Greek Bireme by bensid54 - FINISHED - RADIO

[bensid54]

Thanks again Patrick!

[bensid54]

This is where the battery will be housed. I sprayed the keel with clear coat then once it was dry I stuck fuzzy Velcro to it so I can just hang the battery on the side of the keel. I wanted the battery as far forward as I could so that with the weight of the battering ram and battery together the whole ship should sit level in the water.

Edited November 14, 2015 by bensid54

[bensid54]

Starting to look like a Bireme now. A lot more will be done during the next two weeks now that I've taken some vacation time.

[Omega1234]

Looking good, Willie!

[bensid54]

Thanks Patrick! In these pictures I added pins to the aft end of the upper deck to slid under the Helms mans deck. At the Port side I had to shim it just a bit to get a good fit because I found a wee bit too much play there. Those that watched my video of the Bireme in the pool likely noticed one of the oars became misaligned during operation, that was due to the deck lifting and allowing the oars to leave their tholes. With the pins added the deck will not lift now and once I have finished the Bireme I will use silicon grease to lube all moving parts, that will help immensely too.  

Edited November 15, 2015 by bensid54

[bensid54]

Making the rudder handles now. First I cut some 3/8inch dowel to size then drill them with a 1/4inch drill bit in the lathe, the reason I use the lathe for drilling is to get the two of them properly centred and even. Turning them is the lathe with my small woodworking tools was a little tougher than I thought but with some careful sanding and shaping they seem to have turned out fine. The final picture is the handles installed but I still intend to use thread to give them the appearance of being bound. The next step will be clear coating the bottom of the hull, painting the cradle and using fluffy Velcro on the cradle to protect the finish on the bottom of the hull, once that is done I will be finishing the upper deck area.

[bensid54]

Now for finishing the deck and details.

[bensid54]

Three hours worth of work and only about halfway done.

[Omega1234]

Hi Willie

 

...now that's a pretty impressive battering ram! I'd hate to get on the wrong side of that one, that's for sure.

 

All the best

 

Patrick

[bensid54]

Thanks Patrick I hope to have it looking better soon. I've been hammering some thick brass wire to add trim hopefully the hammered look will help out.

[Louie da fly]

Looking very good.

 

Steven

[captainbob]

Three hours worth of work and only about halfway done.

And looking very good.

 

Bob

[BenF89]

Just catching up on the log - looks like great progress. I echo Patrick's comments on the ram - that thing looks MEAN!!!

[bensid54]

Thanks Guys this part has been challenging to say the least. Here are pictures of the completed ram with only the nails to be installed which will be down the road.

[Omega1234]

Nice job.  I can't help but think it must've been brutally effective in its day!

[bensid54]

Thanks Patrick! I wasn't satisfied with how it looked and thought about painting it so I checked out this Liquid Leaf on line which was recommended by another ship model builder but it would look painted and I want a real metal look to it. Three Dremil wire wheels, one rough scotch pad, one not so rough scotch pad, one leather buffing wheel, two fabric buffing wheels, polishing compound and two and a half hours labour to get what you see in the pictures. I'm debating whether I should use silicon to glue it to the hull rather than using nails and putting holes in the hull, because nail holes could be a source of water ingress. I will do a test gluing on scrap brass plate to see if it will stick to the brass because if it does that is the route I'll go. Any suggestions as to another type of glue that may be more effective.

[bensid54]

 Thanks for the link I found another one on the same page which is really cool. And of course I can't paste it on this website, sorry.

[captainbob]

NO NAILS!  I agree with your choice to try silicone to hold the brass.  If that does not work rough up the inside and use epoxy.

 

Bob

[bensid54]

I agree Bob! I glued two pieces of brass together with silicon and after twelve hours it seemed to hold well. I'm thinking that the soldering paste may be a problem when it comes to the silicon sticking so what I'll do is use electrical contact cleaner to get all residue off then use your idea to rough up the surface. I think that will be my best bet.

[bensid54]

Thanks avsjerome2003 !  Your picture is going to come in handy for the placement of the dummy spikes I will put in. I'm sure they weren't all exactly the same so this one could be even closer to looks than one that may still be found. I'm pleased with the amount of input I've had from those on this site it has been a real blessing to have this kind of guidance. 

Edited November 22, 2015 by bensid54

[bensid54]

Starting to make the hatch handles, using 3/32 brass wire and bending them around a jig. I will have to make another jig for drilling the holes in the hatches to make sure they will all look the same.

[bensid54]

The Skippers seat, it looks crooked in the one picture but I'm sure it's more a case of lousy camera work.

[bensid54]

Think I'll look that seat over again! Maybe I'll have to make another one.

[bensid54]

Hatch handles complete and installed! I drilled holes in the hatches using a jig I made up so they can be uniform.

[Omega1234]

Hi Willie

 

I love the fine detail work you're doing such as the chair, hatch handles, ram, etc.

 

She's certainly looking very nice!

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

[bensid54]

Thanks Patrick, I am having fun with this stage of the build.

[captainbob]

Looking good,  I like the detail work.

 

Bob

[bensid54]

Thanks Bob, more to come!

[bensid54]

Put the dummy spikes in yesterday. Measured the location the spikes would be located, marked them and drilled them with a machinist centering drill bit because a normal bit would be too flimsy and leave tracks over the areas it would stray. I had some brass covered nails that were just the right size so I soldered them in place, cut them to size, and made them flush inside with a Dremil drum sander. What you see is all the detail I will put in the ram.  

Edited November 27, 2015 by bensid54

[bensid54]

Broke apart the Captains chair and made it straighter then glued it into position. The two posts by the chair will be railing supports, the railing will run from both sides of the chair to port and starboard then forward just past the rudders. Almost finished the stern detail and took a couple more shots to show how it's all shaping up.