Rattlesnake by Kenneth Powell - FINISHED - Model Shipways - American Privateer

[russ]

I would not stress too much about the guns under the quarter deck. The breeching would be there to secure the gun, but you do not necessarily have to have the side tackles.

 

Russ  

[MEDDO]

Welcome back.  The rope supplied in many kits is pretty bad but good thing there is a place we know of for high quality line. 

[Kenneth Powell]

Photos I said I would post. I got busy.

Trimmed and sanded with my little boot. Then a little stain - just like the other decks

 

 

[Kenneth Powell]

Please let me know what you think

[russ]

Kenneth:

The weathered effect looks good. I think this is a good match for the main deck.

 

Russ

 

 

[MEDDO]

I like the look of a well done weathered deck.

[Kenneth Powell]

Thanks guys.

I will add a thin coat of satin finish to match the other decks and move on the head rails. Just following the book.

 

Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

Pieces Parts. I tried to cut these out but the kit-supplied basswood kept splitting. I then heat bent them.

Let me know what you think

 

Kenneth

[russ]

That looks pretty good. If you have the shapes you need, then you are good to go.

 

Another way to do this would be to cut a jig and soak the pieces in hot water, clamping them in place on the jig and allow them to dry. Miniature bar clamps would be one way to clamp them to the jig. The jig's curve should be a little more than you need. The pieces will likely spring back a little after you release them from the jig.

 

Russ

 

 

[JSGerson]

I took a different approach for my Rattlesnake, I cut the curve pieces directly, no bending required. See starting at post 330.

 

Jon

[Kenneth Powell]

Thanks guys for your input.

I did try the clamp-to-jig approach but they popped too much once released.

When I tried to cut directly they broke.

Maybe I need more practice, but I have them now.

Painting is next then attaching.

 

Thanks - Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

Hurricane Damage:

While preparing for hurricane Nate and making room for guest from the lower lying areas I sped past and my sleeve caught the stem. I had my hands full and couldn't catch her. But I was fast enough to stick my leg out just enough for her to land on and slide down more gently to the floor. Lucky more damage didn't occur. Easy fix.

Repaired and paint touched-up. All the pieces that broke were large enough to handle and glue to the original spot. I'll call it battle damage or war wounds. Gives character especially to the rail.

I did get started on the head rails.

Still working on them.

Please tell me what you think

Thanks - Kenneth

[russ]

Kenneth:

The battle damage is hardly noticeable. Nice save.

 

So far the head rails look good. Those are complex shapes and always a challenge.

 

Russ

 

 

[JSGerson]

Ouch! I know know your stomach twisted as you watched the model fall in what seemed like slow motion. But, you sucked it up, and performed a nice clean repair, which if you keep quiet about it, no one will ever know. Nice job.

[Kenneth Powell]

Thanks everyone for the likes and comments.

JSG - It was indeed a sickening feeling as her life flashed in front of my eyes for those slow motion moments.

If we can build them then we can fix them.

 

Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

I finished the head rails. The instruction book said they are tricky little buggers and they are correct.

 

I also painted the little dude figure head

I used the admiral's craft paint then sealed him with a coat of satin varnish. Tan for the leather of his clothes, brown for his leather belt and moccasins, his flesh tone for head and hands, pewter for his tomahawk, and black for his Mohawk.

I trimmed and sanded his sitting area. This is him dry fit.

Let me know what you think and especially any ways I can improve.

 

Thanks - Kenneth

[russ]

Kenneth:

You are making good progress. The head rails look good as does the figurehead.

 

My only concern is with the top rail when viewed from ahead. The starboard side is longer than the port side, but if they are at the same level otherwise, I think it will be okay. The upper ends of the top rail meets the cathead I think, so I am guessing you will trim them off when you install the catheads. 

 

Russ

 

 

[Kenneth Powell]

Thanks Russ, I'll take a closer look at it and see what I can do.

[Kenneth Powell]

I leveled the head rails and set my little dude in his place.

I also built the platform with the seats of ease

And I attached the gunport lids

Please give input,

Thanks - Kenneth

[russ]

Kenneth:

The head rails look good. I like the gun port covers as well. Nicely done. 

 

Russ

 

 

[JSGerson]

Those gun port covers look nice, but they may become problematic. They are delicate and have a tendency to be knocked off easily through the course of handling the model. If they do get knocked off, I'd leave them off till such time they are absolutely required.

 

Jon

[Kenneth Powell]

Thanks Guys for the input.

Jon, I've already knocked one of the gun port covers off. I've set it aside.

 

Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

With the gun ports secured for now I've added a gun and started rigging.

This rigging line supplied with the kit is very unforgiving. Can anyone show or tell how to get the rope coils that look so cool?

 

Looking for input - Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

I decided to simplify the gun rigging and finish their installation. 

Comments Welcome

 

Kenneth

[Martin W]

Hi Kenneth -- This is a nice build you have going.  If you're still wondering how to do the rope coils, here's the simple trick:  you just soak a length of rope in diluted white glue, then make the coil.  It should take the shape you want while wet fairly easily (you might use tweezers to keep your fingers clean), and then it'll keep that shape when dry. 

 

Cheers,

 

Martin

[Kenneth Powell]

Thanks Martin for the tip, the comment and the like.

Thanks to everyone for the likes.

 

Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

Now that the guns are in I installed the fixed gangways.

The guns under the gangway are very cramped even though the measurements came off the plans.

Comments welcomed.

 

Kenneth

[Kenneth Powell]

I just edge-glued 1/16 planks and cut to shape and stained like the decks.

[Kenneth Powell]

I have been working on my Rattlesnake:

Finished the anchors

 

Finished other deck additions

Painting cleats for later installation:

 

Comments Welcome

 

Kenneth

 

[Kenneth Powell]

I haven't posted in a while but I have been working on my Rattlesnake.

Along with that I've been home teleworking and I'm more busy now that ever. But, I do enjoy not spending gas money on my daily commute to the sunroom.

Some cleats installed:

 

Also see the kevels in the above photos. I made 6, 2 were backwards and 1 split. I was surprised how quickly I cut the 3 new ones. I guess I was in a groove.

I made a gig to build the chainplates:

I've installed the chainplates but haven't taken photos; somehow I skipped that but will make up for it.

I put together the rails with the deck buckets. I couldn't find too many models with the deck buckets but I did add them:

 

Also the front rail:

Then the hand rails to the deck buckets:

Next I installed the rudder and tiller:

That's it for now.  With afternoon temperatures around 94 - 97 and heat indexes between 105 - 110 here on the Gulf coast, I'll spend more time in the indoor shipyard.

Comments welcome.

Take care and stay safe - Kenneth