well.  It seems I wasn't reading the plans correctly to set the eyebolts correctly into the bottom of the bowsprit, so I removed them, and reposistioned them in the correct places.  I also started on the dolfin catcher.  Slow progress, but progress anyways.  

[Piet]

Hey John, I was kinda wondering about your progress and pics    But I understand about lots of little things not being worthwhile for pics.  Am looking forward to your bowsprit work.

 

Keep at it, she's really looking great!

 

Cheers, and say hi to the admiral,

[texxn5]

Hi guys, thanks for all the likes.  Today...non productive.....I didn't even touch the ship....couldn't get into it for some reason.  So I spent the time researching the bowsprit and shrouds.  I see serving in the not too distant future....among other things....one thing is I don't have any bullseyes.....could be a problem.....

[texxn5]

Here's a couple of pictures from the last few days.....not much progress though.

[popeye the sailor]

progress isn't just measured by how much you do........but how well you do it     looking very good John.

[Landlubber Mike]

Hi John, hope you and your family are having a great 2014.  Really nice work on your Morgan - it's coming along great.  I remember getting to this point on my Badger and getting excited that the build was finally looking like a ship

 

I don't mean to hijack your build log, but can I ask you a question?  I am going to start the Morgan after my Badger is completed, and I'm considering avoiding the use of paint as much as possible. So, I've been thinking about what type of wood to use for various parts of the ship.  In looking at your pictures of the real Morgan and other pictures, it looks like the deck, bulwarks and deck furniture and other items seem to all be the same color.  Was that your recollection?  If so, I was thinking that maybe using boxwood for those areas would work.

 

Thanks very much!

[texxn5]

Hi Mike, no problem, that's why it's here.  2014 is going great so far. thanks.  I think the boxwood would be a good choice.  The deck is stained a light golden oak/arcylic satin varnish color.  It's a combination from Minwax I think.  I like it because it cleans up with water.  Everything else yo mentioned is a yellow ochre color from MS, and is the actual colors on the ship.  the main color I didn't like was trying to get a decent looking waterway.  I'm still not happy with that one yet, but probably going to live with it.  The deck in real life looks to be a natural weathered oak.  Glad to hear that the Morgan will be your next build, you'll enjoy it....and I'll have a partner in crime......

[texxn5]

thanks Popeye, it is at least progress....that stuff has to get done one way or the other..

[Piet]

Looking nice John!  Keep it up my friend - - - rigging is coming - - - - - -

 

Cheers,

[texxn5]

Hi Piet and Lawrence, yes rigging is shortly in my future.  Very near future.  

[texxn5]

Here is today's ......limited....progress.  Not much but once again it is progress.  My time in the shipyard has been torn between life and yard.....Strange, we went from 17 F day before yesterday, and last afternoon I was grilling on the deck.  Today in the 60's....go figure.....So anyways, here are pictures of what got done today.  A little more work on the masts, and I got the anchors hung.  These anchors will be changed soon.  When I bought my kit, the one thing the guy did was to glue and paint the anchors, and glue and paint the cauldrons for the Tryworks.  No idea why....so, I have ordered more anchors from MS, however they are out of stock.  So I went ahead and hung them off and all I will need to do is undo 1 brass ring to replace them.  I want to have the anchor in Brittania, and the anchor stocks in wood.  So once recieved I'll be changing these out......