Greg Davis Posted August 2, 2022 Share #1 Posted August 2, 2022 I have chosen to build a model of 'A Port Dredger' following the Ancre monograph by Gerard Delacroix: It does not appear to be a common project, although there is a wonderful build log on MSW: Machine a curer les ports 1750 by guraus (Alexandru) - 1/36 - Finished I have chosen cherry as the wood species for the model. I was given a piece of this species of wood by a friend a number of years ago and it is being used for the frames and main carlings. Unfortunately, the piece will not be enough to complete the project, but fortunately I was able to source additional matching cherry locally. All of the wood is rough cut so I will be milling everything I need for the model. I began by making the three main carlings and 28 of the 30 floors: The floors were cut overlength and marked for 6 notches each that will match with the carlings. The notches were fashioned with a chisel, unlike the notches in the carlings which were milled. The floors and carlings nicely mate! Next knees and top timbers where cut out with a scroll saw. The knees where positioned and glued to the floors. At this point, the hull was starting to take form (here the frames and carlings are not permanently connected). After a bit of final adjustment on the knees to be completely level with the floors, the top timbers were added. Each frame / knee/ top timber combination was then drilled for 10 'bolts'. The holes are 0.5mm and the 'bolts' are 24 GA copper wire. It did take me 3 #74 drill bits to do the job as I did break 2 of them. After inserting the copper wire with a touch of CA glue, followed with a bit of filing and finish sanding got the job done. I am satisfied that the 'bolts' are visible but don't overly direct my eyes to them. tkay11, Mark P, Seventynet and 10 others 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted August 2, 2022 Share #2 Posted August 2, 2022 You've made a good start to what will be a very interesting model. John mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted August 2, 2022 Author Share #3 Posted August 2, 2022 Thank you very much! Keith Black and mtaylor 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted August 3, 2022 Author Share #4 Posted August 3, 2022 Today notches for the limber channels were milled into the 28 interior frames. The notches are equilateral triangles with height 1.25mm. After placing the frames back in their proper positions within the main carlings, the limber channel is visible steamschooner, mtaylor, Bitao and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druxey Posted August 3, 2022 Share #5 Posted August 3, 2022 Nice start and neat work! mtaylor, Keith Black and Greg Davis 3 Quote Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series http://trafalgar.tv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted August 3, 2022 Author Share #6 Posted August 3, 2022 I've milled mortises into frames 2 and 29 for the bitts as well as a number of mortises in the carlings for posts that will support the deck structure. A half dozen slots have also been cut into the ends of the carlings where top timbers associated with the bow and stern will pass. I believe that I have completed all work needed prior to permanently attaching the carlings and frames (with the exception of frames 1 and 30 that will be dealt with later). GrandpaPhil, mtaylor, Ian B and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druxey Posted August 3, 2022 Share #7 Posted August 3, 2022 Looking good! mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series http://trafalgar.tv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted August 4, 2022 Share #8 Posted August 4, 2022 That frame is coming together beautifully, Greg. John Keith Black and mtaylor 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted August 4, 2022 Author Share #9 Posted August 4, 2022 Everyone - thank you so much for the encouragement! This evening I have begun to attach frames to the carlings with a bit of yellow glue. I'm looking forward to being able to pick up and look at the structure from different angles. Greg Roger Pellett, bruce d, mtaylor and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted August 5, 2022 Author Share #10 Posted August 5, 2022 The frames are all glued to the carlings (minus #1 and #30). While the joints dry over night I will be weighing pros and cons in choosing between three tasks to be the next step in constuction: Complete frames 1 and 30 which will form the bow and stern Drill and insert copper wire 'bolts' through the three main carlings into frames #2 - 28 Begin to form the two (curved) carlings that will fit in the angle made by the bottom timbers and the knee / top timbers druxey, Keith Black, bruce d and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted August 8, 2022 Author Share #11 Posted August 8, 2022 Frame number 1 turned out to be the choice. After a couple of false starts, it is coming together now! Now will wait for final adjustments until tomorrow as the epoxied joints between the uprights and the floor dry over-night. GrandpaPhil, Keith Black, mtaylor and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted August 9, 2022 Author Share #12 Posted August 9, 2022 The bow frame together with the associated supporting knee have been completed. Here they are set in position: Hopefully, frame 30 goes a bit more quickly based on what I learned assembling frame 1! The frames will need a small amount of fairing and I wonder if it may be best to work inside first. If I work in this order, then I can place the interior side strakes that tie to the curved portions on frames 1 and 30 via four knees. This would then stabilize the structure in all three dimensions. Afterward the exterior of the frames can then be faired. This order would be reverse of the prototype model displayed in Delacroix's manuscript where exterior planking preceded interior work. Pro's or Con's? Roger Pellett, GrandpaPhil, Tobias and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted August 11, 2022 Author Share #13 Posted August 11, 2022 Frame 30 is going well - just two top timbers to attach and it will be complete. While some glue was drying on frame 30, I drilled holes for the 168 fasteners in the main carlings I am wondering how many (thousands?) of fasteners there will be in this model. Once these carlings are done, I believe the count will be 796 - good thing I ordered more #74 drill bits! mtaylor, Paul Le Wol, Bitao and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cheevers Posted August 11, 2022 Share #14 Posted August 11, 2022 Nice, crisp work. Excellent start! Keith Black, druxey and mtaylor 3 Quote John Member: Hampton Roads Ship Model Society Current Builds: Tugboat Dorothy Newport News Shipbuilding Hull #1 (complete) Iron Clad Monitor (complete) Sardine Carrier which I will Name Mary Ann (complete) Pilot Boat John H. Estill Newport News Shipbuilding Hull #12 (my avatar) Harbor tug Susan Moran Coast Guard 100' patrol boat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druxey Posted August 11, 2022 Share #15 Posted August 11, 2022 I don't know whether this would apply to your model, but I've found working the inside first enables one to make vertical measurements between frames of things like deck clamps more easily. If the outer plank is on, then one needs a gantry style set-up to make internal height measurements. Looking very nice so far! bruce d, Keith Black and mtaylor 3 Quote Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series http://trafalgar.tv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
French Mr Bean Posted August 11, 2022 Share #16 Posted August 11, 2022 (edited) A job well done. On the other hand, the grain of the cherry tree is out of scale. Edited August 11, 2022 by French Mr Bean mtaylor 1 Quote Friendly, health and peace for all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted August 12, 2022 Author Share #17 Posted August 12, 2022 I now have all 30 frames finished! Today, I was also able to install and then smooth the fasteners through the carlings into the frames. Helped along by Druxey's comment, I have decided to work inside first. The three other builds of this vessel that I have been able to study (Alexandru/guraus's MSW build log, gipsy's build log on the Marine Modelisme d'Arsenal site, and the Rimlinger model in Delacroix's manuscript) do not appear to use any supporting mechanism during the fairing process. I did start to sand the interior a bit but soon became concerned about robustness of the frames and convinced myself that I would feel more confident with a supporting frame. So, over the next few days I plan to construct an exterior frame based on the hull's envelope to support the current structure during the interior fairing process. ccoyle, GrandpaPhil, mtaylor and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted August 13, 2022 Author Share #18 Posted August 13, 2022 Just got a jig worked out. It rests on top of the frame knees and will keep the top timbers right where they belong when I fair the interior. GrandpaPhil, bruce d, Keith Black and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted August 18, 2022 Author Share #19 Posted August 18, 2022 With the jig bolted to the building board I have been doing a bit of sanding with a block fitted to the contour of the frames. It is not a fast process for me as I don't like to work with sandpaper rougher than 150 grit. This is the fourth straight day with at least two hours toward the fairing process on the interior starboard side of the dredger. Another couple of days and this side will be done and I can then move on to the port side. While this is meaningful work, it is slow and I will be glad to move on to fabricating the next pieces to be attached to the structure! druxey, Mark P, GrandpaPhil and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druxey Posted August 20, 2022 Share #20 Posted August 20, 2022 Slow and methodical does the trick.... That framing looks really nice so far. Mark P, mtaylor and Keith Black 3 Quote Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series http://trafalgar.tv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted August 20, 2022 Share #21 Posted August 20, 2022 Looking really good, Greg. Never mind slow, you're not in a race. john druxey, Keith Black and mtaylor 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted August 23, 2022 Author Share #22 Posted August 23, 2022 Thank you for all of the support - the sanding / fairing goes on. Let's see, by my calculation: a couple of days = 2 days = 48 hours of work - I'm still right on target! Honestly, the speed is really of little importance to me as much as seeing regular progress; and that certainly is happening with each and every session. bruce d, Keith Black, druxey and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted August 28, 2022 Author Share #23 Posted August 28, 2022 This weekend I made a bold move and began fairing the port interior - prior to completing the starboard side! Sometimes I wonder how certain individuals can do this kind of work with electric sanding devices. The one that comes most to mind is that of Philip Reed's work in Building a Miniature Navy Board Model. That would be just too nerve wracking for me. mtaylor, bruce d and Keith Black 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted September 7, 2022 Author Share #24 Posted September 7, 2022 While it may not show really well in the photo - the basic interior fairing of frames 2 - 29 is now complete. The next step I will take is the final fitting of the bow and stern structures. Then there is a pair of carlings to make that, together with four knees, will tie the frames to the bow and stern. A final pair of curved carlings with many notches will be added to the juncture of the top timbers and the floors. Once those four carlings and four knees are added I will be able to either continue with interior work and/or start on the exterior. Charter33, Tobias, bruce d and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted September 9, 2022 Author Share #25 Posted September 9, 2022 Today I made up some 6 x 2.25mm strips for the interior side strakes. Each is made in two pieces connected by a scarf joint. One strake is done and after a test fitting, looks like it is ready to be attached to the frames. I am pleased with the scarf joint! mtaylor, steamschooner, CiscoH and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted September 9, 2022 Share #26 Posted September 9, 2022 A great project, love following this superb build Keith Black, druxey and mtaylor 3 Quote HMAV Bounty 'Billings' completed ⛵ HMS Cheerful - Syren-Chuck' completed Steam Pinnace 199 'Billings bashed' - completed ⚓ HMS Ledbury F30 --White Ensign -completed 😎 HMS Vanguard 'Victory models'-- completed Bismarck Amati 1/200 --underway 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted September 12, 2022 Author Share #27 Posted September 12, 2022 Thank you! mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted September 12, 2022 Author Share #28 Posted September 12, 2022 The side strakes are both adhered to the frames. I plan on drilling holes and pinning these pieces soon as this should be done before adding the four corner knees. As I was studying plans for the vessel and determining next moves, it became clear that I should add the two curved carlings that go along the bottom interior edges before inserting the knees mentioned above. If work isn't done in this order the knees will block my ability to drill and pin the last two carlings in the areas that are below the side strake knees. So tomorrow I hope to prepare the 4.5mm thick stock required for the curved carlings and maybe get started in their formation. GrandpaPhil, druxey, Charter33 and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted September 13, 2022 Author Share #29 Posted September 13, 2022 I was able to mill the wood for the curved carlings and am starting to make the first one - currently I am milling notches where the carling fits over the floor and will finish tomorrow. I have also completed a pattern made from a thinner strip of wood that is being used to map out the actual carling. One of the straight carlings was used to hold the strip in position so that I could mark the shape with a compass. The shape was cut out and also marked for where the notches mentioned above will be located. bruce d, mtaylor, CiscoH and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Davis Posted September 15, 2022 Author Share #30 Posted September 15, 2022 A lot of the work on the first of the curved carlings is getting done with hand tools and fitting is in progress. Charter33, G. Delacroix, Ainars and 12 others 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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