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

[j21896]

Capping Rail and Catheads – completed

 

Well, I feel like this is a huge milestone!  The work that I had to do on the cats and the capping rail is done.  Now it’s up to Father Time to do his bit – that is, darken the cherry to match the bulwarks!  (When I finished the bulwarks a year and a half ago, they were about as light as the current shade of these newly finished components.)

 

Proper alignment of the rail while gluing in place was greatly aided by the holes drilled during the initial fitting.  I could get the section of the rail ready as shown, apply glue to the bulwarks top, and just slide it down into place.

 

 

 

 

Then it was just a matter of making lots and lots of sawdust to get them to their final shape and size, drilling the rest of the holes, treenailing, and applying tung oil.

 

I used pencil on both plank ends at the scarphs for caulking.  Maybe a bit too evident now, but once the cherry darkens they should be more subtle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For some reason I really like the jointing that I decided to use where the side rail meets the stern.  I don’t know if it’s necessarily “proper” for that junction, and it’s just a small thing, but it really made sense to me anyway.  Of course now I realize that it will be hidden once the boat davits are installed  

 

 

 

 

I forgot to specifically photograph them, but the cathead supporting knees are at least partially visible in this shot.

 

 

 

 

And finally, a purely gratuitous shot from my favorite angle to showoff the lines of Mars ... ah, greatly enhanced by the capping rail to be sure.  

 

 

 

 

Time now to finish the various deck fittings!!

 

Cheers,

Robert

 

 

 

[john46]

Very nice Robert and even when those tiny details are not visible, it surely will give you satisfaction knowing they are in place.

 

Regards,

John

[j21896]

Thanks John!  It would be nice if I were the only one to know where all of her faults are as well 

 

Cheers,

Robert

[john46]

Be sure, thake it for granted, you are the only one. . .

[Blue Ensign]

Great progress Robert, love that last shot, shows the sheer lines off a treat

 

Regards,

 

B.E.

[augie]

First off, congrats on the fine job.  We can all watch the cherry darken together. 

 

Secondly, B.E. has nailed it....that last shot is exquisite.  Submit it for the MSW calendar!

[j21896]

Thanks John, B.E., and Augie.

 

It's pretty close to the old one, and so small you can't really see the rail, but that last shot is now my new avatar.

 

Cheers,

Robert

[patrickmil]

Robert, those photos are fantastic. Your progress is inspiring to say the least.

[Padeen]

Robert,

I re-descover your log with much pleasure. This is a master build! 

May I ask when HMS Mars was launched?

[j21896]

Thanks Patrick!  It's been a little bit since your last update on Niagara -- I hope all is well with you and yours.

 

Hi Adeline, great to hear from you in MSW2!  Mars was built by the Dutch as a privateer in the late 1770's, but captured by the British in 1781.  And now, through the magic of the link in your signature, I can see what new project you've chosen to tackle

 

Cheers,

Robert

[patrickmil]

Robert, it's been a very busy March and April for me. It's also been nice to sit away from my Niagara and grow fond of her again rather than feel like she's a chore. I should be starting up on her again as soon as time allows.

[Beef Wellington]

Of course now I realize that it will be hidden once the boat davits are installed  

 

Hi Robert, do your plans call out for the boat davits or is that a "custom feature"?  I have considered possibly adding to my Snake as well.

[j21896]

Hi Jason,

 

Yes, the davits are included in the plans for a cutter.

 

I've got my hands full with everything else, but I'm actually thinking about adding a longboat or a launch stowed amidships at the gallows.

 

Cheers,

Robert

[newbuilder101]

Wow! Beautiful job...talk about taking a kit to the next level! I love the rich wood tones, and the capstan...star and all...terrific! Will be watching from here on out.

[petervisser]

Beautiful lines on your Mars Robert. She looks great!

 

Peter

[gjdale]

Hi Robert,

 

I missed out on your build on MSW 1.0, but very glad I've just stumbled across it here. Have just spent the last hour or so reading through from start to finish. I must say, what a magnificent job you are doing with this model. I just loved what you did with your scratch capstan and the inlay work, all your hook scarph joints, and the catheads. Your explanation of techniques used is invaluable too. Thank you so much for taking so much effort over your postings. I look forward to following along from here on.

Edited April 19, 2013 by gjdale

[yvesvidal]

Robert,

 

Your craftsmanship is simply amazing and so inspiring. You are building a lovely vessel.

I'll be following the progress closely.

 

Yves

[j21896]

Foremast Belaying Rack, Posts, and Standards

 

Here’s just a very small update in the efforts to complete the deck fittings.

 

Done in cherry – in keeping with the rest of the furniture:

 

 

 

 

Though not referred to as such in the plans, I would assume that these are also the riding bitts.

 

 

 

 

Robert

[Blue Ensign]

That is very neat work Robert, fine shaping to the standards.

 

Cheers,

 

B.E.

[augie]

Well done.....all Bristol fashion!

[gjdale]

Very nicely done!

[Beef Wellington]

Wonderful Robert, must be a nice feeling to move onto the furniture.  I've been secretly 'eyeing' you capping rails, very very nice indeed!  Your build really wants to me explore some other woods if I get to another build, the ubiquitous walnut doesn't come close to the beauty of the cherry and other 'premium' woods.

[j21896]

Thanks Grant and Augie.  (You had me with that one Augie -- I'm embarrassed to say I had to look it up  )

 

And thanks Jason.  Yes, walnut never again is my mantra!  However, I'm unfortunately going to have to do the rudder from walnut to match the keel and stern post.  But no more after that!

 

Robert

[rafine]

A small update, but a very nice one.

 

Bob

[rdsaplala]

Very precise work on the catheads, bitts and rails Robet, you've really raised the standards my friend, Mars is looking top-notch

[Timmo]

Great progress on the deck fittings Robert. Looking forward or yet more wonderous scratch built items

[j21896]

Elm Tree Pumps

 

For some reason I got totally bogged down working on the pumps.  At every stage, especially working with the brass components, nothing seemed to come out right the first time, and re-work after re-work was necessary.

 

In the end I gave up on using brass for the iron bands and circles on the pump tops and sheepishly turned to black paper for these.  At least the pivots, outlets and rods are blackened brass.

 

Because I had such a rough go of it, I didn’t take many pictures during each phase of construction, but this is what I have.

 

The pivots were cut from a strip of brass and shaped with needle files.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior to fabricating the brakes, I installed the pumps in the step I had made for them.

 

 

 

 

 

The completed pumps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally in place on deck …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert

 

 

 

 

Edited November 19, 2013 by j21896

[Blue Ensign]

Nice work Robert, all that frustration will soon fade from mind.

 

Is that a nice bit of inlay work I spy on the Capstan head?

 

Regards,

 

B.E.

[Padeen]

Robert,

The pumps look very good. It's not the material used that count, it's the resulting look of the piece, and it looks all very nice and shipshape! 

[st george]

Great looking pumps Robert and they compliment your great build of the Mars.

 

David