Deadeyes

[bigcreekdad]

Building a ship which requires 3mm deadeyes for chainplates. Before going too far, decided to clear all the holes with a fine drill so as not to have to deal with them being too small when starting the rigging. As I was doing this I noted many of the threesome hole patterns were not centered very well. Surprised me, as this model company is known for its fine wood and parts. I was thinking of buying replacements, but is this a common problem with very small deadeyes? If so, I'll work with them and move on. If not, any recommendations?

[amateur]

I guess it has something to do with mass-production, tolerances and profitmargins.

 

Based on pics, the 3D printed versions seem far more consistent than the average wooden deadeyes.

 

https://syrenshipmodelcompany.com/deadeyes-and-specialty-blocks.php#!/3-mm-Deadeyes-3D-Printed-Color-SWISS-PEAR-25-per-package/p/696011837/category=9242145

 

Jan

Edited January 14 by amateur

[Dr PR]

bcd,

 

Welcome to the real world! I bought a bunch of deadeyes from a well known model company and they were mostly crap!

 

Do these guys have trained monkeys making parts for them? Look at the photo - the holes are almost randomly spaced! Only about half of the parts were useable - the rest were junk!

 

I won't be buying  anything from A**** again!!!!!!!!!

[Gregory]

Having bought a lot of kits over the years,  I don’t recall the deadeyes ever being consistent, except for the metal ones from BlueJacket.   This was true of blocks also. 
 

3D Printing has really changed the game.

Edited January 15 by Gregory

[paul ron]

the real question is; will it be noticeable after its laced up? ive used the cheap ones as well as the more expensive better made deadeyes, imho to tell you the truth, you really cant tell on the finished model. what becomes more visable are the sheer poles if they arent installed evenly, not the holes. 

[Gregory]

 Once you get them laced up, I don’t think it’s that noticeable.

It’s really a matter of what makes you happy.

Those outside the modeling community would never notice unless you pointed it out.

 

Most kits lack a lot of accurate detail.  If you make the deadeyes perfect,  what about all the other detail?

[Chuck]

24 minutes ago, paul ron said:

imho to tell you the truth, you really cant tell on the finished model

I disagree, Consistent and symmetrical deadeyes  can make a world of difference whether rigged or not.   These are 3D printed in the darker "swiss pear color"  and lighter "boxwood color" are also available.   It really shows when the deadeyes are grooved for the rigging between a pair of deadeyes so the ropes lay properly.  With every little detail you can improve upon it will make the overall look of your model better.  Switching out blocks and rope are an easy way to elevate a model although it does increase the cost.   But a cheaper alternative would be to make your own if its at all possible. 

 

 

 

[bigcreekdad]

Chuck....when does your store reopen?

[bigcreekdad]

Besides Syren, does anyone produce a well centered pattern deadeye?  I realize it may not show much...just bugs me when I'm working on that area. It's like the ONLY thing I see.

[Chuck]

In about an hour or two it will reopen....

[bigcreekdad]

I'll be at the door.

[Gregory]

1 hour ago, bigcreekdad said:

Besides Syren, does anyone produce a well centered pattern deadeye?

Not as easily obtainable .  There may be some on HIS Model.

You can look on eBay,  but the source will be China from questionable vendors who also deal in pirated kits.

 Syren also has the best prices.

[Gregory]

3 hours ago, bigcreekdad said:

I'll be at the door.

If you haven’t finished shopping yet,  make sure you look towards the bottom of the “specialty block “ listings, and check out the boxwood build yourself deadeyes.   There’s nothing else out there to compare.

[catopower]

I have to agree that the un-even holes are hardly noticeable on a model, at least when viewed by others. But, at the same time, when I put them on my models, I as the builder notice, and that matters a lot to me. 

 

Those mass produced wooden ones are pretty standard. It's really hard to find ones that are proper, with evenly spaced holes. I'd be very curious as to the production process.

 

Anyway, the most perfect deadeyes are Chuck's and BlueJacket's pewter ones. BlueJacket even has them with grooves for all the holes except the one where the knot goes. So they're upper deadeyes are different from the lower ones.

 

But, I'm very happy with the 3D printed ones I received from Chuck recently. Not just the holes, but overall appearance and shape.

Edited January 17 by catopower

[bigcreekdad]

Ordered from Chuck last night.

[bigcreekdad]

Followup.....ordered 3mm deadeyes from Chuck. I got his package promptly, but didn't get a chance to work on my ship til yesterday. Opened the package from Chuck, and it looked like he had sent the wrong deadeyes. They looked small. Maybe I ordered wrong. Went to the deadeyes supplied with the kit and they were clearly larger than what Chuck sent. I measured each. Chuck's were 3mm. The ones in the kit were closer to 5mm. The parts listed in the kit only showed 3mm. How frustrating.!

[bigcreekdad]

Paul Ron....why confused? Was I not clear?

[paul ron]

hahaha not confused.... wrong emoji.. but if the plans say 3mm, go with the smaller 3mm chuckies, especially if you feel they look better. regardless, im sure no matter which you use, the ship will be awsome!

 

i have a few similar problems of choices or discrepancies ive managed to work out. plans vs research and how to compromise a solution to fit the model. sometimes its too late to make changes, and it turns out regretable, at least in my mind. my very smart 10yr old grand daughter says no one will ever know and still think its an awsome ship. because the viewers dont really look at it as a perfect scaled replica, they just see the wow factor of how amazing it is you can do this with so much detail. my ships dont go on display in museums, they sit on shelves collecting dust for 50 years. they still get the wows but no one gets close enough to see all the mistakes or shuda couldas. my grand daughter has sworn to secrecy. 

 

[bigcreekdad]

I'll bet I have more dust than you.