mtaylor Posted February 18, 2013 #31 Posted February 18, 2013 Beautiful rope, sir. Just beautiful. Not quite a 21-gun salute.... but it will do. Elijah and michael mott 2 Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned)
cog Posted February 18, 2013 #32 Posted February 18, 2013 It seems your productivity hasn't suffered a bit. Still charging ... Quote Carl "Desperate affairs require desperate measures." Lord Nelson Search and you might find a log ...
captainbob Posted February 18, 2013 #33 Posted February 18, 2013 And I see your old mentor is still watching from the other bench. Bob Quote Every build is a learning experience. Current build: SS_ Mariefred Completed builds: US Coast Guard Pequot Friendship-sloop, Schooner Lettie-G.-Howard, Spray, Grand-Banks-dory, a gaff rigged yawl, HOGA (YT-146), Int'l Dragon Class II, Two Edwardian Launches In the Gallery: Catboat, International-Dragon-Class, Spray
cog Posted February 18, 2013 #34 Posted February 18, 2013 Walter ... Quote Carl "Desperate affairs require desperate measures." Lord Nelson Search and you might find a log ...
michael mott Posted February 18, 2013 Author #35 Posted February 18, 2013 Yes Walter is keeping an eye on things. Michael Quote Current builds Bristol Pilot Cutter 1:8; Skipjack 19 foot Launch 1:8; Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 14 1:8 Other projects Pilot Cutter 1:500 ; Maria, 1:2 Now just a memory Future model Gill Smith Catboat Pauline 1:8 Finished projects A Bassett Lowke steamship Albertic 1:100 Anything you can imagine is possible, when you put your mind to it.
cog Posted February 18, 2013 #36 Posted February 18, 2013 Michael, You should take a look at this guys log, if Walter let's you ... It's amazing - unfortunately in Polish, which I don't speak (do you?), sometimes pictures say more than words ... http://www.koga.net.pl/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=26364&start=160 Quote Carl "Desperate affairs require desperate measures." Lord Nelson Search and you might find a log ...
sonicmcdude Posted February 18, 2013 #37 Posted February 18, 2013 Wow, beautiful build... You make it look easy but is not really, awesome for now! Quote Greetings, Sinan Build log:TRITON POB 1:72
Elia Posted February 18, 2013 #38 Posted February 18, 2013 Michael, Your (not so little) cutter looks fantastic! Love that rope! Thanks for reconstructing the build log - I always enjoy looking in on it. Cheers, Elia Quote Elia Rose Valley, PA Arethusa: 1907 Gloucester Knockabout
michael mott Posted February 18, 2013 Author #39 Posted February 18, 2013 Carl thanks for the link, neat stuff. Sinan, thanks Elia Glad you like the rope I have been practicing today. I made some more rope today with the machine horizontal, both RH and LH . All made from embroidery thread The 3/8 rope is 3 strands The 1/2 inch is 6 strands The 1 inch is 12 strands more pics of the rope walk mod on the tools thread. Michael archjofo, Leo-zd, JerryTodd and 5 others 8 Quote Current builds Bristol Pilot Cutter 1:8; Skipjack 19 foot Launch 1:8; Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 14 1:8 Other projects Pilot Cutter 1:500 ; Maria, 1:2 Now just a memory Future model Gill Smith Catboat Pauline 1:8 Finished projects A Bassett Lowke steamship Albertic 1:100 Anything you can imagine is possible, when you put your mind to it.
riverboat Posted February 20, 2013 #40 Posted February 20, 2013 Michael: You have some serious woodworking skills, this is one awesome! build. Frank Twister 1 Quote completed build: Delta River Co. Riverboat HMAT SUPPLY USRC "ALERT" in progress: Red Dragon (Chinese junk)
Jim Lad Posted February 20, 2013 #41 Posted February 20, 2013 You're making some nice rope there, Michael! What are you going to use the left hand lay stuff for? John Quote
michael mott Posted February 20, 2013 Author #42 Posted February 20, 2013 Frank thanks for you kind comment. John, I have no Idea what I am going to use it for I just tried it out. What would left hand rope normally be used for? Today I put the rope machine away so that I can concentrate on the boat. I drilled out the holes for the treenails and started to glue them in I decided to use the ordinary carpenters glue without colour. A slow task but somebody has to do it , It is good to be building again. Michael billocrates, garyshipwright, archjofo and 7 others 10 Quote Current builds Bristol Pilot Cutter 1:8; Skipjack 19 foot Launch 1:8; Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 14 1:8 Other projects Pilot Cutter 1:500 ; Maria, 1:2 Now just a memory Future model Gill Smith Catboat Pauline 1:8 Finished projects A Bassett Lowke steamship Albertic 1:100 Anything you can imagine is possible, when you put your mind to it.
Jim Lad Posted February 20, 2013 #43 Posted February 20, 2013 Michael, left handed rope is obviously used for tying left handed knots! Seriously, it used to be used for shrouds on larger ships and sometimes on small ships. Strangely enough (if memory serves me) coir rope was often laid up left handed. John billocrates 1 Quote
newbuilder101 Posted February 20, 2013 #44 Posted February 20, 2013 Wow...great looking rope! It's quality matches that of your cutter! Quote Sherry Every goodbye is the birth of a memory... Current Build: San Felipe Finished Builds: Mayflower Build Log Gallery: Mayflower
michael mott Posted February 23, 2013 Author #45 Posted February 23, 2013 John, Thanks for the info. Sherry, that you for your kind words. Today I took a break from the treenailing and had a bit of fun with some English Boxwood that I purchased in 1972 it was a small log billet about 24 inches long by about 3 inches in diameter. Now I know why people use boxwood for model shipbuilding. What a lovely wood to work with. 1) a small piece cut off the billet 2) made a slot with a shortened zip bit that I ground the tip to cut like a fly cutter. 3) fretted out an oval with the jewelers saw 4) machined up a sheave out of brass and pressure fitted it to the ball race and did some final shaping of the boxwood 5)assembled the sheave with a piece of 1/8th brass rod that is a press fit 6) added some 1 inch diameter rope which is 1/8thinch in 1 1/2 inch scale 7) tomorrow I will figure out how to attach the blocks rope for attaching to the boom. This was a lot of fun, all the blocks will be made this way. luckily it is not a fully rigged 3 master or I will be 100 before this "tub" gets finished. Michael Leo-zd, Jorge Diaz O, Elijah and 12 others 15 Quote Current builds Bristol Pilot Cutter 1:8; Skipjack 19 foot Launch 1:8; Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 14 1:8 Other projects Pilot Cutter 1:500 ; Maria, 1:2 Now just a memory Future model Gill Smith Catboat Pauline 1:8 Finished projects A Bassett Lowke steamship Albertic 1:100 Anything you can imagine is possible, when you put your mind to it.
cog Posted February 23, 2013 #46 Posted February 23, 2013 SIGH ... ( a very long silence) ... That is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship you show on that block! You surprise me again, and again. I've been watching the pictures of that block silently for at least five minutes ................ druxey and Salty Sea Dog 2 Quote Carl "Desperate affairs require desperate measures." Lord Nelson Search and you might find a log ...
captainbob Posted February 23, 2013 #47 Posted February 23, 2013 Thought I was looking at a full sized block until I saw it with your thumb. Wonderful craftsmanship. Bob stelios 1 Quote Every build is a learning experience. Current build: SS_ Mariefred Completed builds: US Coast Guard Pequot Friendship-sloop, Schooner Lettie-G.-Howard, Spray, Grand-Banks-dory, a gaff rigged yawl, HOGA (YT-146), Int'l Dragon Class II, Two Edwardian Launches In the Gallery: Catboat, International-Dragon-Class, Spray
druxey Posted February 23, 2013 #48 Posted February 23, 2013 Now THAT is a nicely shaped block! Quote Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series http://trafalgar.tv
Remcohe Posted February 23, 2013 #49 Posted February 23, 2013 What a sweet little block, without the finger in the picture it looks full sized. Remco Quote Treat each part as if it is a model on its own, you will finish more models in a day than others do in a lifetime. Current build HMS Kingfisher MSW 1.0 log click here
Jim Lad Posted February 23, 2013 #50 Posted February 23, 2013 Beautiful work on that block, Michael! John Quote
mtaylor Posted February 23, 2013 #51 Posted February 23, 2013 Michael, What a fantastic looking block.. and it works! Wow. Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned)
michael mott Posted February 23, 2013 Author #52 Posted February 23, 2013 Karl, Bob, Druxey, Remco, John, and Mark, thanks for your kind words. the next step is much more difficult that I thought it would be. Making the loop of rope and then fitting it to the block. This is the second attempt not any where near that way I would like it to look. Any suggestions ? Michael Jorge Diaz O, archjofo, JerryTodd and 1 other 4 Quote Current builds Bristol Pilot Cutter 1:8; Skipjack 19 foot Launch 1:8; Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 14 1:8 Other projects Pilot Cutter 1:500 ; Maria, 1:2 Now just a memory Future model Gill Smith Catboat Pauline 1:8 Finished projects A Bassett Lowke steamship Albertic 1:100 Anything you can imagine is possible, when you put your mind to it.
DSiemens Posted February 23, 2013 #53 Posted February 23, 2013 Great looking blocks! I can't wait to see the rigging come together. To me that when the ship starts really coming to life. This reminds me in our ship modeling club they did a presentation on making blocks. The guy giving it sanded them round and then threw them in a rock tumbler full of sand over night. They came out rounded and smooth and he didn't have to do a lot of the work. I thought it was an interesting idea. Quote Daniel We're ship in bottle builders, it's an occupational hazard. www.siemensbottlingco.blogspot.com http://www.bottledshipbuilder.com Current Builds: Bermuda Sloop Wood Krafters Pirate Ship Completed: 20 Gun Frigate Olympic 470 Bermuda Sloop Super Mini Queen Anne's Revenge German Cutter Mercury Santa Maria
Jim Lad Posted February 24, 2013 #54 Posted February 24, 2013 Michael, Stropped blocks usually had a thimble in the eye, and the strop around the thimble was usually served, as well. Looking at your photo of the stropped block, it looks like the rope of the strop has become partially unlaid in the process, which is what's making it look odd. John billocrates 1 Quote
michael mott Posted February 24, 2013 Author #55 Posted February 24, 2013 John you mean like this. I also did a better job on the splicing after revisiting the eye slice that Remco did. Longridge talks about passing the rope through a flame of a spirit lamp to get rid of the fluff, it is amazing what the camera sees that i can't. I had fun with the 4 inch block it has a working sheave but I couldn't find my jar of miniature bearings so opted for a simple shaft through the brass. I will do a little more experimenting with the strops, once i get it all figured out I will be able to set up some jigs. Michael Torrens, FlyingFish, archjofo and 10 others 13 Quote Current builds Bristol Pilot Cutter 1:8; Skipjack 19 foot Launch 1:8; Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 14 1:8 Other projects Pilot Cutter 1:500 ; Maria, 1:2 Now just a memory Future model Gill Smith Catboat Pauline 1:8 Finished projects A Bassett Lowke steamship Albertic 1:100 Anything you can imagine is possible, when you put your mind to it.
Dida Posted February 24, 2013 #56 Posted February 24, 2013 Everything is beautiful, Michael! Great looking blocks! I feel the rigging will be specially beautiful. Quote Kind regards, Hrvoje Finished: Leut by Dida My current build: Leut II My forum dealing with traditional Croatian and Mediterranean shipbuilding: http://drvenibrodovi.forumotion.eu.
cog Posted February 24, 2013 #57 Posted February 24, 2013 Take some distance, and you won't see the fluffy on your ropes Looks 'A' ok. Eventhough the size might make it easier, it's still a wonderful job. 'specially the four inch block. During the time bearings weren't known, a pen with tallow was used for the sheave. Quote Carl "Desperate affairs require desperate measures." Lord Nelson Search and you might find a log ...
jo conrad Posted February 24, 2013 #58 Posted February 24, 2013 Hi Michael,I´d suggest the runner enter and leave the block from (and back to) that beautifully done guiding score, as your last picture with the 4 inch block shows well. That will keep the working rope from chafing at the block´s shoulder. Parcelling and serving the block-strop, as John wrote before, is necessary for extended durability against the strain by the running rope, at least in this layout.By the way: didn´t these cutters at their time carry wooden-shelled, iron-stropped blocks with hooks or eye-bolts ? You used a modern roller-bearing at your first block, but stropped it in the old-fashioned way, with rope, splice and thimble. As far as I know blockmakers after 1875 switched to making blocks with steel strops inside, that carried the bolt of the iron sheave. They dropped oak or lignum vitae sheaves in hollowed, solid wooden blocks, and took to roller bearings, steel - or at least iron - pins and strops. The feet, the two shells and the shoulders were - and still are - made of hardwood, but the trailing load was on the metal parts : sheave, roller-bearing, bolt, inside metal-strop; and so it is in use to this day. This arrangemant gives the blocks a smooth look on the outside.And while we're at it :Its a delight to follow your thread !Germanus Quote
michael mott Posted February 24, 2013 Author #59 Posted February 24, 2013 Dida, Carl thanks for your compliments. Germanus, thank you for your comments regarding the history of the block making. eventually I will get the different methods sorted out. When it comes to making an accurate model of a boat in a set time period, say 1600 or 1800 or 1900 then I hope to have the different methods and types clearly understood form my own building point of view. The reason for trying out the bearing sheave was twofold to see if I could do it. also because this will be a working model I want to reduce the friction. The next type of block will be one that has the metal strop on the outside. then I will try the type with the strop on the inside. I do have a billet of Lignum Vitea so I will also be experimenting with it. As regards the groove that you mention the sheave is larger in diameter than the wood at the bottom so there is no contact with the wood by the running rope. As the model will be representing a Classic Bristol Cutter that has been converted to be a pleasure craft and upgraded with the modern looking classic hardware, I can have some fun and play. besides Mini Me is not as strong as I am and he wanted the blocks to be easy on his hands Just made some 1/8th inch scale rope diameter is .0148" inch which is close enough to .015" Michael archjofo, Jorge Diaz O and billocrates 3 Quote Current builds Bristol Pilot Cutter 1:8; Skipjack 19 foot Launch 1:8; Herreshoff Buzzards Bay 14 1:8 Other projects Pilot Cutter 1:500 ; Maria, 1:2 Now just a memory Future model Gill Smith Catboat Pauline 1:8 Finished projects A Bassett Lowke steamship Albertic 1:100 Anything you can imagine is possible, when you put your mind to it.
russ Posted February 24, 2013 #60 Posted February 24, 2013 The block and the rigging line are beautiful. Russ Quote T'aint a hobby if you hurry Completed projects Cross section model by Russ 1/48 scale Biloxi schooner model restoration 1/24 scale Biloxi oyster skiff 1/24 scale Biloxi schooner 1/48 scale POB Current project Biloxi lugger Captain Roy 1/48 scale POB
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