Frigate Essex by Rafine - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Kitbashed

[Jimz66]

LOOKS AWESOME Bob... very AWESOME.... love it. 

[CaptMorgan]

A really beautiful piece of work.

It's starting to take on a life of its own now.

Very cool !!!! 

[rafine]

Thanks so much Nils, Jim, Roadrunner and the "likes". Always appreciated.

 

Bob

[Sjors]

Now I lost the Gnomes forever !!!!!!!!

Amazing Bob !!!!!!!!

When there is big parcel arriving at your door step, do be surprised......it's the Aggy who is waiting for the ratlines     

 

Sjors

[rafine]

Thanks so much Sjors. If you send Aggy to me, don't be surprised if you don't get it back. I like it too much.   

 

Thanks so much Janos. Coming from an artist like you, that is a wonderful compliment.

 

Bob

[Gahm]

Very well done! A pleasure to watch!

 

Thomas

[rafine]

Thanks so much Thomas. When are we going to see more of your beautiful Syren?

 

Bob

[Pheasant]

fascinating work!  still well behind but far enough along to begin to think about how much rigging to do.  Or leave her as the prototype....

Too much to think about !  

 

Cheers,

Terry

[rafine]

Thanks Terry. One more time I'm going to urge you to start a log for your build. I, and i'm sure others, would really like to see what you've done with the kit. It would make it much easier to offer suggestions or provide help if we could see where you are.

 

Bob

[Pheasant]

Well Counselor, that would necessitate the ownership of a cell phone.  My last two are on the bottom of Biscayne Bay, where  I previously ran races.  Now well  into the later portion of my eighth decade, I have no need for something whose last location I would certainly not recall or remember to keep in a charged condition.

 

But I certainly do appreciate watching your beautiful work, that I strive to emulate.  Perhaps, depending on your handicap. I could compete closely on the links!

 

Cheers,

Terry

[rafine]

I don't give up easily Terry. I use a cheap automatic camera for my photos -- so you don't need a cell phone if you don't want one.

 

Bob

[cookster]

Checking back in Bob, wonderful as usual.  The figurehead's a great addition and a I must applaud Janos' generosity!   

[rafine]

Thanks so much Wes and the "likes". 

 

Bob

[rafine]

I had previously mentioned that I was working on the topmasts to break up the work on the ratlines. They are now completed (with the exception of the trestletrees and crosstrees). I thought that those of you who are low tech and tool challenged like myself might like to see how I made up the top masts from a dowel, rather than starting with a piece of square stock. These masts have an octagonal heel, then a square section, then an octagonal section, then a round section, then octagonal hounds and finally, a square head.

 

I began by squaring the upper and lower sections of the dowel with a file and sanding sticks. I then added stripwood to create a square section at the lower end. I then used a file to make the 8 sided portions. At the upper end, I added stripwood to create a square section the length of the hounds and then used a file to make that eight sided. I should add that I made up the lower mast cap and put it on the topmast before doing the hounds, since the cap would not slide down the mast once the hounds were in place. I completed the masts by drilling and cutting simulated sheaves in the hounds, adding the fids and staining and painting the assembled masts. I have attached a series of photos showing this sequence.

 

I will now make and install the trestletree/crosstree assemblies before mounting the masts.

 

Bob

[augie]

I have the utmost respect for the folks who roll out the mills and lathes to turn this kind of thing out.  But seeing it done this way ---- and so beautifully ---- brings a smile that lasts all day.  

 

Really first rate, mate.

[rafine]

Thanks so much Augie, John and the "likes". It would probably be nice to have the mill and the lathe (no place to store or use them    ) but it's nice to know that you can get things done without them.

 

Bob

[Mirabell61]

very nice masting work Bob,

 

Nils

[Remcohe]

Nice top masts Bob. I have a mill but I certainly don't use it to make my masts, just square stock and hand tools, just like you do, give a much better result (and satisfaction )

 

Remco

[rafine]

Thanks so much Nils, Remco and the "likes".

 

Bob

[gjdale]

Great work Bob, and a great tutorial too!

[Gahm]

Excellent work! I love your tutorial! I have to keep it in mind for the time when I have to do this kind of thing on my Syren model 

 

Thomas

Edited February 4, 2015 by Gahm

[rafine]

Thanks so much Grant and Thomas. Greatly appreciated.

 

Bob

[rafine]

Following up my last update, I made and mounted the trestletree/crosstrees on the topmasts. Before mounting the topmasts on the model, I added blocks that I hadn't previously attached to the lower mastheads.These were the the jeer blocks, with their strops, to the fore and main masts, and the boom topping lift blocks and the peak and throat halliard blocks to the mizzen. I then mounted the topmasts.

 

I'm working on the crows feet now.

 

Bob

[Guest Tim I.]

Bob,

 

Beautiful!

 

Are those Syren blocks you are using for the rigging?

 

Thank you,

 

Tim

Edited February 5, 2015 by Tim I.

[rafine]

Thanks so much Tim and all of the "likes". Yes Tim, they are Syren blocks (and rigging line as well).

 

Bob

[Pheasant]

Yesterday I received a box from ME, which included new modified laser cuts , plans,  and a new handbook.  I don't think I need anything at this stage, but perhaps the additional ship's boat. I might mount two, one off the stern, and another midships.  I don't think I'll start over!

 

I may try to send some photos, but being rather computer illiterate, and 1500 miles from my grand kids, it might take some doing.

 

Terry

[Pheasant]

ME has made  improvements  in some of the laser cuts.  For instance the gallery windows and pump handles release much more cleanly now.

BTW, an easy way to make the elm pumps, is cut a #2 pencil to size, and drill out the lead.

 

Terry

[rafine]

Like the ratlines, it has been a long time since I last did crowsfeet, but absence did not make the heart grow fonder.  They were as much of a pain as I remembered. Minimizing distortion of the stays while getting the lines taut is the hardest part for me. They are done now, however, and its on to the topmast rigging. BTW, the photos make the rigging line look whiter and brighter than it is. It is Syren tan line and looks very good in reality.

 

Bob

 

 

[gjdale]

Nicely done, Bob. It may be a pain, but the results look to be worth it.

[Mirabell61]

Bob,

 

the crowsfeet-rigging is beautifuly done, nice and taught...

 

Nils