Scottish Maid by JesseLee - FINISHED - Artesania Latina - 1:50

[JesseLee]

I've been asked if I have a server or lathe or something for doing the serving. Thought I'd show how I'm doing it with what I have. I grip one end of the shroud line with tweezers that are locked into a bench vice. The other end of the shroud line is clamped in locking forceps that are held in my Keel Klamper. This holds a tight line. The area to be served has been marked by small strips of masking tape.

 

 

[JesseLee]

I start the serving, using some Fray Check as I go to keep what I've served in place. My serving line is wrapped around a mini clothes pin. I let out a few more inches of line from the mini pin & clamp the line back through the pin. This holds the next lenth of line to serve with without the rest unraveling from the clothes pin.

 

[JesseLee]

Then I wrap the few inches I let out keeping it tight as I go. Repeating this process till it is finished. Using Fray Check keeps everything in place but still very flexible. If you don't touch it it dries clear. If you rub your fingers across it as it is drying it gives the line a weathered look.  This process actually works pretty well & doesn't take very long.

[themadchemist]

you know Jesse, sailors didn't have serving machines and they managed.

I noticed the clothes pin trick in an earlier pic and thought it was I a very inventive way around the problem of the hanging thread.

 

I remember my dad talking about sitting on shift, while in the USN, and splicing lines. It was all done by hand and gave him something to do to pass the time.

 

Thanks for the illustration. As logs are for future builders to learn, it is nice to see every different method or way of doing a job shown. It's equally important for newer builders to see that beautiful details don't require a lot of expensive tools, just a bit of ingenuity.

Edited September 10, 2014 by themadchemist

[GuntherMT]

This is interesting, and brings up a question for new modelers like myself.  How do you know when a line should be served, and where?  There is no serving mentioned in my current build kit at all, but I could see how the lines where the standing rigging loops over the masts would have probably been a place where they would have been served.

 

Is this just something that you need to research, or is it included in the rigging plan (or instructions) on better kits?

[JesseLee]

Brian, It was not in my kit plans at all. I researched it & learned from others logs & the rigging section here on MSW. From what I have learned anywhere rope is around wood or rubs anything it would be wormed, parceled or served to guard against wearing too soon. The first shroud line was served all the way down to guard against the sail rubbing it. There are many others here on MSW who know much more about this than I do. Read through the Masting, Rigging & Sail section & feel free to ask questions  

[dgbot]

I used to do it that way as well.  Many years ago bought a string-a-long for around $5 at a swap table.  It made serving a lot easier for me  When I went to a smaller scale I put it away.  Years ago I saw a model of the Sea Witch at 1/48.  The model was exquisite.  And every line that need serving was done.  Unfortunately no cameras were allowed.  But he did it the same way as you did.

David B

[JesseLee]

I've been trying to find a pictures of a string along but cant find any

[dgbot]

Have you checked out Model Expo? If I was back home I could take a picture.

David B

Edited September 11, 2014 by dgbot

[guillemot]

The clothes peg trick is a neat way of approximating the old 'serving mallet' used on full size rope. Cool tools and jigs aren't necessary, until you have hem and then you wonder how you ever managed....

[Bindy]

Hi JesseLee,

 

Thank you for such a clear tutorial and great pictures!  You sure make it look easy, but more imporantly I can see the benefits in quality too!

[SawdustDave]

Beautiful work on the spars JesseLee. Glad I found your log. Enjoyed going through all the progression. Nice job indeed.

I'm pulling up a chair.

 

Dave

[JesseLee]

I'm not dead yet- update coming soon!

[JesseLee]

I didn't like the metal jaws supplied with the kit so like a lot of other parts I cast them aside & make them a little better. I glued several thin pieces of wood together to the right thickness. Shaped them up & glued & pined them on the Foremast Gaff, Main mast Gaff & Boom. Added some paint & added the blocks.

 

I will start the standing rigging soon. Sails have to be made soon too. This will most likely be slow, my illness is making everything more difficult for me & things are taking longer than they were.

 

[JesseLee]

Started the standing rigging & realized I didn't have enough heavy rope to complete it. Placed another order with Syren Ship Model Co. for more rope. While waiting for that I have been cutting out sail patterns. Hope to have some pics up soon - been having computer problems- have fought for 2 days just to get online again! grrrrrr!!!!!   

[Vivian Galad]

Jesse, good luck while waiting. Sails are in my way too, and I´m still thinking what to do about them before needlework. Computers are bad entities, sometimes they just want to mess with us.   Really great work so far.

[JesseLee]

Got my mini rope in from Syren. Now I have enough to finish the standing rigging. The shroud lines took more line than I had figured. Working on the shroud lanyards. Used a sewing needle to make it faster.

 

[JesseLee]

Got all the sails cut out & ironed flat. Have to decide if I want to hand sew them or try a sewing machine. I guess I will stitch the lines. I have read that some have drawn them with pencil but I have never tried that on cloth. Hand stitching will take me a long time but that is how I've always done them in the past.

 

[aliluke]

Looking really sweet Jesse. Your work has all the precision that I admire, great stuff.

Edited October 16, 2014 by aliluke

[themadchemist]

Wow, all I have to say is... you have REALLY FAT FINGERS

 

Those macro shots of you threading the lanyards really give one a good judgment of the scale... and this is 1:50. It makes me wonder what I'm thinking wanting to build a 1:90 SF.

 

The riggings filling out and looking Outstanding. Beautiful work my friend. It's good to see the overhead full deck shot, It is an amazing pic that really show off your art. Nice work on the sails also, Take lots of pictures of that process as I am clueless on where to even begin and the DSotM WILL have sails.  

[JesseLee]

Thanks Alistair & Keith!

 

Keith, since you asked........

I didn't have what I wanted for sail material but found this old ironing board cover that was thinner than a pillowcase so I soaked it in tea & then baking soda. The color came out nice, not too much but just dingy enough to look like old weathered sail material. I traced the sail patterns on scrap paper & cut them out. Figured out the right amount of fold-over around the edges. I redid this 3 times trimming off a little more each time till I had enough to fold under & sew but not overly wide edges. 

 

I then traced this on the cloth & cut them out. Folding cloth is not as easy as folding paper & I fought with this step for about a week. Laying them over the sail patterns supplied with the kit often to make sure they will end up being the right sizes. I used an old hair straightener to heat press the folded edges down as I went- constantly re-checking with the patterns & adjusting as needed. When it was all done I took them over to the ironing board to give them an over-all pressing & even things out a bit. I'll be sure to have pics of how I proceed with them. The sewing is not going to be fun for me.

 

[gjdale]

Nice work JesseLee. Looking very sharp!

[CaptainSteve]

Just inspirational, Jesse !!

[themadchemist]

Thanks Jesse, I'm looking forward to future photos on that topic.

[JesseLee]

I have been using a product named Fray Check. Found it in the sewing section at Walmart. I have used it on rigging anywhere I've served, seized or tied a knot. With the sail cloth it works just like its name. The edges of the material frays very bad. Trying to sew close to an edge like that wont work well, it frays too much & pulls through. I wet the edges with the Fray Check. When it dries it is transparent. The treated area is slightly stiff but still flexible & you can cut a good edge & when folded under is strong enough to hold stitching.

 

[themadchemist]

If I recall, I saw you using that in rigging.

It appears it may be even more usable on sails, stitching so close to the end, I wondered about stitches pulling and fraying the edge... so that answers a big question for me.

 

Thanks for posting that Jesse.

[JesseLee]

Yes Keith, it's the same stuff I'm using on the rigging.

 

Folding corners can make things too thick from too many layers overlapping each other. I had to figure out by trial & error how to cut out small areas of cloth that were underneath another fold & would never be seen anyway so that when folded up the corner wouldn't be too thick with too many layers of cloth. Its kind of like a folding jig saw puzzle.

 

[themadchemist]

So your double folding them, Nice extra tip. Thanks, I just may know how to make sails by the time your done.

 

Popjack stated once that he had patterns for the Swift's sails, but with my extended transom and lengthened bowsprit I'm afraid I may have to do my own patterns.

[SawdustDave]

Great idea JesseLee....very neat work. Enjoying your very excellent build. Are you building this for the show?

[JesseLee]

Had a near disaster this weekend. While working on the rigging I picked up the ship to turn it around to the other side & DROPPED IT!!!!  BROKE the bowsprit! I just about had a cow! After freaking out a while I pondered the situation, examining the damage. Figured if I could put a metal pin in it I could rejoin it. I used a stainless steel pin & CA glue. It worked, but I wish I had thought to use epoxy instead of CA. Lyme gets in your brain & makes you not think straight sometimes. I tested it for strength & had to re-do 2 lines. There is a faint line showing but I'm ok with it because it is better than having to re-do the bowsprit & re-rig it all. I figure it will be one of many character marks this ship will have.