18th Century Merchantman Half Hull Planking Kit by flutlo6180 - NRG - 1:48

[tlevine]

Looks much better.

[flutlo6180]

It has been a week or so since my last update and I've continued to progress with planking completed below the wale and on the counter.

 

After rebuilding the aft frames and counter the wale flows nicely into the counter.

 

A small amount of cleanup left, but I'm pretty pleased with how the planking flows into the stern post and counter.

 

And with the counter planking completed.

 

Tearing down the planking and re-fairing the forward frames resulted in a much nice flow of planking into the stem. I did end up with 2 drop-planks to keep the width into the stem rabbit from being to narrow.

 

Overall, I am pleased with the results on the lower hull despite some of the small gaps with the planking flows into the sternpost. I still need to finish sanding the lower hull before layout out the quarter deck line, installing the top rail and completing the upper planking and second layer of the wale.

 

 

[Cathead]

Great job, a fitting reward for the difficult decision to try anew.

[flutlo6180]

Thanks Eric. 

 

I'm at the point of installing the cap rail and rubbing strake below the quarterdeck.

 

My initial attempts at fashioning the cap rail using the basswood proved to be way too fragile at the scarf joint. After 2 failures, I shifted to using some 1/16" maple left over from a chess table I made for my grandsons.

 While it took some time to cut the maple to shape with an exacto blade (actually 3 blades as I kept snapping off the tip) the end result is much sturdier and I am pleased with how it turned out.  I do plan to color the rails either a matte black or a dark brown for a nice contrast before installing them on the hull.

 

 

My quandary right now is the best way to install the rail. I've tried to steer clear of using CA and have used diluted wood glue thus far in the build but there isn't room in the interior of the hull to clamp the rail in place while the glue dries. There isn't any purchase for clamps on the outside of the hull and I can't envision a way to use rubber bands.  Am I stuck using CA or is their a way to clamp the rail in place that I'm just not seeing?

 

 

[VTHokiEE]

Depending on how much you need to manipulate the cap rail while the glue is drying you might be able to get away with blue painter’s tape as a clamp, just a thought.

 

Looking good so far! Keep at it!

[flutlo6180]

Thanks VTHokiEE. Painters tape might just be the answer. I'll try a dry fit to see of the tape will work and post the results.

[Cathead]

I think I used rubber bands with normal wood glue, but then again I didn't mount mine to a building board, making that more practical. So one question is, do you still need it mounted to the board? At this point the hull should be pretty stiff and you probably have all the measurements you need. If you were to remove it at this point, you'd have a lot more freedom to work with the rest of the planking and the cap rail. Just a thought.

 

Also, you could try to use binder clamps mounted over the rail, as these have a flat surface that would hold the rail surface down but the two faces should (?) grab onto the planking below on either side. 

[tlevine]

Great reworking!  I'm excited to see the new runs of planking.

[tlevine]

To install the rail, I used regular spring clamps, with the jaws on either side of the hull planking.  I placed a piece of scrap on top of the rail and pushed the clamps down so they dug into the scrap.  As there is no tension on the rail, after a few minutes it is good to go.

[flutlo6180]

Thanks Toni and Eric.

 

I took VTHokiEE's suggestion and used strips of tape to hold the rail in place.

 

 

The approach worked out well and I'm pleased with the result.

 

I also installed the rubbing strake below the quarterdeck ...

 

the upper planking above the strake ...

 

and the planking on the counter.

 

11 hours ago, Cathead said:

If you were to remove it at this point, you'd have a lot more freedom to work

 

Good point Eric.  It is getting a bit awkward having to work with the full build board and I will need to detach it to mount the finished product.

 

I must admit that it feels pretty good to be so close to completing this build. Though I don't want to get to far ahead of myself, I think its safe to pull the Alert kit out of the closet and start looking at the build instructions.

[flutlo6180]

Finished!!! Just need to to apply a coat of varnish, make a mounting board and get a label plate engraved.

 

 

 

 

This was a great learning project and I'm glad I decided to complete this build before embarking on my 2nd full ship kit. The lessons and techniques I learned will definitely help me going forward.

 

Thanks again to Eric, Toni and VTHokiEE for your advice, suggestions and encouragement!

[VTHokiEE]

Looks quite nice, we’ll done!

[tlevine]

Nicely done.  When you build that next model, consider replacing the kit wood and spiling the hull planking.

[Cathead]

Great job! 

[USCGDave]

Nice job, 

 

I’ll be referring back to your log when I get ready to tackle my kit, which should arrive any day know. Of course, tomorrow’s nor’easter snow storm May delay it a bit.