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

[HIPEXEC]

Ole speedy finished six planks on each side. First, the gun ports slowed me down, now I have to bevel the back edges of the planks so they can round the bend on the way to the keel. I also have to angle the vertical bulkheads to fit the fore and aft bend. It's a lot of measure, cut, file, sand....then measure again, and cut, file, sand until it just slips into place real nice. So far I'm happy with the results thanks to all your tips and suggestions. 

Thanks,

Rich

[cookster]

Good going Rich, glad you're getting the hang of it!

[dragzz]

i have to say your work is vary clean great job so far   one step at a time  keep up the great work i will watching this build 

[HIPEXEC]

Just added a signature. Want to see if it works.

[trippwj]

There is a signature!  guess I ought to view pictures on the computer instead of my phone.  The broom handle and swim noodle looked like a rolling pin on my phone!  Planking is looking very nice.

[augie]

WOW !

[HIPEXEC]

This is my attempt to put a twist on a plank to follow the flare of the bow. After I put the bow curve on the plank, I clamped it flat and added the twist I believe will match the flare. I then layed a very wet cloth on it and I am leaving it over night. This stuff if thick and it resists most attempts to deform it.

 

[HIPEXEC]

This is plank # 7 starboard side. I'm going to place a few more on the starboard side to correct a small error I made when bowing the # four plank. # 4 plank wound up with a little too much bow in it and I have to squeeze each lower plank a little bit closer to where it should be. One or two more planks and will  match the port side. It's a small enough error that only I would know, but I'm striving to make this one nice. At this rate I can do a plank a day. If the hot water heater springs a leak like it did two days ago, I will miss a plank.

Edited October 19, 2013 by Hipexec

[augie]

Call 1-800-Hot-Water.  The shipyard will not tolerate delays

[HIPEXEC]

Well, forget a plank-a-day. It's now a plank every three days what with bending, twisting and now beveling them. Three quarters of the plank needs no back bevels to butt against the previous plank, but the aft 1/4 now needs twisting and back beveling. I experimented with sanding, filing and finally Dremeling the back bevel. The Dremel gave me the most even results. See you in three days.

 

[Sjors]

Three days ?????

 

And what in between ??????

Planking looks good !

 

[HIPEXEC]

After I get the plank near net shape, I pin it to the hull and wet it several times a day for it to be net shape to the hull. When I finish that for a day and let the plank dry, it glues in place very easily. I can't force this wood. It just breaks.

[cookster]

Rich, some folks use a heat gun or hair dryer to force drying and add extra heat to the wet plank to increase it's flexibility.  I've never done it and can't remember the names of folks that have.  You might want to experiment to see if this could speed up the drying time.

[HIPEXEC]

I "rounded" all those bend quite nicely. That's the result of several three dimensional twists, turns and bends.  

Edited October 23, 2013 by Hipexec

[HIPEXEC]

I've finally settled on this plank forming technique. After preliminary bending by soaking and using the jig I built, I re-soak the bent plank for 15 minutes and then form it on the hull where it will be eventually installed. I shape the wet plank with nails, pins, clamps and rubber bands into the final shape it is supposed to take, then every few hours I use an eye drooper to re-wet the plank. In the critical places I also lay a wet cloth on that section to keep it wet longer. I live in Arizona with no humidity, so things dry quickly here. Tommorrow, tis place will be net shape and ready for gluing. I will start the nextplank tonight and place that in the jig.

[HIPEXEC]

It's th only way I can make the planks conform to all the nasty bends and twists at both the bow and stern. The plank beveling is quite a challenge also.Thanks, Brian.

[Sjors]

Rich,

 

Can I send some rain to you ????????

We have enough of that !!!!!

With you it dry's to quick, here it takes ages 

That's almost a ritual to bend the planks !

But it works, and that is the most important thing.

 

[HIPEXEC]

Thanks to all of you who have made friends with me.

[HIPEXEC]

I took a paper clip and bent it to make a hook and added a plastic "cushion" so as not to mar the plank and I pull the plank as tight as possible to the upper plank while the glue dries. It works for me.

Edited October 24, 2013 by Hipexec

[augie]

That's an interesting approach !

[HIPEXEC]

Does anybody do anything to the inside of the hull planks before closing in the hull with the final planks? Maybe coat them all with glue or some other reinforcement?

[HIPEXEC]

I just found a good use for the left over hinges from my first build. I nail them into the bulkhead and the hinges holds the plank exactly in place without me drilling a hole in the plank. With this wood making holes carries the risk of a split and I also don't have to fill in any holes.

[PageT]

Rich  I too am a "Newbie" and want to start on a Connie when I finish my Pride of Baltimore.  Finishing up the standing Rigging now.  How do I get in touch with Phil's Hobby Shop?  II know you can find the Constructo Connie kit at most on=line Hobby outlets but would be ibnterested in seeing what Phil has available.  I am like you in building up my tools and work area plus spare parts of wood-building materials and fittings.  I hope to start the connie in November and as you have started maybe I can pick your skill.  I will be using Bob Lauck's Forum for help also.  Look forward to working wwith you

PageT

[HIPEXEC]

You can visit Phil's website online  philshobbyshop.com . I bought my Constructo Connie from Phil's from Ebay. Do you have a build log forum for your Pride of Baltimore? I'd like to see it. Good luck and be careful about my tips...I'm still learning and take a lot of advise from fellow members.

[HIPEXEC]

I just prepped the inside of the hull with spackleling tape before appying the glue.

[HIPEXEC]

I'm waiting on the PVA glue from UPS. Couldn't find it locally with PH neutral.

[HIPEXEC]

What kind of sandable and stainable filler should I use when the time comes?

[HIPEXEC]

In case anyone looking thinks I'm on vacation....I'm not...I'm still planking away. Photos show primary bending in a jig after soaking and hot iron bending. Then I final bend actually on the hull with clips and rubber bands and nails and wetting with an eye dropper. Next step (tomorrow) final glueing of the plank. It's time consuming, but the planks look good even before sanding.

Edited October 29, 2013 by Hipexec

[Sjors]

Rich,

 

When you go on vacation, that's no problem but first, finish planking !

Looks good so far.

At the end of the year, she is closed   

 

[HIPEXEC]

While I was waiting for the glue to dry on my last plank. I decided to layout the deck plan for gun ports, etc. I had to re-do it twice because of the kit's plan's discrepancies. They had labeled one port as a gun port when it's supposed to be an anchor port of a different dimension. Then they had different dimensions on the deck plan from the side plan where gun ports would go. If I would have stuck with my original layout, I would have had major conflicts with rigging, etc. I'm glad I caught it before I glued stuff togther.