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

[GGibson]

5 hours ago, Der Alte Rentner said:

...I finally switched to boxwood, and I lost two of those in the drilling pass as well.  But in the end, I got it done.

 

Sounds like boxwood is the way to go for these smaller parts.  I really haven't had the "need" to have any boxwood for previous builds, but from all of your build logs I am reading, I purchased a small supply of boxwood for my Constitution from Joe at Modeler's Sawmill.  got a few 1/32" & 1/16" thick sheets, as well as some strips for deck planking.

 

Not sure if I saw this explained previously, Peter, so sorry for asking again if I missed it.  When you cut and drilled these gunport lids, did you initially drill the holes from long strips and then cut the lids to size, or did you cut to size, then drill the necessary holes?  Do you cut the holes with some waste wood behind the pieces being cut?  Always interested in others' processes...

 

Happy 4th!  USA, USA!! 

Edited Friday at 09:21 PM by GGibson

[mtbediz]

8 hours ago, GGibson said:

Not sure if I saw this explained previously, Peter, so sorry for asking again if I missed it.  When you cut and drilled these gunport lids, did you initially drill the holes from long strips and then cut the lids to size, or did you cut to size, then drill the necessary holes? 

Drilling first and then cutting usually gives better results and reduces scrap. That's how I usually do it."

Edited yesterday at 05:54 AM by mtbediz

[Der Alte Rentner]

6 hours ago, mtbediz said:

Drilling first and then cutting usually gives better results and reduces scrap. That's how I usually do it."

Sadly no. I cut the holes after I fabricated the rectangular pieces. Lesson learned. Thank you.

 

And Gregg, you're wise to use anything other than Basswood on the Constitution. I've used almost none of it after I did the hull. And in retrospect I wish I'd known to do it for the hull.

Edited yesterday at 12:29 PM by Der Alte Rentner

[mtbediz]

3 hours ago, Der Alte Rentner said:

Sadly no. I cut the holes after I fabricated the rectangular pieces. Lesson learned. Thank you.

Let me also point this out, I cut the pieces a little larger and do fine tuning with sanding machine. 

Edited yesterday at 04:17 PM by mtbediz

[Der Alte Rentner]

19 hours ago, GGibson said:

Do you cut the holes with some waste wood behind the pieces being cut?  Always interested in others' processes...

Sorry, I forgot to answer this in my last reply. Yes, indeed, I put waste wood behind the pieces being cut. Unfortunately the drill itself catches  on the Basswood and sucks it up.  Note: I had no problem with the one 1/16" drill. It's the 3/16" drill for center hole that proved problematic.  Rookie mistake?  

 

This was not quite the same problem with the boxwood. In that case the grain of the boxwoods split as I was drilling that Center hole. Part of the problem with the Basswood is that I took the 3/32" material that the gunport lids came from to try to make the replacement pieces first.  

 

I've made this point several times in the past, but I'll double down on it now. The materials that come with this kit are abysmal. Had I known that at the onset, I would have replaced everything with boxwood on day one. Or chosen contrasting hardwoods to achieve the finish that I'm hoping for.   

Edited 23 hours ago by Der Alte Rentner

[mtbediz]

Peter, when drilling soft and thin woods before, turning the drill in the opposite direction helped me drill without splitting the wood. This information may come in handy in the future.

[GGibson]

1 hour ago, mtbediz said:

...turning the drill in the opposite direction helped me drill without splitting the wood...

 

This is interesting, Mustafa.  And, I assume, using a hand-held pin vise?  I don't think my Proxxon has a reverse gear! 🤷‍♂️😅

[mtbediz]

8 hours ago, GGibson said:

 

This is interesting, Mustafa.  And, I assume, using a hand-held pin vise?  I don't think my Proxxon has a reverse gear! 🤷‍♂️😅

Greg, I have a reversible hand drill like in the photo. I use it when necessary.

 

 

Edited 13 hours ago by mtbediz