Lady Nelson by dsadberry - Amati/Victory Models - 1:64 Scale - first build

[dsadberry]

Hi Folks

 

This will be my first build log and also my first ship build. I chose the Lady Nelson because as @ccoyle mentions, "it has the "three nots" needed for beginners, i.e. not a lot of planking, not a lot of guns, and not a lot of rigging". I am new to woodworking as well so this will be quite a learning experience. I will appreciate any guidance you all can offer in regards to shipbuilding as well posting on this forum.

 

I have put together the keel and bulkheads. I noticed that the bulkheads fitted loosely and also low, so I shimmed the bottom and one side with index card stock.

[dsadberry]

Below are some shots of the frame. I tried to make it as square as I could. It looks pretty good to me, but what do you guys think.  I also added the first balsa wood filler block. The others should go quicker. I decided to add the fillers first and then do the fairing. I have a couple of questions in that regard: Is it best to use balsa wood? Or should I be using something like basswood? Should I have done the fairing (or at least a rough fairing) before adding the filler block. My thinking was it's best to do the fairing with the filler block, but my concern is that the balsawood is so much softer the the bulkheads and that may cause a problem where I remove too much of it. And finally, I don't think I want to try a rabbet on the keel because there doesn't seem to be enough real estate, but thought I would fair the hull down to maybe 1ml and then when I add the walnut prow, keel, rudder post that I would have my rabbet. What do you all think?

 

[Rick01]

I don't know if it's due to the photography or not, but it does seem to have a slight longitudinal curve. Noticeable in the first side shot and last head-on shot. If so, at this stage packing out a filler on the inner side of the curve should be enough to fix it. I run a steel straight edge along the keel when I check mine as I fit any fillers. 

4 hours ago, dsadberry said:

I don't think I want to try a rabbet on the keel because there doesn't seem to be enough real estate, but thought I would fair the hull down to maybe 1ml and then when I add the walnut prow, keel, rudder post

Basically how I handled mine, I also fitted these items before planking, not after as the instructions indicate.

 

Rick 

[dsadberry]

13 hours ago, Rick01 said:

I don't know if it's due to the photography or not, but it does seem to have a slight longitudinal curve. Noticeable in the first side shot and last head-on shot. If so, at this stage packing out a filler on the inner side of the curve should be enough to fix it. I run a steel straight edge along the keel when I check mine as I fit any fillers. 

Basically how I handled mine, I also fitted these items before planking, not after as the instructions indicate.

 

Rick 

You are spot on, Rick! I do see the curve. Thank you so much for catching that. I need to train my eyes better. It may not show in the photo very well, but it looks like the bend is between the 6th and 7th bulkhead. It's early enough in the build that I can fix is as you say.  Thanks again for the catch, I really appreciate it

 

Dennis

[Rick01]

No worries - glad to help here. As this isn't a model of a specific cutter feel free to make any variations you want, it does make a pleasant little kit.

 

Rick

[mtaylor]

Moved to proper area.

[KirbysLunchBox]

My first build too. Not even done with the first planking yet. Probably don’t need a rabbit, but I failed to taper the false keel under the stern and you should do that. I had to dremel and chisel mine after the fact. 
 

[Rick01]

You should also have taken those first two planks right up to the stern post, otherwise you'll have a nasty lump instead of a smooth run to the keel and stern post.It's not too late to CAREFULLY remove those two plank and replace with one's running the full length of the ship. I know they'll be slightly damaged but the can still be used elsewhere.

 

Rick

[KirbysLunchBox]

21 hours ago, Rick01 said:

You should also have taken those first two planks right up to the stern post, otherwise you'll have a nasty lump instead of a smooth run to the keel and stern post.It's not too late to CAREFULLY remove those two plank and replace with one's running the full length of the ship. I know they'll be slightly damaged but the can still be used elsewhere.

 

Rick

I thought only the 2nd planking filled the gap to the stern post to keep the thickness down?  I guess I have seen it both ways though...

[Rick01]

No - part of the reason for the rabbet it to take the first layer, as I mentioned this will then provide a smooth run and with 2nd planking at .6mm it will all fall in place neatly. You do need that area to taper off smoothly and at the moment you have a bit of a hump there, if you don't want to try removing and re seating then a bit of judicious sanding should work.

 

Rick

[KirbysLunchBox]

Ah. Ok. We are on the same page. I was planning to sand down the transition.  I think i can make it work without deconstruction. Thank you for the input!

[dsadberry]

Well I think I'm finally ready to start planking. I completed the filler blocks at bow and stern. I also tapered the entire false keel to about 1mm. Now to read up (again) on hull planking. How am I looking? 

[drjeckl]

You may want to take a little more off at the stern end; where the char is; the transition to the deadwood could be a little bumpy.  Other than that, I think it looks real good.  Have you run a plank from bow to stern and see how it hits each bulkhead?

 

.John

[dsadberry]

Thanks @drjeckl. Yes, I see what you mean. I will work on it some more. And yes, I have been testing the lay with a thin brass strip that work really well.

 

I have another question. Would you recommend that I attach the keel assembly first, or plank it first? I'm thinking that with the LN at least, that I should plank first, but would like your opinions.

Edited February 13, 2021 by dsadberry

[drjeckl]

Again, I'm a noobie too but I can tell you that I put the keel pieces on before 1st planking and I wish I hadn't.  During that planking, I broke the keel, bow stem and stern piece several times.  I initially used PVA glue to add those pieces and again, after they broke.  Finally, after maybe the 3rd or 4th break, I used epoxy to add them.  This held until the last break I showed in my build log.  I would recommend that you check out my log here and then follow it: 

Bottom line is having gone what I went through, I would wait to add the keel pieces until after the 1st planking.  Not sure what ramifications you will run into by doing that.

 

Stay in touch...John

[dsadberry]

Thanks again. I appreciate the advice. 

[KirbysLunchBox]

I had good luck with the stem and keel glued on. They make nice pieces for clamps to hold the first planks. I shouldn’t have glued on the stern post, but I managed.  I haven’t had time to finish my first planking... only two runs to go.

 

You are off to a way better start than me though. I refused to add the filler blocks... the transition between BH4,5, and 6 is abrupt and I hope that I can smooth it out for the 2nd planking. 

Edited February 14, 2021 by KirbysLunchBox

[dsadberry]

2 hours ago, KirbysLunchBox said:

I had good luck with the stem and keel glued on. They make nice pieces for clamps to hold the first planks. I shouldn’t have glued on the stern post, but I managed.  I haven’t had time to finish my first planking... only two runs to go.

 

You are off to a way better start than me though. I refused to add the filler blocks... the transition between BH4,5, and 6 is abrupt and I hope that I can smooth it out for the 2nd planking. 

Thanks man. I appreciate the encouragement.  I am glad I did the bulkhead fillers. Planking start tomorrow! I gotta be honest, im nervous.

[Rick01]

The beauty of the first planking is that you can stuff it up pretty badly and still get away with it with careful sanding and filling. Additionally using PVA glue it's not impossible to remove some planking if it goes horribly wrong. With one of mine I had to strip nearly half off one side, it had just got a mind of its own!

It's a learning curve and first planking is a pretty good exercise, just treat it as that and take your time.

 

Rick