HMS Winchelsea 1764 by SteveL

[SteveL]

Well, I'm coming into the build a little late but looking forward to some fun. Don't have a lot of experience - several large scale plastic WWII battleships and carriers over the years and two wood ships, the Sharke from an old Sergal kit and the Bluenose from Model Shipways. looking to take things up a notch with this build. My intention is to cut all parts myself (we'll see how that goes). I am in the midst of cutting bulkheads using a 9" bandsaw and scroll saw where necessary. Started out using Elmers gluesticks but have found Loctite spray adhesive to be much better for the paper patterns. using lite ply for bulkheads and birch ply for bulkhead former. I have really enjoyed reading the discussions and try to read some more each evening to catch up and pick up some tips.

 

[Matt D]

Welcome aboard, Steve!  I also cut out my own bulkheads.  Twice.  Be sure that your print outs are scaled at 100%.  I didn't pay enough attention the first time and had the whole set put together before I realized it was about 95% of the size it should have been.  So I started over.  If I had it to do over again, I'd have been more careful about making sure each bulkhead was centered and that my bulkheads were perfectly symmetrical.  Also, put a test batton along the wale marking line on both sides and make sure they look good.  That's all the unsolicited advice I have for now.  I hope you have fun with this build.  It's a great project and I'm happy to watch another one come together.    

[SteveL]

Thanks Matt! I had read the account of your bulkheads. I have not found a good place on the plans to measure/compare. There was no scale on the bulkhead drawings that I could see. I've tried to measure and compare as best as I can and they look to be the right size but I am not 100% sure.

[SteveL]

Matt, took another look at bulkhead downloads and see that there is a scale on the last one. I will check against my work - fingers crossed!

[Matt D]

You can compare the bulkhead former to the large sheets.  Those sheets do have a reference scale.  

[AnobiumPunctatum]

Welcome on the shipyards. It will be nice if you can share some bigger photos.

[scrubbyj427]

Make sure you check the scale bar on the plan sheets, a lot oF people had issues with getting them plotted To the correct size, myself being one of them. You have to make sure the print shop folks know what they are doing.

[SteveL]

Thankfully the bulkheads are fine. Scale bars look good.  On to the building board. Thanks to everyone for the info!

[SteveL]

I’ve started on Winnie II and am in the midst of framing ports. This requires constant use of my Byrnes saw. I was ripping some 1/4” basswood pryor to starting the framing and believe the .03 blade overheated and warped. I have been using it anyway but it is not ideal. Byrnes is 3 weeks out on shipping blades. Do any of you guys know of a quicker source? 

[FrankWouts]

Welcome and you have my greatest respect cutting your own bulkheads Steve!

I'll be following with great interest.

Frank.

[jimbyr]

Steve

 

We ship blades in 2 days.  Machines take 2 weeks

 

Jim

Edited January 25, 2022 by jimbyr

[SteveL]

Thanks Jim, I will put my order in today.

[Chuck]

Hows progress coming along.

[SteveL]

Hey Chuck, thanks for asking. Winnie no. 1 turned into a practice ship, trying to hone the skills required for this level of the hobby. Although I don’t have much experience, I had a ton of confidence ( cut parts myself, etc.). Well, I was quickly humbled by my efforts to even approach the beautiful precision displayed by you and the other folks working on this build. My determination is still strong although Winnie no. 2 is started using all purchased parts. Last year was interrupted by golf season ( I know I should get my priorities straight ) but plan on steady progress this year. I realize it is important, for several reasons, to post pics of my work but have been hesitant to display my lack of skill. It will be a lengthy post to catch up but I plan to post it soon. The time taken by you and others to teach and ask questions is greatly appreciated. For now I will include a pic of Winnie no. 1 which was stopped at this stage.

 

[glbarlow]

We're all learning and striving to create a nice model of Winchelsea. I hope you do post soon, we all are helped by each other's work.  The beautiful thing about this forum is there is no judgement - because we all know what it takes, or took, to get to any given point of the build.  Jump on in with the rest of us, we're glad to have you.

[SteveL]

Glenn, thanks for the encouraging words. I will be posting an update soon.

 

Steve

[SteveL]

The following is a overview of my journey with Winnie no. 1:

The shop

[SteveL]

You are all familiar with all of these steps but I will include a few pics of the progress:

these are parts cut on the bandsaw/scroll saw

 

[SteveL]

I am not sure how to post text with pics and then more text and pics. I will type text and select photos from the library and then I see no way to move pics up below text and then proceed with more of the same. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am working from an IPad.

[Matt D]

The only way I’ve found to add text between photos is to edit the post on my computer.  I create the post on my iPad, which is easier because my camera interfaces with iOS really well.  Then I go to the post on my laptop and edit it to include text between the photos.  If there’s a better way, I haven’t seen it.

[SteveL]

Thanks Matt, I’ll check that out.

[Paul Le Wol]

Hey SteveL, I usually post using a PC but I have made a couple of posts using an iPad. 
 

 

After typing the text, press Enter a couple of times to move the cursor down to where you want to insert your image(s). Insert image that you uploaded. Press enter again to move cursor down to where you want to add more text or another image.

 

 

 

If you press enter a couple of times between inserting images you will get a space between them and it will be. easier to distinguish between them.

 

Paul

 

[SteveL]

Test

 

 

Test

 

 

Thanks Paul, I just realized that there is the word “insert” below the uploaded pic - just needed to open my eyes - you helped me do that!

 

 

 

[glbarlow]

1 hour ago, SteveL said:

post text with pics and then more text and pics.

Upload or type in your text then upload the photos. Place you cursor where you want to place the photo. Hover over the thumbnail of the photo, then click on ‘Insert’ and there you have it. 

[SteveL]

Thanks Glenn!

[SteveL]

To continue on Winnie 1:

 

After a few attempts at cutting and assembling the stem pieces with disappointing results

I ordered the laser cut package - so much for cutting all my own parts

 

As you know, there is a bunch of sanding involved on a wood ship, these are some of the tools, home made and store bought. They all come in handy but the small wooden rectangles of various grits and the SoftSanders are used constantly.

 

Proceeded with stern and gun port framing with a bunch of redos on many of the ports. I was unsure about the resulting shape of the counter planks. Ran the first layer of wales using basswood

 

 

About halfway up to the shear I decided that this would be a practice hull on which to improve my planking skills. I believe there was improved comfort and confidence as I proceeded. I started planking using Titebond but eventually switched to CA medium and really like it much better.

 

Can’t ever have too many clamps

 

 

Continued with a couple of planks below the wales and stopped construction on Winnie 1.

My main concerns going forward are maintaining the 1/32” spacing around gun ports and the dark lines between planks. I used a no.2 pencil on one side of each plank but still they appear to be darker than I prefer. Also the planks look good on a test fit but some have gaps after some sanding and WOP. I bevel the back side bottom before gluing so possibly the bevel is too sharp in places and the sanding goes through. Will watch that on Winnie 2.

The most important lessons learned so far are to proceed slowly, as Chuck preaches, measure and measure again while all the time looking ahead and checking instructions and plan sheets. Also to gradually sneak up on the desired size and/or shape of a part, sand and check then sand and check again. It will save a lot of wood and time.

Well, bulkheads and parts for chapters 1,2 and 3 have been purchased from Chuck and Winnie 2 is under construction. Thanks for looking in and hopefully my attempt to catch up on posting wasn’t too long and boring.

[FrankWouts]

Good work and very steady progress Steve. What is that white stuff on the whale planks? And why is that on them?

[SteveL]

Frank

I used basswood on the first layer of wales and of course it is somewhat white as compared with the yellow cedar

 

Steve

[SteveL]

Work has started on Winnie 2.

Never get tired of looking at the lines on these beautiful ships!

Laying out lines for the gun port framing

gun port framing completed

Hopefully I am close enough on the curve of the bow railing

The stern framing went well but following the dotted lines on the stern framing guide, I obviously over sanded so had to add wood and re-shape. I should have checked out some of the guys stern pics before sanding.

Hopefully I have shaped it correctly and am proceeding with counter planking

[glbarlow]

You work fast, took me along time to get to that point.