Speedwell 1752 by dvm27 (Greg Herbert) - FINISHED - Ketch Rigged Sloop

[GDM67]

Greg,

 

How is it that I am just seeing this log for the first time...?!  There are so many good logs, its hard to focus at times.  That being said, marvelous work.  I love the toptimber details and the challenges they create.  My next ship was going to be Pegasus, but now it might be Speedwell...  That being said, I have a few years left on Naiad.  Again, I love the workmanship, not to mention the illustrations, overal presentation, subject matter and scale.

 

Best, Gary

[druxey]

A little bird tells me that the book will also explain lofting procedures....

[dvm27]

Here's a small update on Speedwell. Her main deck has been completely framed with beams, carlings, ledges hanging and lodging knees.That was rather routine but boring work which occupied me for a few months. As a change of pace I made most of the deck fittings but none are permanently affixed as yet. Currently, I am working on the capstan and have just finished the tapered barrel.

 

Just a tip for you novices regarding gratings. Ideally they should have full courses all around (see photos). It is easier to cut your gratings to the the size that accomplishes this first. Then build your coamings around them. If the result is a gratings assembly that is a hair larger or smaller than the plan so be it.

 

 

[Chuck]

Looking fantastic.   

[wyz]

It's really nice Greg.  I love following this build with its beautifully clean joinery.  It would be nice to see some full hull photos of Speedwell. ;-)

 

Tom

[BANYAN]

Beautiful joinery Greg, that is another very fine model in the making.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[ggrieco]

Beautiful Greg,

 

Incredible precision! I agree with Tom, I'd love to see some full hull photos as well.

[druxey]

Looking terrific, Greg.

[albert]

Wonderful work Greg.

[AnobiumPunctatum]

Really wonderful pictures of a great model

[Mirabell61]

agree with the fellow modelers Greg,

 

Wunderbar !

 

Nils

[dgbot]

Nice clean and neat.  I have always had problems with getting my joinery like that.  Wonderful workmanship

David B

[aviaamator]

Fantasticccca! Great job!!!

[dvm27]

The recent post on using a mill inspired me to post this report of my just-finished capstan. I used both the Sherline mill and lathe for the several steps required.

 

The square mortises for the capstan bars were added using a .079" milling bit and the rotary table. The top and bottom sections were milled to 1/2 of their 3 3/4" depth.

 

Following the milling procedure the two halves were glued together.

 

Once dry, the capstan drumhead was turned to it's final diameter on the lathe. The whelps were also milled  in one long strip and sliced off on the table saw. The mortises for the chocks were added on the table saw.

 

The capstan barrel was turned on the lathe and separated just below the taper.  Each end was center drilled then drilled to receive a brass pin.The slots for the whelps were added with a .090" end mill on the rotary table at sixty degree intervals.

 

The 3/4" bolt holes (#80 drill bit) for the capstan retaining bar pins and the cap piece were added with the drumhead again mounted in the rotary table.

 

Further holes were drilled for the whelp bolts in the drumhead and the chocks are being fitted.

 

The finished capstan (sans pawls).

 

The carnage to my workshop bench for which I spent the evening tidying up.

 

Apologize for the length of this post but I wanted to demonstrate how the fabrication of this complex piece could be accomplished by breaking it down to a series of small steps. For those without a mill or a lathe, I believe Chuck could easily make a kit of this by providing the drumhead in three slices. The rest would be straight forward with only shaping of the barrel (similar to Chuck's hexagonal pump) being required.

 

[oneslim]

Hi Greg,

 

Fantastic Job on the capstan !  

 

I don't feel so bad about my work-bench after seeing Yours,  It has a well worked in look about it.

 

Cheers

 

Bob W

[tlevine]

Beautiful work on the captain. I am envious of your workbench. All I have is the kitchen table.

[druxey]

 A bravura performance from the MillMan!

[Blue Ensign]

Great craftsmanship Greg and such a fine subject, I too look forward to the publication of  your book.

 

B.E.

[Maury S]

Greg, I've heard a rumor that Chuck has a capstan in the planning stages.  Similar in construction to the windlass.  Can't wait.

Maury

[wyz]

Lovely job on the capstan Greg.   It turned out great!   I have to say it's always nice to get a look at a fellow model builder's shop. ;-)

 

Tom

Edited July 9, 2016 by wyzwyk

[albert]

Great work Greg.

[AnobiumPunctatum]

Thanks for showing the progress. That will  be very helpful

[allanyed]

Great presentation on what could be a fun project on its own.  I can see something in the lines of a 1/12 scale or larger for a nice desk display piece.

Beautiful work Greg

 

Allan

[dvm27]

It was pointed out to me by the ever-observant Druxey that the lower chocks of my capstan were incorrectly shaped. The should indeed be concave. I was misled by some contemporary sources. After a short alcohol soak and they were removed and replaced with the proper shaped chocks. Also, a photo of my now pristine workshop (after an entire evening of cleaning). My new mantra - replace tools right after using them....(at least for a day or so). 

 

Thanks for all the like. David Antscherl is doing his part for the publication of the Speedwell book. I just need to catch up

Edited July 10, 2016 by dvm27

[aviaamator]

I'm watching and learning! Thank you for the lesson!

[druxey]

Um, I think you meant concave, Greg! Looking perfect now.

[dvm27]

Duly noted and corrected, Admiral!

[wyz]

Greg,

 

     I love the last photo showing the Speedwell sitting on your shop workbench.  In no subtle way we are reminded just how small a ship Speedwell was.  Even at 1:48 scale it is not a very big model.  All your previous pictures lead you believe it is larger.  This might be a great subject for those interested in constructing a 1:32 scale model.  When the book and plans are released it would be nice to have that scale available for purchase too. ;-)  Just something to consider.

 

Tom

[druxey]

One can always have plans re-sized commercially for personal use, Tom.

[dvm27]

Tom, a rigged Speedwell is the perfect size for the last remaining space in my study. The shifted and cast toptimbers were definitely a challenge, even at 1:48 scale. She would be a very manageable model at a larger scale though. I prefer to build my armada to the same 1:48 scale in case a war breaks out in my study when I'm not home. That way the larger scale ship will not have a tactical advantage.