HMS Mars by j21896 - Caldercraft - 1:64 - modified kit

[Blue Ensign]

Hi B.E.,

 

Thanks very much!  My name's actually Robert -- but hopefully you still meant your encouragement for me   

 

Cheers,

Robert

Sorry Robert, a senior moment, I knew who I meant.... I think

Yes it surely was you.

 

 

B.E.

[runner63]

Great looking work sir, love the great photography.

 

runner63

[j21896]

Catheads

 

Before deciding on their placement, I had to make the catheads.  I used Goodwin as my reference for dimensions, size and position of sheaves and sheave slots, end caps, etc.  Since I don’t have a good machine for turning brass, I made the sheaves and pin from wood.

 

I traced the outline of the kit-provided walnut catheads onto 3/16” thick cherry sheet and cut them out using the scroll saw, leaving them a little long at the head and tail.

 

I drew the sheave slots in pencil, and also marked lines for cutting the excess length at the heads.

 

 

 

 

I drilled a starter hole so that I could thread a scroll saw blade through to cut the slots.

A little masking tape at the ends to hopefully remind me to stop my cuts…

 

 

 

 

Once the sheave slots were cut with the scroll saw, I “flossed” them with narrow strips of sand paper to open them to width.  I made the sheaves out of Swiss pear in the same manner I used to make the drumhead for the capstan, but on a much smaller scale, using the Dremel and a #76 bit.  Some pear treenail stock I had prepared was used for the pin.  End caps were finished with the “patina” design using a 1/8” chisel blade.

               

Unfortunately I didn’t take pictures of the whole process -- and those I did take, are a bit blurry -- but these show a bit of it toward completion.

 

Not yet cut to length at the head end, but the sheaves are installed and the “pin” of treenail stock is threaded through all.  A couple of “extra” sheaves remain unused.

 

 

 

 

I experimented with making the caps using cherry, but eventually used Swiss pear for a little contrast.

 

 

 

 

The “fiddly bits” of these fittings…

 

 

 

 

The catheads cut to length at the head end, caps installed, all sanded and ready to go.  (Of course the obligatory “extras” snuck into the shots)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tails of these cats have been left a bit long in case I decide to run them over the rail vs. under it.  Yes, that decision still beckons me    But I can stall no longer, the time has come!

Edited March 29, 2013 by j21896

[Wintergreen]

Looks good Robert!

Very precise work (as usual). About making holes in the hull, check out Ron's build of the Oneida from TheLumberyard...he redid the upper part of the whales "in place". As they say "viewer discretion is advised"...

[patrickmil]

Robert, your catheads look excellent. There are so many different pieces that I wish I had ordered pear or cherry for. There is such a difference that a good solid carving wood can make in a parts final appearance. Your work has been outstanding with this build.

[j21896]

Thanks Hakan!  And you're right, I have actually been using Ron's build log as a source of instruction (and inspiration) for a number of aspects of the build.  Oh, and speaking of build logs, please send me the link to view progress on your Euryalus  

 

Hey Patrick, I hear you on the wood replacement!  I couldn't believe the difference in working with cherry and pear compared to walnut and lime!  I think pear is the best, as cherry is a bit too grainy for my liking, but I'm living with it.  Ah yes, if I only knew then, what I know now.  But I guess that's what first builds are all about -- second builds!   

 

Cheers,

Robert

[augie]

Truly excellent work Robert.  And I have to agree with your final comment.

[rdsaplala]

Hi Robert,

 

Splendid work my friend, those scarph joints on the rails are very precise and that cathead is a real gem with all those detailed sheaves and end-caps, thanks for sharing your technique on opening up the sheave slots using a scroll saw then flossing with sandpaper, hope you won't mind me borrowing your technique   

 

A small question if I may:   when "flossing" open the slots, could you share your technique on how you prevented the sandpaper from rounding out the  side edges of the opening? Every time I try opening a slot with a sandpaper strip, I always tend to ruin/round out the side edges so I'm really keen on discovering your method of keeping them sharp

[j21896]

Aldo!  I think I can speak for many at MSW, when I say, we've missed you!  I'm guessing that pesky old job is still demanding all your time.   I hope your "Peggy" can steal you away a bit in the not too distant future.

 

For "flossing", I cut narrow strips from a sandpaper band (the kind used with a micro sanding wand) as it has a bit more stiffness than plain sandpaper.  I really didn't have to open the slots that much, as they are just a bit wider than the sandpaper band itself, and I used the scroll saw to get them to that point.  So, with the cats clamped in a vice, I flossed more lengthwise along the slot from end to end vs. just pulling back and forth through the slot.  The cherry holds an edge pretty well, and leaving a final sanding of all four sides of the cats until the end helped some too.

 

Cheers,

Robert

Edited March 29, 2013 by j21896

[Wintergreen]

Thanks Hakan!  And you're right, I have actually been using Ron's build log as a source of instruction (and inspiration) for a number of aspects of the build.  Oh, and speaking of build logs, please send me the link to view progress on your Euryalus  

 

Touché! But it says "Upcoming" right?

[rafine]

I love those catheads, Robert. Beautiful work.

 

Bob

[Elia]

Robert,

 

Those catheads look very sharp.  Could you elaborate on using the scroll saw to cut the sheave slots?  They look fantastic, as do the sheaves.  I agree also regarding swiss pear - I really like working with it.  It can take a really clean, crisp edge, much like boxwood.

 

Cheers,

 

Elia

[j21896]

Thanks very much Elia!  Here are the gory details:

 

Sheave Slots (width about .028” = 1.8 scale inches)

 

As shown, I drilled starter holes through the cats at the ends of the slots, using a #70 drill bit (.028”) and the Dremel drill press.

 

I threaded a scroll saw blade (Saw Bird #2/0 = .027” wide, front to back, by .008” thick) through the hole, then attached it to the scroll saw.

 

I sawed the length of the slot, backed up, and using the blade like a sander, sawed it again to open it up by about twice the thickness of the blade (.016”).

 

Then I’d just disconnect the top end of the blade, move the cat over to the next slot, reattach, and repeat for all the slots.

 

The sandpaper band from which I cut narrow flossing strips is about .015” thick.  Also, there is a stiff backing to the section of the sandpaper where it is joined to form the band.  That section is .022” thick and pretty stiff – good to use once the slot is wide enough.

 

The sheaves (about .014” diameter x .02” thick) were drawn on pear sheet with a compass and cut out roughly to shape with an Exacto blade.  After drilling through their centers, they were glued to a #76 drill bit and also glued to each other, using ca.

 

Chucked in the Dremel for use as a lathe, I sanded them to size, then dipped them in acetone to dissolve the ca and parted them with an acetone-drenched Exacto blade.

 

Maybe more info then you really wanted, but …

 

Cheers,

Robert

 

[rdsaplala]

Thanks very much for that detailed explanation Robert, I appreciate it

[j21896]

Catheads – continued

 

Decision made:  Catheads will run under the capping rail.  Time to do some cutting

 

To aid in aligning the slots in the bulwarks, the center line and cathead orientation angles were drawn on a piece of paper, and taped to the deck.

 

 

 

 

As suggested by the folks here, after drilling a few starter holes with a small bit, I used files to cut in the slots to the bulwark tops.

 

 

 

 

Using a chisel, I continued the “excavation” work in the spirketting, waterway and the edge of the margin plank.

 

 

 

 

A quick test fit ...

 

 

 

 

Then, repeat excavation on the port side.

 

 

 

 

Next up will be installation of the catheads and the capping rail.

 

Cheers,

Robert

 

 

 

 

[patrickmil]

Robert, do you remember the painter Bob Ross? We always used to say "It's time for your bravery test". I think that would apply to cutting into the bulwarks like you've done. That being said, you have done a fine job of it and the catheads will look fantastic once they are mounted.

[rafine]

I agree that it's always scary to cut into your finished work, but you've passed your "bravery test"  with flying colors. Nicely done.

 

Bob

[ccoyle]

Robert, your model looks absolutely splendid!  It makes a very strong argument in favor of something I wish kit manufacturers would do, namely offer packages that consist of only the hull former set.  Your upgrades are a dramatic improvement on the basic kit, and as you said earlier in this thread, had you known about the existence of pre-milled wood, you would have used that for the entire hull.  Seems like a simple enough proposition, doesn't it?

 

Cheers!

[augie]

How about hull formers, any applicable PE sheets and any cast or resin bits?

[Blue Ensign]

That's a fine pair of catheads Robert, far exceed my own humble efforts on Pegasus.

 

Well done.

 

B.E.

[j21896]

Catheads & Capping Rail – continued

                                                  

Before installing the capping rail, a little more “excavation”    This time to the capping rail – and not so bad.

 

Using a drill, chisel and files, made openings for timberheads and knightheads.

 

 

 

 

Then, just a test fit to check positions and angles, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think -- I THINK -- I’m finally ready to install the cats and the rail permanently.  To be continued …

 

 

 

[patrickmil]

Robert, that is VERY NICE looking. I like the pictures you have up so far. They show the outstanding job you've done on the sheaves. Once you get things installed permanently, we need a picture at waterline level to show off the ends of the catheads. Great work so far!

[Wintergreen]

Robert, how about cropping the image to get rid of the lesser wanted objects? I do that a lot...often makes for a more interesting image also

 

And I do agree on the looks of the rail and cats - excellent!

[john46]

Hi Robert, just looked at your build log. What a marvelous built. Will follow your log with interest.

 

Regards,

John

[petervisser]

Hi Robert,

 

I just caught up on your build log of the Mars and really enjoyed it. Your techniques are very well carried out and your model looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing your work. It's an inspiration to me to try some of your methods.

 

Happy building!

 

Peter

[augie]

Thank you John!

 

And thanks Hakan.  I'll try cropping.  Or maybe, to hide her faults, I'll just shoot her through gauze, the way aging actresses used to demand to be filmed.

 

Cheers,

Robert

'I'm ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille'.

 

Yes these darned new 25 megapixel cameras don't forgive much!  But from what I've seen, you're worrying WAY too much.  Your lady looks fantastic!

 

It was the late Donald McNarry, whom I admire greatly, who stated in his book 'Ship Models in Miniature' that it is most humbling to see a photo of your work enlarged during a full screen presentation showing all the defects (not a direct quote).  This from a man who worked primarily at a scale of 16 or 32 feet / inch !!!!!

 

You have the proper attitude........the next one will show improvement.

[j21896]

Thanks Augie!  I've looked and looked for a setting on my camera that matches my eyesight:  tired-old-worn-out-pixels.  Maybe in the next generation of digitals.   

 

By the way, I got to see the "extreme miniature" work of Donald McNarry descendant Philip Reed in a gallery, up close and personal, a few years back, and it just boggles the mind!  Those guys are just in a whole different league.

 

Robert

[augie]

Different galaxy Robert.  But somehow, by doing what we do we have true appreciation for what they do.  Clumsy sentence but you get the idea.

[mtaylor]

Robert,

 

You're doing a fantastic job on this ship.  We are our own worse critics. 

[mtaylor]

Thanks Mark.

 

By the way -- and this is not just because I'm a very slow shipwright -- your signature maxim is superb!

 

Cheers,

Robert

 

Thanks.  It's actually there to slow me down.