Swift by shawn32671 - Artesania Latina

[shawn32671]

Quick update, bow and stern blocks are finish sanded. Philo, the photos in my previous post were of the bow and stern blocks just roughly shaped. I use a metal bur in my dremel tool to remove material fast, then switch to a sanding drum to get the shape close then hand sand with a small sanding block then finish sand with a sheet by hand and divots are gone. Next I'll be fairing up the sides and starting the planking.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 6, 2014 by shawn

[philo426]

Much better now!

[shawn32671]

Moonbug....Believe it or not but the twist in the keel as seen in my pictures above was way way worse than that before I soaked it overnight and flattened it under weights for a couple days. I still couldn't get all of the twist out but I'm hoping to try to get the rest if not most of the twist out once I glue down the deck sheeting.

[Moonbug]

Hey Shawn,

 

     I totally believe how twisted it was before! When I got my Santa Maria kit, the bulwarks were so warped they had split in two.

Back to the swift - my recommendation would be to try and get out as much of the warping as possible before you try and mount the deck. I think the extra work will pay off.  

     Here are a couple of pictures of how I got some of the warp out of the front of my build. 

 

 

I used some extra dowels cut to the exact length of the keel and spread them out to the bulwarks.

 

- Bug

Edited January 6, 2014 by Moonbug

[shawn32671]

Moonbug, I hope you come back and edit your post to include pictures ;-)

[Moonbug]

Hey Shawn, I edited with the pictures, did they come through?

[shawn32671]

Yup, they're there now, great idea for getting the twist out. I've gotta at least try to myself.

[shawn32671]

I finally got the twist out of the keel. I gave the hull a twist in the opposite direction and glued in securely a square piece of 1/8th inch plywood and it appears to have removed the twist, the keel is dead straight across my ruler and the tops of the bulkheads are all even with each other when looking across the top of the keel. Thanks goes to Moonbug for talking me into trying to get the twist out before I proceeded further.

 

 

 

[Moonbug]

Nice work, much improved. That's going to pay big dividends when you start planking the hull!

 

- Bug

[3sheets10]

Alright Shawn, I was hoping you would start this one up soon. I look forward to following along! Looking good so far. 

[shawn32671]

Thanks 3sheets, I've waited long enough to get back to work on this, that's for sure ;-) Well, last update for tonight, I got the bulkheads all faired and ready for planking and glued down the deck sheeting. Please be sure to check out my picture show video of what is finished up to now on this kit at YouTube:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnDZ2IDFqNw

 

 

 

 

Edited January 7, 2014 by shawn

[shawn32671]

I know this isn't a major update but I got the first plank on each side glued down...I'm still new at planking and since most of my builds have been sheeted hulls rather than strip planking, I'm hoping I'm doing this right.

 

[philo426]

Looks good so far

[shawn32671]

Just making sure as I've seen several different ways of laying the first initial plank, some cut and bevel the edges, some do as I'd done and just lay it all the way across. Some start from the deck and work towards the keel edge, and some from keel up to the deck.

Edited January 8, 2014 by shawn

[Moonbug]

There are a few different methods to planking, that's for sure. Personally, I don't think I'm particularly good at it, so I always refer to other folks'.

 

- Bug

[shawn32671]

I guess you are only as good at something as you think you are. I sure don't think I'm that great at planking hulls but I'm learning. I did end up having to bevel the 3rd plank at the bow on both sides of the hull and will likely be doing so with the 4th in line as well. All in all, I think it's coming along nicely though.

 

Edited January 8, 2014 by shawn

[shawn32671]

Quick update...I finished the first layer of planking on the hull and just need to do some minor trimming and sand the hull before proceeding to the second layer of planking. I think it turned out pretty nice.

 

 

 

 

[3sheets10]

Wow, you are moving through the planking! Keep up the great work! 

[Moonbug]

Nice patient work. Let the sanding begin!

 

- Bug

[shawn32671]

Thanks Moonbug and 3sheets, I always hate sanding the most but I've finally got the hull sanded and ready for the second layer of planking. I had a few oddball real low spots somehow that I had to fill in and a few high spots which are expected but it's good to go now.

 

I may hold off on working on the Swift for a bit because a Midwest Products Sakonnet Daysailer is expected to arrive in the mail this afternoon. Besides that, I need to give my finger tips a break from holding down planking and get this thick layer of CA superglue scraped off of my fingers ;-)

 

I have clamps but no real need to use them as much when using CA glue. Of course CA accelerator/kicker helps loads too. Sorry no picture to post of the sanded hull...It looks the same as my last picture anyway other than being smooth.

Edited January 8, 2014 by shawn

[Moonbug]

Hey Shawn,

 

     There always seem to be more bumps and valleys that you realize once you get started on the sanding.  

 

      Be wary of using the CA glue, especially on the second layer of planking. Sometimes it has a tendency to seep through the more porous nature of the thinner wood and cause all sorts of problems and discoloration.  This is particularly true if you're using the pure liquid kind (as opposed to the gel). I use CA for the very small parts, but tend to stick with PVA wood glue types for the rest. I've had much fewer problems with the longevity of the hold.

 

- Bug

[shawn32671]

I agree Bug, especially after the trouble I'd had building the hull on my first tall ship, the Albatros by Constructo and using CA. I will likely go with PVA for the second layer as I'd had this very problem with stain looking blotchy and I'd like to have a less sloppy looking finish after I apply stain and sealer. 

[cdogg]

Nice work Shawn, I have this kit packed away at home, looks like a fun build so far.  Are you going to paint or stain the Swift?

 

Nice to see we both can't stay away from the Midwest kits for too long!  I have the Chesapeake Bay Flattie kit ready to go!

 

Enjoying the weather!

Edited January 8, 2014 by cdogg

[shawn32671]

Casey, I had purchased the Swift about mid year 2013 and finally got around to working on it again. I was originally put off and kind of displeased with the fact that the keel was warped so severely and no amount of soaking in water and weighing down would get that warp out but all is well now. I'm thinking I may just stain the wood depending on how nice it looks once I finish the hull, it's still a toss up at this point though. Going to be starting the Midwest Sakonnet Daysailer I received in the mail tonight so look for a build topic on that very soon.

[philo426]

i Use Franklin Titebond ll wood glue.grabs fast and holds well. 

[shawn32671]

I do in fact have a bottle of Titebond II laying around somewhere, sounds like a good choice to use to me too.

[philo426]

Yeah!Ca tends to darken the wood!

[shawn32671]

I use CA for everything and try to use it sparingly. I try to avoid it in areas where I'll be staining wood though like outer planking.

Edited January 9, 2014 by shawn

[philo426]

hEy Shawn,can you dig my latest project?An ancient(before they raised and studied it)Billings Wasa.Since it is wrong I have dubbed it the Ersatzia!       

[shawn32671]

That's pretty cool philo, I plan to build a large ship similar to the type of yours in the near future.