US Brig Syren by bobandlucy - Model Shipways - 1:64

[tlee01]

Bob

 

You are getting better and better at this model making stuff.

 

Gary

[bobandlucy]

One of the things holding me up is the addition of filler pieces that serve as aids in placing the planking at the stern area. After a couple of tries using strip wood, which I was not happy with, I decided to do a complete fill of this area. I used balsa. These took me about 2 hours each side, but I found the process enjoyable, and think they will do. . . might need a little filler towards the bottom, we'll see.

 

 

 

I'm considering adding more solid fill at the bow. . .

 

Also made the plank-bending jig described in the instruction manual:

 

 

Seems to me that this bending jig would only be accurate for the topmost planks, and adjustment would be required beyond that, or perhaps the jig becomes unusable mid-hull. . . 

 

Thanks for the likes, and thanks Allan and Gary for the nice comments. 

 

Bob

 

 

 

 

[Overworked724]

Looks great, Bob!  You’ll be extremely happy you added those full piece fillers. The additional surface area will be a huge boon during your planking. 👍🏽

 

You are right about the bending jig. I ended using a plank bender, but the best result I had was pre forming wet steamed planks on the ship and letting them dry to shape. It was long and tedious but made for relaxing planking. 

[bobandlucy]

On 4/6/2023 at 6:26 PM, Overworked724 said:

Looks great, Bob!  You’ll be extremely happy you added those full piece fillers. The additional surface area will be a huge boon during your planking. 👍🏽

 

You are right about the bending jig. I ended using a plank bender, but the best result I had was pre forming wet steamed planks on the ship and letting them dry to shape. It was long and tedious but made for relaxing planking. 

Thanks, Patrick. Wet bending is what I'm used to, so it's good to hear that you made it work. Did you have trouble holding the plank-end in the bow rabbet?

 

b

 

[Overworked724]

Yes. 🤣

 

The garboard was a bit of a pain. I ended up creating some ‘cushioned’ clamps to attach to the keel and keep external pressure on the garboard planks as the dried. 
 

I basically cut some wood clothes pins and wrapped the jaws in rubber bands so they wouldn’t bruise the keel when I attached them. The other side of the garboard was held in place by some binder clips clamped to the bulkhead sections. 

[Overworked724]

Wish I had some pics. Sorry. 😔

[bobandlucy]

14 hours ago, Overworked724 said:

Wish I had some pics. Sorry. 😔

Thanks, Patrick- I'll work something out. The rubber-band wrapped clothes pins are a neat idea!

 

b

 

[bobandlucy]

Going very slow with the planking. So far I've been able to smooth out the area above the wales without excessive thinning of the planks, except near the bow, as would be common for a novice. This is my first traditional type planking effort. I installed the second layer of the wales on one side. It was looking pretty good until I decided to stain the same area on one side, as was done on the prototype.

 

Forgot to hit this area with pre-stain conditioner first, and it came out quite uneven/blotchy. I don't know if it could be corrected, or if I even want to try. I read that the designer re-stained two or three times, but I'm afraid of it getting too dark. I may just do the other side using the conditioner, and if it comes out better, make that the display side. . . or if not- claim it is intentional weathering!

This is not a dead front-on pic and so looks a little funky, but trust me- things are symmetrical. Still need to add the second layer for wales on one side:

 

 

 

I'm reasonably happy with the "treenails" (drilled holes with filler, then stained). I used Red Oak filler, because when using Natural on a test piece, I could hardly see them at all.

They may seem a bit dark to some, but I'm not going to sweat it. After all, most of the time, I'll be the only viewer!

 

Edited June 18, 2023 by bobandlucy

[bobandlucy]

Took forever to sand down the bulwarks to a thickness that would provide an overhang of the cap rail at the rails' specified finished width of 1/4". 

 

One side nearing completion:

 

 

 

I had put off finishing the planking by building the wheel assembly, galley stack, and other fun stuff. Now its time to plank. . .

I decided to try lining off 3 bands of planking. First I tried 1/16" art tape, which failed to adhere to the bulkheads when repositioned. I then tried black thread:

 

 

 

I overlaid a wood plank against the thread to verify I was creating a similar line to how a plank would lay and it looks OK. I then started to mark plank widths using tic strips and a planking fan.

What troubles me is that the top band (below the wales, bottom band in picture) wants tapering at the stern, yet the bottom band (nearest the keel) will require stealers:

 

 

 

The instruction manual only speaks of tapering planks at the bow, not the stern. And looking at other build logs I see no mention of any tapering needed.

Hmmm. . . If anyone has some insight into this question, please chime in!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 20, 2023 by bobandlucy

[allanyed]

Bob/Lucy 

Have you looked at any planking expansion drawings?  The strakes widen at the stern towards the keel and in the following cases they narrow closer to the wales.  https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-83709 and https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-83495 show two examples.  They show outboard planking as well as inboard planking.

Allan

[bobandlucy]

2 hours ago, allanyed said:

Bob/Lucy 

Have you looked at any planking expansion drawings?  The strakes widen at the stern towards the keel and in the following cases they narrow closer to the wales.  https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-83709 and https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-83495 show two examples.  They show outboard planking as well as inboard planking.

Allan

Thanks very much. I take it that what I am seeing isn't necessarily wrong. . . this is a new process for me.

[allanyed]

47 minutes ago, bobandlucy said:

this is a new process for me.

Even 40 plus years in this hobby does not alleviate the opportunity for me to learn.  Seems I find new and useful information on this site nearly every day.

Allan

[Charley54]

I have recently re-started work on my Syren after a very long break and find myself very close to the same stage as you. I just finished planking and began chapter 6. Your work so far is beautiful. I look forward to seeing how you handle the stern as that is what I am currently playing with. I'll be following along.

Cheers

[bobandlucy]

Project has been on hold for a while in order to maximize time outside before winter hits. Still planking the hull but very slowly.

 

I love working on the deck furnishings, here are the stanchions for the fife rail:

 

 

 

[_SalD_]

nicely done Bob

[bobandlucy]

On 11/20/2023 at 5:22 AM, _SalD_ said:

nicely done Bob

Thanks very much, Sal.

 

"Finished" Fife Rail:

 

 

[GGibson]

Great stanchion work, Bob!  What tool are you using to create?  Awesome job! 

[bobandlucy]

13 hours ago, GGibson said:

Great stanchion work, Bob!  What tool are you using to create?  Awesome job! 

Thanks, Gregg, I used a drill motor, file, and sandpaper.