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

[Trussben]

Hi Augie,

 

As for upgrading decks to another wood, dont forget to order some sheet stock as well so you can replace the laser cut basswood

margin planks at the same time.   What wood are you ordering? Holly?? Are you upgrading great cabin floor as well?

 

I would agree with chris on the fancy moldings, much easier and better results with Boxwood, basswood can be a nightmare to use a scraper on if your name isnt Chuck.

 

ben

Edited August 26, 2013 by Trussben

[augie]

Floyd ----- patience!

 

Chris---- Thanks for the complement on Syren.  I can't even imagine scratch building Confed! 

 

Ben ---   The wood is a secret ----- only Jeff @ HobbyMill knows.    .  Cabin floor will be as per instructions.  No ebony allowed around here!!!!!

 

Talk about service, I emailed Jeff the order yesterday and I got a quote this morning.  Little did I know he follows MSW so closely that he knew what model it was for!  There's a man who knows his business  .

 

Back to 'the book'

[augie]

Hi Augie,

 

As for upgrading decks to another wood, dont forget to order some sheet stock as well so you can replace the laser cut basswood

margin planks at the same time.   What wood are you ordering? Holly?? Are you upgrading great cabin floor as well?

 

I would agree with chris on the fancy moldings, much easier and better results with Boxwood, basswood can be a nightmare to use a scraper on if your name isnt Chuck.

 

ben

Furthermore, as the result of your note, Jeff got back to me suggesting an extra sheet.  Of course I said ok.  Yeah, ----- I forgot the margin plank until I got to page 126 of the manual ...... at which point I felt like an idiot (I'm used to that).

 

So now all is well. 

[Trussben]

Glad you are now ahead of the game, please PM me if you have questions about the Confed, i have some small experience with her!

 

Ben

[augie]

Thanks Ben, I will do that.  Wish we hadn't lost part of your log with MSW 1.  But your photos will help a lot.  There is a LOT to look forward to on this build.  I'm looking forward to more progress on your end and I'm sure we will all enjoy Andy's fully rigged version down the line.

[augie]

While continuing to psyche myself up for this build, I've been catching up on a few things long overdue.

 

As many of you are aware, Chuck is now providing (through his Syren Model Company), some beautifully made rigging blocks.  Not to be outdone, Gjdale in his Victory log gave us a nice tutorial on how to scratch our own blocks. 

 

This reminded me that, buried somewhere in the shop for the last 5 years, is a MS 'Blockbuster' which I picked up on sale for about $8 and never evaluated:

 

 

It's a pretty simple device consisting of a plastic jar, some laser cut plywood that assembles quickly into a mandrel, a shaft and some sandpaper.  I replaced the supplied sandpaper with 150 grit having a self adhesive backing.

 

Not really expecting it to work, I tossed in some left over 3/32" and 1/8" blocks and gave it a whirl (6 minutes) on my drill:

 

 

The 4 blocks across the top line are typical untreated blocks (no extra charge for the off-line holes).  The lower half dozen are after treatment.  As one can see, there has actually been some improvement in appearance.  And it sure beats trying to hold these little fellows and having a go with a sanding block.

 

I am by no means advocating this device but I have seen several mentions of it without any 'review'.  At the right price, it's worth having around as a quick and simple way to improve kit-supplied blocks.

[mobbsie]

You have gotta be kidding me Sjors, I'm having enough trouble with making my rope server and you want me to make you some blocks. Now you make my temperature go up.   

 

All I can say is that if you send me the blocks you want treating I will send you back some sawdust, not on my radar just yet.    

 

We can discuss terms when you come and pick your Aggy up.     

 

It's a simple system Augie and it does make the stock block better, have you played with the timings at all or did you just take an educated guise and would you change the timing. :mellow:

 

Looking forward to the 1st September, gonna be watching

 

mobbsie

[augie]

I was just getting a rough idea Mobbsie.  Would need to play with grit sizes and timing if I decide to use it for real.  Not much rigging to do on Confed --- except for the gun tackles

[gjdale]

Hi Augie,

 

Nice to see you thinking ahead on how to improve the kit blocks.

 

When I made my block tumblers, I made three of them with different grits (180, 400 & 600). I find that spinning the blocks for three minutes each in the coarser two and five minutes in the finest one, produces a really nice finish without having any disappear in a pile of sawdust. You could try using your existing device as a template for making some more canister bodies. Either PVC plumbing pipe, or cardboard mailing tubes are a good starting point for this.

 

Of course, you could always simply replace your kit blocks with some from Chuck instead.........................just sayin'.

 

(Sent from Winchester, UK)

[augie]

Today, 29-August-2013, we begin construction.

 

The first photo summarizes the early steps which are still in progress.

 

The bulkhead former is supplied in two sections having a combined length of approx. 30".  It is necessary to join these and assure an arrow straight backbone.  The two lengths were aligned and epoxied together between 2  weighted glass sheets.

 

The next step was to pre-bend a 1/8 x 1/16 strip around the bow section.  This 'rabbet strip', which will carry back right through the stern, is 1/2 the width of the bulkhead former and serves as the basis for the rabbet.  This is Chuck's method and I've used it in the past with good success.  The pre-wet strip is seen drying at the bow in the photo.

 

Also depicted is the dry fitting of the laser cut stem pieces.  They will be sanded, pre-stained and joined prior to final sanding and tapering toward the bow.  As this assembly will be a natural finish rather than paint, the joints have been highlighted in #2 pencil to accentuate them.

 

 

I'll pick this up once the rabbet has been carved and the stem tapered.

[cookster]

Way to go Augie!   I ordered my kit a few days ago, hope Expo gets it to me in about a month.

 

Looking forward to seeing your progress!

Edited August 29, 2013 by cookster

[Sjors]

So Augie,

 

When I tell Anja that you started her she was saying…..it's not the first of September 

But for me you've could start with her 4 days ago 

The first picture and I think I have also the first question…...

The rabbit strip has that any purpose?

Stupid question maybe……but I know a rabbit line but this is new for me.

 

[augie]

Sjors --- this is Chuck's way of creating the rabbet....just like on Syren.  There will be another plank below that 1/8 x1/16 that I just glued on.  Then, when the bulkhead former is tapered toward the keel, it forms a uniform, neat slot which is the rabbet.  The garboard plank sits neatly in that rabbet.  It's a lot easier to see then to explain so give me a few days and I'll try and post a close up of it.  In the meantime, you keep getting better!

[rafine]

Off and running, Augie.

 

Bob

[realworkingsailor]

Knowing that I should be home in 4 days... and seeing you start construction..... this is making it really hard.....  

 

I just need a model ship fix of some form and I'll be ok.....

 

 

 

 

Just have to tell myself to breathe........

[Script]

Augie,

 

Good start......

 

Be happy that your build log is here since you would be banished from RatlineWorld.....if you were to log the build there.... :P

 

Cheers,

 

Jim

[fnkershner]

Augie - I know what you mean about Chuck's approach to the rabbit. It is so obvious and so good I wish I had seen it before. When I was cutting the rabbit on my MS Bluenose I cut all the way thru twice!. This method gives you a perfect slot and guaranteed to be uniform, and almost no cutting required.

[Sjors]

Augie,

 

I shall wait patiently for the update by pictures but thanks in the mean time for the little explanation !

I don't understand a word of it but that's because i'm grey…...

And yes , I feel better !!!!!!!! and better!!!!!!!!!and better!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe  soon i tie a few ratlines…..

 

[hamilton]

The first of September must have seemed an eternity away! It seems I'm not the only one who can't wait between builds!! Off to a great start Augie

hamilton

[rdsaplala]

Hi Augie,

 

Just catching up, I'm pleased to see your Confederacy built up and running, Sir, nice work on the blocks there

[Jim Lad]

Off and running, Augie - great start!

 

John

[gjdale]

Grant ---- it's hard to keep up with your globetrotting itinerary.  Suffice to say that I hope you soon arrive at a proper city....... like London     !

London next Wednesday Augie - pics at eleven!

[samueljr]

Augie,

 

When did tickets go on sale?! 

 

Should be fun to watch.

 

Sam

[kscadman]

Hi Augie, better late than never, and it looks like I arrived just in time. Great start on your new "gal". I'll be watching intently. I do have a question. I read earlier in your log that you steam ironed your plans to get rid of the creases. How did you do that?

 

Richard

Edited August 31, 2013 by kscadman

[j21896]

Bon Voyage Augie!

 

Robert

[mobbsie]

 Augie, you toad, there's me patiently waiting for the 1st Sept and I find you have already started.  Good job I reserved my seat.

 

Brilliant method for the rabbit, takes a lot of the risks away from making mistakes and it's going to give a nice neat finish.  

 

Just one question mate, do you have to adjust the stem at all account for the additional strips. ?

 

mobbsie

[newbuilder101]

Great start - and already page 5!

[augie]

 Augie, you toad, there's me patiently waiting for the 1st Sept and I find you have already started.  Good job I reserved my seat.

 

Brilliant method for the rabbit, takes a lot of the risks away from making mistakes and it's going to give a nice neat finish.  

 

Just one question mate, do you have to adjust the stem at all account for the additional strips. ?

 

mobbsie

YIKES!  You've caught me with my proverbial pants down on this one, Mobbsie.  I defer to Chuck (as Designer in Chief) to comment.  He does the thinkin' -- I just do the buildin'. 

[texxn5]

Boy, having no internet to speak of for the last week has put me on the back row looks like. Perhaps Augie, you could be bribed with tonight's dinner for a front row seat???.....

[trippwj]

Dinner looks great - and the start on the Confed is very nice as well!

 

Newly landed here in Maine this week - odds about 1 in 50 million of finding something like this (and no, I did not find it...).  Live, but looks half-cooked!  Donated to the Lobster Research Institute.