Embarking on the Confederacy

[JagMkV]

I am an admirer of Chuck's work and the lessons learned in his instruction book during the building of the Syren.  After a couple of years hiatus to do the Mamoli Constitution, Mrs. Santa brought me Chuck's Confederacy.  I can't wait to get started as soon as my almost finished riverboat is completed.  What I need to know is what additional parts and fittings should I acquire to do a really good job.  Are the Kit's blocks, deadeyes and other bits and parts acceptable?  Should I use better wood than the kit's basswood in different places where it would enhance the build?  Plus, any words of wisdom from experienced Confederacy builders would be greatly appreciated.  Every ship I have built had a bunch of "if only's",  so if you can pass along to me your "if only's", it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Chuck Seiler]

Take a look at Dubz log, page 4.  He talks about an issue of plans versus templates (I think) and how following one screws up plank location.  You can't miss it....he exhibits alot of ffrustration and there are pics of the planking being removed.  I think this qualifies as a major 'if only'.

[JagMkV]

Wow!  Thanks for the info.  I can see a lot of planking being ripped off

 

[whiskers]

I would check carefully the placement of the gun ports. I thought I was dead on but it turns out they are a tad too high. Very minor but annoying.  I was going to use  other woods in the build but Chuck convinced me to stay the course and use the kit supplied wood. Good advice. Although I have built many models this is my favorite by far. I'm about half way done. I replaced the ships wheel and obtained 2 flags from the ships era. The biggest and best replacement was the figurehead.  I had a fellow carve me one out of boxwood. It is superb. Good luck with the build. Any questions you have fire away.

 

John

[ChrisLBren]

I scratch built the kit while Chuck was designing it. I used Swiss Pear and boxwood and don't regret it. I prefer hard Woods to soft ones like Basswood. 

 

Great kit -build - if you have any questions let me know

 

Chris 

[JagMkV]

Whiskers...  in saying the gun ports were too high, do you mean that the cannons were at the bottom of the gun port instead of in the middle?  It was interesting that Chuck gave you a little template of the cannons in the Syren to use to check the proper placement of the gun ports.  Maybe it would pay to make up one of the cannons first, then use it to help locate the gun ports?

 

Chris, while I would love to use more exotic woods, I think I'll stick with Chuck's suggestion about staying the course and using the kit's wood.  However, when it comes to other bits, such as the cannons, deadeyes, blocks and other metal parts, I think I'll look around to see if I can find some better quality parts.

 

Thanks for your reply.

Craig