Harriet Lane by trippwj - Model Shipways - 1:144 Scale

[trippwj]

So, continuing to work slowly on the HL.  I have the port chainplates and lower deadeyes installed, but before going any further on the rigging I wanted to take a step back and finish all the deck furniture so as to avoid working around the rats nest of lines.

 

I am about to start on the catheads - these beasties are tiny.  The piece is 3/32" square.  I am obviously not going to be able to install any sheaves in this.  I think, possibly, maybe, that what I will do is drill a leading and trailing hole for each sheave, then put a very small groove between them to simulate the opening where the sheave would be.  I also think I will follow what is shown on the plan below and just use 2 instead of 3 sheaves.  Any other options you folks can see?

 

Edited May 4, 2013 by trippwj

[JPett]

Ahoy Wayne

 

I am watching "eagerly" to see how you deal with this. Inquiring minds want to know

 

You build is coming along nicely BTW

[augie]

Your plan is sound Wayne.  Those holes better be about # 78.

 

Are the catheads painted?  If so, the grooves will be good.  If they are natural you might want to highlight the groove with a bit of pencil to make them stand out.

 

Steady hand, my friend.

[cog]

Wayne,

 

You could use the needle of a seringe to carve the groove in the wood. You will need to cut the needle straight and sharpen it slightly to be able to use it as a chisel

[trippwj]

J., Augie and Carl -

 

Thanks for the suggestions.  I opted to stain the cathead.  Here is Mk-I of the cathead,  reeved to a double block with a hook in the anchor chain at the shank.

 

So - should I re-do this?

 

Many thanks!

 

Second cathead - pre-assembly.

 

 

First cathead - overhead view.  If'n you look closely you can just make out the line in the groove.

 

Side view showing how it will be mounted to the anchor on the model.

[samueljr]

Wayne,

 

Nicely done.   The technique of "faking in" a sheave is one of my favorites.............

 

Anchor looks good as well

 

Sam

[Salty Sea Dog]

WOW Wayne! Those catheads are the cat's a#%!!!

[JPett]

Ahoy Wayne

 

As for the build, I feel "redos" are entirely up to the Shipwright. Me;I am empressed that anyone can make any of this stuff at that scale. The way you have the anchor rigged to that block is amazing, What are you working with there, five maybe six molecules 

[augie]

Nice cathead and sheaves Wayne.  I had a tough enough time at 1:64 !

[trippwj]

Wayne,

 

Nicely done.   The technique of "faking in" a sheave is one of my favorites.............

 

Anchor looks good as well

 

Sam

Thank you, Sam.  At this small scale it seemed the right thing to do.

 

Looking forward to the Essex when she comes out!

[trippwj]

WOW Wayne! Those catheads are the cat's a#%!!!

 

Thanks, Buck! 

[trippwj]

Ahoy Wayne

 

As for the build, I feel "redos" are entirely up to the Shipwright. Me;I am empressed that anyone can make any of this stuff at that scale. The way you have the anchor rigged to that block is amazing, What are you working with there, five maybe six molecules 

 

I think these work out to about 8 molecules each...you should try working the thread through them thar tiny holes!  Used a #78 drill bit which put it so small the embroidery thread just barely fit through.

[trippwj]

Nice cathead and sheaves Wayne.  I had a tough enough time at 1:64 !

 

Thanks, Augie - i am looking forward to trying a couple at the larger scale - although i am a tad concerned that my mistakes will be that much bigger :huh:

[themadchemist]

All I can say about those bitsy catheads is......There, their, they're

and you had to make only two to, too many even at that small number.

For, if Four were needed in the Fore-deck, you'd still be making them. AHAHAHAHahhhhaaa

[augie]

Thanks, Augie - i am looking forward to trying a couple at the larger scale - although i am a tad concerned that my mistakes will be that much bigger :huh:

Don't panic Wayne.  Even if the mistakes stay just the same size they look smaller at a larger scale  

[cog]

Wayne,

 

Augie is just bringing ittenderly ... They look HUGHE at a larger scale :D

[Paul Salomone]

Hello Wayne,

 

Just bumped into your build log. some good construction work indeed. Small scale is always difficult, but you are managing quite well. Keep it up mate. I shall follow this log.

[SkerryAmp]

Hey there Wayen,  boy did I have a lot to catch up on!!

 

Just got done catching up on your log and very nicely moving along!  The heads look great (they are so tiny!!)  

[trippwj]

Not much progress to report, but I think I know how I am going to handle the repair.

 

As you can see below, the jibboom has broken off cleanly at the mast cap. 

 

 

As a result, all of the fore stays etc. are now rather slack.

 

 

I am going to replace the jibboom and all of the fore stays - a couple were not particularly great anyway.  When i do that, I should be able to get a nice uniform tension on them all, and also increase slightly the tension on the back stays (rear most shrouds?)

[Sjors]

Wayne, you can make a great fix on the jib boom.I have confidence in you !

     

 

[popeye the sailor]

sorry to hear about the spirit boom.......did that happen in the move?   you could drill a hole in the centers and install a brass rod,  but it would probably be best to simply replace the entire part.   you'll fix it......I know you can do it.  if you can move your whole family from arkansas to Maine.......you can move mountains!

[Script]

Wayne.....too bad about the jib.....     Guess you'll have to use steam power for a while........

 

Cheers,

 

Jim

[riverboat]

good luck on the repair!!!!!!

Frank

[trippwj]

Just a quick non-progress update.  i have removed all of the offending parts (basically, the jibboom, forestays, etc - pretty much all the rigging forward of the fore mast).  My plan was to resume work by making a new jibboom, but have put that on hold.  Due to circumstances totally of my own foolishness, I have two fingers on my right hand (ring and pinky finger) that are currently less than effective. 

 

need to give them a few days to heal then will ease back into it (and thanks, Colorado, for the encouragement - I sincerely appreciate it!).

[trippwj]

Thanks, one and all, for the kind words.  While still a bit sore and not yet back to "normal", the fingers are more flexible and less painful, so have put some time in on the HL this weekend.

 

Just prior to our packing, the main top mast snapped off right at the cap.  I had repaired it, but alas it did not survive.  Spent the weekend manufacturing a replacement (used a long toothpick as I was out of suitable dowel and didn't want to wait for an order to come in).  While waiting for primer and then paint to dry, I installed the several blocks onto the gaff.  Once the top mast was put into position, I rigged the gaff on a temporary basis just to see how it would look.  I think I need to replace the synthetic kit supplied thread with something better.  This doesn't really want to relax.

 

Still working on a replacement for the jibboom.  Sanding a 1/8" dowel down to 5/64" and it is taking quite a bit of time.  Of course, if the Dremel had a good charge it probably would have been much easier.

 

Here are a couple of photos of the main mast with temporary running rigging.  Hope you all had a nice weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

[augie]

Simply great photos.  Thanks for taking the time to share them with us.

 

GREAT to see you back in the shipyard.

[Shazmira]

I really do need to visit New England some day, the views are quite lovely, thanks for sharing.

[texxn5]

Very nice Wayne, and yes Shaz you should visit New England it will be a very worthwhile experience.

[popeye the sailor]

nice bit of progress you've done there.   with the Billing's kits,  I get cotton thread.   it is nice,  but it is the worse,  when it starts to get fuzzy.    I used some of it by staining it with India Ink......does quite well in keeping the hairs down.   if there is a craft store near you,  look in the jewelery dept........I've found some bead threads that work real good.......and they can be found in different thicknesses too.   for the Nordkap and the Cux 87,   I used polished hemp thread.   it's great for large scale kits,  and looks just like real rope.  it is a bit stiff and unruly,  but it can be shaped by pinching it in your fingers.   you'll find something,  I'm sure 

[Sjors]

Hi wayne,

 

You like it when i'm drooling about that view ??????

Great,great,greatest !!!!!

I'm glad that you are back in the workshop !