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

[smarra]

Now that I'm using the 28 gauge wire, I was able to make them smaller.

That's about as small as I can work with. I wrapped the wire around a 4d finish nail and used  pair of micro snippers to cut them free.

I was using the thicker 22 gauge wire before.

 

 

[smarra]

I hope there are not too many more of those rings to make.

I must have a couple dozen of them on the floor.

They are no that easy to hold on to while trying to thread them on the eye hook.

 

I think I need to invest in some pliers for jewelry making.

Mine are just too big to handle the small rings.

 

One side down, one to go.

 

 

[smarra]

And yes, I did catch that it was upside down, before the epoxy dried.

That could have been bad.

 

Need to pay closer attention to detail.

[smarra]

Sweep ports installed, working on gun port lids. PE painted flat black.

[smarra]

Having trouble making the rabbits on the gun port doors.

Working with a file. The one on the left is the fifth try.

 

They look rather sloppy.

 

How have others made this rabbet cut ?

 

I don't have access to a drill press or milling machine.

I could easily see that either would be handy here.

[smarra]

Not much progress, but I think I've found d a way to get a consistent rabbet on the gun port doors.

 

I placed an xacto blade on top a metal ruler and lightly scored to cut the rabbet.

 

The result while not perfect is much better than what I was trying to do with a file.

I'm happy enough to proceed with the rest of the doors.

 

[smarra]

So far on this build, this has been the most frustrating part.

Not sure why I can't get a consistent rabbet on the gun port doors.

 

Not sure how many I have tried to make.

These are the best I have been able to do.

 

1 side done, one to go.

 

They're just sitting there, not installed yet. 

 

 

 

[smarra]

On 1/15/2019 at 4:32 PM, Wallace said:

Sometimes the smallest things can make us despair. Keep at it mate, I think you are doing a fine job. This actually made me smile (and please don't think me mean) because I had made the decision a good while back to have all my gun ports closed on the Vic. I think that was a good choice.

 

I didn't take it that way at all.

 

At this point, I have ordered some boxwood strips to see if I can get a better rabbet cut with that wood.

I'll keep the ones I have so far and see if I can make better ones.

They have gotten better as I have made more of them.

If this is the best I can do, I'll be happy knowing that I gave it my best shot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[smarra]

Making progress on the gun port doors, 3 installed.

The more I have made the rabbet cuts the better I've gotten at making them.

 

Must have made 50+ doors to come up with 20 that I'm happy with. Not perfect, but I can live with the result.

 

 

 

[smarra]

I haven't given up, the gun port doors are now installed on one side. The doors are made for the other side, yet not installed yet.

 

The past year has been crazy as we have been going thru 2 mergers at the same time.

 

[Chuck]

Nice progress.  You are getting to the fun part.  I am sure when things settle down outside the shop you will be making your way to the deck details soon enough.

[svein erik]

like chuck told.... now the fun part start, and yes its fun... 

nice build and looks good😊

i also have the syren and am working on the mast and rigging , but its om hold at the moment!

 

have a grait new year☺

 

svein erik

 

 

 

[smarra]

Got some time today to start the starboard side gun port doors.

Spent 1/2 an hour looking for one of the hinges on the floor, finally found it.

Does anyone know if there are extras supplied in the kit ?

 

I think I'll need to straighten up the work shop before going further. Barely enough room to sit right now.

[smarra]

On 12/30/2019 at 7:05 PM, svein erik said:

like chuck told.... now the fun part start, and yes its fun... 

nice build and looks good😊

i also have the syren and am working on the mast and rigging , but its om hold at the moment!

 

have a grait new year☺

 

svein erik

 

 

 

 

I have walked through your complete build log, very impressive. I have it booked marked

 

[smarra]

What glue has everyone used for the sweep port hinges, I've used 5 minute epoxy on the gun door hinges, but I'm worried that may make a mess on the sweep port hinges.

[GrandpaPhil]

I use CA for my hinges (metal to anything else).

[smarra]

55 minutes ago, GrandpaPhil said:

I use CA for my hinges (metal to anything else).

 

Thanks, I was worried about using epoxy for this.

[smarra]

Gun port door and sweep port hinges are now installed on the starboard side.

 

Progress has been slow to date, but I'm happy how it is coming out.

[smarra]

Made the gun port doors for the stern and the steps.

[smarra]

More progress on chapter 9, there are a lot of pieces to do in this chapter, starboard side is almost complete.

[smarra]

Oops, the starboard channels by the stern were in the wrong position, along with the steps.

Was able to carefully remove and place them in the proper position.

 

Port side is now almost complete also, have to still do the sheaves and scuppers along with some eyebolts.

 

Then on to the gunport doors on the stern.

 

Can't believe I've been on chapter 9 for over 2 years now.

Feels good to finally be making progress again.

[smarra]

Eyebolts installed in the channels. I used the 28 gauge wire and wrapped around 1/16" drill bit.

 

Stern is now complete. Just the sheaves remain.

[smarra]

Decided to skip the head rails for now and started on the carronades.

 

To make the pins for the cannon, I used a 1/6 dowel and turned it down in a drill using a wire stripper as a makeshift draw plate and then gave it a light sanding.

 

To drill the holes for the eyebolts, I used I used a dremel in their drill stand using some micro drills I picked up a Harbor Freight.

All of the parts ready for assembly.

 

Edited May 17, 2020 by smarra

[smarra]

Made the hooks for the blocks. I'm assuming that being so small I'm going to lose quite a few of them so made 30 extra.

Also made a jig to drill the holes for the eyebolts, to keep them consistent.

 

 

 

 

[Overworked724]

What technique did you use to make your hooks?  Pics??

[smarra]

15 hours ago, Overworked724 said:

What technique did you use to make your hooks?  Pics??

I used a pair of bead landing round nose pliers from Michaels

For straighten the hook I used a bead landing flat nose plier from Michaels

For clipping I used a pair of Xuron flush cutters, that I have had for the last 10 years.

 

I couldn't hold the camera while making one and take pictures, so I drew out the steps

 

 

Grasp the 28 gauge wire with the round nose pliers

Wrap the wire around the plier

 

Reposition the wire for the next bend

 

Finish making the hook

 

I used the flat nose pliers to straight out the hook and flush cutters to trim it.

 

Somethings you need to go back with the round nose pliers and adjust the bends in the hook.

[Overworked724]

That’s very clear!  Do you know what size the round nose pliers were?  Those are very small hooks!  Nicely done. 

[smarra]

2 hours ago, Overworked724 said:

That’s very clear!  Do you know what size the round nose pliers were?  Those are very small hooks!  Nicely done. 

They measure 1.3mm at the tip.

 

[smarra]

I've Been practicing how to seize the blocks for the cannons.

This is like the 30th attempt. Each attempt is getting better.

I used the black thread just so it would show up in the photo.

 

Debating whether to switch out the rope with the rope made by Syren.

I still want to get in more practice making these before deciding if what I'm doing warrants it.

 

 

I have been using the method used by J Brent that is on youtube.

The only difference is I used 2 vises and 2 hemostats to hold everything.

 

 

 

[smarra]

Here it is how it looks with the lighter thread