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

[Redshadowrider]

STUMPED..sort of

 

I have noticed that I am getting low on split rings and eyebolts.  Since I will need them, I am looking for a source from which I can order some additional before I run out.  I have been looking, but am unsure of which vendor is still active.  Can anyone point me to a good source?

[ccoyle]

1 minute ago, Redshadowrider said:

Can anyone point me to a good source?

 

Split rings and eyebolts are very easy to make on one's own. All you need is some blackened, annealed wire, a pair of side cutters, and a pair of round-nosed pliers. The learning curve is not steep at all, and once you get the hang of it, you can turn out rings and eyebolts lickety-split.

[Redshadowrider]

Binnacle Finished, Installed, and I Am Not Happy

I have installed the binnacle and its size looks good except for the door handles. I used the heads of straight pins, and still they are clunky looking.  I am going to try to make them look smaller, but still need to work out a process.  Overall, I think I can do a little work to improve the appearance.

However, I need to clean up the overall appearance.  The larger picture really makes the rough surface stand out.  Maybe a tooth brush would smooth it up if used carefully.  Looking at it without enlarging does not show so badly.

 

Edited March 8 by Redshadowrider

[Overworked724]

I'm sure it looks fine to the naked eye.  Zooming in is the bane of every modeler because we are all perfectionists!  Zoom in close enough and you'll find imperfections in everything.  I think it looks great!  Those are some small pieces!

Edited March 9 by Overworked724
grammar

[Dr PR]

Close up (macro) photos always show little things that you don't see with the naked eye. Judge it by what it looks like without the camera!

 

1:64 is small enough that you can probably just cut off the pin heads and let just a short bit of the pin shaft show for the door handles. If you don't give anyone a magnifying glass to examine the model they will never know!

[Redshadowrider]

Thanks for the positive comments, they are appreciated.  I have thought about the pin heads and either painting the edges to hide most of it, or maybe do as Phil suggests, and remove the pin heads.  

[Redshadowrider]

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The 12 Pounder 😆

So, here I am painting the carriages red, and what do I find?……whelps.  But, wait, I have already built and installed the capstan.  So, I check, and nope, these are not used elsewhere, nor did I look for them when I assembled it.  To be fair, the drawing on the plans did show 1/16” stock, so that is what I used.  Oh well, they came out ok on the finished product…

 

[wool132]

Thanks for the warning! I’ll get there eventually (it’s in the stash) - Jonathan

[Redshadowrider]

Binnacle Improved

I was lucky that the binnacle was just tacked into place, so I was able to remove it.  No, I did not mean to just have it tacked, but it was supposed to be installed.  No worries though, I did some improvements in the cabinet handles.  By grinding the heads of the straight pins, which allowed them to become loose,  I put them in a vise and smashed them.  I think they have a better look, and the color now resembles pewter.  And, I was able to clean up the binnacle, which needed the “whiskers” removed.
 

 

Edited March 10 by Redshadowrider

[Redshadowrider]

Before I Forget

I decided to return to the capstan and try to add the small wedges that go between the whelps.  I used a piece of popsicle stick to space them the same.  Now all I have left is to decide if I will do an upper row.  
 

 

[Redshadowrider]

A Few Items Nearing Completion 

I have been working on a few deck features at the same time and am getting close to having them done.  Just installed the bilge pump today, but forgot to add the exit pipes, one on each side.  I will make sure I get them in before moving on.  
Other things to finish are the cannon rigging, and the wheel connections to the tiller.  Lastly, the bell needs to be mounted to the binnacle, and the cannonballs set in.  Just hesitant to do the cannonballs now. I can see them rolling all over even when glued.

 

[Redshadowrider]

Cannonballs, Brass Bell, & a Traveler 

As far as I can tell, these 3 items are those items left to complete….then it’s on to Chapter 13.  Here are the pics of the tiller and aft cannon rigging, just completed.  The instruction manual provides the option of rigging the tiller with either one, or two lengths of line.  I was lucky to able to complete it using only one.  
 

 

[Redshadowrider]

Fife Rail and a Few Comments

If this is your first time through this build, you probably already know, but if not, please be warned.  The fife rail parts (2 of them) are far more delicate than the instruction manual lets on.  They mention rounding off the rail top and bottom pieces “before” you glue them together.  Good luck with that.  My parts barely will stay together, and has required multiple repairs while trying to impart the suggested curve.  The cross grain piece came apart with even the lightest touch requiring reassembly.  So many times, in fact, that I am one more break from creating a new part out of a piece light ply I use in airplane construction.  I am no expert, but these 2 rail parts are just too flimsy in their original laser cut configuration.

However, I have persisted and the two pieces are now glued together.  Next break, and they will be gone, and a new part constructed.

One of the two pictures show the current state of the rails, which will need cleaning up. (While I hold my breath.)…and how I have approached making the supports.  A small clamp is used to hold the trigger at a constant speed while freeing both hands for the shaping.  I will update with pics when it is ready for the install.  Whether it is the original or remade pieces.

 

Edited 13 hours ago by Redshadowrider