Sloop Speedwell 1752 by JeffT - Syren Ship Model Company - 1:32 scale - POF Sloop

[JeffT]

This will be my build log for the Speedwell. I just received the box yesterday so not much to talk about yet. I need to go through the parts and make sure all is organized. I am planning on having a copy made of the plans in Tyvek and a second paper set. I don't plan to cut them up. I can just print the areas of the plan at scale that I need using the pdf's provided by Chuck. I haven't set up a build board yet but I will probably build the keel and all the frames first anyway. More to come.

[JeffT]

Just a few pictures of whats in the box. Had a few items shake loose in transport so needed to make sure I got everything back where I belong. I also printed a few parts of the plan as a test.  Was able to get the copies of the plans done too.

 

 

[JeffT]

Starting with the stem. I just did a quick dry fit and everything fits together almost perfectly. I haven't touched anything yet and just very minor adjustments needed. Doesn't get any better than this. I won't remove any laser char from the surfaces until they are glued together. Don't want to risk rounding over any edges.

 

[Freebird]

Jeff,

 

It’s best to sand the laser burn off the parts while they’re still in the billets. No chance of rounding the edges that way.

 

Best Regards …. Rick

[JeffT]

That probably would have been the right thing to do Rick.

[JeffT]

Weekend progress. Have most of the stem assembled. I used the ultimation sander to clean up the ends. I removed the 120 grit sand disc that came with it and replaced it with 220. The 120 is a little too much for this. I glued the two halves of the lower keel together and the first section of the keel which forms the boxing joint. The inner parts are just dry fit for now.

 

 

[JeffT]

A little more progress. Finished the stem. Not perfect but I do like the way its going so far. Also tapered the stem and joined the front part of the keel.

 

 

 

[Chuck]

Looking nice and clean 

[Stuntflyer]

Ditto! Very nice start. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

[JeffT]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the comments.

[JeffT]

All keel sections are complete. Moving on to the rabbet. I think I'm not going to try an remove all the laser burn. I just gave it a light sanding to smooth things out nicely. I think most of this will not be visible in the end. Hard to get all of it on a picture as its quite long.

 

 

 

[JeffT]

I feel dumb. Can someone point me to the parts for the false keel? Cant seem to find them.

[sfotinos]

The false keel is just strip wood, not laser cut.

Shawn

[Chuck]

Indeed it is...it was supplied as stripwood in the first chapter.

[JeffT]

Thanks. I have 6 strips, 3 are 1/16, which I believe are for the rabbet, and the other 3 are very thin, like 1/32. Am I missing something?

[Chuck]

You should have 3 strips that are 5/16" x 3/32"

[JeffT]

I don't. If you look at my picture of the box contents you'll see a strip with a split on the end, third from bottom, it's 1/32 thick. There are 3 of those. The other 3 are 1/16 thick.

[Chuck]

no worries....they are on the way.

[JeffT]

Thanks. Much appreciated.

[JeffT]

I have completed the rabbet strip and the false keel. Looking good so far and goes together easily.

 

[Chuck]

Looking good!! Well Done.  

[JeffT]

20 hours ago, Chuck said:

Looking good!! Well Done.  

Thanks!

[Freebird]

Any more progress,Jeff?

 

Best Regards …. Rick

[JeffT]

6 minutes ago, Freebird said:

Any more progress,Jeff?

 

Best Regards …. Rick

Hi Rick. Yes, a little. I'll have an update soon.

[Freebird]

Awesome! it's nice to have a few others building at the same stage.

 

Best Regards .... Rick

[JeffT]

A short update. I glued the upper parts of the lower apron apron together. I still need to shape them. I also removed the lower apron part from its sacrificial wood piece (I stuck it back on with some double sided tape) and tested it against my keel. I noted there is a gap between the part and the rabbet strip. Not sure why, so that's something I need to figure out. I think it could be the cedar strip behind the laser cut rabbet strip is still a little too thick but I'm not sure because I did thin it down a bit.

 

[JeffT]

I'm ready to glue the parts of the apron together and noted that the upper parts are just slightly over size. See Pics. Obviously some material needs to be removed but from where? The front or back of the upper piece? Or both? Just want to be sure I don't create a future problem when the frames go on. Thanks

 

[Chuck]

A little from both sides...That was intentional.   It will be all perfectly fine.  dont force them...its fine to sand until a good fit.

 

Chuck

[JeffT]

Ok, Thanks

[Freebird]

Jeff, that’s what I did. I just cleaned up both ends to remove char and squared them up. Once you have glued them to the lower apron, you’ll want to reduce their height. It’s all in the practicum. 

 

Best Regards …. Rick

Edited May 23 by Freebird