USS Constitution by Hipexec - FINISHED - Constructo - 1:82

[HIPEXEC]

My Constructo USS Constitution wooden ship kit is in the mail. This will be my very ambitious second build. My first build was a Virginia Pilot Boat 1805 ( see Gallery post) that I found very challenging never having done any thing like that in my life. As hard as it was...I loved the challenge. It was like playing chess...I had to stay three moves ahead so as not to get trapped. As good as the plans were, they were far from perfect, so I spent a lot of time looking at pictures and finally on sites like Model Ship World.

 

I'll keep you all posted as I make progress.

 

Hipexec

[HIPEXEC]

My new model of a Constructo USS Constitution hasn't been shipped yet. I'm setting up my workplace to recieve it. Here's a photo of the tools I used when I first tackled my Virginia Pilot Boat 1805. It was my first attempt at a bulkhead and plank model. Obviously the array of tools expanded over the three months it took for me to build her. Tomorrow I'll post a photo of my current batch of tools. I can only imagine what my workbench will look like when I finish the USS Constitution!

 

Hipexec

 

"How do you eat an elephant?"

"You start chewing on the toe!"

Edited August 26, 2013 by Hipexec

[HIPEXEC]

Here's my tools now at the beginning of my next build, the USS Constitution by Constructo.

 

Hipexec

 

"How do you eat an elephant?"

"Start chewing on the toe!"

[HIPEXEC]

Well, my Constructo USS Constitution kit arrived right on time as Phil's Hobby Shop advertised. Phil's Hobby Shop uses E-Bay to sell, as well as their own website. I purchased this kit at a very large discount compared to my local hobby shop. Phil's did exactly as advertised. I can recommend them highly. You never knnow when buying online.

 

I put on my Quartermaster's hat and did a quick inventory and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the instructions and five sets of 1:1 prints. The instruction book is in five colors and seems to be very detailed. Everything looks in order to begin this project. I can't wait.

 

Hipexec

 

"How do you eat an elephant?"

 

"Start chewing on the toe!"

[jeff shreve]

Nice looking kit ! Should be quite a step up from the Swift. Looking forward to watching her move along ! 

[HIPEXEC]

Thanks, Jeff. I'll post each step of the way.

 

Rich

[augie]

Welcome aboard, Rich.  Very nice looking Pilot boat.

 

You'll have quite a project with Constitution!  Looks like a nice kit.  As you mentioned, stay a few steps mentally ahead of her.  As for tools, you eventually accumulate what you need.  Great to have you on MSW.  There is plenty of expertise on here so don't be afraid to ask questions.  The great folks on here got me through my first POB ship (Syren).  We learn from one another.

 

Have a great voyage!

[ZyXuz]

congratulation on her arrival!

the instruction plans look good!! can't wait to see you start ur building

[Børge]

Hi Hipexec

 

Your first build looks very nice, and i bet the USS  Constitution will be nice to

 

Børge

[Sjors]

Hi Hipexec,

 

From an other continent I wish you a lot of fun with this build.

And there will be more tools when you have finished her 

Enjoy !!!!!

 

[HIPEXEC]

Thanks for all your words of support. I shall begin today! Here's a pic of my work space.

Hipexec

[HIPEXEC]

I started by numbering all the frames before cutting them out so they don't get mixed up. I also numbered where each is to go on the false keel.

 

Hipexec

[HIPEXEC]

As I was cutting the small uncut portions of the laser cut sheets,  I noticed the false keel has a slight warp to it and one of the bulkhead sheets has a large bow. I dampened both of the culprits and will attempt to flatten them by laying them flat with flat weights on each of them. I'll let you know if this works. I didn't do this with my first build, The Virginia Pilot Boat, and I had to finish it with a slightly crooked frame.

Hipexec

 

[augie]

Good catch.  You may need to repeat the process if the parts try to return to the original shape. 

[HIPEXEC]

Augie,

You were right, some of the warp came back, so I now have the parts out in the Arizona sun (110 degrees) with flat weights. The warp is very slight, but I want to at least start straight.

Hipexec

[Børge]

Have you tried to use some more powefull viceclamps to apply pressure, and add a counter piece to the other side, could help stopping it going back to the bent formation

[augie]

You might also try 'overbending' it very slightly and carefully.  Then when it springs back it hopefully settles in the 'straight' configuration.

[ndeconte]

Nice looking kit Rich, have fun with it!

[HIPEXEC]

Thanks everyone....I'm trying extra clamps now

 

Rich

[HIPEXEC]

Overbending did it! Here's the false keel and bulkheads all nice and straight. Everything fit very tightly and a small crack developed at the stern end of the false keel. I have to reinforce that before plunging ahead.

 

Thanks for all the tips. I tried them all.

 

Rich

[HIPEXEC]

I just noticed that the foward most bulkhead, while flush at the top or deck level,  sticks down beyond the bottom of the false keel while all the other bulheads are flush with the bottom and top of the false keel. Any ideas?

 

Rich

[augie]

Do your plans include drawings of the bulkheads themselves?  Many plans do so you have something to check against.

 

If not, can you check the specified height on the plans using a side view of the hull? 

 

Are all of the other bulkheads ok?  (an obvious question but I had to ask).

 

Does the manufacturer have a contact number listed anywhere?  They may be aware of the problem and offer a solution.

 

You can, of course, make it shorter......but is it actually too high at the top or too low at the bottom?  The vertical slots may give you a clue.  Are they in line with the slots on the other bulkheads?  Keep in mind that changing the height, from either top or bottom, may alter the lines of the hull.  You should be able to check that by running a horizontal plank up and down the hull and see what it does ---- sort of the same process you'll use to 'fair' the hull.

 

Beyond that, I'm stuck.  Let us know what you find.

[HIPEXEC]

The intrusion even shows on the drawing? I e-mailed Constructo. I'll see what they say. Otherwise I'll wing it and make sure the planks run smooth. Here's the pic of the drawing. All the other bulkheads look good.

 

Rich

[augie]

Ok, hope they respond.  I apologize as in focusing on the photo I never realized you didn't have the stem on yet.  You'll have room to play with it once you're ready to fair it.  I'm sure when that's completed you won't want any piece of the buklhead out there on the stem.

[HIPEXEC]

I hope they answer, too. You're right, unless told by Constructo otherwise, I will "play" with it to make the planks run true.

Rich

[HIPEXEC]

Stil no reply from Constructo?

 

I discovered I have to file a raked angle at the transom that is not mentioned in the instructions but shows a raked angle transom in the pictures. I also planked the below deck areas as per the instructions. I guess these areas are visible when the ship is complete? I also ran into a problem with my new plastic mitre box. It looks like it would have "sawed" through only after fifty or so cuts. I glued reinforcment wood underneath. I hope it get me through to completion.

 

Hipexec

[walsh0614]

that will be my next build working on the cutty sark now

[augie]

Ah, the wonder of plastic mitre boxes.  Time to upgrade  

 

I'm finishing my lower decks just as you are.  Are they visible?  Barely.  But we'll know they are there 

[Sjors]

Hi Rich,

 

You are going fast…..

I'm away for a few days and you don't need my help at all.

I see that Augie is your mentor so I'll be reading and watching!

I've never see a plastic mitre box thing….

How does it works?

Great job so far !

 

[HIPEXEC]

Sjors, I do need any help and advise you care to give. You too Augie. I just put the transom on after using my Dremel to sand the correct angle. One of the balsa fillers they sent me with the kit was missing a critical section. I had to re-build it. Now I'll have to use filler and sanding to finish it.

 

The plastic mitre box is great. It gives me perfect cuts (if it can last).

 

Rich