USS Constitution by Der Alte Rentner - Model Shipways - 1/76

[Der Alte Rentner]

It would be nice if somehow the proportional dividers had a similar locking mechanism.   For what it's worth, the $25 Amazon offering did lock nicely.  I do see the value of using the proportional dividers for the remaining 27 strakes I have to plank, and may yet risk using the pliers to torque it/them(?) into submission.  

 

Thanks Gregg

 

By the way, I had breakfast at the Little Chef in McHenry this morning.  Know it?

[Der Alte Rentner]

Zone 3 complete.  5 to go.  

 

First four, right side up.  Last 4, work side up.

 

 

Still struggling with the lighting.  Note to self:  Self, bring camera and tripod to shipyard.  

 

 

The camera picks up details the eyeballs don't.  The symmetry is slightly off again.  Oh well..

 

Not so obvious in this view.  

 

 

 

 

[Geoff Matson]

Looks like all is coming together nicely. Lots. of work, but big rewards. Have fun

[SUBaron]

Looking really good! Dont sweat the symmetry issue. Nobody will ever see that once this is complete. I know we all care about that, but the truth is unless someone picks up your finished model and eyeballs it from stem to stern - it will never be noticed. And if someone does that - it’s grounds for expulsion from the party 🙂

[Der Alte Rentner]

Zone 4 complete.  4 to go.  Pictures follow.

 

Note:  the experiment with the rare earth magnets as clamps was failure.  The magnets I got were too small in diameter.  I can barely separate them. and when I try to position them between planks they reconnect.  Weaker magnets were manageable but didn't have the holding power.  I'm getting to the point where I can't use clamps.  So, I've got to prep the bulkheads and planks very carefully so that when I glue the planks up, they lay the way they're supposed to.   Sorry, no pictures of the experiment.  I'm going to try one more time with larger diameter magnets.  Stay tuned.

 

 

 

 

Note to SUBaron (Andre):

When you shape the stern filler blocks, pay attention to the way you flare the aft end of those.

You can't really tell from this photo, but the angle coming to the stern isn't flat enough.  The

aft end of the planks need to run all the way to the the rabbet.  If the filler block is too rounded,

the ends won't reach.  I just spent an hour with chisel and x-acto knives to modify the shape.

I may have a small gap to fill with filler for the absolute aftmost portions of the last strake I just

added, but for the next four or five, I should be good. 

 

[JSGerson]

Magnets or no magnets, your planking looks great!

 

Jon

[Der Alte Rentner]

Another week, another zone.  5 down, three to go.

 

As I was struggling with the plank work at the bow today, I really wish I'd taken the time - up front, to add some filler blocks between bulkhead A and B. Likewise between bulkhead Q and R.  Getting the planks to curve properly in those areas now is problematic.  Not noticeable at a distance, or right side up, but up close, where I've been spending all my time of late? Sigh..   This is not the ideal hobby for a perfectionist.  

 

April 16 Post Script  -  (after having read part 1 of the piece on building the Brig Niagara in the Spring 2024 Issue of the Nautical Research Journal (Vol 69, NO. 1)) :  Evidently there's a forum somewhere here at Model Ship World with a tip to add additional filler blocks.  The photo in the Niagara build article shows no less than three filler blocks at the bow.  I amend my previous wish to include at least two additional filler blocks.   

 

Resumption of April 11 post:

The good news is that the extra time getting the tick marks on the bulkheads right is paying dividends now.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 16 by Der Alte Rentner
added commentary

[Altduck]

On 4/11/2024 at 4:15 PM, Der Alte Rentner said:

The good news is that the extra time getting the tick marks on the bulkheads right is paying dividends now.

Yes it is, and your planking looks really good - tight fits and symmetrical.

[Der Alte Rentner]

Six down, three zones (or 10 strakes) to go.  Man-oh-man, am I ever ready for this stage of the build to be over!

 

I found some clamps at Amazon that, with a small modification (grinding flat the curved portion that is not visible in the photograph below), works well in the tight spaces I have left.   (See last photo in today's batch)

 

1. That clamp in action:

 

On to the build.

First, work-side up:

 

 

 

 

Then for a change of pace, right side up.

 

 

The clamp ad at Amazon:  Note, I tried gluing a wooden shim on the inside face at the bottom of the clamp as pictured below, but it didn't stick very well. In the end I simply ground off that lip using my belt sander, which made short work of it.  

 

Edited April 16 by Der Alte Rentner
typo, what else?

[Der Alte Rentner]

7 down, 1 zone to go.  I am sooooo ready for this to be done.  Barring the unforeseeable, one more week should do it.

(P.S. to Rita and Clement.  Touch base if you're following along, thanks)  

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 23 by Der Alte Rentner
post script

[JSGerson]

Continuing to respond to your query on Mustafa's (mtbediz) blog, here are the seven additional images I have of the 1797 version model by Mark Antczak.

[Der Alte Rentner]

2 hours ago, JSGerson said:

the 1797 version model by Mark Antczak.

Simply stunning Jon,  I don't suppose you know the scale?  I'm guessing this is a fairly large model, judging by the details I'm seeing.   

 

Thank you kindly good sir.

[GGibson]

Awesome pictures, Jon!  Maybe 1:48 based on this website, Peter? Mark Antczak (1949 – ) – American Marine Models (shipmodel.com)

[SUBaron]

Great planking - and thanks for the new clamp 🗜️ idea - always looking for new tools!! 

[Der Alte Rentner]

13 hours ago, GGibson said:

Awesome pictures, Jon!  Maybe 1:48 based on this website, Peter? Mark Antczak (1949 – ) – American Marine Models (shipmodel.com)

Very Interesting.  When I googled the name, I got a hit for someone associated with Anxiety Canada - a much younger fellow than this Mark who would be in his mid 70s today. 

 

Thank you for providing the link Gregg. The blurb on Mark there did say he built a 1/4" (1:48) scale version of the Constitution in 1990.  The piece goes on to say where it was displayed for a time in its history, ending with - it "was subsequently put on loan to the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine where it was displayed for a several years."

 

I will pursue that lead to see if I can find where it is today.  I would love to see it up close.

 

Thanks again.

 

best

Peter

 

 

Edited April 23 by Der Alte Rentner
typos corrected

[Der Alte Rentner]

10 hours ago, SUBaron said:

thanks for the new clamp 🗜️ idea -

don't forget, you'll need to grind off that lip to use these as I did.  (I wish I'd found these sooner in the planking process, but better late than never)

[Der Alte Rentner]

I couldn't resist posting this pic.  Five more strakes on the port side and the hull will be fully planked.  (I did fit the garboard strake there yesterday, so I'm close to being done.)

 

One lesson I learned was that the fairing process at the onset - as well as that of carving of the rabbets at the bearding line, needed more attention to detail.  I'm paying the price now.  It took two days to lay in the garboard and remaining 4 strakes in zone 8, mostly because I had to fiddle with the rabbets and bulkheads at the bearding line.  Really sharp gouges of varying sizes made this doable.   And had I waited to do the garboard strake last, I would have been in deep doodoo💩!  The good news was that I could use just one plank there.

 

 

For all the attention to planking in the "guide" (Andre's term) there's no mention of handling the garboard strake.  Several resources I've consulted handle that particular strake differently than the rest and install it earlier in the process.  

 

[SUBaron]

I’ll be following your log intently when it’s time to plank. I know a lot of planking issues can be covered with sanding, wood filler and even paint - but I would like my planking to look as close to yours as possible. I  know some of my rabbet (aka “terrible”) needs work. I plan to drop some bulwark fillers and I have a great wood carving tool I had forgotten about that will make a crisp deep channel. 
 

Your planking is artful and I’m thankful for your advice before I even start mine!

[Der Alte Rentner]

On 4/26/2024 at 4:53 PM, SUBaron said:

I know a lot of planking issues can be covered with sanding, wood filler and even paint -

I plan to retroactively update one of my posts from where I began the planking process with notes from my 'future self'.  One thought I'll share now is this:  If you plan to paint and add copper plating, you can probably spare yourself a lot of grief up front.  As you pointed out, wood filler, sand paper and then paint, should correct any mistakes made in planking - up to a point.

 

Looking back at the 'guide', Mr. Hunt said, "I have sanded the hull with 100, 150 and 220 grit sandpaper and given it 4 coats of Polycyclic. I sanded with 400 grit sandpaper between coats and gave the hull a good rub down with #0000 steel wool after the last coat was applied.  The hull is smooth as glass and will take the paint and copper plating well."

 

I'm surprised that, after all that prep work, one can still discern the gaps between the planks.  Had he gone over the dips in the hull he mentioned with wood filler, those sections would probably look odd without the gaps on the neighboring planking.

 

[Der Alte Rentner]

At last!  

Planking is done.  The last row was a royal PITA!  but all's well that ends well. 

 

Next steps?  Decide whether or not to paint.  If not, figure out a staining scheme, but experiment mightily first!   To buy time, and not derail construction, I may divert to other aspects of the build - maybe start constructing masts and spars?  Or, as seems very popular amongst others here at MSW, start on the cannons. 

 

But, First things first.  Tonight I celebrate this milestone with a double Manhattan and a fine meal out!  Tomorrow can wait. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 29 by Der Alte Rentner
moved photos around, and corrected typos

[GGibson]

Looks really nice, Peter!  Congrats on getting the planking done!  From everything I have read from others' build logs, sounds like a "cannon diversion" may be the best option! 🤷‍♀️But, for now, enjoy your evening out! 🍸Cheers!

[Geoff Matson]

Major milestone. Looks good

[mtbediz]

Congratulations! Excellent planking, if I were you I wouldn't paint it.

[JSGerson]

It's beautiful. You should be proud of yourself. Well done!

 

Jon

[rlwhitt]

Gorgeous planking!  If I could plank that good I'd be loathe to cover it in paint or copper.  

Edited April 30 by rlwhitt

[Der Alte Rentner]

1 hour ago, mtbediz said:

.. if I were you I wouldn't paint it.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mustafa.  One thought I have it to stain the bulk of the hull to be darker than the section along the gun ports.  But in general, is there anything I should know about applying stains, poly, polyacrylic, and subsequent gluing?  There will be many parts to affix to the hull in the coming months, and I'm concerned about how will these will adhere.  I would not want to sand away then, any finish I painstakingly apply now.

[Der Alte Rentner]

24 minutes ago, rlwhitt said:

If I could plank that good I'd be loathe to cover it in paint or copper. 

If I knew I could achieve the results you did with the Essex, I'd be loathe NOT to paint and copper!   Thanks.

[SUBaron]

18 hours ago, Der Alte Rentner said:

I plan to retroactively update one of my posts from where I began the planking process with notes from my 'future self'.  One thought I'll share now is this:  If you plan to paint and add copper plating, you can probably spare yourself a lot of grief up front.  As you pointed out, wood filler, sand paper and then paint, should correct any mistakes made in planking - up to a point.

 

Looking back at the 'guide', Mr. Hunt said, "I have sanded the hull with 100, 150 and 220 grit sandpaper and given it 4 coats of Polycyclic. I sanded with 400 grit sandpaper between coats and gave the hull a good rub down with #0000 steel wool after the last coat was applied.  The hull is smooth as glass and will take the paint and copper plating well."

 

I'm surprised that, after all that prep work, one can still discern the gaps between the planks.  Had he gone over the dips in the hull he mentioned with wood filler, those sections would probably look odd without the gaps on the neighboring planking.

 

First, congratulations on an excellent job of planking - it looks fantastic. 

Second - why not work on the ship's boats next? Those look like a lot of fun. Some folks actually started with those.

[Der Alte Rentner]

6 minutes ago, SUBaron said:

why not work on the ship's boats next? Those look like a lot of fun. Some folks actually started with those.

Frankly, those boats have always looked like they're painful to construct.  Now that I've gotten some experience working with gouges (including the sharpening thereof), I might revisit the topic - sooner rather than later. 

 

.. having reviewed the Hunt videos on this just now, I'm leaning towards later rather than sooner. 

 

In the (very) short term, I'll enjoy a respite from the shipyard, poring over build logs, gathering information, ideas and inspiration.   

 

 

[JSGerson]

After I finished my Rattlesnake (Hunt practicum), I wanted a change of pace before I started with the Constitution. I decided to work on the Conny's boats first. They were a lot of fun and you can load them up with as much or little (especially if you're going to cover them when they are finally installed on the ship) detail as you want. I relied a lot on the US Navy plans for the details. Surprisingly, the MS plan details were very close to the US Navy's. They were like eating potato chips - "you can't just eat one."

 

Jon