USS Constitution by AndyMech - FINISHED - Mamoli - Scale 1:93 - Cross-Section

[jwvolz]

Andy,

I always work from main yard, up. I just find it easier and I find with the extra work required on lower yards I like having the most access. 

 

Drill a hole in the mast where each yard goes and a corresponding hole in the yard. Use a brass nail cut off to make a pin and glue into the yard and then you can pin into the opposite hole in the mast, adding a touch of CA to hold. Or if you want extra time to be certain you get it level, use 5 minute epoxy. If you don't want to glue, just make it a very tight press fit. That should hold until you get the appropriate lines rigged. 

[AndyMech]

Thanks for the tip, Joe.  I was wondering if I would attach the yards just using rigging, or if that wouldn't be strong enough. Using a pin to secure it seems like a robust solution.  Appreciate it.

 

Of course, the Mamoli instructions don't say anything about how to secure the yards - just a simple rigging diagram.  I wasn't sure if that would be enough to really hold it in place.  I'll also look at my Syren instructions to see how it's yards are placed.

 

Andy.

[hircsailor]

It's interesting looking at your building log and the great work that you are doing. I've had this kit for several years and every so often get it out and look at it. We have moved from a 4 bedroom house to a one bedroom condo and I'm not sure that we have room to display it if I decide to build it. We already have 3 boats hanging on the wall.

 I'll keep reading your log and look forward to the finished model

Jim

[AndyMech]

Hi, thanks for looking in.  I don't do fast work, but so far I've been happy with the results.

 

This weekend, I figured it might be time to finally install the ballast - rocks and barrels.  The instructions said to use 2-3mm rocks, and all I could find around my house were much larger, so I went to hobby shop and purchased a bag of rocks:

 

 

Next, I mixed a slurry of 50% water and 50% white glue and made a nice paste of the rocks.  This stuff will take hours to dry, so I had time to place it around the mast supports and glue the barrels in what I hoped is nice, mostly-realistic manner.

 

 

 

It was a fun diversion from rigging, but I fear I can put off the yards no longer.  Hopefully, my next update!

 

Andy.

[usedtosail]

Nice work on your cross section, Andy. I enjoyed reading your log to date and look forward to watching your progress.

[fabius.b]

Very good job; I like it, very much.

[augie]

Nice selection on the size and color of the stones.  Casks look good.  Nice hold!

[AndyMech]

Thanks for all the likes and comments (keep 'em coming).  I really do appreciate the feedback.

 

I finally got some photos of the yards as they are progressing.  The two top-most yards are not pinned as both the mast and the yards are quite thin and I didn't want to weaken them unnecessarily.  The top one is tied and glued into  place and i anticipate it becoming more stable as the rest of the running rigging is added.

 

The 2nd from top (forget the name), is troublesome - it's currently tied in as per the instructions, but just hanging loose, as the photos show.  I could still pin this one or see how the rigging holds it.

 

The next one down is pinned and it pretty stable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andy.

[russ]

Andy:

The spars look good. Very nice work pinning the royal yard. The topgallant yard should stabilize once it has all of its rigging, but pinning it will certainly help the situation.

 

Russ

[texxn5]

Looking good Andy, glad to see your progress

[divarty]

Andy it's coming along well when the running rigging comes up everything should pull into place very nicely.  Nice work!

[AndyMech]

No photos yet, but I did decide to pin the topgallant yard - it was a little tricky since some of the rigging was attached, but I was able to stabilize it.

 

So, as of now, only the main yard remains.  I studied the plans this morning, and I'll definitely pin this one, but wait to apply the glue until after some of the rigging has been applied.

 

Thanks for all the likes and comments everyone.  Much appreciated.

 

Andy.

[AndyMech]

This weekend I got the main yard installed.  I pinned it like the 2 above it, and all the rigging is also in place.

 

The sling is the 0.8mm rope, with the next photo showing it wrapped around the mast.

 

 

Here are all 4 yards:

 

Next up is to apply the rest of the rigging.  It's a little slow going, but I really enjoy it.  Most, if not all, of the blocks required have already been installed, so this part is pretty fun.

 

Andy.

[russ]

Andy:

The slings and jeers look very good. Neatly done.

 

Russ

[divarty]

Andy she looks great. I only wish I could have done a job of that quality on my sling. Your rigging looks fantastic, nicely done.

[Guest Tim I.]

Looking good!

 

- Tim

[texxn5]

The jeers really look good...those are a really neat feature of this ship. I really like how they turned out on my Revell Conny, so I bet it's really fun with the wooden one. Nice

[Tuffarts]

Great job Andy

 

I am just starting a build of this exact kit (some differences noted).

 

I am still at the stage of researching and reading the confusing instructions, but your build log has cleared a lot of the fog.

 

I will be looking in for reference and inspiration often.

 

Thanks for documenting your journey with this kit so well, I hope to do the same.

[texxn5]

I like the way the ballast and lower deck areas are turning out Andy....really nice.

[AndyMech]

Thanks for everyone for their comments.  I've made some progress on the running rigging.  The lower two yards are stabilized, and I am continuing working my way up towards to top.

 

No real issues other than a couple of blocks have come un-done from their yards - not sure what happened, but I've reattached using a different type of black thread and a little PVA at 50% dilution glue.

 

 

 

 

 

I'll get a full shot of everything once a little more has been completed.

 

Andy.

[texxn5]

Very nice Andy. starting to look like the real thing.

[AndyMech]

Wow, I can't believe it's been over a month since my last update.  Much progress has been made, in the absence of timely updates.

 

First, the rigging has been completed:

 

 

 

 

I also added the final bits of decoration - the railing for the stairs and the cannon covers.  I waited until the end for these so as to not knock them about during the rigging steps.

 

 

 

Finally, I added rope coils to all the belaying pins.  I'm not 100% happy with them, but here they are:

 

 

Almost done with the model.  I just need to add the flag with its rope, mount to the base and hang the ships bell.

 

Should be done later today.  More pics to follow.

 

Andy

[AndyMech]

Finished up today!

 

Added the flag:

 

 

I had stained the base previously, and painted the nameplate.  So, I used 5-minute epoxy to glue the nameplate to the base and to glue the model to the base.

 

 

Finally, added the bell:

 

 

Here's a nice full on shot.  I'll add it to my case after a day or so after all the glue dries and post one final shot in the case.

 

[texxn5]

Congrats Andy, really looks nice. Great job, and you managed it in almost record time. What's next???

John

[russ]

Andy:

Congratulations on a great model. Excellent work.

 

Russ

[augie]

Really first rate, Andy.  You nailed the rigging --- I love the footropes.

 

CONGRATULATIONS!

[divarty]

Well done Andy, she looks fantastic, something to be proud of.  Now the big question, whats up next?

[AndyMech]

"What's next?" is a very good question.  I'm thinking about it, perhaps folks would have a suggestion.

 

As I've mentioned before, I purchased the Syren kit a few years back, but I don't feel prepared to do that one.  This cross-section was meant as a step along the way, and I think it succeeded in that.  

 

BUT, I think one more step might be needed before getting the Syren out:  I was think of a fully planked POB kit with minimal masting/rigging so I can focus on learning to plank a curved hull. The cross section planking was pretty trivial, as all the planks were straight and even.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Andy.

[augie]

How about the Model Shipways Pride of Baltimore?  She's got pretty straightforward rigging and is at the same scale as Syren so you would get used to working at 1:64.  And she's pretty!

[AndyMech]

Thanks for the recommendation Augie - I've looked at it on Model Expo and it seems like a good fit - right scale, also a Model Expo kit like the Syren and not overly expensive.

 

So, long story short, I purchased the kit this morning, using a discount code (40% off).  I will start a build log when it arrives.  Until then, I'll look for other Baltimore build logs and read the on-line instructions.

 

Thanks again,

 

Andy.