EricWilliamMarshall Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share #91 Posted February 10, 2021 (edited) @Blue Ensign and @DelF thank you for the kind remarks! I tried files as suggested and that is the way to go but it he piece is too flimsy and it just ripped a part. I will have to find a different wood (or something) to work with. I also found I can make truly invisible tree nails using hair or fly tying line. Yup, you cannot see them. In the piece I’m holding there are five pairs of tree nails. Edited February 10, 2021 by EricWilliamMarshall DelF, bruce d, Ryland Craze and 2 others 5 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share #92 Posted February 10, 2021 (edited) The carving broke and I tried to save it with a coating of glue. I have to say these images are more magnified then what i work with, which usually means I see the imperfections as soon as I post the pictures. Edited February 10, 2021 by EricWilliamMarshall GuntherMT, michael mott, Bill Brown and 7 others 9 1 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwardkenway Posted February 10, 2021 Share #93 Posted February 10, 2021 I'm impressed with your carving Eric, something I've never tried. Very nice work. EricWilliamMarshall, Ryland Craze and Jack12477 3 Quote Current builds; Henry Ramey Upcher 1:25 Providence whaleboat- 1:25 HMS Winchelsea 1764 1:48 Completed: HM Cutter Sherbourne- 1:64- finished Triton cross section scratch- 1:60 - finished Non ship: SBD-3 Dauntless 1:48 Hasegawa -FINISHED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Brown Posted February 10, 2021 Share #94 Posted February 10, 2021 Beautiful craftsmanship Eric! Ryland Craze, EricWilliamMarshall and Edwardkenway 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share #95 Posted February 11, 2021 @Bill Brown and @Edwardkenway, thank you! I always appreciate a vote of confidence and support as I stumble along. Edwardkenway 1 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share #96 Posted February 11, 2021 (edited) @grsjax posted a link to a video on how to make your own chisels. I watched the video and gave a try. I used a propane torch, a bench grinder (not necessary but speeds up the shaping) and my regular water stones I use to sharpen my chisels plus a pair of vise grips for holding (as well as eye and ear protection). Instead of O1 steel used in the video, I bought HSS rods from Amazon (uxcell Round Steel Rod, 4mm HSS Lathe Bar Stock Tool 200mm Long) for 9 bucks. I untempered the steel, ground it on the grinder free hand then shaped it a bit more with my rough water stone. Then I heated and quenched with water and sharpened normally (with rough and fine water stones). I did this twice with in an hour and a half (not including cooling)! I didn’t make handles (yet). Observations: 1. Vise grips are key to working with a round rod. 2. Free hand grinding is tricky - first pass, I kept regrinding all the sides and not getting the right shape. Second time, took 15 minutes to get the shape. A lighter touch and holding the same position longer helped a great deal. 3. If I do several in the future, I’ll make some jigs for the correct angles. 4. This worked! The blade sharpened and cut cleanly across the grain of pine and cleanly cut cherry end grain. 5. I’m not a metal worker or a machinist and I could pull this off first try, so the process is forgiving and can be repeated until good enough! Edited February 12, 2021 by EricWilliamMarshall GuntherMT, mort stoll, Bill Brown and 4 others 7 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share #97 Posted February 12, 2021 His post is here: and the video can be found here: michael mott, bruce d, GuntherMT and 2 others 4 1 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigersteve Posted February 12, 2021 Share #98 Posted February 12, 2021 Nice addition with your carvings! Makes the project more fun adding your own extras. Up to you of course but I would leave off the tree nails. You won’t really see them and the effort may not be worth it. Steve EricWilliamMarshall and Edwardkenway 2 Quote Current: Mayflower- Model Shipways Completed: Lowell Grand Banks Dory- Model Shipways English Pinnace- Model Shipways 18th Century Longboat- Model Shipways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DelF Posted February 12, 2021 Share #99 Posted February 12, 2021 Thanks Eric, you've tempted me to have a go at carving and making my own chisels. I agree with Steve on leaving the trunnels off. Derek EricWilliamMarshall and Edwardkenway 2 Quote Cheers, Derek Current build: Duchess of Kingston On hold: HMS Winchelsea Previous builds: HMS Speedy, English Pinnace, Royal Yacht Caroline (gallery), Victory Cross-section (gallery), US Clipper Albatros, Red Dragon (years ago!) On the stocks: 18th Century Longboat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share #100 Posted February 12, 2021 (edited) I tried an different design, which turned out well enough. Edited February 13, 2021 by EricWilliamMarshall tkay11, Bill Brown, Blue Ensign and 6 others 9 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted February 13, 2021 Author Share #101 Posted February 13, 2021 (edited) The experts have spoken! No trunnels! Thank you @Tigersteve and @DelF! @DelF, as for the chisels & carving, give it a shot. I only spent a few hour on both aspects. While I didn’t do this myself, I would suggest carving something soft like clay or soap to get feel for roughing out something and then moving to details. Also keep a thought where a tool may slip and make sure you and your fingers aren’t there. Both prototyping and tool safety are old hat for most who are reading this, but I feel obliged to mention them. In any case, give it try since the only cost is really time, patience and perhaps pride. But given the range of impossible tasks to learn here, what’s one more... I will say I avoided carving humans since I know they notoriously tricky to get right, as are perfect symmetries. Also for me, drawing the rough shapes a few times helps me ‘internalize’ the shapes to carve. And lastly, keep the tools sharp! If you are fighting the grain of the wood, it’s time to sharpen your tool. Edited February 13, 2021 by EricWilliamMarshall tkay11, DelF and Edwardkenway 2 1 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted February 14, 2021 Author Share #102 Posted February 14, 2021 (edited) Today’s adventure : turning! I was briefly taught the rudiments of turning a zillion years ago in the last century and have only turned once or so since then and it was terrifying (for the curious, there were internal cracks in the piece I was working on and it started to come apart violently!) Also at the turn of the century I picked a mini Taig lathe from Lee Valley, but never made good use of it. Some day, I hope to try basic machining on it. Fast forward to today - I worked on an oar and the tiller. A few thoughts: the oar’s length and width are such that it flexes wickedly. The chisels could scape but not really cut. But files and sand paper worked. I tried a few different speeds and made sure the tools were sharp but files seemed to work best. I tried a cordless drill and the results were similar but a bit more wobbly. For the tiller, I used the dowel that came with the kit was a harder wood than the bass wood. The hardness and shorter length meant I could turn it as well as scape. I chickened out and it is thicker than it should be. I tried to bend the wood with heat gun and a jig with very limited success and a bit of burnt wood. (I’m still working on whole wood bending.) Edited February 14, 2021 by EricWilliamMarshall Edwardkenway, Tigersteve, Ryland Craze and 5 others 8 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkay11 Posted February 14, 2021 Share #103 Posted February 14, 2021 I'm with you concerning the lathe. I certainly love my Taig/Peatol lathe, which I bought together with a lot of extras off eBay. Great value, certainly much cheaper than Sherline or Proxxon, and with a really practical tailstock. The only thing I would like in addition is an electronic speed control, but I get by without it. Tony EricWilliamMarshall 1 Quote === First build: Caldercraft HM Cutter Sherbourne 1763 FINISHED 2nd build: Triton cross-section COMPLETED 3rd build: La Chaloupe Armée / 42ft Armed Longboat of 1834 by tkay11 – scale 1:36, plans by M. Delacroix COMPLETED 4th build: Allège d’Arles 1833 (Ancre) POB by tkay11 – scale 1:100, plans by F. Fissore COMPLETED Working on La Jacinthe 1:96 POB (ANCRE publications) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted February 14, 2021 Author Share #104 Posted February 14, 2021 2 hours ago, tkay11 said: The only thing I would like in addition is an electronic speed control And there is now a power train retrofit. At some point, I would like to get or make some index plates. But I still need to learn the basic operations for metal work. In a few years, I would like to do work in the shadow of @michael mott or @wefalck ( I couldn’t type ‘similar’). It strikes me as an essential of the modelers pallet. And I like to think slightly less dangerous than similar full scale work. Ryland Craze and tkay11 2 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce d Posted February 14, 2021 Share #105 Posted February 14, 2021 14 minutes ago, EricWilliamMarshall said: I would like to get or make some index plates. They are absurdly cheap on fleabay from China. I got one (didn't need it but had to look) and there is absolutely nothing wrong with what arrived in the post. This image is used by several sellers on the site: It is iron so store it somewhere dry. I have several ways to index/divide in my shop and have to admit this is as good as some much more expensive methods. Cost about £4 = $US 5. tkay11 and EricWilliamMarshall 2 Quote 🌻 STAY SAFE A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin current builds: HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted February 14, 2021 Author Share #106 Posted February 14, 2021 7 hours ago, bruce d said: absurdly cheap on fleabay from China Thanks ever so much! There is now one swimming from China with my name on it! I appreciate you taking the time to share that with me. I had looked a while back on eBay, but didn’t have the right phase, I guess. I tip my hat to you, @bruce d Edwardkenway and bruce d 1 1 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted February 15, 2021 Author Share #107 Posted February 15, 2021 I finally attached the rudder, with a bit of metal work. On an earlier model I attached it with paper and it kept falling off, so this time, it’s all metal. I used the first carving inverted behind the second one. That might be a slight historical liberty on my part, but I did see one fancifully painted, so I’m assuming a carving isn’t too far off. I had a chunk of cherry (from the ill-fated stool I mentioned earlier), which I cut on the table saw and cleaned up quickly with hand planes. I used 1/16th brass wire and hand drilled the holes to the same size. While I may circle back to do the rest of the oars and other bits, I’m going to call her done. Thanks to everyone who accompanied me on my little journey. For the curious, I would recommend the kit to those who are comfortable with clean plank bending, since there is no double planking and your work will be visible inside and out. When I bought this kit, it was pitched as beginner’s kit and it is longer sold that way. Having said that, the kit was quick to build, was resilient to my missteps and had great instructions. A tip of the hat to @Chuck for his aesthetic taste and design choices! tkay11, oneslim, DelF and 6 others 9 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted February 15, 2021 Author Share #108 Posted February 15, 2021 A few more pics. oneslim, bruce d, VTHokiEE and 12 others 15 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuntherMT Posted February 15, 2021 Share #109 Posted February 15, 2021 Nicely done, congratulations on finishing! EricWilliamMarshall 1 Quote Brian Mystery project coming soon! Current build - Medway Longboat Complete - Armed Virginia Sloop Complete - Carmen (First Build) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwardkenway Posted February 15, 2021 Share #110 Posted February 15, 2021 Beautifully done Eric, and with some very nice extra touches 😉 EricWilliamMarshall 1 Quote Current builds; Henry Ramey Upcher 1:25 Providence whaleboat- 1:25 HMS Winchelsea 1764 1:48 Completed: HM Cutter Sherbourne- 1:64- finished Triton cross section scratch- 1:60 - finished Non ship: SBD-3 Dauntless 1:48 Hasegawa -FINISHED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTHokiEE Posted February 15, 2021 Share #111 Posted February 15, 2021 Congratulations! She looks beautiful and those carvings add such a nice touch. EricWilliamMarshall and Edwardkenway 2 Quote Current Build: HM Sloop Echo 1781 (First Scratch Build) Previous Builds: HM Cutter Alert, Sharpie Schooner, Chesapeake Bay Flattie, Half-Hull (NRG) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moab Posted February 15, 2021 Share #112 Posted February 15, 2021 Absolutely beautiful boat!...Moab EricWilliamMarshall and Edwardkenway 2 Quote Completed Builds: Virginia Armed Sloop...Model Shipways Ranger...Corel Louise Steam Launch...Constructo Hansa Kogge...Dusek Yankee Hero...BlueJacket Spray...BlueJacket 26’ Long Boat...Model Shipways Under Construction: Emma C. Berry...Model Shipways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted February 15, 2021 Share #113 Posted February 15, 2021 Congrats, Eric -- very nice work! EricWilliamMarshall and Edwardkenway 2 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Bf 109E-7/trop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Ensign Posted February 16, 2021 Share #114 Posted February 16, 2021 Well done Eric, a very nice Pinnace. 👍 B.E. EricWilliamMarshall and Edwardkenway 2 Quote Current Build: Medway-longboat-1742-by-blue-ensign-½”-scale Completed builds: HMS Indefatigable-1794-by-blue-ensign-vanguard-models-1:64-scale HMS Sphinx 1775 by Blue Ensign. 1:64 scale - Vanguard Models Queen-Anne-Royal-Barge-circa-1700-by-Blue-Ensign Fifie fishing boat Lady Eleanor Muirneag-1903-–-a-scottish-zulu-fishing-boat-164-scale-based-on-the-vanguard-models-zulu-kit/ HM Cutter Alert 1777 HM Cutter Cheerful 1806 18th-century-English-longboat-by-Blue-Ensign-ms-148-scale/ 18thc English Pinnace by Blue Ensign-Model-Shipways-1:24 scale/ HMS-Pegasus-by-Blue-Ensign-finished-Victory-Models-1:64-scale/ Heller Seventy-four 1:150 scale - modified Le Superbe/Le Glorieux kit after Boudriot, waterline setting with sails. The schooner Pickle, Jotika pob kit 1:64 scale, my interpretation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DelF Posted February 16, 2021 Share #115 Posted February 16, 2021 Well done Eric - a lovely model. I've enjoyed following your log as you've put your own stamp on the kit. Derek EricWilliamMarshall and Edwardkenway 2 Quote Cheers, Derek Current build: Duchess of Kingston On hold: HMS Winchelsea Previous builds: HMS Speedy, English Pinnace, Royal Yacht Caroline (gallery), Victory Cross-section (gallery), US Clipper Albatros, Red Dragon (years ago!) On the stocks: 18th Century Longboat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryland Craze Posted February 16, 2021 Share #116 Posted February 16, 2021 Congratulations Eric. You built a nice model. I enjoyed following your build log. EricWilliamMarshall 1 Quote Ryland Member - Hampton Roads Ship Model Society - Ship Model Society of New Jersey - Nautical Research Guild Current Build - Armed Virginia Sloop, 18th Century Longboat Completed Build - Medway Longboat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted February 27, 2021 Author Share #117 Posted February 27, 2021 Thanks again to everyone for your insights and support! My next adventure will be a double dose of the Baltimore clipper kit, Model Shipways’ the Dapper Tom. GuntherMT, bruce d and Edwardkenway 3 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted February 27, 2021 Share #118 Posted February 27, 2021 Beautifully done...I cant wait to see it in person. Quote Chuck Passaro - MSW Admin Sloop Speedwell - POF scratch Block Island Boat - POF scratch HMS Winchelsea - POB scratch build HM Cutter Cheerful - POB scratch build Royal Barge - POF scratch Medway Longboat- POF Scratch SYREN SHIP MODEL COMPANY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted February 28, 2021 Author Share #119 Posted February 28, 2021 8 hours ago, Chuck said: Beautifully done...I cant wait to see it in person. I’m tickled pink to hear such a kind word from you, the designer himself! Thank for your labors without which mine would have come to naught! Ryland Craze and Chuck 2 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricWilliamMarshall Posted October 15, 2021 Author Share #120 Posted October 15, 2021 I meant to share this earlier; this is snapshot of my pinnacle with the one built by @Chuck himself! All were at the Model Con 2021 on the battleship, USS New Jersey in August. My thanks to Philadelphia Ship Model Society and the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial for arranging and hosting the event. Wawona59, Tigersteve, GrandpaPhil and 5 others 8 Quote Current adventures: USS Perry of 1843, model kit by Bluejacket - Scale 1:96 Lost at Sea: Dapper Tom - model kit by Model Shipways Previous adventures: an English Pinnace, model kit by Model Shipways, Opium Smuggler Schooner Yacht 1805, model kit by Authentic Holland Models Chesapeake Bay Flattie, model kit by Midwest, USS Constitution, model kit by Revell Albatros 1912, card model kit by HMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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