Santisima Trinidad by Cleat - OcCre - 1/90 - cross-section

[Cleat]

I decided to build the OcCre Santisima Trinidad Section kit for my fourth build.  I think it is an interesting subject (I’ve wondered what was beneath decks).  It will give me experience with miniatures and give me an introduction to sail rigging.  I looked through other build logs to get familiar with the build and see how others personalize things.  It looks like the kit has changed over the years. 

 

The kit includes a variety of wood in 400 mm and 600 mm lengths, laser cut parts, a container with metal parts and wood miniatures, a full-scale drawing of the mast and rigging, useful pictures, a parts list, and minimal instructions.  The pictures show what to build with part list callouts for each step.  The instructions provide basic information and some useful tips. 

 

I plan on making some pieces to go with the supplied miniatures. 

 

[Cleat]

The build starts with a temporary base, the instruction points out not to glue the keel to the temporary base.  Looking through the instructions, you eventually cut the hull from frame tabs glued to the temporary base.

 

I applied stain to the 2x5 mm stock to get uneven coloring before I cut and glue the floor pieces to bottom of the hull.  The last floor plank on each side needs to be trimmed to fit; I needed a 3mm wide piece so I set my plane to 3mm and planed the 2x5 mm planks to 2x3 mm (it is nice to have the right tool for the job).

 

I’ve noticed in other logs that some create the look of a structure on first frame.  I plan on emulating what md1400cs did in his build log.  I have some walnut veneer and a hobby CNC machine so I scanned a frame piece to start the process to create the structure pieces. (it will be a side project to practice working with my CNC machine).  I wonder if the structure detail will be seen when the hull is completed.

 

[Knocklouder]

Looks like a fun build, are you going to have miniature gun crews? Tagging along. 

Bob  M.                                   

[RossR]

Good luck on your build.  I am a little bit ahead of you on mine, but will follow along.   

[Cleat]

22 hours ago, Knocklouder said:

Looks like a fun build, are you going to have miniature gun crews? Tagging along.

I hadn't considered adding a crew, I don't know where to get miniatures like crew.

 

21 hours ago, RossR said:

Good luck on your build.  I am a little bit ahead of you on mine, but will follow along.  

I've been looking though your build and it looks great.  You log is helpful and I'll be following. 

[Cleat]

To make the deck columns I used a round file to make the transition from the square end to the round column.  I tried using my micro lathe to turn the column but the stock is too small for the lathe (and centering the stock in the lathe was hard), I managed to knock the corners off but I could only process about half the column, I turned it around and knocked the corners off the other half to prepare it for sanding.  I used 150 grit sandpaper to shape the column by rotating it in a sandpaper wrap.  

 

 

[Cleat]

I liked how the planks on the base of the frame turned out so I did the same thing for the decks.  I decided to do all the decks at one time to so all the decks would look the same.  I checked the width of each stock piece I used because the there are several pieces that have a slightly larger width.  I applied stain to the 1x3 stock, when dry I cut the pieces to length.  The parts list specs 90mm but I cut them to 91mm.  I applied a single coat of Wipe-On poly (clear satin), I don’t want to make it too shiny. 

 

I’m test fitting the bottom deck and it fit pretty well.  I’ll attach it after I apply veneer to the mast base.

 

 

Edited December 16, 2024 by Cleat

[RossR]

Looking good.  Are you planning on staining or painting the exposed parts of the frames?  If so it may be easier to do that now than after more interior planking is added,  

[Cleat]

I scanned a frame piece before I started the kit.  I traced the frame scan, scaled the drawing, and created structure components to emulate similar designs in other logs.  I cut some walnut laminate with an inexpensive CNC machine to test my process and the see how the pieces fit.  I applied stain and finish to some of the pieces to see how the walnut will look.  I placed the pieces on the frame to check the how they will work (I didn’t fit the pieces).  I created another file to cut another set of walnut laminate pieces plus a pair of the one-piece frame laminate; unfortunately, my CNC machine stopped working (part on order).  I also dislocated a finger so I can’t use an Exacto knife for a while.

 

I have a bunch of walnut laminate so I plan on cutting walnut laminate for more of the laser cut plywood pieces. 

[Cleat]

While my finger is healing, the first thing I could do was use a mouse.  I scanned some of the laser cut plywood parts and created CAD drawings that I can use to cut walnut veneer for the pieces – such as the stand.  Unfortunately, my hobby CNC machine is down and they don’t make the control board for it anymore; fortunately, Sainsmart has very good customer support and they found one at a distributor.  

 

I’ve been gaging my finger recovery by doing some model ship building tasks.

 

I assembled the grating and glued the seams with a Glue Looper tip (fits Exacto handle).  The Glue Looper has a small loop that you dip in thin CA glue and apply it to a seam; it uses capillary action to draw the glue from the tip into the seam.  It works great.  The tip is small enough to fit into each square of the grid.

[Cleat]

I assembled the first two decks.  I had to revise the notch in the bracket frames (item 40) to make them fit. 

 

I started to think about how I might treat the ends of for the interior strips.  There are some gaps to fill where the cross beams attach to the frame.

[Cleat]

I'm making progress.  I added another deck.   I noticed that I placed the columns inline with each deck with the first columns, the kit shows the columns next to the center features.  I haven't decided if I want to move them of leave them as is and call it a personalization.

 

 

[Cleat]

To make the columns I marked the ends with a pencil.  I used a round file to create the transition from the square ends to the round middles.  I used a flat file to knock off the edges.  I used 150 grit sandpaper to round the columns.

 

[Cleat]

I got another deck done and I'm ready for the top deck. 

 

I will be filling the gaps and cleaning up the ends and extension of the interior walls.  I will apply some walnut veneer to the plywood frame. 

[Zarkon]

Nicely done!  It's coming along very well!

 

Jeff

[RossR]

You did a really nice job on your support columns.  Mine got a little skinny on the round part.

 

[Cleat]

I cleaned up the interior wall end pieces and applied veneer the frame to gussy it up.  There are a lot of different pieces stacked together. 

I installed the top deck but I didn’t want to install any pieces on the deck while handling the structure during the planking installation.  

[Cleat]

I worked with my hobby CNC machine and cut two sets of walnut veneer for the frames (good cnc experience project).  After cutting the first set I made a change for the second set.  Both sets had a reasonable fit.  The top S-shaped piece wasn’t as precise as the other pieces, the second set was an improvement.  Most of the pieces fit without adjustment, the small pieces on the sides took a lot of fitting.  I planned on putting the second set on the front but I got into placing, fitting, and gluing and didn't notice which side I was working on. 

 

I scanned several kit pieces and processed the images with a variety of software to make a file to cut.  I cut 0.5 mm walnut veneer and the cuts are pretty accurate.  I also learned that 0.5 mm veneer is easily broken when handled.