HM Cutter Cheerful 1806 by Fred Healey - FINISHED - 1:48

[jfhealey]

Its time to rig the guns on my Cheerful. I found these hooks from HisModels in the Czech republic. They are tiny but fit the 3mm blocks almost perfectly. They enable the outhaul tackle to be rigged without the space between the blocks being unduly compromised. 

Here are the breeching ropes all done per the instructions and using Syren Ultra rope.

And here the first gun rigged and ready to dry fit.

 

And here fitted. I can see I got the inboard hook upside down. Pictures can be unforgiving but never mind.

I have not yet glued the rope coils down. I'm undecided how long to leave the rope. I want something that looks like a coil of rope - but these coils would, unfolded, stretch to the far side of the deck and part way back. I will have a play around I think.

 

I set up my new Syren serving machine. I took care with the gears but they came out a bit wonky so the machine groans and squeaks but it does a perfectly serviceable job and there is something wonderfully relaxing about serving a rope. For a bit of light relief from the guns I fitted the bowsprit guys and bobstay. 

 

Before turning the square stock for the bowsprit I drilled the holes for the sheeve - unhappily, as you can see, on the wrong face. I don't know why one hole filled reasonably inconspicuously and the other with a great black ring. Never mind.

I'm on the home straight I feel.

 

All the best everyone.

 

Fred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[glbarlow]

Great looking work on the guns. Those hooks were a nice find.

[scrubbyj427]

Beautiful work Fred! Those guns look great! I hope it’s motivating you to do the same to your Winnie.

[Tossedman]

Well done sir! I've enjoyed following along.

[jfhealey]

Thanks, chaps, for your kind remarks and likes.

 

I am indeed looking at my Winnie, JJ,  and wondering what to do with her. There is a bit of me that wants to start again. I feel I'd make a better job if I did and the Winnie, properly built - there is a bit of a mis-match between how I see her in my mind's eye and how she comes out - is a truly lovely model. I guess thats the frustrating thing that all but the very best model builders must feel.

 

Anyway, Cheerful is coming along and I'm learning new skills and adding experience and knowledge along the way (and adding usefully to my toolbox). One day, I hope, I'll make the model I'm truly proud of. It may be Winnie 3.

 

I've completed 3 guns more or less. Only 9 to go. 2 is as much as I can manage in a day.

 

Best wishes all

Fred

 

 

 

[CaptMorgan]

Beautiful work....

[archjofo]

Very beautiful detail work.

Edited January 23, 2023 by archjofo

[jfhealey]

Thank you gentlemen for your kind remarks and likes.

 

I've rigged all the guns. Not the most exciting job in the world but not the marathon that  the Winchelsea presents. I removed the in-haul tackles - I decided the untidiness out-weighed any historical accuracy. I can't make my mind up about rope coils for the free ends of the out-haul tackles. I'll leave a decision for a while. At the moment the free ends are just tucked away beneath the carriages. The sort of approach a teenager takes to tidying his/her room.

 

The woodwork and metalwork is pretty much done. I still have the boom crutches to do - I just overlooked them. Here is what she looks like today.

 

I found some very good brass belaying pins on-line. They come from Canada and knock spots off anything I've seen in Europe. I know they are not wood - but I think turning my own is probably a project too far for me just now: know your limitations! I'll give them a very brief dip in blackening fluid just to take the shine off rather than blacken them and I'm sure they will be fine.

 

Most of the woodwork for the riggingis done and ready to go (sorry for the appalling pictures). 

 

So, just a few knots to tie and then I'm done!

 

And then I've go to decide what to do with the old monster below. 

 

All the best everyone.

Fred

 

 

 

 

 

[jfhealey]

Here is a short update on my Cheerful as a very enjoyable build comes towards its conclusion. I have some touching up and tidying up to do and the boom crutches. Otherwise its just the rigging which is well underway. These pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago. 

These are where I am now.

 

No matter what I do I canot persuade the deadeyes to face front. I'm hoping I can force them to shape up with the sheer pole.  

 

 

In the picture below you can see there is a mistake. The bottom ring on the mast to which the block for the throat halyard is attached should not be attachedflush to the mast as the four above it are. It should stick out a bit to clear the trees and ropework. Its shown on the plans. I either missed it or did not appreciate the significance. But I can live with it.

The real difficulty I have found with the rigging is in seizing blocks when I can't hold the block in a third hands device eg when the block has to be seized to the mast or a line. I guess its a matter of practice and experience but I need to work on it. 

 

Ratlines today.

 

Otherwise all is well.

 

Fred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Toolmaker]

On 2/12/2023 at 8:13 AM, jfhealey said:

The sort of approach a teenager takes to tidying his/her room.

This brought back memories and had me chuckling.

 

As for your fab build, it has become one of my favourites to follow. This is another aspirational build, the sort that creates a rush of kit buying. For me it’s the complete package, great woodwork, painted to the same level and now equally impressive fittings and rigging.

 

Wow, I certainly have my work cut out trying to catch up with you fella’s.

 

Thank you

 

Paul

[scrubbyj427]

Wonderful work Fred! Seeing your model makes me want to build a cheerful of my own!

[glbarlow]

6 hours ago, jfhealey said:

It should stick out a bit

Your correct. It’s just a bit of the same flat brass used for the chain plates, rounded off on the end and a hole drilled for the block  and the other end cut/ filed to a wire like end and inserted into the mast. Even now you could do it should you so desire. 
 

I think you’re a bit hard on yourself, I know the feeling, your Cheerful is absolutely wonderful. You’re doing a great job.  I knew where every small flaw on mine was, but darned if I can find them now as she sits on an office shelf.  

[glbarlow]

1 hour ago, scrubbyj427 said:

to build a cheerful of my own!

You really should.  In a lot of ways she’s more challenging than Winnie, certainly she beautiful to build. 

[scrubbyj427]

1 hour ago, glbarlow said:

You really should.  In a lot of ways she’s more challenging than Winnie, certainly she beautiful to build. 

I think I will build her at some point, but like a lot of us, my ambitions far exceed my time!!

[jfhealey]

Thanks chaps for your kind remarks. Here is an update on my Cheerful build. The end is in sight for a much enjoyed project.

 

I hoped the sheer pole would enable me to pull my wonky deadeyes into facing front. Here are the outer two:

 

And here all four. I'm pleased with the outcome. The sheer pole looks a bit curved in the picture but it is straight enough on the model. Looking at the picture I shouls perhaps have worked a little harder on the Syren deadeyes with fine paper.

And here the lanyards tied off. A bit scruffy but the best I could do.

Starting work on the ratlines. Chuch's instructions say use .12 rope. I tried it and thought .18 looked better. Big mistake and one I cannot undoe without destroying all the rigging done to date and that is a bridge too far for me. Not only do the lines look too thick but the wider diameter rope significantly increases the size of the knots. Irritating - but, oh well,  live and learn!

 

I also dragged in one of the outside shrouds (aft starboard - see below). Not quite  kiss of death territory but practice required.

 

 

Starting on the backstays

 

 

I struggle a bit with seizing lines together/to blocks. Cotton thread seems sometimes to take on a determination to go its own way rather than where its wanted. That or just getting too much CA so the knot is a little disfigured. Again more practice required.

 

Here using the cathead for temporary tightening a line. A lot of this section of rigging requires careful tensioning in particular to keep the yard arm where it shoud be.

 

Thats all for now. Not much to do and I shall be done. I heartily recommend Cheerful to anyone contemplating a semi scratch build. 

 

All the best

Fred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chuck]

Such a beautiful Cheerful model.   Looks fantastic.

[scrubbyj427]

Wonderful work Fred! Your cheerful has turned out just excellent. I think your rigging looks very nice and clean, it brings the model to life very well.

[Ryland Craze]

Beautiful model.  Your work will be an inspiration for future Cheerful modelers.

[glbarlow]

Your Cheerful looks great Fred, congratulations! Amongst many other fine features I do like Chuck's new blocks, wish I'd had them for mine. You've done a really fine job and should be justly proud. Everything is so nice and crisp. I think we can both agree Cheerful is a great build.

 

I noted your comment about seizings and CA. Try Matte Medium Clear Acrylic (I use Liquitex) instead of the CA on the seizings, it dries clear, easier to apply, and looks more natural.  I made the switch when I build Cheerful, it works great.

Edited March 17, 2023 by glbarlow

[CaptnBirdseye]

Impressive stuff Fred! I've just received mine and awaiting timber package from Vahur. Think there's plenty of ideas to steal...er i mean borrow

Again, really well done. 👍

 

Edited March 17, 2023 by CaptnBirdseye

[Edwardkenway]

Looks absolutely wonderful Fred, and yes between you and Glenn, I'm very sorely tempted to do a Cheerful. Maybe a year or two down the line it may come to fruition.

Winnie is keeping my hands full at the moment.

After seeing what great work you've done with Cheerful, I think you'd certainly make a Winnie to be proud of.

 

 

[jfhealey]

Thank you gentlemen for your very kind thoughts which I greatly appreciate.

 

Glenn - I have not heard of liquitex until your post above. I see it is available in the UK (unlike wipe on poly which I seems to be the go-to finish on your side of the Atlantic) so I shall give it a try. Does it have adhesive qualities as well as providing a  matt finish? At the moment I paint a little matt varnish on to the knots after CA-ing them but it does not completely rescue the mess CA can make.

[jfhealey]

CaptnBirdseye - I shall follow your build log with interest. By the way - if you have not ordered wood from Vahur (Hobbymill EU) before then you have a treat in store. Its beautiful stuff.

Good luck
Fred

[glbarlow]

6 hours ago, jfhealey said:

Does it have adhesive qualities

I use it on seizings instead of CA. 

[glbarlow]

Your Cheerful is really well done, work to surely be proud of. Winnie awaits your return!

[reilly]

Just an absolutely beautiful job on a very interesting subject. Would this cutter carry a 16ft or 18ft cutter on deck? If so, where would it be stowed?

[jfhealey]

I am very nearly done!

 

Here are some pictures of the present state of play. Pretty much all I have left  is to make rope coils and hanks so its a Tom Lauria video for me and then give it a go.

 

So, by the end of the week, I might be done. And then I'm going to have to think seriously about Old Winnie an what to do given that I feel a more confident and able modeller (with a better tool kit too) than when I started her 3 or 4 years ago. 

 

Thank you for looking in.

 

Fred

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jfhealey]

Reilly - I'm sorry I overloooked your question. I have no idea what the answer is I'm afraid!

Fred

[scrubbyj427]

Job well done Fred, what an excellent model of cheerful you have built. No doubt you are ready to tackle Winnie and I’m really looking forward to seeing her back on your work bench! 

[glbarlow]

Simply outstanding!  You are more than ready for a return to Winnie. It’s a huge investment, if you’d feel better starting over you should, if you can move forward from where you are you should do that. At any rate we await your return. I was glad I did Cheerful first, so much I learned there I’ve applied and built on now. I’m sure you have that same confidence!