Benjamin W Latham by B-Ram - Model Shipways - Scale 1:48

[B-Ram]

Hey everyone,

 

I have the new planksheer in place. As I mentioned before,  I think I got the transom figured out.

 

Next up I will start planking. If you don't see anymore posts, the planking isn't going well.  😄

 

Bill

 

[B-Ram]

Hey everyone,

 

OK. I never thought of myself as the sharpest tack in the box, but I am not getting this. I have read everything I can find and I have watched every video I can find, but it is not clicking yet. It will click eventually. It's just taking a while.

 

I do have a question that I hope someone can help me with.  One of the reference items I bought is the booklet "How To Build First-Rate Ship Models From Kits".  For planking, the Benjamin Latham is used as a reference in the booklet. On page 27 it discusses the layout of plank marks. As can be seen in the picture below, the booklet has included a picture of the of the plank marks on the bulkhead.  In counting the plank marks there are 22. When I divide the length of the bulkhead by 22 I come up with plank widths of 3/16". This is also the case when I measure the width of the planks on the plank layout on the plans The problem is, the kit is supplied with 1/4" plank material and this is confirmed on the kit material list. Are they suggesting that I cut down the 1/4" material down to 3/16". I must be missing something. I am enjoying earning everything along the way. Sometimes I just need a wack in the back of the head to give me that oh yeah moment. Where's Mrs. Tilton ( my third grade teacher) when I need that wack. 😄

 

Thank you so much if you can point me in the correct direction.

 

Bill

 

 

 

 

[B-Ram]

Hey everyone,

 

Ok. I think I’m getting this figured out. I just had to go to the store and buy some cheese to go with my whine. 😊

As soon as I have some progress, I will post the results.

 

 Thanks, Bill 

[Havelock]

Just watched Captain Courageous. Amazing to see actual footage of these boats. Following your build for sure, Bill! 

[Gyber]

Just joining in and now following along with your build.  I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.   I love the look of the Latham!

 

Robert

[B-Ram]

Hi guys,

Thanks for following along. Things are finally starting to click. I will have some new posts soon.

 

Thanks, Bill

[B-Ram]

Hey everyone. 

 

I have gotten a little work started. I have the garboard strake and the second planks in place on the starboard and ports sides. The only problem I saw was that I did not get the rabbet depth consistent along along the keel. That will need a little extra sanding to get the edge of the strake smooth across the edge of the keel. Also for this build, I am going to use Titebond Quick & Thick glue. It appears to be thicker and stays in place. It also seems to set up quicker.

 

Bill

 

 

[BobG]

I use Titebond Thick & Quick a lot and prefer it to regular Titebond since it isn't as runny and, generally, I can just use finger pressure for a few seconds to allow it to grab securely enough to move on.

[BobG]

Hello B-Ram, I was just reviewing your build log since I'm thinking of adding this model to my stash. It's a beautiful ship. Have you made any more progress?

[B-Ram]

Hi Bob,

Well, I sold my house and am in the process of building a new one. Also, I am renting right now and everything is packed away. I should have thought this through. I am slowly going stir-crazy. The new house will be finished around the end of April. I am using this time to learn as much as I can about ship building on MSW. Lots of great builders.

 

Bill

[BobG]

Good luck on your new home build!

 

We are thinking seriously of a whole house remodel which would require us to move out for quite a long time and, as much as I want to do the remodel, I'm dreading all that is involved including moving out. I look forward to you getting back to your model at some time in the future.

[B-Ram]

Hello everyone,

 

Well, my new home is finally finished. It took about a month longer than expected. For the most part, I have gotten my new shop set up. 

 

It's time to get back to work on the Benjamin Latham again. I am doing a little review of the instructions and what I have done so far. I've made the big start. 

Bill

 

[B-Ram]

Hey everyone,

 

After review of the instructions and looking at the work I had finished, I noticed there were several areas that are in need of being corrected. Among the items that need to be corrected is to remove the planksheer and replace it. I am also questioning how I started the planking. Looking at what should have been done and what I did makes little sense.  

 

My motto has always been " Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up."

 

Bill
 

[B-Ram]

Hello everyone,

 

I have gotten the port side planked. Now I have to finish the starboard half.  I am sure I didn't follow the correct process for planking, but the planks went down with no issues. I will have a minimum amount of filler and sanding. I am happy with the results for my first planking effort and I am sure I will get better as I gain more experience. the biggest hurdle I found was how to hold the planks in place until the glue dries. I found that a combination of clamps and nails work the best for me.

Bill

 

[B-Ram]

Hey everyone,

 

I have finished planking. For a first attempt, I am very happy. Just have some filling and sanding to do.

 

Bill

 

 

 

 

 

[B-Ram]

Hey everyone,

 

Sorry for the lack of posts, but I haven't had much progress other than fixing mistakes. I've been making some progress. I have gotten the stanchions in place.  When I started installing the stanchions, I discovered that I had installed the planksheer incorrectly. So I had to cut the planksheer out, which left it unusable. I made a plank sheer and fitting it in. I'm making quite a few mistakes, but I am learning and am enjoying the build. I have also been doing some sanding on the hull.

 

Bill

 

 

 

 

 

[BobG]

Way to hang in there B-Ram. She's looking good! I doubt that I will ever build a model in which I wasn't fixing mistakes. Seems to be part of the ship modeling process...

[B-Ram]

Thanks Bob for the encouragement. I am enjoying this very much and have been bitten by the bug. I am already making plans for when I finish the Latham.

 

Bill

[B-Ram]

Hi everyone,

 I have most of the deck planking finished. It has taken a while to it finished. Hope to be finished with the planking by tomorrow. Things should speed up going forward. Also, I build in my garage and with the cooler weather here in Florida I will be able to spend more time in the shop.

 

Bill

 

 

 

[B-Ram]

Well that didn't work.

The post above was the first time I tried posting from my iphone. I'll try again from my computer when I get inside.

 

Bill

 

[B-Ram]

Try this again. The planking went well. Adding the material between the bulkheads helped a lot in keeping the planks aligned. 

 

Bill

[B-Ram]

Hi everyone,

 

I've gotten the deck planking finished. I am happy with the results being it was my first try. I have a little sanding to do, but not much. I will have to decide if I am going to stain or paint the deck. I was reading Howard Chapelle's book " The American Fishing Schooners" and in the section about fishing schooners of this time frame, they could be painted or stained.

 

Bill

 

 

[BobG]

Nice work, B-Ram!

[B-Ram]

Thanks Bob. Things should start moving faster now.

 

Bill

[jlefever]

Bill,

 

The decking looks really neat and crisp.

 

I can see why there would be a question about it's finish and like you referred to Chapelle when deciding how to finish mine. In the end I couldn't bear to cover the all the planking with paint so decided on what I suspect is a pretty non historic approach. I painted the outboard deck edges following the profile shown on the plans and applying a light stain / clear finish to the balance.

 

Keep up the good work.

 

Jim

[B-Ram]

Thanks Jim. I’m thinking of staining the decking to give it a somewhat lightly weathered look. Just need to find the right stain.

 

Bill

[B-Ram]

Hi everyone,

 

I have started painting the bulwark, stanchions and planksheer before adding the main rail. I am using a satin acrylic paint. This will take several coats to give a good appearance. Painting did show that I need to do a much better job of finish sanding. The paint brings out all of the small imperfections.

 

Bill

 

 

[B-Ram]

Bob

Thanks for the like.

[B-Ram]

Hi everyone,

 

I have finished painting the bulwarks, stanchions and planksheer. I need to do a little cleanup and then I will start adding the main rail.

 

Bill

[B-Ram]

Thanks for the likes.

 

Bill