US Brig Syren by Redshadowrider - Model Shipways - Scale 1:64 - First wooden ship build

[Doug from Kiowa]

Seems the Syren is a very popular first time build. It was my first one also. Good luck, the kit is very comprehensive and well designed. Mr Passero really does a good job of explaining the process. The only problem I ran into was not knowing the terminology. Had to read another book to find out what a jibboom was.

[Redshadowrider]

74 Or 75?  Who can Say for sure?😁

 

Now don’t go counting, it is 74.  I have 75 drying in the garage.  Or who knows, I might have miscounted the bigger group.

Anyway, I finally completed the Flemish Coils, and, as you can see, I have them separated to avoid tangling.  I am trying something that might work, but will test first.  I am planning a drop or two of CA on each coil to attach it to the deck.  However, CA tends to leave a glossy surface and the thin stuff can find its own way to your hand faster than you can stop from being glued to your project.  So, I am working with coil to use acrylic Matt Varnish to wet, and then let dry before attaching.  
Now 2 pics.  1 is of the 70+😁coils just completed.  And the next is the jig I made for constructing the tackle.  But, before that, I need to complete the breach lines.

[Redshadowrider]

Will Appreciate Some Input

Usually, I am successful in either finding, or creating a jig, to help in putting together the small bits and pieces on this model.  However, I am struggling to figure out one for assembling the outhaul lines.  You can see, in the picture, 3 completed parts, but with almost 70 to go, I need something to improve the process.

 

Does anyone have a system that works well?  I thought I had found it with the jig pictured, but it is more trouble than it’s worth until after the line has been completed.  It helps to line up everything, but that’s about it.

 

Update 12/16:  I now have 6 done, and am still refining the process.  In addition, I have renamed it, Sproing because that is what happens when a clamped block jumps across my bench and disappears.
 

Update 12/20:  I am continuing to assemble the outhaul lines and am up to 20 completed.  As I have, done so, I took a count of the blocks that I have with the hooks and found that I am short, so I have taken time to create the amount that I need.  I should be able to resume today.

 

Edited December 20, 2024 by Redshadowrider

[Redshadowrider]

41 ready

I continue to assemble the out haul lines and am at 41.  Couple of minor issues have slowed my progress.  One has been resolved…CA activator.  I had a small spray bottle that I use for my RC work, but ran out.  And is now replaced.  
The biggest issue I am having is the out haul blocks.  I need to add the hooks to the blocks, but drilling the hole for them is on a temporary hold.  I need to find a good set of micro drill bits.  I have some Gyro in 0.034mm, but they are so flimsy, they barely hold up to balsa let alone the harder wood used for blocks. 

Anyone out there have a brand to recommend?  

[vossiewulf]

https://www.drillbitwarehouse.com/product/61-thru-80-tiny-high-speed-jobber-drill-set/

 

[Dr PR]

White school glue (Elmer's Glue-All) dries totally invisible, so it might be good for gluing your rope coils to the deck. It does take a while to set. Many people dilute it 1:1 with water to thin it so it flows better.

[Redshadowrider]

On 12/24/2024 at 5:56 PM, vossiewulf said:

https://www.drillbitwarehouse.com/product/61-thru-80-tiny-high-speed-jobber-drill-set/

 

Thank you, I have a set coming today.  And then I will move forward. I should be able to finish up the out haul lines in a few days then on to the breach lines. 

[Redshadowrider]

On 12/25/2024 at 1:47 AM, Dr PR said:

White school glue (Elmer's Glue-All) dries totally invisible, so it might be good for gluing your rope coils to the deck. It does take a while to set. Many people dilute it 1:1 with water to thin it so it flows better.

Thanks for the suggestion, I have a bottle of the mix that I used on the coils.  I will test it out along with using a looper and CA before selecting which glue to use.  What I like is the instant set of the CA, but it can leave a glossy surface.

[Redshadowrider]

No, I Am Not Just Drinking Eggnog 😀

 After breaking a couple of micro drill bits, and getting replacements, I am back to constructing the outhaul lines.  For first timers be aware of a couple of things.  The blocks are really really small, and I have to use my visor to drill out the holes for the line to go through.  Even drilled out, I have to dab CA on the line end then cut it to a point to be able to thread the line………And about the line.  I have never worked with such a springy material and so thin, I can barely feel it between my fingers.  I didn’t do this, but some builders buy lines with better consistency.  I can’t count how many times, I had to reshape it while tying it to the blocks.

 

However, I am making good progress and have now completed 58.  Feel free to count..😁

 

 

Edited December 31, 2024 by Redshadowrider

[Redshadowrider]

No Pictures Needed…….

 

Finished the outhaul lines today.  I completed 75 of them, which, by my count should leave me with 1 extra for the cannon rigging.  So, next step is to begin on deck with the breach lines.  I am considering two different approaches to the rigging.  First, will be to do all the rigging on each cannon, then move to the next, or ….. to install all of the cannon, with the breach lines in place then add the rest of the rigging.  
I am thinking that doing it one by one will leave me more space to work with.  Once I get my work area ready, I will move in the hull and update progress.  One thing is for sure, this was a huge task that didn’t look like it from reading the instructions,…and I am glad it is behind me.

Now to the rest of the deck!

[Redshadowrider]

 

Flipping Tip (literally) and 2 PICs

I am now on deck, and am starting on the breach lines.  As we all have experienced the lines flipping up and even glued to the deck to hold them in place.  I have shown that placing a long straight pin under the sled and bringing the breach line under each side does help.  However, that does not always work.  So today I tried another way to avoid having to glue them down. 
If you have ever dealt with RC planes, there is a type of film that shrinks to tighten after applying.  So, before I removed the straight pin, I used a covering heat gun to make the line more flexible.  I am sure one can use a hairdryer, but I would have to check with the admiralty first.  I took mine, and carefully heated up the line so it would hold its shape then removed the pin.  It did seem to help.  As usual…..YMMV

Here is a pic of the heat gun and of the result on the deck…

 

 

 

Edited Friday at 11:36 PM by Redshadowrider

[Redshadowrider]