Endeavour by Ellie_ - Amati - 1:80

[Ellie_]

On 1/18/2026 at 5:58 AM, Admiral Rick said:

Ellie 

Another suggestion if you are going to continue with this hobby buy a micro handheld drill

 

 

Thanks Rick that looks like a really helpful tool

[Ellie_]

I finished the stern section in the fan pattern suggested by the manual. As a newbie it wasn't obvious to me how to bend the wood around the edges to make them flush with the deck, so I'm making a note of what I tried in case it helps others. 

 

I experimented with soaking planks in water and with steaming them, but I still couldn't get the wood to bend as much as it needed to curl around the edges. What seemed to work the best was using the wood bender that came with my intro kit. 

 

This got the job done for most of the planks, but some of them still snapped while glueing, leaving two gaps I'll have to fix. On some of the planks, the wood started to pull away from itself because of the micro cuts the bender made, making me nervous some of these planks could chip over time.  Altogether not sure I would recommend this approach unless someone offers advice to make this strategy go smoother  

 

 

 

 

SO CLOSE to finishing the first planking. My next update will be when it's done!

[TerryPat]

It looks good at the stern. Sounds like you have a plan to fix the gaps. Some chunks of scrap wood and/or filler?

 

That bender tool looks pretty handy. First time I've seen one. Cool !

Edited yesterday at 03:14 PM by TerryPat

[SaltyScot]

Hello, Ellie. Considering this is your first build I would say you are off to a very good start. The Endeavour was my second build and I enjoyed every second of that particular journey. She now graces a prime spot in our family room. I shall follow your build and am looking forward to the progress reports. You have already received some good input from others so please continue to ask lots of questions. This is a great forum, truly, and the input from others reduces the climb up that often very steep learning curve. Above all, don't give up  

[SaltyScot]

2 hours ago, Ellie_ said:

I experimented with soaking planks in water and with steaming them, but I still couldn't get the wood to bend as much as it needed to curl around the edges. What seemed to work the best was using the wood bender that came with my intro kit. 

 

When I did this part I literally laid the planks in very hot water for a few hours to ensure they were thoroughly soaked. I had not cut them exactly to length at that point, they are much easier to cut with a good Exacto blade if they are wet. I glued these guys in place with super glue because, as you said, they do tend to spring back up again. Once glued I taped them in place with painters tape and let everything dry for an extended period of time. It is all documented in my build log here if you want to go take a look.

Edited yesterday at 04:45 PM by SaltyScot
Text added

[Ellie_]

6 hours ago, TerryPat said:

It looks good at the stern. Sounds like you have a plan to fix the gaps. Some chunks of scrap wood and/or filler?

 

That bender tool looks pretty handy. First time I've seen one. Cool !

 

Thanks Terry! I filled the gaps with scrap wood then painted over the whole stern section with superglue so it would soak into the cracks and (hopefully) prevent the planks from budging. I waited about 20 minutes until the superglue was dry but not rock hard and sanded the whole section. Smooth and more secure now. 

 

 

 

[Ellie_]

5 hours ago, SaltyScot said:

Hello, Ellie. Considering this is your first build I would say you are off to a very good start. The Endeavour was my second build and I enjoyed every second of that particular journey. She now graces a prime spot in our family room. I shall follow your build and am looking forward to the progress reports. You have already received some good input from others so please continue to ask lots of questions. This is a great forum, truly, and the input from others reduces the climb up that often very steep learning curve. Above all, don't give up  

 

Hi Mark! Thank you so much for the kind words. I recognized your screen name right away because I've visited your Endeavour build log multiple times, and will continue to do so  This forum is filled with wonderful people. Thank you for the visit and the encouragement! 

[Ellie_]

5 hours ago, SaltyScot said:

 

When I did this part I literally laid the planks in very hot water for a few hours to ensure they were thoroughly soaked. I had not cut them exactly to length at that point, they are much easier to cut with a good Exacto blade if they are wet. I glued these guys in place with super glue because, as you said, they do tend to spring back up again. Once glued I taped them in place with painters tape and let everything dry for an extended period of time. It is all documented in my build log here if you want to go take a look.

 

I remember reading how you approached this section and I didn't realize you super glued the planks down first before taping! I considered trying the taping-while-wet method but didn't think they would stay in place. Good to know!

Edited 20 hours ago by Ellie_

[Ellie_]

First planking is done! Still need to sand and use wood filler. I may not get time to work on this again until next weekend. In the meantime I'll be mentally preparing for the second planking  

 

 

 

Edited 20 hours ago by Ellie_

[TerryPat]

29 minutes ago, Ellie_ said:

 

Thanks Terry! I filled the gaps with scrap wood then painted over the whole stern section with superglue so it would soak into the cracks and (hopefully) prevent the planks from budging. I waited about 20 minutes until the superglue was dry but not rock hard and sanded the whole section. Smooth and more secure now. 

 

 

 

 

Excellent idea with the super glue! The hull looks fantastic. Nice job around the keel. You'll have a nice base for the second planking 

Edited 20 hours ago by TerryPat

[Ellie_]

4 minutes ago, TerryPat said:

 

Excellent idea with the super glue! The hull looks fantastic. Nice job around the keel. You'll have a nice base for the second planking 

 

Thank you so much!

[SaltyScot]

4 hours ago, Ellie_ said:

I considered trying the taping-while-wet method but didn't think they would stay in place. Good to know!

 

This method works well with super glue but not the normal wood glue. It does not adhere when the wood is wet.

[Admiral Rick]

23 hours ago, Ellie_ said:

I finished the stern section in the fan pattern suggested by the manual. As a newbie it wasn't obvious to me how to bend the wood around the edges to make them flush with the deck, so I'm making a note of what I tried in case it helps others. 

 

I experimented with soaking planks in water and with steaming them, but I still couldn't get the wood to bend as much as it needed to curl around the edges. What seemed to work the best was using the wood bender that came with my intro kit. 

 

This got the job done for most of the planks, but some of them still snapped while glueing, leaving two gaps I'll have to fix. On some of the planks, the wood started to pull away from itself because of the micro cuts the bender made, making me nervous some of these planks could chip over time.  Altogether not sure I would recommend this approach unless someone offers advice to make this strategy go smoother  

 

 

 

 

 

SO CLOSE to finishing the first planking. My next update will be when it's done!

Ellie life will get easier (if you plan to continue with this hobby) if you buy 2 very necessary tools, an electric plank bender which as soon as you soak the basswood put it in the form and it will steam bend it to sharp curves  ( I included pictures of the stern of the Constitution that required critical bends made very easy with the steam bender) and a chopper sold by many different companies besides North West Shortline which  I got years ago ( It allows you to cut multiple pieces precisely all the same length in seconds and this one is on eBay now and is hard to find )

Rick

[Admiral Rick]

On 1/19/2026 at 9:10 AM, Ellie_ said:

I finished the stern section in the fan pattern suggested by the manual. As a newbie it wasn't obvious to me how to bend the wood around the edges to make them flush with the deck, so I'm making a note of what I tried in case it helps others. 

 

I experimented with soaking planks in water and with steaming them, but I still couldn't get the wood to bend as much as it needed to curl around the edges. What seemed to work the best was using the wood bender that came with my intro kit. 

 

This got the job done for most of the planks, but some of them still snapped while glueing, leaving two gaps I'll have to fix. On some of the planks, the wood started to pull away from itself because of the micro cuts the bender made, making me nervous some of these planks could chip over time.  Altogether not sure I would recommend this approach unless someone offers advice to make this strategy go smoother  

 

 

 

 

 

SO CLOSE to finishing the first planking. My next update will be when it's done!

Ellie life will get easier (if you plan to continue with this hobby) if you buy 2 very necessary tools, an electric plank bender which as soon as you soak the basswood put it in the form and it will steam bend it to sharp curves  ( I included pictures of the stern of the Constitution that required critical bends made very easy with the steam bender) and a chopper sold by many different companies besides North West Shortline which  I got years ago ( It allows you to cut multiple pieces precisely all the same length in seconds and this one is on eBay now and is hard to find )

Rick

[Admiral Rick]

I found the vintage chopper on eBay and is for sale right now. A new one  updated from the model I have is still for sale. If you get the one on eBay I have replacement pads and will be very glad to send you one. Seller is also advertising it as make offer and $17 to $18 may take it! 
Rick

Edited 3 hours ago by Admiral Rick