Rattlesnake by JPett - Model Shipways - Scale 1/64th - Kit #MS2028

[Trussben]

JP,

 

Have to agree with the others, the run of the planking looks very good, after you add the garboard go back and do another load of measurements and adjust your battern to suit, I think your doing great.

 

Ben

[cog]

JP,

 

Can't see why you should have any problems finishing the planking, the way you are at it. I found the garboard strake rather simple, compared to the rest of the planking. It runs in a straight line from fore to aft. If you start bending it, you're on the wrong path.

 

I see that Russ is lending you his ear and giving advice, so you'll be in safe hands!

Edited February 19, 2013 by cog

[russ]

One thing to keep in mind on the garboard is not to let that bow end of the garboard get too far forward. In this case, I would say let it end around that second bulkhead. If it continues too far forward, you risk the rest of the belt creeping up the stem and causing that pinch you are trying to avoid.

 

Russ

[sonicmcdude]

Awesome build...I like the fact that you show all the errors and the solution... Thank you for sharing !!

[JPett]

Ahoy Mates

 

Thank you all for stopping by and your posts. There is a big difference when proceeding with confidence compared to doubt.

 

Back to the build: 

 

Well the Garboard Strakes are in and all I can say is “WOW”  

 

For me this was, again a very challenging process. First, I marked all the strake positions for belt “C”. Something I should have done for belt “A” but did not. As a result, I paid dearly in the extra time to it took to complete this belt. It was a learning experience but one I think best remembered, not repeated. As for the marks, I did them twice, actually the port side three times. In the plus column I did learn that a 4H pencil is much better then your standard #2 which is really a 2B for this job.

 

What I did was cut small pieces of paper that fit between the last plank of belt “A” and the keel. I found this much more accurate and the reason for one of my “redos”. Following the planking tutorial, here on MSW I used the Planking fan http://modelshipworldforum.com/resources/Framing_and_Planking/plankingfan.pdf To determine the plank widths and transcribed these marks to the hull: I ended up moving my batten twice.

 

As for the garboard strakes, I decided I would stay my course keeping all the uncut sides facing up. My thinking was that this might help prevent waviness in this belt. This meant that the changes in the strake width needed careful execution, they would meet the rabbet. The rabbet that I cut out, back at a time when “clueless” would have been a compliment describing my shipbuilding skills. I carefully redid the entire rabbet correcting many past mistakes, like the infamous “ouch” and not removing all the laser burn (I was not able to completely correct this) then formed my garboard strakes. Cutting them first, then soaking and bending them finally sanding them to fit. After five attempts, I managed to get it. It should be noted that I used a regular plank width. I had purchased some wider lengths and after my third attempt found they were not needed. Let me know what you think. 

[russ]

That looks pretty good. I think you should have a pretty good looking hull at the end of this.

 

Russ

[patrickmil]

JP, the garboard strakes look good. Some of those smaller mistakes (like you 'ouch') won't be as visible as you think once things are completed. The camera doesn't really add ten pounds as they say, but it does tend to point out even the smallest, most minute flaws that people would never notice otherwise. Your Rattlesnake up to this point has been incredibly clean and well thought out. 

 

             

[Trussben]

Hi JP,

 

It looks very good, maybe your Garboards come a little too far forward but if you have measured everything

and you are happy with how the stem planks will taper then carry on at full speed.

 

ben

[augie]

Stick with it JP.  Looking pretty darn good from here.

[cog]

JP,

 

Looks good, though Ben's got a point. It looks like it is moving slightly upward at the bow. Try a ruler to check it. We may be wrong, as pictures sometimes distort.

[JPett]

Ahoy Mates:D

 

Russ: TY, your two cents is worth a buck to me

 

Augie: Thanks for stopping by. I know its not the Berlin but I still love her.  LOL

 

Patrick: LOL As the builder we will always be able to find every flaw. I agree though that once complete anyone looking at these small discrepancies is missing the picture. I will always know where they are and they will "for me" be very nice reminders of fun I had building this ship. Considering how bad that was, the picture really doesn't show as I gouged out a nice chunk there, the repair came out to me "very good".

 

Ben and Cog: I am posting another pic showing the position of the next strake (17). I have high-lighted a line showing where I need to bend in this plank in and the pic does show it is running into next strake (16), but only by a little, (see pic, the number #16 is posted on its line. It should be above that line). The pic also shows that to my "untrained eye" there is room for the remaining strakes without any "bunching" after a minor correction to 17 

 

I will wait for some replies before gluing anything

 

Thank you all for stopping by and your help 

[Dida]

Beautiful ship J.Pett. Very nice work, clean and precise. Do you have your own laser cutting machine? Is carving done by laser engraving?

[russ]

So long as you are mindful of how the planks can "creep" up the stem and you avoid them doing that, then you are okay.

 

Russ

[JPett]

Ahoy Mates

 

Ben and Cog: "OK" the little light bulb lite up after I pulled strake 17 off. It was only being held by the pins to shape it. By carefully shaving back the garboard I was able to create room for 16

 

I was really nervious about cutting the garbaord "LOL" but it was what was needed. Thanks guys

 

Dida: Thanks for stopping by. No laser cutter, just a very sharp knife, and some beer.

Edited February 24, 2013 by JPett

[Trussben]

Glad you looked at it again JP, I think by adjusting that garboard you will get a better run at the stem.

 

Ben

[cog]

JP,

 

Happy to be of service.

[Dida]

Ahoy Mates

 

Ben and Cog: "OK" the little light bulb lite up after I pulled strake 17 off. It was only being held by the pins to shape it. By carefully shaving back the garboard I was able to create room for 16

 

I was really nervious about cutting the garbaord "LOL" but it was what was needed. Thanks guys

 

Dida: Thanks for stopping by. No laser cutter, just a very sharp knife, and some beer.

This is good news for me, Pett: I have sharp knife and the beer is not a problem.

[Martin W]

Ahoy JPett -- Thanks for the link, I've been looking for your log, and now I've been able to do some catching up (though I'm supposed to be working, so I'll have to do the real catching up later).

 

As you requested I'm sending a few snaps of my build. 

 

Cheers,

 

Martin

[JPett]

Ahoy Mates

 

Martin: So glad you could attend the party, welcome , looking forward to the pics

 

Back to the build

 

Planking on belt “C” is progressing, slowly but surely. While perusing the forums I found a pic of someone who had installed a captured nut to mount their hull. This got me thinking as I had so far not made any arrangements to mount my build and am closing up the hull, Hummmm.

 

I decided to address this finding a pedestal base could be used to hide my “OUCH”(see previous post) and located my first mounting hole there. I cut small windows in the main keel to facilitate some hardware and carefully drilled into the keel. I started with a very small diameter bit and drilled to the window. Of course I was off a bit and used the next size bit as a file to make a small correction before moving up to the largest size bit I felt I could use. Using my drill bit as a reference I found 4-40 hardware would work. It was very tight so I made the hole slightly larger again using the drill bit file method. Once I could thread the bolt into the hull, I did, “very carefully”. Now that the wood is threaded a bolt might could just cause a problem (nixed it). The window did serve as a reference and most importantly a place for pressure and wood to be relieved when I threaded the bolt in. I believe this may have prevented any splitting or cracking of the keel

 

I have also been experimenting with SPILING. I found it easiest to mount paper to the hull as described in my instructions but instead of tracing the adjacent plank I just put tick marks and then matched them to a French curve using that to cut the plank. It did take a few tries but once you learn how not to make bony fingers its not so bad.  The image does show that there is a problem needing attention regarding the last plank in belt “A”. I will try the heat gun one more time and if I have to; will either space it with a shim or rip it out and "redo" that plank.

Edited February 27, 2013 by JPett

[augie]

Yup, looks like that plank needs some attention.  Otherwise they are running very nicely.

[Trussben]

Nice work JP, glad to see that you are giving spiling a go! Is the problem plank trying to lift off on one edge? if so thats the common issue with edge bending that spiling will correct.

 

look forward to more.

 

ben

[Blue Ensign]

Looks like an interesting build you have coming along here, and I like your willingness to back track and address issues, coupled with a little kit 'bashing' something I'm not averse to myself.

 

Do you intend to keep the pre made cast gunport surrounds and lids as shown on the kit blurb?

 

Regards,

 

B.E.

[src]

Jp,

I am liking your planking. Your attention to detail is going to pay of nicely.

Have you decided about bleaching the entire hull yet? 

Sam

[patrickmil]

JP, I thing your spiling is really going to pay off. Your planking has been so clean already and now the spiling will really keep the planking smooth. That is something I never did with my Niagara but will definitely do on my next build. It's looking really good at this point. Keep up the good work!

[fish]

Looking good JP, thanks for the extreme detail. I haven't seen a log with this much detail yet.

 

Aaron

[JPett]

Ahoy, Mates

 

Thank you all for your posts.

 

Augie: Always a pleasure to have you aboard. I shimmed it. I know, I know. BTW, it was me who remembered the magic, “LOL”

 

Ben: Trying to lift? I think I would go with “mission accomplished” for that one. If you recall my old log that plank was the subject of at least two posts. I edge bent it, then soaked it again, and then immediately bent it around the hull. I was really fighting the spiling. Was it “twisting, bending and forcing”? I forget.

 

B.E. Thanks for coming aboard. I get my inspiration from logs like yours (Augie’s, Ben’s, Patrick’s, Mario’s, and quite a few others here who have taken their time to help others). Thank you all. Just trying to follow your lead. No surrounds. going with the toothpics

 

Sam: I sent you a PM, thank you for the compliment. Use bleach, ME??? “LOL”

 

Patrick: I tried hard not to: The spiling is not hard. It adds about two more steps. Looks much better and well worth the time. Getting a smooth flow while fitting the plank was the hardest part for me. I would always “not touch” one side of a plank so I had a good reference. With spiling, I had to go solo. I also found that just because you're spiling does not mean you can’t still edge bend em a bit. I will post some pics in my next post.

 

Aaron: Thank you for the compliment, It must be my newbie-speak. There are many logs here on MSW that are much more detailed then mine. How I learned.

Edited February 28, 2013 by JPett

[Cap'n Rat Fink]

Hi Jp,

   Your planking is coming along nicely. IMO with very little issues but we all them. The hull going to look great when completed...

[Martin W]

Hi JPett -- It really is looking good.  I just want to add my cheers to everyone else's here and say that your attention to the decking now (when it probably seems more exasperating than satisfying) will definitely make you happier as you move farther along in the build.  Y'know, there are those moments when you have to take a break, let the glue dry, open another beer, or whatever, and then you look at the work you did well and remember why you want to take your time.

 

Onward!

 

Martin

[rdsaplala]

She's coming along very nicely, JP, nice catch and fix on the garboad strake, that should save you from a lot of headaches in the future, same thing with that last plank, your willingness to go the extra mile and redo some things will ultimately result in a beautiful ship

[Dida]

You have interesting clamps when planking. Is it commercial staff or you made this by yourself?