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

[src]

Rich, looks like you found a method that works for you, they look good! Sometimes I think thats half the battle, finding out what works for you.

I may have to disagree with David for once, I think we are the sane ones. Wait, David, you said abnormal, maybe we're both right!

Sam  

[HIPEXEC]

Gluing the hinges with CA is no fun. I have about 10 seconds to get them in the right spot. This is not my strong suit. I'll be lucky to get half them perfect. The other half I will put hinge side down.

[src]

Rich,

How about 5 minute epoxy? You will have more working time and I think it holds better than CA.

Just my 2 cents

Sam

[dgbot]

I agree use 5 minute epoxy

David B

[HIPEXEC]

I'll get 5 minute epoxy. 10 seconds had me rushing too much. Since I had to rush  I finished all the hinges. Constructo gave not one extra hinge!  They did send the 2mm x 2mm Ayous that came today. That stuff does not want to bend! I finally finessed one piece almost to shape. I'll work on it some more tomorrow. I thought I could be more precise with the placement of the hinges, but ? They're close.

[HIPEXEC]

I'm taking a break from gun port lids and working to finish the bow. Bending the 2mm x 2mm Ayous is a real chore. It requires four sharply bent trim pieces for the roundhouses.

[mspringer]

Rich,

 

Love your bedspread work area!                Been there and done that.  The build is the important thing.  Keep up the good work and thanks for taking all the time to keep the log up to date.

 

Mark

Edited May 10, 2014 by mspringer

[HIPEXEC]

I installed the bow grate. Dam the bedspreads....full speed ahead! Don't tell my Admiral I said that.

[mspringer]

      I've got a Mamoli Constitution in the box and a Revell Constitution in the yard, that was started in the late 70's....where did the time go?  This is a great ship and you are doing her proud sir!

 

Mark

[HIPEXEC]

Well, since I started building my Connie, I've done a lot of wood bending, but I never ran into a more frustrating wood than 2mm x 2mm Ayous. It just won't bend without cracking. No matter how much soaking or how slow I put the bends in, the stuff keeps on splitting. I've salvaged a few pieces that will require a small amount of glue to hide the small cracks, but....what can I say?

 

I also finished the supports for the bow grate. Constructo calls for me to just glue plain dark planks, but I trimmed them out to more look like the USS Constitution in Boston. Only a small amount of them is seem under the roundhouses, but I'm trying to make it look like the real deal.

[Sjors]

Rich,

 

You are on the right track!

Try to make those support beams at one line straight.

They are now looking messy.......

 

[dgbot]

Your support beams are not lined up. This is an easy fix. As for the As try making a male female mold? After wetting the wood put it in and apply pressure a little at a time. Keep it up.

David B

[augie]

Sorry about the bending frustration.  Sometimes, bending it halfway then a complete drying then bending further can work.  You might also try adding 10-15% household ammonia to your soaking bath.  Yes, it smells like the dickens.  Or, you can try another wood.  Step away from it for a minute and regroup!

[src]

Rich,

Some combination of Dave and Augies suggestion should get you there.  There is another way with spring steel as a backer (picture below) but it seems complicated for this scale. If the Dave and Augies suggestions dont work let me know and I will explain it to you. I really think the ammonia will do it for you though.

 

 

http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/article/7-secrets-of-steam-bending.aspx

 

Sam

[HIPEXEC]

I've roughed in the whole bow area. It's not exactly what I was striving to do. I broke more sticks trying to make those bends than I can count. Now I have to jury rig some crooked bends with filler and sanding to make them perfectly curved I don't know how you folks manage such precise bends. It drives me mad....kind of like golf....I know what I want to do...I just can't make my spastic body execute it. Oh well....?.

[dgbot]

Patience is the key here plus using a suitable wood you are doing just fine.

David B

[lambsbk]

Actually Rich, I think your bow is looking fantastic.

[src]

Rich, I agree with the others, She looks quit good. 

 

....I know what I want to do...I just can't make my spastic body execute it. 

Not to worry, I have the same problem with walking...   Keep the great work and pictures coming.

Sam

[HIPEXEC]

Thanks for the support! I'll keep on truckin'. I've already started the cosmetic cover up.

Edited May 14, 2014 by Hipexec

[HIPEXEC]

I went to finish making the gunport covers and discovered Constructo didn't give enough wood and hinges to finish. It'll take at least two weeks for them to ship the stuff to me....Oh well....I'll find other work in the meantime.

[src]

Jeese thats frustrating Rich! Maybe they could give you some more replacement wood also?

Sam

[HIPEXEC]

I've been struggling with the cosmetic repairs to my botched bow construction. It's coming slow but sure. It's still not up to what all of you build. All your stuff is crisp and clean.  I feel like mine is one big jury rig.

[dgbot]

Keep it up. Your strip look better than they did before.

David B

[lambsbk]

hmmm...there are alternatives. There is quite a discussion going on in force9's Connie build about whether they should have lids at all. Looking great on the build.

 

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/270-uss-constitution-by-force9-revell-plastic-revisiting-the-classic-196-kit/page-18

[HIPEXEC]

I've heard that many frigates went without lids on their gunports. I've made more than half the lids required, so I think I'll stick to the plan and install the ones I have. I'm sanding off the one coat of varnish so the glue will hold.

[augie]

Would not the tabs on the hinges, embedded in slots in the planking, be sufficient for holding on the lids?  Just wondering about the need to remove the varnish.

[src]

I was wondering the same thing. When I have taken finish off on my enterprise I have scribed a line and only removed where the part will touch. You will avoid a color change. Its also easier to clean excess glue up; it wont stick to varnish.

Your ports look good, nice and square.

Sam

[HIPEXEC]

I'm cautious when it comes to the glue sticking. Also, she's going to get many coats of varnish and I left the sanding dust for the photo. I only removed a small strip. I made a test mount of a lid and it was so strong, I think I could hold the whole ship by that lid. Also, with my lousy carpentry skills, I have mastered the art of covering up boo boos.

[HIPEXEC]

Gunport lids going on. It's harder than I thought.

[patrickmil]

Rich, the lids look great!