Freebird Posted May 10 Share #1 Posted May 10 This marks the start of my Syren POF Speedwell! I’ve been dealing with some medical issues and am now close to being 100%, so here we go! A POF has been a bucket list build for a long time as I’ve admired this style of model. Most of the offerings out there just didn’t appeal to me with the scaffold type of construction. Enter Chuck with his Speedwell, Bingo! I’m a huge fan of Chuck’s designs and all the help he (and the other MSW modelers) provides, it gives guys like me a lot of hope. I’ve built Chuck’s Medway (my first wood build) and it came out awesome. Thanks Chuck! I’ve started Cheerful but a POF build has extreme attraction for me. I’ll probably work on Cheerful when a break is needed. Last month at the New London Conference I got to meet Chuck (and Rusty, Ryland and Olha and several others! Awesome to meet you guys!). Had some great conversations and it was nice putting a face to the name. Also, I got to eyeball Chuck’s Speedwell, pictures in the build thread don’t do it justice. A real beauty! Anyway, here we go! When Chuck said there was a lot of wood in the 1st 2 chapters, he wasn’t kidding! The laser cutting is the best I’ve ever seen in a model. A lot of the parts had fallen out of the billets, so I took some time to place them in their proper place and used some blue painters tape to hold them in place. Because the thickness of the wood, I see a lot of billet sanding to remove surface char in my future. Here’s a picture of the wood. Stem will be started tonight. Best Regards …. Rick yvesvidal, sfotinos, rcweir and 12 others 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanyed Posted May 11 Share #2 Posted May 11 (edited) Looking forward to your build Rick. You surely picked the number one kit maker for our hobby, bar none. One of the best things about the Syren model kits is that Chuck thoroughly researches each offering, confers with experts in ship modeling, then builds the model so he can work out any small issues before going into big production. Allan Edited May 11 by allanyed davec and Chuck 2 Quote PLEASE take 30 SECONDS and sign up for the epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series. Click on http://trafalgar.tv There is no cost other than the 30 seconds of your time. THANK YOU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted May 11 Author Share #3 Posted May 11 Thank you Allen. I totally agree with you about Chuck and his efforts to help the modeling community. Best in the business! Best Regards .... Rick davec and allanyed 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted May 11 Author Share #4 Posted May 11 (edited) Here’s last night’s effort, the stem. It took a fair amount of time to get the parts to fit well, the angle cut of the laser is a bugger and careful sanding is required to get gap free joints. I mostly used a file and sanding sticks, I also used with excellent results my Byrnes 4” sander (RIP Jim, we miss you) for trimming down the joints that Chuck points out is his build. Overall it was a pleasant experience. Now to start the taper... Best Regards …. Rick Edited May 11 by Freebird Rustyj, Ryland Craze, davyboy and 12 others 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustyj Posted May 11 Share #5 Posted May 11 Off to a great start Rick. Ryland Craze and davec 2 Quote Rusty "So Long For Now" Current Builds: Speedwell Completed Build Logs: HMS Winchelsea 1/48 Duchess of Kingston USF Confederacy , US Brig Syren , Triton Cross Section , Bomb Vessel Cross Section, Cutter Cheerful, Queen Anne Barge, Medway Longboat Completed Build Gallery: Brig Syren , 1870 Mississippi Riverboat , 1949 Chris-Craft 19' Runabout Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted May 11 Author Share #6 Posted May 11 (edited) Thank you Rusty, it's been fun so far. Thanks to All for the Likes, much appreciated! Best Regards .... Rick Edited May 11 by Freebird Ryland Craze 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted May 12 Author Share #7 Posted May 12 (edited) My first stem tapering with a figurehead. Thoughts? Also, how much of a radius should the stem have? I just knocked the corner off for now. Best Regards …. Rick Edited May 12 by Freebird GrandpaPhil, davyboy, Ryland Craze and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted May 12 Share #8 Posted May 12 Yes just knock the corner off a bit. I would continue the taper lower a bit…not much by maybe a 3/4”. Ryland Craze, Freebird and davec 3 Quote Chuck Passaro - MSW Admin Sloop Speedwell - POF scratch Block Island Boat - POF scratch HMS Winchelsea - POB scratch build HM Cutter Cheerful - POB scratch build Royal Barge - POF scratch Medway Longboat- POF Scratch SYREN SHIP MODEL COMPANY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted May 12 Author Share #9 Posted May 12 I thought it was still a little fat, but didn’t know how far down to go. Thanks for the eyeball Chuck! Best Regards …. Rick Ryland Craze 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted May 13 Author Share #10 Posted May 13 Here’s the final version of the stem. Still looking a little porky, Chuck? Best Regards …. Rick JeffT, Ryland Craze, davyboy and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted May 13 Share #11 Posted May 13 Maybe but it looks pretty good to my eye from the pics. Ryland Craze and Freebird 2 Quote Chuck Passaro - MSW Admin Sloop Speedwell - POF scratch Block Island Boat - POF scratch HMS Winchelsea - POB scratch build HM Cutter Cheerful - POB scratch build Royal Barge - POF scratch Medway Longboat- POF Scratch SYREN SHIP MODEL COMPANY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryland Craze Posted May 13 Share #12 Posted May 13 What a nice beginning to a great model. It was great seeing you and your Medway Longboat at the Northeast Ship Model Conference. Based on the work you did with your Medway, your Speedwell will be a terrific model. Freebird 1 Quote Ryland Member - Hampton Roads Ship Model Society - Ship Model Society of New Jersey - Nautical Research Guild Current Build - Armed Virginia Sloop, 18th Century Longboat Completed Build - Medway Longboat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanyed Posted May 13 Share #13 Posted May 13 (edited) One of the many positive things to me about the thoroughness Chuck puts into his kits is the taper of the knee of the head both fore and aft as well as vertically. This is a pretty basic design item and something seen on virtually all British naval vessels, (and maybe merchant or nations' vessels as well), yet, for whatever reason, the majority of other kit manufacturers seem to ignore this completely. Allan Edited May 13 by allanyed Rustyj and Freebird 2 Quote PLEASE take 30 SECONDS and sign up for the epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series. Click on http://trafalgar.tv There is no cost other than the 30 seconds of your time. THANK YOU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted May 13 Author Share #14 Posted May 13 Quote What a nice beginning to a great model. It was great seeing you and your Medway Longboat at the Northeast Ship Model Conference. Based on the work you did with your Medway, your Speedwell will be a terrific model. Ryland, thank you for the kind words! It was a pleasure for me meeting you as I've been a big fan of your builds. I just hope that I can do Speedwell justice! Best Regards .... Rick Ryland Craze 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvesvidal Posted May 15 Share #15 Posted May 15 On 5/10/2024 at 7:59 PM, Freebird said: Impressive stack of precious wood !!! Yves Ryland Craze 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted May 16 Author Share #16 Posted May 16 This morning marks my first contribution to the swear jar. I was trying to fit the stepped part of the keel and guess I didn’t have enough coffee or sleep and really butchered the part. Being this joint is visible, a new part will need to be made. Best Regards …. Rick Seventynet, Ryland Craze, yvesvidal and 2 others 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted May 16 Author Share #17 Posted May 16 When it comes to scrap wood, I very rarely throw it away, especially AYC. Digging around in the scrap box I found a perfect piece. It only took about 1/2 hour to make a replacement, now to continue with the build. The swear jar is happy as is the scrap bin, it got the messed up part. Best Regards …. Rick Matt D, Chuck, GrandpaPhil and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted May 16 Share #18 Posted May 16 Nice save....I have a bit of room on that sheet so I have added a second pair of those parts 9 & 10 just in case. Best to have a back up... I am watching the current builds closely so I can add extra back up pieces based on which ones might need it if room on the sheet allows. Ryland Craze, yvesvidal, Freebird and 2 others 5 Quote Chuck Passaro - MSW Admin Sloop Speedwell - POF scratch Block Island Boat - POF scratch HMS Winchelsea - POB scratch build HM Cutter Cheerful - POB scratch build Royal Barge - POF scratch Medway Longboat- POF Scratch SYREN SHIP MODEL COMPANY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvesvidal Posted May 16 Share #19 Posted May 16 Syren Ship Models...the ultimate kit with spare parts. What a fantastic idea, Chuck. Yves Freebird, Chuck and Ryland Craze 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted Friday at 04:21 PM Author Share #20 Posted Friday at 04:21 PM (edited) Here’s this morning’s efforts. I added the bottom of the keel, but first had to make the angle cut. To make the cut more accurate, I drew a line on the plan extending the required angle. Then placed the wood over the line. Next, using your favorite cutting utensil score the wood using the lines on each side as a guide. After that, use a machinist square to draw a line across the wood. Now you have a guide for a straight cut. I used a new razor blade to make the cut and only needed a quick touch with sandpaper to make a perfect cut. Next, I used that cut to set the angle on my Byrnes disk sander for the mating part. All parts lined up perfectly for gluing in place. Best Regards …. Rick Edited Friday at 04:29 PM by Freebird JpR62, Ryland Craze, baribeaujm and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted Friday at 08:15 PM Author Share #21 Posted Friday at 08:15 PM Thank you everyone for the likes, much appreciated and it keeps me motivated! Here’s the completed keel, being on the long side, it’s hard to get decent pictures. I’ve also started on the forward apron, the wedges are glued together and ready to start fitting them. Best Regards …. Rick Ryland Craze, Chuck, JpR62 and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted Sunday at 03:53 PM Author Share #22 Posted Sunday at 03:53 PM Yesterday, I tackled the upper/lower apron. I had glued the wedge halves together a few days ago and had them lined up in the proper order on my workbench. However, I noticed that 8/9 wedge was missing! What the heck! Over an hour of searching produced negative results, swear jar was very happy. Only thing I could think of was the family cat took it as she likes to spend time with me. So, do I get a hold of Chuck and wait for replacement, or forge ahead. I really didn’t want to contact Chuck as he’s headed out for some R&R. I decided to make a replacement. I first tried the make the wedge by hand, I mean it’s all straight lines, right? Well I forgot that I can’t draw a straight line using a ruler. The results were very pathetic and not worthy. Well I forgot that I have a Proxxon mill, perfect! After about 1/2 hour of milling I dropped the part into the appropriate hole in the billet and it was a perfect fit. Yea! Sorry, but in my haste to move on, I forgot to take pictures. As you can see, the replacement really stands out on the apron. Best Regards …. Rick rcweir, Rustyj, davyboy and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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