Niagara by patrickmil - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1/64th

[patrickmil]

Larry and Bob, thanks for the kind compliments. I'd like to get some flags and boats hung tonight. We'll see...

[patrickmil]

My many thanks goes out to Tim for the tip on realistic looking flags. I had scoured this website for ideas and tried several out. I had limited success with using the aluminum from a beer can and found it to be a little stiff. The foil did the trick though. I've included some pictures of my process. I've finished with the 15 star flag and will hang the "DONT GIVE UP THE SHIP" flag tomorrow. I know... I know... A rather small update, but I did include pictures and I am making progress. As always thanks for looking in and if you have criticism to offer, let me have it.

[Sailor1234567890]

Looking great.

[augie]

Love it.  Have to remember that.

[popeye the sailor]

any small update is a good update Patrick........it's always the finishing touches that are the tiniest....but they are the most important! 

[Sjors]

Pictures are always welcome     

Nice one with "don't give up the ship "

Maybe there is another one with not abandon the build ?     

 

[patrickmil]

Sailor and Augie, thanks for dropping in for a look. Popeye, I should have another small update tonight. Sjors, I'll see what I can do for the flag you have suggested. 

[texxn5]

Congrats Patrick, it really looks nice. I want to start on mine in the hopefully near future....like next year. It really shaped up nicely...job well done.

[patrickmil]

John, thanks for stopping by and for your compliment. Of course we'd all like to see you start yours sooner, but this is definitely a hobby that can't be rushed. I have finished with flags. I got the famous "DONT GIVE UP THE SHIP" flag and the Pennsylvania state flag hung from their masts. I included a picture of all three flags hung and I like the effect the foil gives to them. This leaves me with the ship's boats and some touch up painting here and there and I'm finished with her.

[rfolsom]

Awesome build, Patrick!  I'll be consulting the flag ideas when I reach that point (hopefully before 2020).  I've put my Niagara build on hold for awhile to focus on my Cutty Sark.

 

If you don't mind me asking, did you print directly to the foil, or use a printed decal/transfer or paper?

 

Keep up the great work!  (not like there's much left)

~Bob (rfolsom)

[patrickmil]

Hey Bob, thanks for the kind words. I printed the flags on regular good old paper and sandwiched the foil in between the two pieces. You have to really exaggerate the round bends in the flag because they spring back somewhat. I'm sure there is a better way than using regular paper. The idea for the flags came from Tim, aka schooner, and it's a method I think I will use for good.

[Mirabell61]

Thanks for looking in Sjors. I'm posting a few pictures to show some overall progress. I think it's also helping to motivate me to finish her up since I'm so close to the end of this build.

very nice build Patrick,

impressive rigging, Looks great

 

Nils

[patrickmil]

Nils, thanks for the praise. It means a lot to me to receive compliments from such talented builders.

[schooner]

You really nailed those flags Patrick - I'm glad that technique worked for you.

 

For those folks who want to try this themselves I forgot to mention the type of glue to use. Rubber cement or one of those kid's glue sticks from the school supply section of the supermarket work best. Avoid CA - that just turns the flag into a stiff board that can't be furled. White glue has a lot of water in it and can soak thru the paper causing the ink to blur or run.

[patrickmil]

Tim, the rubber cement worked perfectly. It took some figuring on what to use because there isn't much that will really stick to the foil.

[popeye the sailor]

I've run sail cloth through the printer...........I have the the Testor's decal maker.   I import the flag design,  size it with the program,  and then print.   then I spray it with the decal bonder to prevent the ink from running.   it's easy to shape after it is assembled on the rigging.

[Sjors]

Patrick,

 

I save a place for you at the Gallery !

A few more things and then finished !

Great feeling should that be !

And you can be proud of her !

 

[patrickmil]

Popeye, something tells me my printer would fall apart if I tried something like running sail cloth through it. The decals aren't a bad idea, but the paper and foil method seems to be okay for now. I might try out the decal paper for some other plastic subjects I'm working on though. I've got a couple of tanks and planes that are going to need some markings. Sjors, thanks for the spot reservation. I'm going to be working on the ship's boats tonight. I'll get some pictures posted as I get these hung.

[popeye the sailor]

I'm not talking about decals......I'm talking about printing right on the sail cloth.   let it set a while for the ink to dry,  and then hit it with the bonder......I notice that this product can be purchased separately now.

 

Testors

 

this is the basic decal maker......if you read the description,  it will tell you how to get the standard edition {which is what I have}  the basic will not allow you to import images and designs,  but the standard one will.  from there you can alter it and change it to whatever you want, and it even comes with some common decal designs and insignias

[patrickmil]

Thanks for clarifying on your process Popeye. That sounds like a more authentic process for flags. Do you ever have the problem with the ink running when it hits the fabric?

[popeye the sailor]

the only time I've run into a problem,  is when I put in a new cartridge.   usually I run a picture or two through it,  use up some of the ink,  and then once when I go to use it,  to get the ink moving.   I tried the idea of diluted white glue,  and found out what it does......that's why i use the decal bonder.  I let it sit for a bit to dry,  and then I spray it with the bonder........it dries very quickly,  and doesn't give the ink time to become solvent and bleed.   a light coat to lock it in........another coat to seal it.   when the flag is cut out,  it helps quite a bit with the fraying issues that can happen.   the flag will be two sided,  so it is folded over the thread and white glue can be used to do this.   it can be stitched as well at this point.

[texxn5]

thanks Pat, but it's gonna be a while before I can start. The Morgan has a long way to go yet, and I'm getting the itch to get started on my annual RV trip out west as soon as the weather allows. I like your flags, and it seems like Dennis has some good ideas for them also....

[patrickmil]

John, I know what you mean... Every year some friends of mine and I go out camping and fishing for four days. This is around when we start getting very excited about getting away. Where we go there is no cell phone coverage and most of the time you don't see any other people. As far as the flags go I will most likely try that method out when I get to my Constitution. I was hoping to have this ship finished by now but had to put more work into the ship's boats than I realized. I don't have pictures yet but should by the end of the weekend.

[augie]

Just about at the same point with my small group planning the summer fishing getaway.  3 days away and we have 'material' that lasts a whole year.

 

Don't rush those ship's boats!  She's so close now.  Connie can wait!

[riverboat]

Hi Patrick, just now catching up........ your build looks great!!!, nice job....... and I know your happy !!!!... it's always nice to see a finished build.

I'm right behind you :D

Frank

[patrickmil]

Augie, we always wait until June and usually get some good fishing in and we have our saying "what happens while camping doesn't come home". Frank, glad to see you posting. We're all waiting for updates to your log of course. I finally got some spare time after a very busy week to get some work accomplished on the Niagara. I have hung the starboard quarter-boat and put the gripes in place. Any criticism or question is welcome.

[augie]

Great looking boat!!!!!

[popeye the sailor]

looks awesome Patrick!   what a nice addition to the build! 

[Sjors]

I can only agree with the two other Rear Admirals !!!!!!

Great !

 

[rafine]

Beautiful boat Patrick. I can't wait to see the other two completed and installed.

 

Bob