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1880's Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver by Keith Black - FINISHED - 1:120 Scale


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1 hour ago, tmj said:

Beautiful Keith!!! 

If you're having a hard time with 'finally' completing this fantastic build, and still find yourself looking for some other little touches that you could add to it... Hmm. Maybe 'further darkening' the walking path around and into the door showing a lot of foot traffic, dirty boots and abuse in that area as well as any 'other' areas that would get significantly more foot traffic than other areas. Just a thought. 🙂   

 Thank you, Tom. Please look a bit closer. 

 

1 hour ago, wefalck said:

Some precision tools such as sledgehammers and other like hardware?

 Eberhard, are suggesting adding or asking what the unidentified objects are in the photo? If it's adding tools I searched for TT scale tools and what's supposed to be 1:120 is actually 1;87 or some other such. That leaves making them myself and I'd rather leave them off than offer up a dog's lunch effort.  

Current Builds:  1870's Sternwheeler, Lula

                             Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee

                             Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia

 

Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver                       

                       Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration

 

 

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30 minutes ago, wefalck said:

Yes, it was a suggestion for additional clutter. One could think of axes, perhaps shovels as well, etc. etc. Actually, N-scale stuff like that may work.

 

 I looked for N scale as well without success. :(

Current Builds:  1870's Sternwheeler, Lula

                             Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee

                             Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia

 

Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver                       

                       Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration

 

 

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On 10/22/2024 at 12:10 PM, Keith Black said:

 Gentleman, I've tried as best I could to make the model look like a brief moment in time using the below photo as a templet. Unfortunately there are things on the deck I don't recognize. From the photos mcb provided, the pictured driver is pretty exemplary of the floating pile drivers of the era. 

 

   Keith

 

image.thumb.jpeg.d033a9d0d5d26a23d6afe17b9dfb7b18.jpeg

I think it looks great as is, Keith.   I forget who said it but "every artist needs two things... a critic and a gun".  When the critic says it's done, he shoots the artist.    It still seems a bit harsh to me bu;t I understand that art is never really finished.  So cut yourself some slack.

Mark
"The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me

Current Build:                                                                                             
Past Builds:
 La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD           Triton Cross-Section   

 NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit                                                                            HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64               

 

Non-Ship Model:                                                                                         On hold, maybe forever:           

CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed                                                   Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned)         

         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

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 Thank you to everyone for the likes and for the support.

 

 

On 10/23/2024 at 5:31 PM, mtaylor said:

think it looks great as is, Keith.   I forget who said it but "every artist needs two things... a critic and a gun".  When the critic says it's done, he shoots the artist.    It still seems a bit harsh to me bu;t I understand that art is never really finished.  So cut yourself some slack.

 Thank you, Mark.

 

 

 Last night while doing research for Lula I came across this great photo. What a project!

image.jpeg.0e0c95f94bd7796bf73f44250e85186f.jpeg

 

  Thank you to all for following along.

 

    Keith

Current Builds:  1870's Sternwheeler, Lula

                             Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee

                             Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia

 

Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver                       

                       Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration

 

 

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  • The title was changed to 1880's Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver by Keith Black - FINISHED - 1:120 Scale
10 hours ago, Grateful409 said:

Keith I absolutely love your Steam Donkey Pile Driver.  You are doing an amazing job on such an interesting project. I especially like  your workmanship and the addition of a figure.   Thanks for sharing

 Thank you, Grateful. By chance is there a 63 Chevy parked inside your garage? The reason I ask is the 409 in your screen name. :)

 

 

 Gentleman, this project is completed. I want to say a special "thank you" to, Dan Kimmer, @Daniel Kimmer for providing me with the wood and the push that started this project, to Gary, @FriedClams for providing the sheave wheels that sit atop the pile driver, and to mcb, @mcb for providing the invaluable historical pile driver photos I so heavily relied upon.  And I want to say thank you to everyone who followed this Wonky Donkey journey, your supporting comments and likes has been absolutely amazing! Thank you so very much.

 

 I added the six pile buck figures completing the seven man crew including the donkeyman. As they were originally navy figures I had to carve away their uniforms. There were times when the #11 blade was used with tad too much force and a head broke off and an arm plus one guy lost both hands. I didn't add the ladder, maybe another time.

 

 I consider the project a success as I think I was able to build a fairly accurate portrait of a floating pile driver. 

 

 The story I'm trying to tell with the figures is... Lula is in route with pilling and during the downtime the crew is making sure everything is up to snuff before Lula's arrival.  

7C2BEEE9-FD8E-4FC1-B1FA-D6ED7B6A7872.thumb.jpeg.f9779298b9e6a934b6eaca5ed6f9538d.jpeg

 

 Climbing up to check the boiler water level.

5B452A9F-A557-41AB-8CCA-F41484A5AAC4.thumb.jpeg.7fb2f01e5519cf1a00cc8bc9cee5fe3e.jpeg

 

41761CEC-5429-4A42-BC79-851F22B19049.thumb.jpeg.ecef4857be2d8524ba592d03c6ccd2bd.jpeg

 

06336E72-2676-4612-90DA-4C8461ED1775.thumb.jpeg.b0693cb604a19d41164bd79925be58df.jpeg

 

700FA104-48C0-45DD-A062-F664AC6AD3DC.thumb.jpeg.8260051d6c07c4e2519773512904459f.jpeg

 

 Carrying in firewood for the steam boiler and checking the friction drum line for potentially dangerous wear.  

9CEFBF23-B19E-4C0A-9BDD-9C97F6885FE1.thumb.jpeg.faf6132938a41c488c7f8ccbbfa4a2f2.jpeg

 

AB6DD155-B598-43D9-9832-81842EB1DEE7.thumb.jpeg.4d8071e75e0329da11367678119c6b5a.jpeg

 

19988E47-A72D-4B10-B739-E09E4338A89D.thumb.jpeg.a7e6d7a85d258c194ae91ed27439c3eb.jpeg

 

47EE5514-1943-4D9D-B66A-3A8461E3C097.thumb.jpeg.743f24783cb29847c2ba63a810ab676b.jpeg

 

Climbing up to inspect the tower ensuring all's well.  

833A1588-A5FA-4B2B-82F7-64204B669ABD.thumb.jpeg.4e5fab077429cc2d030077f227b8183c.jpeg

 

 Elliot (the donkeyman) set this young man up to the headlog to inspect the sheaves and pillow blocks.  

7EFF6ACB-03BA-4C65-BB1B-0827C301691C.thumb.jpeg.cffdda19ce7119080bb2de474fc29951.jpeg

 

 I bought a super cheap case off Amazon ($28.00) to help keep things tidy. 

A8CA2827-D564-4D41-87A8-BF3DE770F1A6.thumb.jpeg.d444e1e017de12d904c31ecc019fd04e.jpeg

 

 And that's it guys. Again, thank you so very much for your support during this build. 

 

    Keith

    

Current Builds:  1870's Sternwheeler, Lula

                             Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee

                             Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia

 

Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver                       

                       Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration

 

 

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Congratulations on a great build! This was an interesting topic to model, and it's been a fascinating journey to follow along.

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Congratulations Keith on a fine build and an interesting story to boot. And then there was the bonus of the “Donkey Oatey” joke, which I have added to my arsenal of “Dad jokes” and have deployed several times recently!

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Nicely done Keith, congratulations   :cheers:            Bob  M

 

Start so you can Finish !!

Finished:         The Sea of Galilee Boat-Scott Miller-1:20 ,   Amati } Hannah Ship in a Bottle:Santa Maria : LA  Pinta : La Nana : The Mayflower : Viking Ship Drakkar  The King Of the Mississippi  Artesania Latina  1:80 

 

 Current Build: Royal Yacht, Duchess of Kingston-Vanguard Models :)

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Keith, congratulations on completing this marvelous project and on finding such a hard working crew!

Regards……..Paul 

 

Completed Builds   Glad Tidings Model Shipways. -   Nordland Boat. Billings Boats . -  HM Cutter Cheerful-1806  Syren Model Ship Company. 

 

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Well worthy of being placed in a museum somewhere. Great quality of construction along with a rare subject with educational value. 

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15 hours ago, Keith Black said:

Thank you, Grateful. By chance is there a 63 Chevy parked inside your garage? The reason I ask is the 409 in your screen name. :)

 

Ha ha no chevy in the garage but you are correct that is where it came from.  Rode around in one in high school. My name is Ed

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Beautiful job Keith. Congratulations on a job well done!! I’ll be on the look out for the beginning of the Lula build log. 
 

-Brian

Current Builds:                                                                                                 Completed Builds:

Mississippi River Towboat Caroline N.                                                    HMB Endeavor: Artesania Latina

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Non-Ship Builds:                                                                                              HMS Victory - Cross Section: Corel

New Shipyard                                                                                             King of the Mississippi - Steamboat: Artesania Latina

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In Dry-dock                                                                                               Chaperon - 1884 Steamer: Model Shipways  

USS Constellation: Aretesania Latina                                                       USS Cairo - 1862 Ironclad: Scratch Build 

Flying Fish: Model Shipways                                                                               

                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                            

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Very well done, Keith. I especially like your crew; adds some life.

Ken

Started: MS Bounty Longboat,

On Hold:  Heinkel USS Choctaw paper

Down the road: Shipyard HMC Alert 1/96 paper, Mamoli Constitution Cross, MS USN Picket Boat #1

Scratchbuild: Echo Cross Section

 

Member Nautical Research Guild

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On 10/30/2024 at 2:27 AM, JacquesCousteau said:

Congratulations on a great build! This was an interesting topic to model, and it's been a fascinating journey to follow along.

 Thank you, Jacques.

 

On 10/30/2024 at 5:28 AM, gjdale said:

Congratulations Keith on a fine build and an interesting story to boot. And then there was the bonus of the “Donkey Oatey” joke, which I have added to my arsenal of “Dad jokes” and have deployed several times recently!

 Thank you, Grant. 

 

On 10/30/2024 at 9:02 AM, Knocklouder said:

Nicely done Keith, congratulations 

 Thank you, Bob.

 

On 10/30/2024 at 9:51 AM, Desertanimal said:

Congratulations on completing her! Truly inspiring work.

 Thank you, Chris. 

 

On 10/30/2024 at 10:44 AM, Paul Le Wol said:

Keith, congratulations on completing this marvelous project and on finding such a hard working crew!

 Thank you, Paul.

 

On 10/30/2024 at 10:47 AM, GrandpaPhil said:

Very cool build!

 

Excellent execution!

 Thank you, Phil.

 

On 10/30/2024 at 11:14 AM, Javelin said:

Well worthy of being placed in a museum somewhere. Great quality of construction along with a rare subject with educational value. 

 Thank you, Roel.

 

On 10/30/2024 at 12:55 PM, Glen McGuire said:

Agree with Mark.  You've done a magnificent job on this project.  I hear Lula clamoring for your attention!!

 Thank you, Glen.

 

On 10/30/2024 at 3:25 PM, clearway said:

Well done Keith- unusual subject superbly done 😁

 Thank you,, Keith

 

On 10/30/2024 at 4:11 PM, FlyingFish said:

Congrats Keith - lovely job!

 Thank you, Andy.

 

23 hours ago, Grateful409 said:

Ha ha no chevy in the garage but you are correct that is where it came from.  Rode around in one in high school. My name is Ed

 Thank you, Ed.

 

22 hours ago, mbp521 said:

Beautiful job Keith. Congratulations on a job well done!! I’ll be on the look out for the beginning of the Lula build log.

 Thank you, Brian.

 

21 hours ago, John Ruy said:

Nicely done… congrats 🍾

 Thank you, John.

 

6 hours ago, Canute said:

Very well done, Keith. I especially like your crew; adds some life.

 Thank you, Ken.

 

4 hours ago, wefalck said:

Yep, the crew brings to life this quite unusual project 👍🏻

 Thank you, Eberhard. 

Current Builds:  1870's Sternwheeler, Lula

                             Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee

                             Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia

 

Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver                       

                       Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration

 

 

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14 hours ago, Rick310 said:

Well done Keith, congratulations!!  A really great build!!

 Thank you, Rick.

 

11 hours ago, mcb said:

Congratulations, well done.  I especially like the muted colors.  Looking forward to the stern wheeler.

 Thank you, mcb.

Current Builds:  1870's Sternwheeler, Lula

                             Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee

                             Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia

 

Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver                       

                       Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration

 

 

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Such great workmanship, Keith.  As others have said, the crew adds motion to the piece.  Fantastic job - congratulations!  I'm really looking forward to watching you bring Lula to life.

 

Gary

Current Build   Pelican Eastern-Rig Dragger  

 

Completed Scratch Builds

Rangeley Guide Boat   New England Stonington Dragger   1940 Auto Repair Shop   Mack FK Shadowbox    

 

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On 10/30/2024 at 1:19 AM, Keith Black said:

And that's it guys.

Well done, Keith! Definitely something to be extremely proud of! Can't wait until 'Lula' arrives!  

"The journey of a thousand miles is only the beginning of a thousand journeys!"

 

Current Build;

 1776 Gunboat Philadelphia, Navy-Board Style, Scratch Build 1:24 Scale

On the Drawing Board;

1777 Continental Frigate 'Hancock', Scratch Build, Admiralty/Pseudo Hahn Style, "In work, active in CAD design stage!"

In dry dock;

Scratch Build of USS Constitution... on hold until further notice, if any.

Constructro 'Cutty Sark' ... Hull completed, awaiting historically accurate modifications to the deck, deck houses, etc., "Gathering Dust!"

Corel HMS Victory Cross Section kit "BASH"... being neglected!

 

 

 

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On 11/2/2024 at 3:22 PM, FriedClams said:

Such great workmanship, Keith.  As others have said, the crew adds motion to the piece.  Fantastic job - congratulations!  I'm really looking forward to watching you bring Lula to life.

 Thank you, Gary.

 

 

On 11/2/2024 at 4:36 PM, tmj said:

Well done, Keith! Definitely something to be extremely proud of! Can't wait until 'Lula' arrives!  

 Thank you, Tom. 

Current Builds:  1870's Sternwheeler, Lula

                             Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee

                             Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia

 

Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver                       

                       Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration

 

 

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