Bluenose by Buckyboo - Billing Boats - 1:75 - First Build

[BuckyBoo]

Hi everyone! Finally started the Bluenose kit that was dug out of storage and given to me by a friend of mine! Didn't really get up to a whole lot yet, mostly figuring out what I should be doing, and trying to get the keel straightened out.

 

Here's what's in the kit:

 

 

 

Fortunately, it came with the fittings box too! I did inventory and I'm not sure it actually has all the pieces listed on the inventory sheet... But I'll double check, and do some research to see if there's any good substitutions I can make when I get to that point.

 

It also came with a length of fabric for the sails, and the sails drawings. 

 

Closer image of the fittings box:

 

 

The deadeyes and blocks are all plastic, and I don't like them very much - but upon thinking about it, I decided I will be using them for this build because this is the first one I've ever done, after all. Better to use the cheap-looking ones I got for free, than to potentially ruin pretty ones I spent money on, I think! I'll consider getting better looking fittings for my next build

 

The blueprints, which I've taped to my wall for easy access:

 

 

So far all I've got to report is that I've straightened out a couple pieces by wetting them, then weighing them down and clamping them to a table. And, I carefully cut out and sanded these itty bitty bits that go on the mast: 

 

 

I figured I might as well get some of the more tedious things out of the way while I wait for things to be pressed into shape. (I might re-do a couple of them though, since their shapes aren't very consistent)

 

I want to try to take this build really slow and careful, since I'm so new to to the craft, and just woodcraft in general. I'm sure I'll make loads of mistakes, but I'm excited to learn a lot in the process.

 

Lastly, I noticed that a couple of the bulkheads are a bit broken like this : 

 

I was able to fit it to the keel, but the sharp ends of the breaks looked like they were gonna break off if I wasn't careful. Should I do something about this? And if so, what would be the best course of action?

 

On that note, any and all advice is greatly appreciated! If you made it this far, thanks so much for reading! I'll try to update at least weekly

 

- BB

[ccoyle]

3 hours ago, BuckyBoo said:

Should I do something about this? And if so, what would be the best course of action?

 

I wouldn't worry about it just yet. As long as you have some material to attach planks to, you're okay, and the nice thing about wood is you can always add some filler pieces and sand/file them down to the desired shape.

[BuckyBoo]

1 hour ago, ccoyle said:

I wouldn't worry about it just yet. As long as you have some material to attach planks to, you're okay, and the nice thing about wood is you can always add some filler pieces and sand/file them down to the desired shape.

Got it! Thank you!

[BuckyBoo]

Just a short update as I've been busy with other things lately:

I've been struggling with gluing on the bulkheads so they're straight and square with the keel - any advice about this would be appreciated!

 

-BB

[JacquesCousteau]

1 hour ago, BuckyBoo said:

Just a short update as I've been busy with other things lately:

I've been struggling with gluing on the bulkheads so they're straight and square with the keel - any advice about this would be appreciated!

 

-BB

 

There are a lot of different ways to go about this. A lot of people use legos to hold the bulkheads square, or other things like machinists' 3-2-1 blocks. A small carpenter's square is also very useful. I've also tried using large binder clips along the backbone to try to square up the bulkheads, although it's not wholly ideal. Above all, I think you just have to go slow and repeatedly check each bulkhead as you go. Good luck!

[palmerit]

Legos, clamps of all sorts, rubber bands of various sizes. And micro squares and triangle. Care and patience. 
 

(I find a lot of uses for 1-2-3 block - as small weight, as bases for magnetic quad hands - and for keeping things square. Just note that real machinist squares will often be covered in a light oil to prevent rust, which can discolor wood.)