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

[HIPEXEC]

Forward Port stanchions are ready to be rigged and nets added.

[HIPEXEC]

Here's my new rope coiling machine gleaned from that great forum on rope coils. Also a few examples of my first results. They'll get better the more I make.

[Sjors]

That's it Rich !!!!

 

Very nice rope coils....

Glad that you make them   

 

Sjors

[usedtosail]

Nice hammock stanchions and rope coils.

[HIPEXEC]

Here's how I make stanchions. First I take bar stock. Then bend it to rough shape on a jig piece of wood the right size. Then I bend it to final shape with a bending tool I got at the jewelry making department. Then I cut the end to almost equal and finally Dremel the ends to be flat and equal.

[HIPEXEC]

Mounting the stanchions: First I marked the spot on the side of the rail since the next step is to file and sand off the varnish to give the CA glue a place to stick. Next I applied the CA glue and carefully set the stanchion in place. I wet my fingers each time so the tiny stanchion did not want to stick to my finger instead of the rail.

[lambsbk]

Nice and precise Rich. They look great.

[dgbot]

I have always had bad luck using CA for applying stanchions.  Good work.

David B

 PS your stanchions look great.

[HIPEXEC]

Here's how I'm attaching rails or lines on top of the hammock stanchions. It's a tedious, delicate dance with CA glue and shaky fingers. The stanchions are so small, there was no way to make a hole in each tip.

Edited September 4, 2014 by Hipexec

[HIPEXEC]

Today is a big day for my USS Constitution.....I set her keel one year ago today! 

[robnbill]

Congratulations! The hammock cranes are looking great.

[HIPEXEC]

HELP!

Does anyone have any "tricks" to place the nets inside the hammock cranes or stanchions? I've installed the top cables, but getting the nets in neatly is evading me.

Thanks.

[robnbill]

I glued the netting to the outside of the racks. I looked at this on a number of models and this seemed to be the practice. Also gluing it to the interior really made the slots too small. So I dyed the nets, then attached the web to the racks with small amounts of CA. I used my dental picks and small wood splints to hold the net to the racks until the CA set. This was only seconds. Then I looped black thread around the racks on the ends to attached the netting where they were visible. However, my racks are black so black thread really doesn't show up easily beyond that in the net. With the brass colored racks it would be much more visible so you might have to use more thread. However, you can still glue the netting to the racks then use the thread to make it look like they were bound to the ropes with it.

[HIPEXEC]

Bill,

Thanks, I'll experiment with your method and see if I like it. I tried just stuffing the folded nets into the slot, but it's too messy along the top.

[HIPEXEC]

On the first day of my second year building my USS Constitution, I started to rig the ship! I'm starting with the bowsprit just as Constructo's plans call for.

[HIPEXEC]

For all of you with eagle eyes.....yes, I'm going to taper the dowels after I dry fit the parts.

[augie]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY,  Rich.  You should certainly be proud of all you have accomplished over the course of the year.  Now on to the fun stuff!

[src]

Looking good Rich! Happy anniversary. 

I am curious about one thing, do you think the CA will hold up over time on the hammocks? Thinking "out loud" here is all.

Sam

[Sjors]

For all of you with eagle eyes.....yes, I'm going to taper the dowels after I dry fit the parts.

 

I don't say a thing     

 

Sjors

[dgbot]

Happy anniversary.  You are doing a fantastic job and have made tremendous progress on a demanding kit.  Smart move in dry fitting things.  That way you can avoid the booboos that seem to happen at this stage of a build.

David B

[HIPEXEC]

I have no idea if the CA will hold over time, but there was no way I could have done it with PVA. I did several test glues with CA and it seemed very strong. Time will tell.

[HIPEXEC]

The whole bowsprit is dry fitted. I've just glued the first small pieces to it. I keep checking alignments again and again.

[HIPEXEC]

Here's the bowsprit dry fitted to the hull but some pieces glued on.

[HIPEXEC]

The hammock nets are still driving me crazy.

[rafine]

I know that some have a problem with using CA, but I've had CA joints that have held up perfectly for 20+ years.

 

Bob

[robnbill]

I think the problem is more that ca does not always hold metal well.

[HIPEXEC]

I'm making slow progress with the bowsprit. Constructo gives no pre-cut pieces. I've had to fabricate each and every component. I'm not complaining, mind you, just struggling with poor instructions. I'm becoming a very good detective. Take the brass "V" hanging down. Constructo wanted me to shape two pieces of brass wire and make them square shaped? I just bought square bar stock and bent it "V" shaped. I still love this great hobby.

[GuntherMT]

Some good looking work there Rich.  I really like that top piece that ends in the stop for the 2nd section, very nicely done.

 

I'm not overly impressed with the Constructo plans now that I have another kit to compare them with (Armed Virginia Sloop by Model Shipways).  How many sheets of plans does the Victory kit come with?  The Constructo Carmen has a single plan sheet, while the AVS, which is a similar size model has 7 sheets!

 

On the other hand, with how nicely you are doing with that kit, think how easy a kit with proper plans will be in the future!

[robnbill]

Rich, -

 

This is looking good. You have come a long way in a short period of time. I do have a question for you. The stairs up the bow spirit look like they are reversed.  It is probably the angle of the photo.The riser should be around 90 degrees to the keel with the run as horizontal as possible. Here is a photo of mine showing what I mean.

[HIPEXEC]

You're right, Bill. I'll get my handy file out and try to correct that set of steps.