Syren Ship Model Company News, Updates and Info.....(part 2)

[Chuck]

 

All Done

 

Concept to design and complete prototype in 12 days.  

[GGibson]

Sweet! Nice design work, Chuck!  

[Chuck]

This capstan kit will be an open source project.  I will set it all up and add the downloadable stl files for 3d printing and dfx and pdf files for laser cutting.  
 

This group will have 3 sections…
 

1. I will create a build log of the step by step construction of the capstan.

 

2. I will create a build log of sorts for the laser cutting…materials and techniques. 
 

3.  Lastly a brief chat about the 3d printing…what resin I use …dyeing the pieces…i will provide pre supported stl files as well as those without supports.

 

With these technologies becoming more common,  we should have projects like this one.

 

In addition,  I will look for someone in the UK or Europe who wants to produce this as a kit.  To avoid tariffs and steep shipping.  And also someone in the USA to mfg as a kit…for the same reasons.  This way folks who dont have the equipment may get a chance to buy a kit and build it.  
 

I have no interest in making $$$ on the project so those who want to make this as a kit can have the license to do so free of charge and for life.

 

Maybe Chris W and ScrubbyJoe…

 

We shall see.

 

Its a nice fun little project…no more than two weeks to build once you have the parts.

 

Chuck

[brunnels]

This looks incredible, having recently acquired a Resin 3d Printer I am looking forward to this. 

[KennyH78]

Can’t wait to print out and cut out all of the required parts and build this little model myself. 

[Nirvana]

What a wonderful work! I like to buy this!

[Thukydides]

This is a very cool project.

[AnobiumPunctatum]

Perhaps this is a good reason to buy a 3D printer. This model is a nice add-on to the NRG capstan project.

Edited Saturday at 09:54 AM by AnobiumPunctatum

[GGibson]

On 10/6/2025 at 12:54 PM, Chuck said:

I am not the best at CAD and as a few you know about me...I literally design most of my stuff using Tinkercad.   I outsource the complex stuff but anything that can be done with this free program meant for kids 8 to 12 years old....I am there.

 

I am doing a test printing today.  Many of my parts are made using TinkerCad and one of these days I will do a tutorial...

 

Hey Chuck!  I know "less than nothing" about 3D printing, but the TinkerCAD program sounded interesting, so I looked at it and downloaded it.  While I do not at this time see any value in me investing in a 3D printer, we do have a member of our local shipbuilding group that lives and breathes in the 3D world, so I could ask him to print anything designed for me.

 

If you do do a tutorial, I'll peek in at it!  As the program name suggests, it might be fun to tinker with.  Thanks for the info!  Your internally stropped blocks came out great! 

[Nirvana]

Need to get a resin printer to complement my 3D printer.
Many of our parts would be so much easier to recreate.

[Chuck]

Thanks Guys

 

I am back in the shop after the wonderful workshop up in Niagara on the Lake.   I will start creating the project for the Capstan model today but it will probably take me about a week to finish setting it all up.  I havent had a chance to reach out to Chris or ScrubbyJoe yet to see if they want to make these little kits yet but will do so soon as well.  I realize that there are not hundreds of members who have a 3D printer or laser cutter yet...but I am sure that there will be more and more in the very near future.  So this will be the NRG and MSW dipping their toe into the waters for what will probably be much more common in the future.

 

But in the meanwhile I am sure that I can find someone to take up the profitable task of producing these kits for those of you who dont or wont ever have a laser cutter or 3d printer in your shop.

 

I will also be doing the same thing with the small battle station kit I recently developed.  When time permits.

 

My hope is that many local clubs might have some if not all of the equipment to produce small batches for their members.  That would be a lovely way to produce these small teaching kits.   Each one covers some aspect of model building in detail and they are great quick and easy projects for your clubs to build together as a group.

 

 

 

Chuck

 

 

[Pirate adam]

Chuck,  

 

This is a cool idea for hopefully making the hobby a lot more accessible for people just getting started or who don’t have the tools to scratch build a lot of the tiny bits. It is amazing seeing the possibilities being unlocked by laser cutting, computer aided machining, and 3D printing.  I am blown away by the quality of the latest things I am seeing with 3D printed carvings, figures, and bits like your capstan base that would normally take a ton of work in metal. 

 

Adam

[Chuck]

As many of you can see I am starting to create the area for the Capstan project...

 

But do me a favor as it is a bit overwhelming.  Please dont try and join yet.  Please wait till I give the go ahead.  Its tough enough to set this up without getting a barrage of requests from folks to join...and there is no content up there yet so its gonna be a while longer.  Maybe a week or more to add the files and build log before I can start to accept members of the group.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Chuck

[knightyo]

On 10/19/2025 at 6:35 AM, Chuck said:

I will also be doing the same thing with the small battle station kit I recently developed.  When time permits.

 

Chuck

 

 

I'd love to tackle the small battle station kit!  Is there any chance of a 1/64 version?

 

Alan

[Chuck]

Well when the time comes maybe someone will produce them in that scale. But my kit making days are over beyond keeping up with those already on the market for folks still building them.  As mentioned I am paying it forward and I am sure someone will produce these small projects.    

 

Chuck

[Chuck]

Its kind of funny and I thought I would mention this...

 

People are contacting me saying that I am crazy to just give away an entire kit design....free.  Even if these are just small projects...for now.

 

The truth is I have more fun building and designing these things.   As I have gotten used to using these technologies to make them they are literally kit-ready when I finish.   This is how I will make my scratch built models when I retire. The fun is in the design and in the building for me.  Not the mass production and factory stuff.  Plus I am convinced that so many people will have easy access to the machines needed to make a personal kit for themselves as the machines are really cheap now.   If you are a scratch builder and bought a sherline mill and lathe along with a byrnes saw and thickness sander, a laser cutter and 3d printer is just about the same price.  Its just another tool.   This doesnt mean  that we will see several hundred kit mfgs popping up because the real skill is in the design and engineering and materials used.  Anyone can use the machines.   Not everyone can engineer these things.

 

It also kind of sucks to mass produce all this stuff as a one man operation.   So why not just be a mentor of sorts and teach the techniques and skills to operate the machines so everyone can use them to their fullest.   I designed and built this capstan model in two weeks because it was a subject that I always wanted to model.  So it was a nice personal project to experience.  I knew it would be inevitable that if folks saw it they would want one.   But its impossible for me to mfg all these commercially.   I could be so much happier and much more prolific designing these things if I knew I didnt have to mfg them afterwards.  I could sell the designs to another mfg or whoever but not for these small ones.  Knowing what they pay makes it not worth the effort.  So why not give them away.   At least for the small ones.   I would never design an HMS Victory kit and just give it a way after 3 or 4 years of work.  But these small projects...why not.

 

Its the design side that you need a unique brain for.   For example, this capstan project.  I am quite happy with how the design turned out if I dont mind saying so myself.   That was a very rewarding experience to see how it all came together.  I hope you guys will get a better appreciation for the design and engineering side as I release these smaller projects here.  

 

All of the parts are being released and I guess you could scratch build them all by hand using traditional methods too.   But I am spoiled now...so no more metal work and soldering for me.   My sherline mill and even my lathe are just collecting dust on a shelf in my shop now.

 

Just some thoughts I figured I would share as so many of you are contacting me saying I am crazy...LOL. 

 

ALSO...It doesnt hurt that I have a sugar mama at home who takes care of the bills.  As long as she tells me I dont need to kill myself anymore working 7 day a week and 10 hours a day making rope and blocks and kits....I wont question it.  I am tired.

 

Chuck

[KennyH78]

My hat is off to you Chuck. I don’t have the mind for designing the kits, although I would love to learn how to do some design work in TinkerCAD. But I do have a laser and 3 3D printers and know how to use them. All of my prints have been from files that I either downloaded for free or purchased. 
 

Basically, I don’t think that you are crazy. I think that it is awesome that you are sort of passing the torch as you wind down and get ready for retirement.

 

Who knows, maybe I will be able to make the parts of your small kits for others that do not have a laser or 3D printer someday. 

[GGibson]

4 hours ago, Chuck said:

...I dont need to kill myself anymore working 7 day a week and 10 hours a day making rope and blocks and kits....I wont question it.  I am tired.

 

As much as we all love what you are doing with your Capstan project, Chuck, please don't fully close up Syren Ship Model Co until I order your replacement blocks and deadeyes for my Constitution!  🤷‍♂️🫣😦👍🤣

[Chuck]

3 hours ago, GGibson said:

please don't fully close up Syren Ship Model Co until I order your replacement blocks

No worries….but dont wait too long.

 

you should buy them a little at a time.  
 

Chuck

[glbarlow]

Are you going to offer files for your blocks before you retire? Not sure I want to get involved with learning a 3D printer but this might make it worth while. 

[Chuck]

6 hours ago, glbarlow said:

Are you going to offer files for your blocks before you retire?

Not before but certainly after.  Once I hang it all up I will create a Library here of all the parts and fittings I have made so folks can just make them on their own laser cutter or 3d printer.