Maine Peapod by Robert952 - Midwest Products - 1:14 - SMALL

[robert952]

I had a few spare minutes this afternoon.  I trimmed and sanded the keel and stem pieces.  Still have to fill the scarf joint and a few other areas.  

 

However, I wanted to post this quick update.

 

It's starting to look more and more like a boat. 

 

[JacquesCousteau]

Very nice job, the added keel really brings it to life and differentiates it from other peapod builds.

[robert952]

5 hours ago, JacquesCousteau said:

Very nice job, the added keel really brings it to life and differentiates it from other peapod builds.

Back in Jan. 2022, Chuck Bauer was the speaker for an NRG Online Workshop titled 'Stategic Detailing.' At the start Chuck pointed out reasons for adding details to a model as: "Improving the visual appeal of the model, adding historic accuracy and differentiating it from others."  

 

Your observation confirms I am hitting his bullet points.  

 

I appreciate your comment and observation.

 

Thank you.  

 

[robert952]

Breasthooks and Ribs in place

 

In between putting up my Christmas decorations...

(A cartridge in a bare tree)

 

...and celebrating Christmas with parents, sibs and in-laws, I have managed some time at the workbench.

The breasthooks needed some sanding and beveling to fit; I did not have any problems with those.  Here's the bow piece:

(Note to self: Clean up that stem joint a bit more before you paint it.)

 

The instructions show installing the ribs from one end to the other.  I chose a different path. I found the midship line and started in the middle.  I made several measurements to help insure the distance to the ends of that rib were the same distance from one stem.  They still ended up ended up a bit of center but not too bad (about 1/16 off).

 

 

I then used dividers and marked each of the other ribs' positions with a line parallel to the previous and worked towards the stems; one rib at a time.  I used the same method as before on the planks: soaking the wood in hot water; clamp it in place; and after they dried, I glued them in place. Took a bit of time over several days to get them all installed. 

 

On other build logs for this model, I read that keeping the ribs parallel and straight proved to be challenging.  I concur. The end product is off a bit on some of the ribs. However, as others have stated (and shown with their finished models) the seats and inwales can reduce the effect of those ribs.  I am pleased with the results of my work.  Below the ribs are in place, trimmed and sanded to the sheer. 

 

At the bow (right end in photo in above) I did 'fudge' the locations a bit.  I will need to add the mast step between the second and third (from the bow) ribs.  A bit closer look below.

I just hope that paint will cover all my markings. Shouldn't take more than 20 or 30 coats.   😉  Maybe less. 

 

I plan on using a sanding filler to have a smooth surface for painting. So, it shouldn't take but a couple coats. 🤞

 

Next up (probably after Christmas) installing floorboards, mast step, and risers.  I will likely cut a redesigned bow seat during this time, also.  More on that when I get there. 

 

I have to decide to when to paint the hull: after the risers or after the inwales go in.  Not sure which, but definitely before the seats get installed.   

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

 

 

Edited December 23, 2024 by robert952
Typos and grammar corrections

[Knocklouder]

Love your tree, your boat looks good as well.. Merry Christmas  and all the best for the new year my friend. 

Bob  M.     

[robert952]

Floor Boards and Mast Step in place.

 

Short post tonight.  

 

I put the floor boards in place. It wasn't until I took the photo that I saw how far off I laid the boards. I lined them up with each other and didn't check their alignment with the center line. Live and learn.  

I also made and installed the mast step.  Not part of the original model. It took me a couple of rounds to get one that I was happy with. Did a lot of sanding to get it to fit into place  Because of error on the floor boards, I made sure the step is more inline with the stem.  

Next up in the instructions: installing the risers. The instructions say they go 1/2 inch below the top of the hull. I made a quick measuring tool so that I can mark position. I can set the horizontal piece, on the hull and mark at the bottom black section. That may give me a fighting chance at keeping it in proper position. 

As with other planking, I'll soak the wood and bend it in place.  Once they dry, they will get glued in place. 

 

I will probably do the inwales at this point.  

Edited December 30, 2024 by robert952
grammatical fix

[robert952]

Risers and Inwales installed

 

Once I got back to the bench (RL and all that) it didn't take long to install the risers (and inwales).  

I put a tick mark on each rib, soaked, shaped, and clamped the planks in place and waited for them to dry.  A 'spot' of glue at each tick mark and clamped the planks in place. 

 

The instructions say to install the seats at this point. However, I plan on painting before the seats go in. I could be wrong but I think the task using an airbrush will be easier without the seats in the way. I went ahead and installed the inwales using the same process. 

I'll do some sanding to even up the inwales with the hull; only one small area is out of kilter.

 

My painting plans are to do some cleanup at some of the corners, apply a sanding sealer and get the model ready for airbrushing. Of course, as I write this, winter storm warnings are out. So getting out to the garage may be a few days until we get back to normal temps (around 58 F this time of the year). However, I've other things I can work on. Like new seats and the rudder. And the lobster trap and the oars, too.  

 

If I make a custom color, I will likely paint the knees and seats before installing them to make sure the seats match. (Of course, it may be interesting if the seats were a different color.)

 

Speaking of seats, I do have to make a new seat for the bow.  Maybe a new bench seat, also.

Here is a shot of the seats supplied in the kit 'dry fit' in place.

 

When planning on the sail, I saw several images of small boats with a mast step similar to what I have in place. They use a deck or seat with a hole lined up over the step that helps support the mast.  

 

I will make a new seat to replace the kit supplied part to extend over the mast step. Using the original as a starting pattern, I will extend the bow seat  to the red line below. This reduces the space to the first bench so I will probalby move that back a bit.  Since the seat was die cut to fit snugly in place inside the hull, moving the seat means it doesn't sit on the risers. But, the shape is easy enough to duplicate a bit larger.  

As a side bar of this model...

 

I have started thinking about a 'tool box' for the boat. After all, it's all in the details. I will likely make an 'orange crate' to put in the boat. Inside this box I will place the oarlocks, fashion a lobster guage - more on that when I get to that modeling that; a knife and maybe another doodad or two. The type of things anyone who has been fishing would have on their boat. Also, I will make a gaff hook that would be used to pull traps out of the water. 

 

Regarding oarlocks, peapods were often rowed standing. To make that task easier, a taller oarlock was used. The drawing I use as my reference indicates both sizes of oarlocks. I figure it would be a nice detail to add. 

 

I asked my son to see if he can print a 3D model of these. To that end, I took photos of the oarlocks supplied in the kit; used my calipers to measure what I could and give an idea of what the extended oarlock would look like.  Using the graph paper as my background provides a 'sanity check' as I put the measurements on the drawing. A couple of the measurements are an average between the two pieces. 

 

Well, enough rambling for this post. 

 

 

[Bryan Woods]

Great job Robert, I too think the details make a big difference. It gives  more reason to keep looking:-) I’ll be waiting to see what all you can come up with!

[robert952]

9 hours ago, Bryan Woods said:

Great job Robert, I too think the details make a big difference. It gives  more reason to keep looking:-) I’ll be waiting to see what all you can come up with!

Thanks. Also interesting to learn about side related issues like lobster scales and lobster traps.