USF Confederacy by Augie & Moonbug - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1:64

[themadchemist]

Sorry Augie, I said question and then hit you with 3 or 4. 

 

So it sounds like the sanding sealer acts similarly to the pumice in the french polishing, in that it fills as well as finishes.

That answers alot.

 

Thanks for the time to answer all of my crazy questions. I always seem to learn better from those that understand then from reading instructions. I agree with you on the colour and grain variation of wood and the beauty to creates, although for the Pinnace build I'm wanting to have evenly coloured wood so went with boxwood, as the evenness of colour in Chucks build also I find striking.

I also handpicked the basswood in the canoe to simulate symmetry. Great minds think alike. I feel that small details like that although sometimes ultimately unnoticed by theirselves, make the whole build so much better.

 

There are just so many options, and I like exploring them all. Thanks again for the tutorial.

[texxn5]

I found that sanding sealer worked great for preparing the lower planking for applying the copper tape. It gives a good finish so that the copper doesn't show the grain or imperfections in the wood surface.

[mtaylor]

Thanks for the vote of confidence on the color Ben and Rusty.  The pre-stain made the basswood take the color surprisingly well.

 

Sherry -  Much of what we create is an illusion.  But fear not -- no attempt would ever be made to pass her off as POF.  Mark would go ballistic after all the work he's put into Licorne

 

Er... no I won't.   I'm mellowing out....     41 days and counting.    Yes, there is a not so subtle irony on planking a POF and framing a POB.   But that's what makes this hobby so dang much fun.

[rdsaplala]

Beautiful work on those frames, Augie, your choice of stain will make a perfect contrast with the color of the planking

[Ferit]

Fantastico in verità!... 

[augie]

Framing of the stern has begun.

 

The uprights are installed in pre-cut slots in the aftmost bulkhead which establishes the appropriate angle preliminarily.  The final adjustment is carried out during the installation of the lintels and sills which frame the stern windows.  I'm trying to be very cautious with alignment here as tolerances are tight.

 

The lintels and sills are laser cut from 3/16" ply, 2 layers laminated together to form 3/8" fillers.  In the first photo, the lintels have been installed and faired to the stern.  I have taped a template of the windows to the stern for illustrative purposes:

 

 

The lintels need to be faired inboard as well because of their thickness:

 

 

 

Normally this inside fairing would be a chore around here.  But I used a 'pencil sander' (?) I got from Microlux to do the job:

 

 

I'm not certain this tool is the best thing since sliced bread but it just saved my butt.  I foresee more uses in future.

 

Tomorrow we'll start to get the sills installed and faired in a similar fashion.  I'll post some long range shots then.

 

Did I mention this is a lot of fun ???  

 

50 hours into the build.

 

 

 

 

 

[Trussben]

Looks like you are doing well with the Stern framing Augie, Well Done.

 

ben

[cookster]

Augie, regarding the sander.  How fast does it remove material?  How long do the sanding pads last?  I see you used it for faring so it must be able to remove material moderately fast?  I've been looking at this one or the proxon one.

I've also thought of using a dremel with the flex shaft attachment for fairing.  Since it's rotary instead of oscillating, it should hog out material pretty quickly...

 

Thanks for the answers, your build's looking good!

Edited September 22, 2013 by cookster

[Sjors]

Nice to see some progress Augie!

 

You have the nerve to use a machine for the framing?

Are you not afraid that you remove to much?

If possible I keep mine far away   

 

[Script]

Augie,

 

Good progress...

 

Just waiting to hear your feedback on the pencil sander.   Probably better for fine work than trying to be gentle with a rotary tool?

 

Is counting hours a new requirement?   It makes me tired to think about that...... :D

 

Cheers,

 

Jim

Edited September 22, 2013 by Script

[mtaylor]

Augie,

 

Nice work.  Good choice on the pencil sander. I'm finding a ton of uses for mine as I can control it a lot better than a Dremel.   

[rdsaplala]

The stern is looking great, Augie, very nice work, thanks to for sharing the technique of using a pencil sander.

[riverboat]

Nice Augie!!....... like the pencil tool, I've seen it before on MM site, but wasn't too sure about it, seems you have put it to good use!

Frank

[Jim Lad]

Nice work on the stern framing, Augie!

 

John

[popeye the sailor]

nice shaping of the stern Augie     never tried one of those........then again,  I hardly use my dremel.   I rely a lot on good 'ole elbow grease.

[augie]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone.  I've gotten some inquiries on the sander here and via PM.  So here are some details.  Got it from Micro Mark and here's a link to it:

 

http://www.micromark.com/micro-sander,7704.html

 

Those of you familiar with my 'brute force' technique know I avoid power tools like the plague.  But way back when I was doing the ship's boat for Syren, there was a lot of sanding on the inside of the hull to thin it out (it was bread and butter construction).  I figured there had to be a better way so I got this baby.  The Dremel for these type of operations scares me....even with a flapwheel.

 

So it's been sitting in the corner for 8 months and I finally decided to learn how to use it and give it a try.  It reciprocates, one speed only.  Comes with a variety of head shapes and stick on sandpaper to match.  I have 180 and 240 grit.  Did this job with the 180.  It's slow and gentle and easy to control.  I was amazed I could actually follow the curve of the transom and work from either side toward the center.  Not cheap but I have one other Micro Lux tool (mini drill press) and their stuff seems to last forever.

 

I'll see what else it's useful for. 

 

Sjors - I didn't break out the belt sander for this operation.    

 

Mark - I think your posts on using it finally got me to take mine out of the box

Edited September 23, 2013 by Augie

[texxn5]

OK, Augie, why do you have to find another $90.00 tool that I now have to buy?????? You realize that you have now started another craze of "must have" items on the bench!

[hamilton]

Looks great Augie - this seems like a very useful tool for those tight corners - might be worth the investment!

hamilton

[edmay]

Hello Augie,thanks for sander info,also for some of your building technics(bending) an interesting build,have a good week .Edwin

[patrickmil]

Hey Augie, it looks like you are moving right along! I like what I see so far.

[Gahm]

Great progress, Augie. Your framing is done very nicely! And I love your color choice . . . have to keep that one in mind for later models 

 

Thomas

[augie]

Some additional progress on the stern.

 

Rather then fiddle with a paper template, I made a balsa spacer to set the height of the sills.  This will determine the height of the windows:

 

 

The sills were then installed.  Once again the pencil sander was used to fair them to the transom .... inside and out.  It has now been determined this tool IS the best thing since sliced bread:

 

 

As a final check, another paper template was used to see if we're in the ballpark:

 

 

Finally, here's an overall shot as it's been a while:

Edited September 23, 2013 by Augie

[Script]

Augie,

 

Thanks for the info......ordered a loaf...

 

On another note.....it doesn't quite reach the status of a thermos bottle.....hot things hot and cold things cold.....how does it know?

 

Cheers,

 

Jim

[Chuck]

Very nice...you are making quick work of the framing.

[augie]

Jim-

 

The 'management' of this thread accepts no liability for miscellaneous tool purchases and denies all culpability for any recommendations (implied or otherwise) as to the actual utility of the specified devices.

 

But heck --- it works !!!!    

[realworkingsailor]

For all the fairing that kit needs...... I think I may have to get one of those toys...

 

On another note, nice job Augie!

 

Andy

[augie]

Thank you Chuck.  Not really quick.....just a lot of days with no where to go.  Plus good advice from Ben and Rusty.

 

So far, so good.  Now we flip her upside down for a few stern ports and fillers.

[trippwj]

Nice work, Augie.  Taking copious notes - and wishing I could do half as well on the simple ones I am building!

[Script]

Nice work, Augie.  Taking copious notes - and wishing I could do half as well on the simple ones I am building!

 

Wayne,

 

I'm impressed..........copious notes......I can only take mine in English.......do you have a translator program or are you fluent in copious?(Like Sjors)... :P :P

 

Jim

[patrickmil]

Augie, would you please clarify what a pencil sander is? That stern is really shaping up by the way!