US Brig Syren by smarra - Model Shipways - 1:64 - First wooden ship build

[smarra]

First plank now glued on both port and starboard side.

[smarra]

Completed the starboard planking above the wales.

Satisfied with how the bow came out.

Generally the planning looks ok, not great.

Could have done a better job around the gun and sweep ports. I'll make a jig for the other side so that they are more evenly spaced. I guess this side will be to the back when displayed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 24, 2018 by smarra
remove pictures added by mistake.

[smarra]

Port side is now complete, I'm happier with how it turned out compared to the starboard side.

 

[smarra]

Upper counter planked and transom installed.

Added more filler blocks to the stern, those planks will have quite a bend to them and I felt like it needed the extra support.

 

[HIPEXEC]

She's looking good and not so fragile now

[smarra]

10 hours ago, HIPEXEC said:

She's looking good and not so fragile now

I think I spent most of the time so far on this project glueing the gun port sills in again after breaking while sanding. Still need to sand off 1/32+, but yes it is a lot stronger than before, not breaking every minute.

 

Progress will slow on the build now, between my younger son's college visits, football, and lacrosse prospect camps and my other 2 sons moving to Quincy Massachusetts today my time will be limited for the next week or so.

[HIPEXEC]

Family First!

[smarra]

The garboard plank is now fitted but not yet glued in.

 

 

Edited August 1, 2018 by smarra

[smarra]

On 7/28/2018 at 1:07 PM, HIPEXEC said:

Family First!

Always

There will always be another day to work on the ship.

There will be only be once that my sons will move into their first apartment.

 

 

[smarra]

Added the 3 planks below the wales and the garboard plank is now glued in.

 

[smarra]

At this point, just reading up on a few books on planking I ordered before continuing on.

I have already read what is on this site and a few youtube videos.

 

Since this is my first time doing this, trying to make sure I understand exactly how to proceed before I just plunge forward and paint myself into a corner.

 

 

 

 

[smarra]

Laid out the planking fan for all the bulkheads and have 4 bands marked.

Next step is to install temporary battens to mark the bands.

 

From what I have gathered so far the dividing of the hull into bands is to keep errors from creeping up. That way corrections can be made in the band you are working in.

 

Progress has been slow and will continue to be slow until my son's football season is over.

[smarra]

On 8/15/2018 at 7:31 PM, Y.T. said:

Not quite so. The bands are required as planks in each band will be identical shape. You will cut to shape all band planks in one shot by taping them together side by side. Small plane or grinding wheel will do. Plank shapes in different bands are completely different shape.

 

Its beginning to come together in my mind now. Thanks.

[smarra]

I have the bands marked off on 1 side.

It seems to look pretty good to me. The smallest taper at the bow looks to be ~3/32

If someone sees something not quite right I'd appreciate the response.

 

I know I could just plank it and use filler on it since it will be covered with copper plates anyway, but I'd really like to take the time to learn this new skill.

 

[russ]

From those angles it looks okay. Check it out from several angles and take some time with it. Your eyes will tell you if there is anything really wonky. 

 

You will likely have a little more space per plank at the stern than at the bow. 3/32" is 6 inches at your scale and that should be okay for the smallest width. 

 

Russ

[smarra]

Hull is lined off and looks smooth from all angles while viewed.

 

[smarra]

First planking band complete on port side and 1/2 way done on the starboard side.

 

 

[smarra]

Just about finished with the second planking belt, still need to do work around the counter.

Maybe not the best planking job, but for my first effort I'm pleased with how it is turning out.

 

[smarra]

At this point should I plank from the keel up or just continue on with the next belt ?

[BenD]

Working from the top down is normal practice.  You're doing well so far!

Edited August 30, 2018 by Duncbe

[HIPEXEC]

Nice work. The planks look good. I don't know what the rule is, but I've work mostly top down but some bottom up.

[smarra]

Planking is complete, the counter is a little bit of a mess. The rest looks OK.

We'll see how it looks after I sand it a bit.

 

[Jim Rogers]

Nice planking job, you’ll get  the counter looking right. Just a little filler and sanding. A lot of it may be covered by copper tape.

[smarra]

1 hour ago, Jim Rogers said:

Nice planking job, you’ll get  the counter looking right. Just a little filler and sanding. A lot of it may be covered by copper tape.

 

That is what I was hoping.

If not covered by the copper tape, it will be painted black where a little filler would not be noticeble.

 

For my first planking job, I'm pleased with the overall results.

I was fearing a much worse outcome being my first attempt.

[smarra]

30 minutes ago, Y.T. said:

Planking looks pretty good. Now it is time for leveling all this off with half round file.

 

 

I guess, I'll need to go out shopping, I don't have many wood working tools. I just a have some micro files that I used to shape the planks.

[Jim Rogers]

Go to your local Beauty Supply store and pick up some Emory boards that they use in Nail Salons. They are wide, washable and different grits. The grits are designated by color. Black center is like a 100 grit, Blue center 180 grit and yellow is 220. Much gentler than a metal file

[smarra]

Thanks for the advice Jim.

 

I had both the black and blue one in the house.

After 5 minutes using the black followed by the blue one it looks much better already.

 

The sharp bend near the counter that was there is now all smoothed out.

Looks like a little bit filler and it will all blend in nicely.

[Richvee]

If/when I ever plank my first hull, I hope my first effort can come somewhere close to yours.  Well done!!

I went solid hull for my first attempt. 

[Jim Rogers]

Yep looks much better. Little filler, little more sanding and perfecto. Great first job. Once it is painted black or copper foiled it will all blend right in.

[smarra]

15 hours ago, Richvee said:

If/when I ever plank my first hull, I hope my first effort can come somewhere close to yours.  Well done!!

I went solid hull for my first attempt. 

 

Thanks for the comment, the key was to have a plan of attack for the planking and taking it slow.