America by Sterlingclements - BlueJacket Shipcrafters - 1/48

[Sterlingclements]

Unboxing day!

[Bill Hill]

This is on my list for next build.  I appreciate the build log and look forward to view your progress and insight on the build.

[Sterlingclements]

Tracing the bearding and rabbet lines to blank side of keel completed. Working on making frames symmetrical.

 

Edited December 18, 2020 by Sterlingclements

[Sterlingclements]

Half the frames are rough sanded. Individual frames will need a lot of shaping. They are very unsymmetrical.

[Sterlingclements]

Long time since last post. frames finally ready/symmetrical. Bearding line chiseled in. As seen on @gsdpic's build log, the laser etched lines are way off. Not only is spacing for frames too wide, the rabbet line was set way too low. See picture, I had to sand down between frames N and M to make the garboard plank fit correctly to the bearding line. See the difference between frames M&L. Roughly a 1/16th to 1/8th inch difference. I will have to sand down all the remaining notches to match.

Edited March 10 by Sterlingclements

[juhu]

Seems like a tough work to get the things geometrically right. Know that from my project. Will follow, the ship is really beautiful.

[Sterlingclements]

Built a framing jig from some scrap wood. I'm close to gluing in the frames but I still need to cut some of the timberheads first.

[Sterlingclements]

 Some keel line views of frames dry  fitted in jig.

Edited November 13, 2021 by Sterlingclements

[Sterlingclements]

Progress: deck beams and assemblies for partners/hatches/etc. I created a sanding block with the deck camber curve to shape the 1/4"x2" stock that was glued edge to edge. I then cut 1/8" beam widths. Worked beautifully.

[Sterlingclements]

Aft skylight assembly completed.

[juhu]

Great progress. Like the complex and delicate look of all that framing!

[gsdpic]

I missed this build log until now.  Looks like you are off to a great start.  That framing jig looks like a lot of work but I am sure it will serve you well, and reduce the stress of gluing the frames to the keel.  The aft skylight deck beam assembly looks great....I remember really enjoying that part of the build.

 

[Sterlingclements]

Thanks Juhu and gsdpic. I've studied both your build logs. Especially yours gsdpic...for obvious reasons. I used several of your tips, particularly the graph paper to make the frames symmetrical.

[Sterlingclements]

All deck beam assemblies complete, with the exception of the cockpit assembly, which is the most complex one. It is under construction at the moment. Thanks to gsdpic's log, I took extra care drilling and mostly sanding the various holes. Pretty satisfied with the results. I plan on leaving the deck partially unplanked, but do plan to plank the center rows....about as wide as the mast pads.

Edited December 8, 2021 by Sterlingclements

[Sterlingclements]

Laid out assemblies and single beams on frames/jig just to get a preview of what's to come.

[Sterlingclements]

I had some leftover stock with the deck camber sanded onto it that I used for the beams. I use that to cut the cockpit blocking shown below. Worked a treat. Now those will match the deck camber as well. Perfecto.

Edited December 10, 2021 by Sterlingclements

[Sterlingclements]

Here is some of the most intricate deck assembly work yet. This is really honing my skill with mini files. Cockpit assembly almost complete. I'll post again once it's done.

[Sterlingclements]

Virtually finished cockpit assembly. I will cut out the beam at the companionway entrance later, as it adds a great deal of strength and stability right now.

 

Edited December 11, 2021 by Sterlingclements

[Sterlingclements]

At long last, after checking each measurement multiple times and  dry fitting deck-beam assemblies to verify timberhead heights, I began glueing the frames to the keel. I started with frame 18, just fore the break in the deck, and worked my way forward through frame 1. I took my time making sure that the frames were not only square to keel/horizontal but were also symmetrical in height port/starboard and in width from center line to outboard edge. Results pictured below, including temporary installation of sheer clamp so I can further check planking fit and complete any touch-up fairing as needed. I also included pictures dry fitted deck-beam assemblies and a few keel-line views.

Edited December 17, 2021 by Sterlingclements

[MrBlueJacket]

Beautifully symmetrical!

[Sterlingclements]

Schooner America. Frames are all glued in, stern/transom carved and glued. Shown here with deck beam assemblies dry fitted.

[juhu]

Master piece. Do you plan to plank it fully? Would be shame to cover that magnificent work completely.

[Sterlingclements]

I do not plan to fully plank. I plan on doing a couple rows of planks on the deck center line and maybe one or two outboard. I plan on 1 to 3 rows of hull planking top and bottom. Need some planking to attach rigging points/deck furniture.

[Bill Hill]

Great craftsmanship.  I’m about to pull the trigger and order the kit so I’ll be a few months behind you and will be referencing your build log quite extensively.

 

Keep up the good work and please keep posting.

 

Much appreciated

 

Bill

[gsdpic]

Looking very nice!  I struggled a bit with the transom but yours appears to be in good shape and good alignment.

[Sterlingclements]

I used my Dremel with drum sander to make short work of the transom.

[Sterlingclements]

Companionway completed. I used tung oil to finish.

[dcicero]

Just curious what kind of surface prep you did on the companionway before applying the tung oil.  I've always liked the look of that finish and yours looks great!

 

 

Dan

[Mirabell61]

very nice hullbuilding Sterlingclements,

 

looks like you have chosen a good and recomenable kit, congrats

 

Nils

[Sterlingclements]

8 hours ago, dcicero said:

Just curious what kind of surface prep you did on the companionway before applying the tung oil.  I've always liked the look of that finish and yours looks great!

 

 

Dan

Just progressive sanding, with final sanding using 400 grit. Then apply tung oil with a lint free cloth, rub it in like car wax. In the above pic, the sill piece directly aft of the companion way doors (and fore the cockpit grating) is dry, no tung oil, for a good comparison of what a difference the finish makes. Both sill and companionway are made from the same piece of mahogany stock.

Edited January 25, 2022 by Sterlingclements