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

[DesertWolf]

Hi Augie

 

There's nothing better than grabbing a couple of beers, sitting down and reading your build log front to back.  It is crammed with so much practical info and humor (...and tool endorsements  ).

 

This built is another masterpiece!

[augie]

Thanks, Wolf.  We try to keep it mildly entertaining while including any info we can keeping in mind it's not a master class in scratch building.  Personally, I enjoy reading your San Francisco log just as much.  Your work is 12X's neater than mine and the colors are just fantastic.  Can't wait to see the completed ship's boat you're scratching.

 

Enjoy summer down there!

[augie]

With the 300 hour mark just passed, thought I'd update with her new look:

 

 

 

Work on the upper hull is completed (for the moment) with the painting up to the rails.  Same process as the wales.

 

Now, there are some moldings that will be attached later on.  Toward that end, some scrapers are provided with the kit to put a bead in the 1/16" square basswood moldings:

 

 

I was a little pessimistic about this process at first.  But here's a sample of four strips treated with the scrapers then stained:

 

 

Looks like these will actually work !!  I'll hold off installing them for now so as not to damage them during the next step.....

 

............. planking the lower hull.

 

Need to do a little reading and planning before I begin.  This is NOT my strong suit  --- but then little falls into that category.  For this hull, Chuck has included a 'spiling jig' to do some edge bending so I need to work with that for a bit.  So it'll be a while.........

 

But I shall be watching everyone's progress

 

So STAY THE COURSE !

 

 

 

 

[newbuilder101]

Oh...I like the new look! Best of luck on planking the lower hull. I'm sure it will look great! 

[texxn5]

Wow, those little strippers worked really good.  Those kind of tools would really be handy for a lot of things.  Very good Augie......geez what you can do with a mill.....I know they came with it, but you could make some too.....looks good....

[fnkershner]

Can you tell us more about the spiling jig? I am interested in improving my process.

[gjdale]

She dresses up very nicely Augie! As for the lower planking, I'm sure you will do an outstanding job. Between your skills and Chuck's jig/guidance, there can be little doubt as to the outcome.

[Trussben]

Very nicely painted upper works Augie! But now the real test begins! Just remember to trim your prespiled planks to fit your hull, it won't be the same as chucks, you have to adjust every plank!

Keep your garboard low at the last bulkhead before the stem or your planking will ride up.

 

Ben

[Chuck]

Looking Good Augie...    

 

Of course those scrapers work!!!  Sometimes the etching goes too long and the point is a little dull.  But for soft woods it works a treat.  I have to deepen the grooves for harder woods.   You will notice many extra profiles on the sheet.  You wont need then for the kit,...I just thought I would throw in several extras.  They come in real handy.  SHH!!!   Dont tell EXPO 

[Shazmira]

OMG Augie, she is absolutely stunning!!! Your work on her is impeccable so far, I am incredibly impressed!

[realworkingsailor]

She looks really good Augie, you've done a great job.

 

Andy

[mtaylor]

Great work, Augie.   How about a tutorial on "Augie planking"?   I can use the motivation and inspiration.

[Sjors]

Great work Augie,

 

And just what Mark is saying....planking tutorial please   

I also have a little bit of planking in front of me 

 

[Gahm]

After 3 weeks of traveling I am just catching up with your build log again. Your Confederacy looks GREAT! Well done!

 

Thomas

[j21896]

Hi Augie,

 

She's looking just gorgeous!  Fabulous work, and so fast too!

 

For planking the lower hull, you've probably already read it, but Chuck's tutorial on the subject is the gold standard in my opinion. (I sure wish I had it before I did my planking  )

 

It's in the downloads section on the main MSW page here:

 

http://modelshipworldforum.com/resources/Framing_and_Planking/Lining%20Off%20your%20hull%20for%20planking.pdf

 

 

Robert

[Moonbug]

Great work Augie, looking good!

 

-Bug

[augie]

In response to several inquiries about the 'spiling jig', here's what we're talking about:

 

 

In the photo, the jig itself (and perhaps we should call it an 'edge bending jig') are the pieces I have painted black (3).  They have been glued securely to an old 1" thick cutting board.  This jig is supplied with the kit and the curvature determined by Chuck.

 

The  3 planks in the jig are 1/8 x 1/16".  Each had been tapered along the last 4" (1/64" at the tip), soaked and then placed in the jig to dry.  I put a brick on top to hold them down tight as they want to twist a bit.  The jig is the same thickness as the planks.

 

Below the jig are 3 edge bent, tapered planks all dried and ready to go.  These are naturally all for the bow and shall go below the wales some 5 or so planks below it.  For the upper planks we used the regular bending jig pictured back early in this log.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that this degree of edge bending was possible and reproducible.  It's basswood, by the way.

 

I'm currently preparing planks and lining out the hull.  Should start planking in a few days.  The slight delay is being caused by looking for a replacement cutting board (Admiral's orders) !!!

 

 

[riverboat]

Very  interesting!! Are you using the technique Chuck uses in his tutorial on spiling? If so, what width planks are you using?

Frank

[texxn5]

That is a very intriguing jig.  I wonder where it was when I was planking....good lesson for next time....looks nice Augie, very uniform....

[CaptCraig]

Thank you for showing the spiling jig Augie. I am sure this can be used for many planking applications. Great progress on your build!

[lb0190]

Hi Augie,

 

I'm impressed the jig was included with the kit. Do you know if this occurs with other kits or was this an exception.

[popeye the sailor]

I have some wide pine boards to make my jigs on.........I find it much safer 

[Jim Lad]

Crikey, Augie, you've certainly been busy while I've been away.  She's looking first class!

 

John

[augie]

Larry -  This jig is new to me.  There wasn't one with Syren.

 

Frank -  Since I'm using the kit-supplied 1/8 x 1/16" wood I won't be doing actual spiling from wider planks (although I may work in some 3/16 in the stern).

 

New cutting board has been procured (along with dinner, no flowers).  Seas have subsided

[SkerryAmp]

All caught up now.... some really nice progress my friend.  Really clean - love clean!    Really nice, and now you are spiling! (spilling?)    I haven't got there yet,  still going with the force a plank method   Kudos to you!!

[Moonbug]

Cool Jig.  Is it common for jigs such as that to be included in a kit?

 

- Bug

[Moonbug]

Thanks Augie... thought perhaps I was missing something there...

 

- Bug

[oldpaperone]

Regarding the planking around the gunports (if one wanted to get extra accurate/detailed):

- would have the Confederacy planking followed the same pattern as the HMS Winchelsea (Chuck build) ?

[lambsbk]

As always Augie: really first class.

[rvchima]

Augie,

I have been folowing your build log and am impressed by your progress. The Confederacy is a beautiful model, but I didn't have it in me to start such an ambitious project.

 

So I started completely totally different, a Ferrari hydroplane kit by Amati.

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/4913-arno-xi-ferrari-hydroplane-by-rvchima-amati-18/

I am really missing Chuck's highly detailed instructions and feedback from the other experienced buiders on this site. Please take a look and let me know if you have any thoughts about how to procede with this unusual kit.

Rod