HMS Winchelsea 1764 by PRS - 1:48

[PRS]

Posting the start of my build log for the Winchelsea.

 

This is going to take quite a while to build as it is huge and complicated with many parts to make.

I am going to attempt to scratch build as much as I can as a challenge to myself.

 

I started cutting out the bulkheads and false keel with my scroll saw and it can be done but you have to use sharp blades and work slowly. You WILL break blades and I found that when they get dull you are not far off from breaking.

 

These are the blades I used. They give a very smooth cut.

 

I am using 1/4 inch birch plywood sourced locally and printed out the parts to cut and then used a glue stick to the wood. Then carefully and slow cut with the thin blades right on the line as best as possible.

 

I found sitting with my saw on a desk works best as it ends up being chest high and you can follow the lines easier than standing which is hard on the old back.

 

I did cut the false keel in three pieces as this will keep any warping between pieces to a minimum.

 

Once the pieces are cut I have a sharp scraper and just peeled and scraped the glued on paper off. This scrapper has been sharpened with 800 grit sandpaper so it is very sharp.

 

While I was at the lumber store I also picked up a 3/4 inch MDF used for stair treading as my work base. It is nice and straight.

I also made up some squaring pieces for assembly and did have to modify the bases a bit later as they are too large and interfere with the bulkheads.

 

Here is have the false keel pieces glued up and held straight. It was a lot of cutting and if you do it slow not much sanding.

 

Once that was all set I mounted my squares on the build board. There is a very slight warp at the top of one of the pieces which release when it was cut but I am aware of it and will make sure there is no warp built in.

 

Next up is the process of cutting each bulkhead and laying them in place. You know there  are a lot of them right?

 

 

I still haven't decided on Yellow Cedar or Cherry for the most of the build yet.

 

Hope you can follow along and offer suggestions or even an attaboy which helps with motivation as my new 3d printer keeps pulling me away from my projects

 

[Chuck]

You will absolutely regret using birch ply when you get to the point of fairing the hull.  Its tough stuff.  Lite-ply usually made of poplar is the way to go with the bulkheads if it isnt to late for you to switch.  Thats why you are killing so many blades.  Just think about trying to sand that stuff.

 

Glad you started work on her.  
 

 

[Matt D]

Your bulkheads look great, Paul.  You did a really good job on the false keel.  I had a very hard time with the joints on mine.  

[glbarlow]

Try rubber cement for attaching plans to wood, easy to remove and keep the wood clean. 

[PRS]

23 hours ago, Chuck said:

You will absolutely regret using birch ply when you get to the point of fairing the hull.  Its tough stuff.  Lite-ply usually made of poplar is the way to go with the bulkheads if it isnt to late for you to switch.  Thats why you are killing so many blades.  Just think about trying to sand that stuff.

 

Glad you started work on her.  
 

 

Thanks Chuck. I wasn't able to find lite play locally so went with this. I am used to sanding aircraft ply which is real tough stuff so I will see how it goes.

I initially looked at MDF but the panels were warped really bad and I know that stuff is hard on blades because of the glue if the blade gets hot.

 

22 hours ago, Matt D said:

Your bulkheads look great, Paul.  You did a really good job on the false keel.  I had a very hard time with the joints on mine.  

Thanks Matt. Just time consuming and slow work.

 

18 hours ago, glbarlow said:

Try rubber cement for attaching plans to wood, easy to remove and keep the wood clean. 

Good to know. Wasn't sure if the rubber cement would get into the wood and make it hard to come off.

[PRS]

I have all the bulkheads done and test fitted. Nothing glued yet.

 

Where am I going to put this monster when it is finished?

 

 

[PRS]

Glued on the rabbit strip and chiseled and sanded the bearding line.

 

When that was dry I glued in all the bulkheads and filler blocks.

[PRS]

So this piece is just a test to see if I could cut the parts properly.

 

I have some cherry coming on order and hope it will work for this ship but will not know until I see the pieces.

 

 

[Chuck]

Cant beat that.  Well done

[JeffT]

Don't throw that one away...lol

[PRS]

23 hours ago, Chuck said:

Cant beat that.  Well done

Thanks. I can now do this in a proper wood.

 

14 hours ago, JeffT said:

Don't throw that one away...lol

It was just a test piece out of 1/4 poplar and the wood colour is not that great.

[PRS]

Lining up the gun port lays. 

 

I took a lot of time with this and left it overnight to look at it again the next day and did see where I could make some adjustments.

 

I am going to frame the upper and lower port openings before fairing as to give some support at the top.

The piece of wood I am using is the exact opening dimension on the large end which makes lining up the top piece easy.

 

I must say having a table saw and a crosscut sled sure makes duplicating these pieces easy.

 

[glbarlow]

I’ll just follow along from back here. 😊

[FrankWouts]

Hi Paul.

 

Good to see another Winnie build log started! Welcome and I already love your beautiful precise and clean work!
I'll certainly pull up a chair and follow your log!

 

Frank.

[PRS]

12 hours ago, glbarlow said:

I’ll just follow along from back here. 😊

 

1 hour ago, FrankWouts said:

Hi Paul.

 

Good to see another Winnie build log started! Welcome and I already love your beautiful precise and clean work!
I'll certainly pull up a chair and follow your log!

 

Frank.

Grab a chair and there is coffee over there and beer in the fridge.

[PRS]

OK starting the fairing process. This is going to take a while...

[BobG]

Wow...the sanding block lying on the hull really shows just how big this model is. That's a whole lot of fairing to do!

[FrankWouts]

Hi Paul,

Any updates?
Frank.