US Constellation 1798 by Jack12477 - Artesania Latina - 1:85

[Jack12477]

Decided to start cutting out the gun ports before I go any further. Not proving to be an easy go of it. So far I have not screwed it up too badly. I'm following @JDDouglass example and prefabricated the liners from 1/16 basswood sheets.  

 

My Veritas miniature carpenters square

Measuring guage 

@michael mott  inspired thickness planer jig for my Veritas miniature Bench plan (still fine tuning this one, Michael, if you are looking in, critiques welcome.)

 

 

Stay tuned ! 😉

 

[michael mott]

Hello Jack the jig looks good , a neat trick is to use multiple layers of card or paper under the work being planed once it reaches the amount of material that can be removed because of the side supports, if you need to remove a "smidgen" more place a piece of paper under the wood, and take another pass with the plane. I find this very useful.

and also you can have special plates that you can pop in when working with different know thicknesses.

 

Hope this is helpful.

 

Regards Michael

[michael mott]

Following up with the paper strip comments, I needed to do just that today but I also needed a slight taper so I added a small bit of paper to the end that needed to be thinner.

 

So there are many useful tricks with this little jig

 

Michael

 

 

[Jack12477]

Thanks Michael ! I will keep that in mind. Your jigs are quite helpful .  I have been learning a lot from following your builds. 

Edited February 5, 2021 by Jack12477

[Old Collingwood]

Your doing a fine job Jack,  I found with my wood builds  (ok only the Two)  that wood can be so tempremental, and has a life of its own.

 

OC.

[RoVanAm]

Jack,

This looks like a professional workshop to me, how well organized. I just found out that I'm not the only one who has suffered "the twill I restart" I bought the same kit some 3 years ago and now I'm steady working on it, when work and space allow. I'm happy to have found this website and just scribed in, I will start learning and make my own posting too this weekend.

 

For now happy building and thank you for sharing your project, we'll speak again.

 

Regards

 

Robert

[Jack12477]

Welcome Robert. nice job on your Constellation

 

Well, I finally got all the lower gun ports cut out and lined. Don't think I messed it up too badly.  Did have to do some sanding of the upper sills in order to get the cannons to protrude through the gun ports.  Now I have to layout and cut out the upper gun ports. And the instructions call for the installation of the "clear" (manila colored) and dark (walnut colored) 0.5 mm thick second planking - more like a veneer than planks but it does improve the overall appearance.

 

 

[Edwardkenway]

Nice work Jack, the gunports look good.🙂

[mtaylor]

Nice work, Jack.  Planking looks very good.

[lmagna]

Looking really nice Jack. One would almost think you knew what you were doing!

[Canute]

Well done Jack. Looks first-rate. 👍

[Jack12477]

Well, small update.  Putting the 2nd planking of walnut veneer planking on. Slow going. Have all the gun ports cut out now.

 

[Edwardkenway]

Nice work Jack!

Are you finding the stern area easier than a tuck style?

[cog]

Gun ports look nice an' crisp. I found walnut a pain to put on, even as second planiking. Nifty jig to keep your ship on ... might steal the idea.

[Jack12477]

20 hours ago, Edwardkenway said:

Nice work Jack!

Are you finding the stern area easier than a tuck style?

Thanks !

 

Not sure I fully understand tuck style since I haven't had much practice with them.  Because of the thinness of this veneer it bends around the curve pretty easily. The only difficulty I have is spilling the planks, they tend to splinter easily so I have to pay close attention when cutting then. Biggest problem I am having is keeping the edges of the plank down while the glue sets.  I use regular carpenters yellow wood glue, PVA. 

[mtaylor]

Second planking is looking good, Jack.   Walnut is a bear to work with.   As far as spiling goes with walnut, in the past I just sanded to shape because of the splintering.

[lmagna]

Nice work Jack. good seeing you getting some progress in again.

[Jack12477]

I thought I would uploaded some photos of the real USS Constellation as she sat in Baltimore's Inner Harbor in July 2011

 

 

Captain's Quarters

 

 

Edited March 24, 2021 by Jack12477

[Edwardkenway]

Great photos Jack, you've got some rigging work ahead of you, judging by photo #3

[Jack12477]

30 minutes ago, Edwardkenway said:

you've got some rigging work ahead of you, judging by photo #3

Yes, especially rigging those electric flood lights under the crosstrees. 🙂🙃😉

 

[cog]

10 hours ago, Edwardkenway said:

Great photos Jack, you've got some rigging work ahead of you, judging by photo #3

By the looksof it he has everything ready for fitting out, rope-wise that is

[Jack12477]

A small diversion from ship building and planking.  Watched a video on YouTube of a guy building mini Japapese tool boxes. After getting a few screenshots of his process I decided to wing it and build one for myself.  Took an educated guess at his dimensions and started winging it. Not too shabby for a first attempt.  Photos follow: 

 

Box is some poplar I had in the stash. I sealed it with Danish oil.  The box ix 9" L x 4-3/8" W x 3-1/2" D

Edited March 27, 2021 by Jack12477

[cog]

Nice box Jack

[Edwardkenway]

Nice.  off the hoof too!

[Canute]

Nice clearing of your stash wood box.

[lmagna]

It looks like I may be trying a smaller working arrangement soon and with such I also may need to make some kind of smaller tool storage arrangement that I do not presently have. Something like this may be just what the doctor ordered.

 

We need to see how you put it to use Jack.

[Jack12477]

7 hours ago, lmagna said:

We need to see how you put it to use Jack.

I am storing my woodcarving knives, etc, in it,

 

[Edwardkenway]

Is the oil stone a mini version of a normal one?

 

It's the perfect size for those tools, by the looks of it!

7 hours ago, lmagna said:

I also may need to make some kind of smaller tool storage arrangement that I do not presently have. Something like this may be just what the doctor ordered

Sounds like a plan for a cottage business 😄😉

[Jack12477]

15 minutes ago, Edwardkenway said:

Is the oil stone a mini version of a normal one?

Actually, it is a ceramic "stone", can use with water or dry, works great. I also have a longer version, as well as 2 Japanese mini water stones and the traditional oil stones. I prefer the ceramic tho.  In the Spyderco leather pouch is another even smaller dual grit ceramic stone.

 

The grey leather thingies are thumb guards so you don't slice your thumb with the knife, even the mere pressure of the blade against bare skin can produce a serious cut. I know, been there done that 😂

Edited March 28, 2021 by Jack12477

[Jack12477]

Since @Edwardkenway asked, I will show some of the stones I use to sharpen my woodcarving knives as well as the Xacto blades.

 

Bottom of picture Left to Right: Spyderco dual grit ceramic stone, midsized ceramic stone, full sized ceramic stone in bench hook,  small strop, longer strop with handle

 

Top of photo: 1000 grit and 6000 grit Japanese water stones, pocket size

Water stones pocket size

 

Spyderco pocket stone closeup

 

 

My woodcarving knives

 

 

I should mention that the ceramic stones do not require lubricant and can be surface cleaned with mild soap and water (like Dawn brand dish detergent)

Edited March 28, 2021 by Jack12477