Mayflower by SawdustDave - Finished

[popeye the sailor]

nice work on the gratings.........really like how you did the beak head 

[kees de mol]

I agree

[SawdustDave]

Quick update on next step....channels, deadeyes, and chain plates:

1st photo.... all channels have been rough cut.

2nd photo....All knees have been shaped.

3rd photo.....used lathe to turn walnut stock and score each deadeye. 

     There are two sizes needed (60 pieces of 1/4" for lower channels -  and 24 pieces of 3/16" for top mast shrouds). 

     Each deadeye will be drilled and dressed before cutting off....then finish dressed with a fine file.

4th photo....shows channel, deadeye, and chain plate assembly. 

     The chain plates consist of 5 pieces cut and shaped from 74mm black wire.  There will be 42 sets required.

 

I don't need to say what I will be busy working on for a next few days. 

Edited September 23, 2014 by SawdustDave

[russ]

The final assembly of the deadeyes and chainplates looks good. Nice job.

 

Russ

[SawdustDave]

Thanks Popeye, Kees, and Russ. Since my golf plans for the morning is a rainout, it looks like I'll get in some shop time before poker night begins at 6:00pm.

Edited September 23, 2014 by SawdustDave

[Piet]

That's really looking great Dave.

 

Cheers,

[aliluke]

Hi Dave

Just found your log and looked through it. Fantastic work - I don't have a patch on you! Now that I've penned in I will follow.

[SawdustDave]

Hello Piet my friend.

Alistair....proud to have you join my little project.  Just wish I could make my work look as sharp as your Fly.

 

Joe....Here's the dime size reference...

Edited September 24, 2014 by SawdustDave

[SawdustDave]

Thanks Joe....going to take a while to crank all those little suckers out. This will be the first ship I've ever made the deadeyes for.

[Mahuna]

Hi Dave

 

Deadeyes are looking real good.  I've been wrestling with making mine, and think I've been over-complicating the process for making triangular deadeyes.  Would you share your process with us?

 

Thanks

 

Frank

[SawdustDave]

Sure Thing Frank. Take a close look at the third photo and you can see my turnings.

Note that the one right below the cluster of deadeyes has been reShaped by sanding three sides fairly flat....careful not to take them too far because you don't want the tips to be sharp.

You might need to tell me if that helps, or are you having another type of problem.

[Mahuna]

Hi Dave

 

That helps.  What I've been doing is shaping a strip of wood using shaped scrapers - my larger deadeyes will be from 1/8 x 3/16 stock.  The bottom of the deadeye will be a 1/8 diameter semicircle, and the top will be 1/16 semicircle.  The two semi-circles will be joined by tangential lines.  This is all based on pictures I found in 'Historic Ship Models' by Wolfram zu Mondfeld.  I enlarged the pictures from the book, took some measurements, and then scaled them to fit the deadeyes in Chuck's plans.  I'm not even sure if I'll try to make smaller deadeyes or keep them all the same size - I'm a long way from rigging or even installing the channels, and just started playing with the deadeyes because I've been thinking of them a lot.

 

I think the biggest problem I'm having is that the wood I'm using splinters a lot - I think I'll need to change the wood I'm using.  I'm trying to use African Pear, since it's fairly dark, but splintering is an ongoing issue with that species.  I'll probably switch to castello and stain it darker. 

 

Keep up the good work!  You're giving me lots of ideas and incentive.

 

Frank

[SawdustDave]

Frank....Have you tried walnut?  Works fairly well as long as you keep your tools sharp.

Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

[SawdustDave]

As for the deadeyes....

 

1st photo.... better look at the profile of the turned stock.  Note the two boards used to keep the turned piece from moving around while being sanded.

2nd photo....better look at the scoring of the turning.

3rd photo.... the modified Dremel bit used to drill the deadeye holes.

 

 

Edited September 28, 2014 by SawdustDave

[SawdustDave]

Mounted starboard fore channel w/deadeyes / chain plates.

1st photo..... Shows brass pins used to secure channels to the hull.

2nd photo.... Close up of knees.

3rd photo....  Close up of installed assembly

[Piet]

Wow, that looks really ducky Dave, nice job!

 

Cheers,

[Omega1234]

Hi Dave. Beautiful work. Even more than the deadeyes, I especially love the colour of the planking. It has such a warmth to it and gives your Mayflower so much character.

 

Just lovely.

 

All the best and happy modelling!

[SawdustDave]

Thank you Piet and Omega.  Just applied a thin coat of wipe-on poly to the channels and realized I should have done so before taking the above photos.  What a difference!

Think I'll re-shoot later today after I finish installing the starboard waste channel assembly.

[NMBROOK]

Fabulous work Dave I love the scratch deadeyes Just one small point,the ones fitted are upside down,the point should face the channel at the bottom and the shroud at the top.Sorry to bring the bad news but I thought it was best mentioned now rather than later when you have more fitted

 

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

[SawdustDave]

DAMN!!!

Sure am glad you pointed that out before I got any farther along Nigel.

All together now....."Slow down and THINK!"

[SawdustDave]

OK, we have a pretty good ending to this particular brain f__t.

 

Shame on me for fitting those first deadeyes improperly oriented.  Having never used heart shaped deadeyes before, I've never worried about orientation at this point since round deadeyes can easily be rotated when ready for reeving the lanyards.

 

The good news....

*  Since the brass nails were pressure fitted, there was no big problem removing the five assemblies. 

*  Before - There were three corners, requiring five bends, to the shaping of the wire tightly around each deadeye. 

*  Fitted correctly - There are only two corners, requiring two bends!  Much easier and quicker.

 

These seven assemblies seen here were done much quicker than the original five first posted.

 

Sometimes there's a silver lining to them dark clouds. 

 

[riverboat]

That's whats so nice about thus site.... MANY eyes to guide us through!!! ...  nice work Dave, she's looking real good!!

Frank

[SawdustDave]

You are so right Frank. I hate to think of what it would have been if I had fitted all thirty of these chain plate assemblies as I was going. And there's no reason to think I would have found my mistake before completing all of them.

 

I can picture the Amiral walking into the room and saying to me....."What's wrong sweetheart? Why are you crying?

 

Thank you Nigel.

Edited September 28, 2014 by SawdustDave

[NMBROOK]

I am glad you got it sorted Dave and they look fabulous The fact it has made the job easier is also a plus

 

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

[SawdustDave]

I owe you BIG TIME mate.

[popeye the sailor]

the second set of pictures was worth the like button      saw the first set and said to myself.....oh...my!  but the solution and fix was quick and easy..........great recovery!     that's why this site is SO great.........the people in it!! 

[SawdustDave]

Yep, that's for sure Popeye. 

What a great group of people.  It's a shame we can't actually come together occasionally somewhere for a big show-and-tell.  Wouldn't that be special? 

Count yourself among the many mates I would love to meet over a few cold brews.

There are so many amazing models I would enjoy going over thoroughly with my magnifiers.

Thanks

[SawdustDave]

I do have plenty of open yard space for tents Joe. If you ever come down to NC from Michigan in November, and experience our pulled pork BBQ, you may never go back.

Yep....we can handle this.

[NenadM]

Is there a little place for my little tent? I ll take some beer and good wine with me

Edited October 2, 2014 by Nenad M

[SawdustDave]

Nenad.....for global friends, I will give up my comfortable bunk. Cold beer and good wine welcome.