Niagara by lb0190 - Model Shipways - 1/64

[lb0190]

The US Brig Niagara is my second build. Just the possibility of completing a build of this level is due to the sharing of experience and advice from the many talented people on MSW!

[lb0190]

More photos...

[lb0190]

More photos...

[augie]

GREAT to see the Niagaras making a comeback!

[patrickmil]

Larry, It's good to see this log back up. I'll be happy to weigh in with advice on your stern.

[lb0190]

Thank you Patrick. I appreciate your help. The photos below show where I believe I have issues and need to add or remove material. I was very hesitant to make any adjustments without advice.

Edited February 17, 2013 by lb0190

[patrickmil]

Larry, I believe the profile of the corner filler blocks should match the horn timbers on the counter and ceiling. I do remember that those filler blocks were a royal PITA. I feel like there is something I'm not remembering completely though. It'll make more sense when I get home and look at my plans and compare to my Niagara. 

[patrickmil]

I don't know what I'd do about a stern for my Niagara then. Guess that'd be my problem though, huh?    When I get home from work I'll take a look at things  and see if I can remember tackling that. Maybe there are some other opinions out there?

[patrickmil]

Larry, check out the Niagara by Bahama Diver. Some of his pictures show exactly the area of the stern that you are working on. It looks like the profiles of the corner filler blocks match the horn timbers.

[kenr]

Hi Larry

it is good to see the Niagara Club up and running

It inspires me to restart my build log

 

Regards

Ken

[Bahamas Diver]

Larry,  Patrick is exactly correct.  The stern filler blocks must be level with the horn timbers.  getting the shape of these filler blocks was one of the most difficult activities of the build.  Take your time and shape slowly.  I will add some photos of that pert of my build on my build log.  Also feel free to ask me any questions and I will help as much as I can.

Edited February 17, 2013 by Bahamas Diver

[lb0190]

The past few days have been primarily, rework on the stern. The stern filler blocks now match the profile of the horn timbers better than before. I appreciate the help, encouragement and photos from my fellow Niagara builders in getting me through this area of the build.

 

Several times I've also continued playing an interesting game called “break off a horn timber and glue it back on”. I can hardly wait to get them covered with planks so they are protected.

 

Next is to do a little more sanding around the filler blocks, finish up the stern framing and move on to the waterway.

Like always, comments, suggestions or "watch out for that tree" warnings are appreciated. Now the real test is how many of you remember George of the jungle cartoons?

[patrickmil]

Larry, your corner filler blocks look good. I too played that interesting little game you got so much enjoyment out of. I'd be willing to bet that most Niagara builders get to play too. It won't be long before you are planking away on her.

[riverboat]

HI Larry, your build is moving right along, Like Patrick said, nice job on those filler blocks, I have a hard time with those buggers.

Frank

[Gyber]

Larry:  your filler timbers are looking good.  Most of us had problems of one sort or another with this method. Doing 3d carving with complex curves is not the easiest task.  However, it is good practice. I think if I were redoing this build, I might do the stern with quasi-frames to build up the correct shape. 

 

Robert

[augie]

Glad to see you Niagara guys pulling together!

[popeye the sailor]

hi larry........I'm not too late for the party.........you haven't finished the ship yet.....Good,  I haven't missed it!  your frame looks very good,  but I'm afraid that I can't help you much on  your dilemma........guess you'll have to ask the tokie tokie bird

[lb0190]

Time has been scarce for working on the Niagara, but I've made a little progress. I still need to sand the rough areas and I'm not happy with the aft gun ports but I'm hoping some sanding here and there will clean it up. Please let me know if you see any "what the..."   Your advice and opinions are always welcome.

 

 

[patrickmil]

That's a good looking stern Larry. Your gun-ports look good as well. You're just about ready to start planking. We'll have a 'ready-for-battle' Niagara in no time.

[lb0190]

I have a question I would appreciate some feedback on. I working on my waterways (three pieces on each side) and the instructions say glue all three parts together at the scarf joints then trim to fit. Would it be easier to trim and fit one piece at a time prior to gluing them together. It looks that way to me, including gluing down each piece separately. I hesitate to proceed with this approach without some input from my experienced friends on MSW.

I also plan on painting the waterway before gluing it in place.

Edited February 25, 2013 by lb0190

[augie]

Larry-  I'm not sure if it's technically correct but I did exactly what you are proposing and it came out fine.  The only difference was I stained my waterways to match the deck rather than painting to match the bulwark.....but I also did that beforehand.

 

Suggest you wait for other opinions.

Edited February 25, 2013 by Augie

[patrickmil]

Larry, you could always try a hybrid approach. Try installing the waterways as you are thinking (piece by piece), and then, since the deck isn't in place yet, do any filling, sanding and painting. I wish I had approached it in this manner, but I was too impatient with getting it together. Hindsight is 20/20.

[Bahamas Diver]

Larry,

I took the approach that Patrick suggested.  I made sure everything dry fitted together before gluing.  I also painted thw water way pieces before installing and gluing it on.   

[lb0190]

It feels like I'm making slow progress and posting small steps, but I'm moving fwd instead of backwards - at least 60% of the time. Tonight I also broke off another one of those #$&^$#%beep beep PIA timberhorns. At least they glue back on pretty easy. Well, enough sniveling and on with the update.
 

A close family member gave me an airbrush she no longer used, so I gathered up the parts needed to make it operational and used it on my waterways. The results are much nicer than what I can do with a brush. I used Model Expo water based acrylic, thinned down with distilled water. This is the first time I've used an airbrush and was very pleased being able to apply thin even coats paint.
 

I only have three photos tonight showing two of the three waterways in place on the starboard side. You can see where the timberhorn is missing behind the red clamp. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get the third piece on, then start on the port side waterways.
 

I'll touch up the paint as soon as the plansheers are in place. I'm kind of on the fence regarding paint first then glue in place. I may diviate from that plan for the port side.

Question

I used a pencil to highlight the waterway scarf joint, not really knowing if it should be visible or blended to the point it's difficult to see. Your thoughts???

 

 

 

[augie]

An airbrush......something I never tried.  May be time to think about that.

 

I have no idea on the waterway scarph joint.  I blended mine in but there no saying that's correct.  Glad you asked the question as we'll both get an answer!

[patrickmil]

Larry, the waterways look really good and very clean. Since all of the wood at this point is going to be covered with planking, you might try installing those waterways and then airbrushing them in place. I really do like airbrushed finishes better but since I can only use our living room for this hobby it's not really an option for me. 

[lb0190]

Hi Augie and Patrick,

 

Thanks fpr looking in. I'll probably keep the highlighted scarf joints for the time being. I can wait to see what comments I get and see what it looks like as I add parts. It would be easy to blend them in later if needed.

 

I'll glue in the waterways in on the port side without paint, as Patrick suggested, then decide which process appealed to me more. My dislikes on painting them first was; I just hated nicking up the paint when I installed them even though touch up is not an issue, plus I kept catching myself painting surfaces where I had to apply glue. Live and learn...

[popeye the sailor]

is there a deck platform to plank on, or do you just plank over the existing frame?  does the waterway need to be beveled in any way?

 

I don't think there any problem with scarf jointing....it's a much stronger joint,  and it looks nice when finished out

Edited March 1, 2013 by popeye the sailor

[lb0190]

is there a deck platform to plank on, or do you just plank over the existing frame?  does the waterway need to be beveled in any way?

 

I don't think there any problem with scarf jointing....it's a much stronger joint,  and it looks nice when finished out

 

Hi Popeye,

 

I hope you are doing well. This kit does not have a false deck, but I did consider adding one at one time. As far as I'm aware, the waterway only had to be beveled at the outside lower corner and also the timberhorns to increase contact area with the waterway. I'll review the instructions and plans to see if I missed anything.

[Bahamas Diver]

Looking good Larry! The waterway does not get a bevel on the deck side. As for the visible scarf joints, I'm not sure there is a right or wrong way, but personally I like to see them....I think they add interest.

 

If you are going to add a false deck remember you need to change all the measurements for the thickness of the deck planking. I thought this would be more difficult than just planking onto the bulkheads.