USF Confederacy by ChrisLBren - FINISHED - 3/16 Scale

[ChrisLBren]

A ship that big might be my last   - but I do have plenty of room in our new house to display a few models -  I still have Confederacy to finish and a Wappen Von Hamburg hull laying in wait as well...

Edited May 7, 2015 by ChrisLBren

[yancovitch]

super!...lucky you.............which 74?..............if you're going so big, you could make it  r/c......oh....one more thing....is there an outside door to the basement? .....

Edited May 7, 2015 by yancovitch

[Remcohe]

Wow lots of space compared to your appartement!

 

Remco

[Trussben]

Sweet Chris, post some more pics when you get that workshop setup.

 

Ben

[ChrisLBren]

At last the Shipyard re opens (well not the permanent one).  After getting estimates of building out my new workshop - I've decided to put that off until next year.  We have more pressing priorities with the house.  

 

So I made a trip to Home Depot - bought a great new tool chest that locks (which is great for child proofing) and a desk from Ikea and have set up shop in my library/office.  I've also dusted her off and cleaned her up.   Most of the messy parts of Confederacy are finished - all thats left is finishing the head rails, channels and deadeyes, and stump masts/anchors. I can always go saw in the garage if needed

 

I'm a bit stuck on the headrails - the forward most timber is proving to be a bear.  So I may finish up the channels and deadeyes so I can glue all of the gunport lids (these guys get knocked around easily) and then revisit the head.  

 

Im going on 6 years into this build as of end of November - really hoping to wrap it up this year.

[Ponto]

A superb effort Chris... 6 years well spent!

 

jp

[wyz]

WOW!  This is the first time I've looked in on your build log and I'm really glad I did.  You have a superb looking model going.  Your new house doesn't look too shabby either. ;-)  I too would like to see pictures of your new shop when you get it all set up.  Chris, while your models are great looking your kids are the ones that will win the blue ribbon.

 

Tom

Edited August 13, 2015 by wyzwyk

[WackoWolf]

She is well worth the time. Thanks for sharing this with all of us. Will be waiting for the finial pictures.

[ChrisLBren]

Thanks guys - Ive attached a photo of workshop B - (which will eventually be workshop A when its remodeled next year).  For now I'm using this space to saw and sand the remaining parts (which aren't many) on Confederacy - to spare the office of sawdust.  My Jim Saw is still safely packed away - waiting for the next project and a proper workbench ! 

 

And I have finally settled on the next project.  After going back and forth between Le Commerce (built as LOrient), the 74 Gun Ship and countless others - I have settled on Le Gros Ventre - built in 1/36 scale.  I am ordering the enlarged plans.  

 

The larger scale for a fully framed build is more approachable and not too big - the hull will be approximately 45 inches.  I could also potentially rig her - I have the space.  I also feel metal work (which I am a complete novice) and sculptures will be a bit easier to realize at this scale.  (not too mention as I age it will be easier on my eyes - LOL).  

 

Stay tuned for more pics as I wrap up Confederacy.  

Edited August 14, 2015 by ChrisLBren

[yancovitch]

yea...the eyes.....have to use 3 different diopter  reading glasses for different distances...............keep referring to your excellent model for guidance....notice extra gun port lids...makes sense.....just to confirm that your deck beams are red not just a trick of light....takes a lot to sand off the laser burn......cheers.....

[ChrisLBren]

The deck beams are Swiss pear - nothing is painted on the model - only used Fiebings Black Leather Dye for the black areas. Hope that helps

[ChrisLBren]

Actually I did paint some resin sculptures and the ships wheel to resemble boxwood to be totally honest !

[Landlubber Mike]

Looking great Chris - nice set up you have.  Welcome back

[yancovitch]

thanks....i figured that might be it.....but i had to check cause they looked so red in the photos............cheers,            vc

[ChrisLBren]

I'm using Chuck's deadeyes from Syren and a photo etch set for the chainplates from Expo.  The channels are ready - and Ive triple laminated boxwood for the knees for the channels - ready to be cut out.  Im hoping to assemble next week after vacation.  

Edited August 19, 2015 by ChrisLBren

[Rustyj]

Great to see you back at her Chris.

[Trussben]

Nice to see you around again Chris, I feel your pain, we are moving house at the moment, both Pegasus and my Confed are boxed up, hope they survive the trip and time in storage while we get into our new house.

Your Confed is still a beauty!

 

Ben

[ChrisLBren]

It happened this AM - cutting some small knees for my channels on my Preac and I got careless - while feeding the timber with my left hand my right hand was on the table to catch the part and some how my middle finger grazed the blade on the underside of the table... It was only a slight but sliced the tip of my finger to and dig into my nail.

 

No MD necessary - but now I have a serious fear of these tools - and my Preac is nothing compared to its bigger brother the Jim Saw which is still boxed and waiting for the next project.

 

First time I've cut myself with any tool while modeling in 20 years....

[yancovitch]

first time in 20 years????....wow that's quite a record...i should be so lucky

[Rustyj]

Sorry to hear you and your preac had a fight. I'd say after twenty years unfortunately the law of averages was going to catch up with you. I on the other hand (pun intended) are way ahead of the curve. Heal fast so we can see more of your fine work.

[mtaylor]

Chris,

 

Not needing is an MD.  I'm surprised that first time in 20 years.  I've been bit by every tool (power and otherwise) that I own.  Luckily, minor damage.  But as they say, "there will be blood".    The good thing, if there is a good thing, is that we start being even more careful. 

[WackoWolf]

Mark,

 

    That might be because we still learn from our mistakes no matter how old we get.  

[druxey]

First time? May it be the last! Hope you heal well without complication.

[ChrisLBren]

Finger still hurts a bit a week later but my model related injury hasn't stopped me !  Finishing Confederacy by year end or bust.....

 

Update - the foremast channels are installed.  I chose to paint Chucks nice boxwood deadeyes with Tamiya Flat Black paint.  If I use paint/dye again on my next model (which Im leaning more to a "Belgian school" approach of all Pear) I will not bother with Fiebings dye - Tamiya flat black with an overcoat of Watcos Danish Oil looks as good as Fiebings with far less trouble in application.  

 

This is may be my last build at this scale - thanks to a photo etch set from Model Expo Ive been able to realize the chainplate assemblies - soldering them this small would be a serious pain - kudos to you Rusty ! 

Edited September 12, 2015 by ChrisLBren

[yancovitch]

so clean...so clean.....!

[knightyo]

 As far as the wood Mike - its Swiss Pear - sanded to 600 and finished with 100 percent pure Tung Oil.  

 

 

 

The finish is absolutely beautiful.  

[ChrisLBren]

She's back on the bench - continuing the channels and chainplates.  No more guarantees when she will be completed - maybe sooner than later ?!?

Edited March 25, 2016 by ChrisLBren

[wyz]

Don't try to meet any deadline.  Continue on at whatever pace is required to do the A1 job you are doing.  The model is gorgeous and is coming along nicely.   I'm looking forward to seeing more pics of the ship as you progress and your new shop when it's finished. 

 

     You can NEVER let your guard down when you're working in the shop.  Even work with seemingly innocuous tools, when you're not paying attention, can end up hurting you.  Last week when cutting some bolts to length with the Dremel tool I had a small piece of metal find its way into my eye,  even with me wearing eye protection.  I had to go to the emergency room to have an ophthamologist look at it.  The eye was very red and sore for almost a week.  Apparently safety glasses weren't enough and I should have been using goggles or the full face shield.  Lesson learned ....the hard way.  You were lucky, as the accident could have been much worse.  You still have ten fingers.... possibly one a little numb at the tip. 

 

Tom

[ChrisLBren]

Hey Group,

Back at it with Confederacy - all of the channels and chainplates are installed - now its back to the head timbers and finishing up the bow

Edited October 8, 2016 by ChrisLBren

[Chuck]

Very nice Chris