Sovereign of the Seas 1637 by md1400cs - Sergal - 1:78 - to be hopefully bashed

[md1400cs]

Took a detour to work on the transom, sternpost and false keel as well.

As always thanks so much for dropping by.

 

 

 

 

[fmodajr]

Michael,

Stern planking looks nice!

The added tree nails are a nice finishing touch!

best,

Frank

[md1400cs]

Thanks Frank,

Though treenails, as we all know, should be two bits in tandem across planks. So not too satisfied with how this looks. That said when all of the ornamentation is added they won't look too out of scale (will re-think "how to" for sides of hull). Some builders use very thin brass wire resulting in perfect scaling. For the Vasa I drilled holes and used wood filler - came out very nicely. Many builders like this method.

 

But for now at least I think that I got the stern cannon openings in just about the right places - the bronze pieces will locate as they should. Thanks for dropping by and your nice comment -  Don't know whom to credit for that great SoS (below) that I have been using as a guide.

 

Speaking of which, you have all been so nice not asking about the round tucked stern. Sergal's kit is certainly not representative of the 1637 Payne engravings and the Heck painting, and the Levy portrait is inconclusive. It could be that Sergal used a much later re-build of the SoS to emulate its stern, lanterns and galeries (though instructions do suggest a tucked stern).

I do believe, however, that McKay does have the stern totally wrong (the book is an otherwise a brilliant study of this ship). His drawings would make the rudder totally useless - see image below - In that regard I have raised the stern waterline planks a bit more. Also there are no credible plans in existence - AND given my lack of confidence along with inconclusive historical data I have put this issue to sleep. 

 

Regards,

 

[Baker]

Great work Micheal.

 

for some stupid reason I forgot to press the follow button in the beginning of this build  .

  

[md1400cs]

Patrick, As always thank so much - As you know I'm a huge fan of your work.

 

Minor update - need to re-do bowsprit area so thought I would add these two bits. Added the gratings as well.

 

Regards,

 

[fmodajr]

Hi Michael,

I like your new table saw!

one thing you might consider is to remove the green piece surrounding the blade. 
then lower the blade below the table level. Insert a new piece of solid plexiglass or plastic in the space where the green piece was. Screw it down. Turn on the blade and slowly raise the blade cutting the plexiglass as you raise the blade.

Now if your cutting thin small pieces of wood, there will be less chance of the piece getting sucked into the gap.

just a thought!

excellent work,

Frank

[stuglo]

The" seats of ease" seem to have a lift up seat. ? Mixed crew?

Good work

[md1400cs]

Frank,

 

Yes – perfect idea indeed. When I looked at saw reviews on Youtube one of the reviewers indeed made just what you suggested. I later realized that Proxxon now encloses just what you suggested. I may make one out of thin oak planks that I can cut to size.

 

Need to set that bit up – on my list – as soon as I need to cut very small planks – been using my very, small and old Proxxon KS-115 in the meantime

 

Stuglo: funny – that would have indeed been a disaster back then – No actually it is supposed to be a “slider” pin – creative silliness on my part.

 

That said back in those days is where the “he’s a sun of a gun”, came from: sailors (gunners) enjoying the working girls who would sometimes get them pregnant hence the phrase. Though some etymologists dispute this particular use of the phrase.

 

The most plausible is this; there was an allowance for some women (spouses or working girls) to live on English Navel ships. Any child born on board who had uncertain paternity would be listed in the ship’s log as “son of a gun”.

 

 

 

 

 

[Retired guy]

Hi Michael, a bit late to your build, but all caught up now  and lots of likes, do like all your scratch work to date and you will be looking forward to your progress 👍

 

Regards

Richard

[Kevin]

7 hours ago, fmodajr said:

Hi Michael,

I like your new table saw!

one thing you might consider is to remove the green piece surrounding the blade. 
then lower the blade below the table level. Insert a new piece of solid plexiglass or plastic in the space where the green piece was. Screw it down. Turn on the blade and slowly raise the blade cutting the plexiglass as you raise the blade.

Now if your cutting thin small pieces of wood, there will be less chance of the piece getting sucked into the gap.

just a thought!

excellent work,

Frank

what a brilliant idea

[Boxbuilds]

Michael, 

You are creating a masterful rendition of the SR and demonstrate a fine insight into improving on the plans.

 

I wish I had seen this thread BEFORE following the instructions on my SS.  I have a Sergal model earlier than yours, I believe.  While  I keep busy with other builds, it's partially because I am not happy with where I am with SS results so far.  The short story is that I planked the hull and found out the 1:1 plan that came with the model doesn't line up with where the gun supports are...it is hit and miss.  You can see the faint pencil marks at the "plan" positions.  At this point I am going to either rip the planking off and replicate your approach or place dummy blocks where the current ports are to hold the guns. Furthermore it has been frustrating to work on doorways and gunport frames now that the ship is planked and decks are installed.  I already had to take the uppermost deck off to do work.  This has been two steps forward and one back for years. 

 

I won't ask how you knew to create this sequence of build, because it is different from my set of instructions, but is there a guide I can use that leads along the same path you're following?....aside from this thread.

Edited December 17, 2020 by Boxbuilds

[md1400cs]

Hi,

Richard: As always big thanks – glad that you like this log – your work is so over the top

 

Boxbuilds: Thanks for your kind words. Regarding this Sovereign, as I had noted in my first post I did not intend to follow Sergal’s instructions for exactly the reason you state for your Soleil, along with other reasons as well.

The template for cannon doors that Sergal included (for this kit) made this part of the build obviously much easier. I don’t know of a generic guide for locating the gun openings. For my previous Vasa, Corel intuitively added segmented grooves in their framings indicating location spaces for doors. That made it much easier indeed.

 

 

 

 

My current Sergal SoS does not have these clever grooves. Hence I did not follow their instructions of covering the entire hull with basswood, then having to sorta blindly hunt for properly cutting holes for openings.

 

 

 

================

 

A build update

 

I had intended to raise the stem above the bowsprit beakhead area – but having already done all the framing for the deck area, would again need to  remove and re-do more pre done framing. As it is, given the offset mast re-work as well I thought against it -- instead --- went to plan B. 

 

I looked through some brilliant museum examples and decided to emulate their work by just framing a cover above and around my missing “stem” and just affix the needed cupid and lion on top visually it works as a good “go around”

 

The Sergal kit does indicate for a frame to be constructed above the non-offset mast with the cupid/lion then affixed above. see last image.

 

As is known, a mast offset was required, given how close the foremast is sunk through the forecastle. This came out pretty well.

 

 

 

Now really need to get back to finishing and prepping first planking.

Thanks for your kind posts as well as likes or just dropping by....

[Old Collingwood]

On 9/5/2020 at 5:41 PM, md1400cs said:

Patrick, As always thank so much - As you know I'm a huge fan of your work.

 

Minor update - need to re-do bowsprit area so thought I would add these two bits. Added the gratings as well.

 

Regards,

 

Where are the flush units  and the loo rolls.

 

OC.

[Old Collingwood]

Loverly work.

 

OC.

[md1400cs]

OC:  Thanks appreciated

 

 --- Funny - actually after I add the side railings  I will also add a small “hold onto handle” on each side of these first class (up front) loos, 😂

 

Small update; finished up the bowsprit beakhead deck as well as detailing the area where the mast comes up and through the planks.

 

The last image is obviously the kit provided bit.

 

Thanks for you visits sand kind words.

 

[md1400cs]

Hi All,

Finishing up hull first planking and sanding.

PS: I've been so impressed with other builders whose first planking will probably look better than my second hull planking 😁  I still need to use wood fillers - also hard to see if there are any slight indentations - second Pear Wood covering will hopefully all run nice and even 🙏

 

Will now start planking the main deck with Pear Wood using the current kit's template as a guide. This will be more fun haha. 

Got great planks from Cornwall in the UK. 

 

Regards,

 

Edited November 2, 2020 by md1400cs

[md1400cs]

Hi,

Minor update - planked the main deck using Pear Wood 3X.5mm - First time using this wood. Very easy to work with. The current kit's pre-scored deck made a perfect alignment guide.

 

As always thanks for dropping by...

 

 

[Baker]

Nice planking Michael   👍

[fmodajr]

Hi Michael,

I like the color of the pear wood!

Did the wood come with the kit or did you buy it?

 

I hope all is well.

Frank

 

[md1400cs]

Patrick: thanks as always

 

Frank: The current upgraded Sergal SoS includes all pre-scored decks which they consider to be "finished"planking; saving the builder time from having to plank the decks. So they don't include planking strips.

The vintage kit supplied blank decks, but included some strips for planking. 

All well with us thanks for asking!!

 

Cheers,

 

[md1400cs]

Hi All,

Minor update but wanted to share a first big visual mistake – images are self explanatory – so will leave it at that. Should have taken the time to do the extra work.

As always thanks for your kind likes, comments or just dropping by. Also big welcome aboard to new members who have chosen to start following this log. Thanks mates.

 

[Old Collingwood]

Loverly work  - and very helpful with your explanations.

 

OC.

[fmodajr]

hi Michael,

A quick thought.

Do you have a thickness sander? If you thinned down the pear wood might you be able to put a veneer on top of the upper and lower  gun deck areas?

If you don't have a thickness sander, and if you think it might work, you could always send me some pear wood and I could thin them down to about .5 mm or so for you. 

Just a thought,

Frank

[flyer]

Hi Michael

 

Have just found your newest masterpiece being built. I love it.

She's already looking great and definitely bearing your trademark. Those dummy carriages are again a tremendous improvement.

 

Cheers

Peter

[md1400cs]

OC. As always big thanks

 

Frank: No, I don’t have a thickness sander nor the room for one 🙁 --- Thanks for your offer – nice of you. The pear wood happens to be .5mm, and I am one of those stubborn builders –who never put any sealers on his projects – I prefer the look of unsealed wood. This current build is only my fourth in 40 years haha. First one still looks just right. (Santa Maria) I do understand why most builders add sealers – it does make a lot of sense.

 

Peter: Welcome aboard, thanks for your overly kind words, much appreciated. I have followed your work and learned much from your logs, again thanks and welcome aboard – Yes the dummy carriages do help.

Thanks mates for your likes, comments or just taking a look.

Edited November 18, 2020 by md1400cs

[md1400cs]

Hi all,

 

Work in progress playing with some ideas, and starting to add details; Images speak for themselves so keeping notes brief.

 

This SotS will not result in a historically accurate 1637 ship (well it’s a Sergal kit for one thing) and no other kits exist today that were closer – the Amati has been discontinued and rarely seen even on eBay – so enjoying adding bits that would otherwise not be there on the 1637.

 

PS: I recently purchased a complete set of Amati decorative cast bits from their Sovereign - beautiful examples – will incorporate those along with Sergal’s solid bronze bits that I have from my discontinued kit.

Also got the Amati flag sheet, and their construction plan sheets (those include sails) - tempted to poss. add sails - but the Vasa was such extra work (as members who add sails also know and share) 🤔

 

Note: the wale scarf joints. Drilled holes - added black nylon fishing line to add highlight

 

last images are the Amati bits -

 

Regards,

 

 

 

[fmodajr]

Beautiful work on the door and platform!

Lots of detail!

I'll have to order the micro shapers you showed in one of the photos!!

Best,

Frank

[md1400cs]

Frank, thanks for the kind words.

 

FYI - they come in a set of three - width dimensions are in mm.

At first I only used one  for scoring soft basswood - thinking that the metal groovers would bend. No, these work just as well with harder woods. Will use them to add details to upper deck railings, and poss. larger lower wales. lot's of creative shape potentials. Great tool!

 

Edited December 15, 2020 by md1400cs

[fmodajr]

Thanks Michael!

Just ordered the shapers!

 

Frank

[Andre]

Hi Micheal,

 

I also ordered the (2) sets of microshapers.

Thanks!

 

Andre