Dapper Tom by USNCHief013107 - Model Shipways - 1:76 - first build

[USNCHief013107]

Fixed it!

[USNCHief013107]

5 minutes ago, Ian_Grant said:

Looking good!  Don't tell me you made those tiny dividers!!!??

Ok. I won't! :O)

[USNCHief013107]

Progress is a little slow due to working late. I will post some photos tomorrow.  Gun ports cut out, stern and transom are done, putting planks on inside bulwarks. Will try to frame gunports and install and cap rail this weekend.

 

[USNCHief013107]

Progress, but it seems what I plan on getting done over the weekend always hits a snag. I am learning patience.

[USNCHief013107]

3 hours to make new Catheads. The laser cut kit ones broke in multiple pieces. As a matter of fact, every laser cut kit piece broke. Very brittle stuff so ir looks like I get to scratch a bunch of stuff.

[Srodbro]

What type of wood did you use for the cat heads?

[USNCHief013107]

On 3/2/2022 at 12:46 AM, Srodbro said:

What type of wood did you use for the cat heads?

Sapelli. 2 strips laminated together.

 

[USNCHief013107]

Got the Channels (sp.) and top rail on. Initial colors of paint on yesterday but still needs touch ups and the stern name, stars and trim to be painted white. Not sure I like the light yellowish shade on the sides. May add some orange-brown to add a little "tea" tint to it. No more progress for a couple weeks as I will be on travel. Wish ya'll the best.

[Srodbro]

Your build is really looking good. Very, very nice. 

Just a comment on channels and pinrails. On Dapper Tom, the length and mounting height of the channels and pinrails are just about equal, and almost exactly opposite each other below the rail. 

I found to my chagrin on past models that when I eventually get to rigging shrouds and belaying lines from above that the channels and pinrails invariably are weak points that break when I hunker down on the lanyards, or insert a belaying pin into a just-a-bit too tight hole ( I’m probably just too heavy handed for this work). So, I now make a point of reinforcing those elements with a piece of brass wire run thru each. 

I reinforce at the fife rails, as well. 

 

Just a thought. Those things are really inconvenient to fix while rigging. 
( Sorry … not sure why pics got rotated). 

[USNCHief013107]

On 3/13/2022 at 10:58 PM, Srodbro said:

Your build is really looking good. Very, very nice. 

Just a comment on channels and pinrails. On Dapper Tom, the length and mounting height of the channels and pinrails are just about equal, and almost exactly opposite each other below the rail. 

I found to my chagrin on past models that when I eventually get to rigging shrouds and belaying lines from above that the channels and pinrails invariably are weak points that break when I hunker down on the lanyards, or insert a belaying pin into a just-a-bit too tight hole ( I’m probably just too heavy handed for this work). So, I now make a point of reinforcing those elements with a piece of brass wire run thru each. 

I reinforce at the fife rails, as well. 

 

Just a thought. Those things are really inconvenient to fix while rigging. 
( Sorry … not sure why pics got rotated). 

Thanks! I thought of the weak joints after breaking off half of the boarding steps and re-enforced the channels with bamboo rods. I will ensure the pin rails are addressed too!

[USNCHief013107]

After a couple of weeks on travel stateside, it's good to be home. Got a bit of progress done.  Repainted the hull and the trim is done on the transom.  Then I got the copper sheathing done on the bottom.  I didn't realize how finicky the copper tape was as this is my first shot at plating a hull. I was worried I would not have enough tape to do the whole bottom and rudder since about 1 1/2 meters of the roll was miss stamped and un-useable, but I had just enough.  This week it will be on to the bowsprit and masts while I wait for the planking strips to come in.  I didn't like the scribed deck I was planning on using, I felt they were too narrow. Cheers!

[USNCHief013107]

More progress....Bowsprit, Fore and Main Masts constructed.  Rigging blocks etc. will come later.  Planking for deck arrived.  What timing!

 

Edited April 11, 2022 by USNCHief013107

[USNCHief013107]

Need some help!  The deck planking came in and I want to get this started, but I do not know what the proper layout should be.  Was nibbing done in 1815 and if not, what should my deck have?  Waterway or not, margin plank etc.?  Thanks!

[USNCHief013107]

Not much progress on the boat, sorry. Been a bit gray. My Mum passed away. Lost Dad in 2006 right after I returned from my second trip to Iraq. Jim and Joan Henderson were the reason I didn't end up in jail or a morgue. Only special people are willing to adopt a 16 year old troubled teen with a juvenile record. At least I was fortunate enough to say goodbye. Ya'll hug your loved ones every chance you get. Peace.

[Dave_E]

Condolences to you and the family. Good words of encouragement for all. Thank you.

[Oldsalt1950]

My condolences Chief. 

 

[Paul Le Wol]

Hi Chief, I am very sorry to hear of your Mum’s passing. Your Mum and Dad must have been wonderful people.

[Srodbro]

This thread may be a good reference to respond to your #43 post. 

[USNCHief]

Threw caution to the wind and put the deck planking on. Made mistakes, learned alot. I am satisfied with my first shot at planking a wooden deck.

[USNCHief013107]

Now that I am done with HQ's inspection and home from Mom's funeral, I have been able to do a bit of work off of the hull. Got the yards and booms built and painted with a few touch ups to do and the cannons have had blocks added, still need quoins and straps/bolts added. Today I will clean up the hull, touch up the paint and finish weathering the copper plating. Wish ya'll the best. 

Edited June 11, 2022 by USNCHief013107

[USNCHief013107]

Question for the more experienced:  Do I add the treenail "dots" to the deck planking or at this scale would they be too big and look oversized? If the recommendation is to add the treenails, how many on each plank and suggestion on how/what to use to add them?

[Oldsalt1950]

At the scale you are working in I would say no. It is however a personal preference.

[allanyed]

At 1:76 the scale diameter of the treenails used on deck planking would be about 0.01"   Finding a drill bit that small would be a challenge, and making consistent dots with a 0.3mm pencil lead would be a challenge.  Even a #80 drill bit is 30% too large.   

When in doubt, leave it out.

Allan 

[USNCHief013107]

No treenails it is then!

[USNCHief]

I am trying to wrap my head around the rigging plans of this kit but it is confusing. The standing rigging is the easy part. The running rigging doesn't make sense. I know some lines are attached to the sails so if there are no sails, so these pieces would not be on the yards/masts correct?

[Srodbro]

Here is what I did. 
1  If no sail, then no buntlines. If sail is furled, then run buntlines to belaying point. 
2. On Fore Topgallent yard with no sail, attached block for clew to sheet ( here, Topgallent yard is in lowered position, while Topsail yard is partly lowered for reefing). 

3. At lower course, with furled sail ( although I think same could be done on bare yard) attach together clew, sheet and tack. Distance from yard/boomkins would be whatever looks good to you, but on mine the clew is buried up in the sail)

4. If no headsails, I just eliminated the halyard, downhaul and sheets on this model, but have hooked them all together on another, similar to the clew-sheet-tack on a square sail. 
 

All the details of my rigging may not be entirely correct (the upper block for the Fore Topgallent clew should certainly be closer to the yard) but I take artistic license on my models, for my own enjoyment. 

[USNCHief]

After numerous out of town trips, family interruptions, injured thumb (try opening glue bottles one handed) and breaking off every gun port lid at least 3 times each, the guns are finally on and rigged. 2 six lb. forward and 4 nine lb. finish the fit. High School Football coaching started 2 weeks ago and I am learning 2 new playbooks, offense and defense, so progress will remain slow until November. Sorry lighting is a bit dark.

 

Edited August 21, 2022 by USNCHief

[USNCHief]

A little more progress....Next the rudder.

[USNCHief]

I have been sidetracked the past few months with coaching H.S. Football here at the base school. 3 more weeks and it will be back to the bench.

[USNCHief]

It looks like the build will be put on hold some more. We are being forced to move due to the owner not willing to change the electric company and plan so 1200 Euros a month electricity is 4 times what I should be paying and I am tired of being taken. I am also tired of the roaches (owner refuses to fumigate) so we move into the town of Rota. Less for rent, closer to work and more room. Down side, no pool. I do get a bigger Man-Cave AND a BUILD ROOM! so it is a win! We will get a hot tub to soak in and the beach is 1 block away. Ya'll be safe, be well and be blessed.