Medway Longboat 1742 by Cricket - 1/2" Scale - by Jim

[Cricket]

Thank you Chuck for doing this. Looking to learn the correct way to model, and there's no better way to learn than from the masters.

[Cricket]

I finally found time to sit down and put together where I'm at on this build. As this is my first log, please be patient with any abnormalities or photo aberrations till I can come to grips with this. It's all new.

I'm going to start off with a test pic to go through the process, and will go from there. Thanks.

Thanks

[Cricket]

The kit arrived in perfect condition and I proceeded to start on the keel with the lap joint. I realized that I don't currently own any cool power tools except a Dremel, so I started off with the #11 X-Acto and some 220 sandpaper. I found out 2 things. I'm not good at all with the #11, and sand paper. Also I realized I would need to make these joint perfectly level. As per my normal method, I hacked away best I could till I biffed it up.

 

Oh well, this will be added to my list of "things to learn better" and I proceeded with the other keel.

[Cricket]

Here's something I found online I should have looked for earlier. It's basically converting my Dremel tool into a small milling machine.

With this I could have milled down the keel close to where it would need to be, and finished off carefully with 320 sandpaper.

[Chuck Seiler]

Cricket,

 

    That appears to be a Dremel drill press with some sort of X-Y table attached.  If so, where did the X-Y come from?

[JeffT]

I dont like the 11 for carving either, i use the number 10 curved blade

[Jim Rogers]

I use some mini chisels.

 

That sort of looks like a Micro Mark XY Table.

[Cricket]

Hi Chuck. Your correct. I mounted the Dremel to the Dremel work station and purchased the Multi-function work table on Amazon from MySweety for around $40.00. It's probably no good for fine accurate work, but so far works good for me.

 

Jeff I'll give the #10 a try. I really just need to practice, and to get some finger/hand/lap 🙄 protectors.

 

Jim, could you recommend a source for mini chisels? I wouldn't know a good set from a bad set, and I almost always question third party product reviews.

 

Thanks much.

[Chuck Seiler]

    I agree.  My experience with the Dremel drill press is it is wobbly...not good for fine accurate work.  Vanda-Lay Industries used to make one (Dremel based drill press/mill) that was quite a bit more accurate.  I'm not sure if they are still around.

 

    You are faced with a decision; stay with Plan A and it's issues or write it off as a learning experience and go with Plan B, the alternate keel.  I recommend going with Plan B.   Errors tend to compound as you go along.  See what others suggest.

[GuntherMT]

Another possibility is to use the improvised mill to square off the existing attempt, leaving not enough material, but you just use some of the extra sheet wood in the kit to 'shim' those now squared up  areas and then sand down as needed for a good fit.  Except looking right at the base of the keel from the bottom, no way to see that it is more pieces of wood than it should be.  I almost had to do mine that way.

[Jim Rogers]

Ramelson 

 

100-004-975WB 
Palm Handle Carving Set

Mfr Part: 117

[Rustyj]

I've used Ramelson chisels for years and love them. 

[Cricket]

On 1/1/2019 at 6:32 PM, Chuck Seiler said:

    I agree.  My experience with the Dremel drill press is it is wobbly...not good for fine accurate work.  Vanda-Lay Industries used to make one (Dremel based drill press/mill) that was quite a bit more accurate.  I'm not sure if they are still around.

 

    You are faced with a decision; stay with Plan A and it's issues or write it off as a learning experience and go with Plan B, the alternate keel.  I recommend going with Plan B.   Errors tend to compound as you go along.  See what others suggest.

I agree. Sticking with Plan B and using the experience to practice was a big part in my decision to participate in this build. Looking around at other builds, I'll have many techniques to work on. For me it is what makes this a great hobby.

[Cricket]

On 1/1/2019 at 6:38 PM, GuntherMT said:

Another possibility is to use the improvised mill to square off the existing attempt, leaving not enough material, but you just use some of the extra sheet wood in the kit to 'shim' those now squared up  areas and then sand down as needed for a good fit.  Except looking right at the base of the keel from the bottom, no way to see that it is more pieces of wood than it should be.  I almost had to do mine that way.

I saw that looking in on your build. I may make the attempt as I would have nothing to loose at this point. I'll do some research on separating the joint and go from there. Thanks.

[Cricket]

On 1/1/2019 at 6:54 PM, Jim Rogers said:

Ramelson 

 

100-004-975WB 
Palm Handle Carving Set

Mfr Part: 117

 

On 1/1/2019 at 9:15 PM, Rustyj said:

I've used Ramelson chisels for years and love them. 

Thanks guys. Any chisels that I've used in the past resembled flat head screwdrivers. I've put these in my "stuff to get list" and really appreciate the info.

[Diver]

A very good supplier of high end wood working tools is Lee Valley Tools.  They are a Canadian company and ship world wide.