HMS GREYHOUND by Jackson7 - Corel - Collaboration With My Past Self

[Jackson7]

At last, I am back.

 

I replaced the wood bits on the back that hold up the transom, and I'm beginning to plank down to cover the stern.

[Jackson7]

Looks like y'all get a bonus post.

 

 

Everything today went faster than I thought. The stern is basically finished. Except...

 

 

It looks as if I will have to reshape the bottom planks to make a good attaching point for the rudder. Or find some other way to make everything fit in right.

 

But for now, I've done everything I feel okay with doing in one evening. I'm too tired to commit myself to more knifework at this hour.

[Jackson7]

God's peace to you all this Good Friday.

 

Progress continues. I trimmed away the stern planks and glued a bit of scrap wood over them. It worked about perfectly.

I'm thinking a little about the transom. I've painted the one that comes with the kit. But I'm a little bit curious about how it would be like to build my own.

 

Not sure if I want to risk it though. And paint goes a long way toward making it look nice.

 

 

[hamilton]

I think you're doing a great job with this build - despite the noted deficiencies of this kit!! Peace be with you too!

hamilton

[Jackson7]

7 hours ago, hamilton said:

I think you're doing a great job with this build - despite the noted deficiencies of this kit!! Peace be with you too!

hamilton

Thanks!

 

I have long given up on the idea of achieving perfection on this particular kit.

 

That doesn't mean it's not fun. But I know what I'm in for and I'll fight this thing one step at a time.

 

[Jackson7]

I now have a plan for the knee of the head. It was different than either of my previous solutions. And like all good plans, it involves skeletons.

 

Here's the idea.

 

Problem: The plywood for the knee of the head is weaker than it ought to be and has potential to bend.

 

Solution: I was thinking about skeletons, and considering how we have a spine and ribs to hold up our body. Even if our internal organs aren't exactly firm and sturdy, they're kept in place by the things around them. If I apply this principle to the ship, it should work.

 

Rather than gluing a thin veneer plank onto the front of the plywood, I will glue a sturdy bit of 1 mm x 4 mm scrap walnut planking. It will serve as a strong point to bound the plywood's shape. I'll cut the plywood to leave a spot for it.

 

Then, I'll glue on the same veneer of pieces. But instead of connecting to a strong frame at the bow and not much at the front, they'll connect with the walnut at one side and the bow at the other.

 

With all the glue and their sheer numbers, they'll effectively function as ribs to hold the entire project together. 

 

In theory, that should hold better than making the whole thing out of veneer strips, and not require the same radical amount of repair making my own parts would require.

 

I've started already. If it doesn't work, I'll just have to go back to the full repair plan. But I like my chances.

 

[Jackson7]

Success! It went pretty much exactly as planned.

 

I think I will put in one more "spine" before the end into the U-shaped  section of the bow, but it feels more stable with this piece on. Not sure how much of that is just in my head, but I like to think I am noticing something real.

 

[Jackson7]

I'm sure now that this strategy is working. The front feels a little stiffer than it used to. 

 

I realized I measured wrong on the open spot for the figurehead, so I cut away more wood. Furthermore, I plan to put a last 1mm x 4mm piece covering the last uncovered section toward the bow. I think more is better for this method.