Bristol Pilot Cutter by michael mott - 1/8 scale - POF

[kees de mol]

Hello Michael,

 

I worked me trough all te pages and I enjoyed your buildinglog very much. It is amazing how you build everything to the finest details.

 

Kind regards, Kees

[michael mott]

Russ, Albert, Patrick, and Kees thanks for your kind words, i have been busy this summer sailing my yawl on the lake, working on some watercolours and other summer related activities.

 

I will be back on the model soon enough.

 

Michael 

[captainbob]

Thanks for your comment, Michael.  We worry when we don't hear from our friends often enough.  We're glad you're having fun but don't forget to check in and say, "Hi"' once in a while.

 

Bob

[michael mott]

Hi Bob and Lawrence, Thanks for your thoughts and concern. With so many different avenues of interest I sometimes feel a little divided, Almost like a lack of focus.  I can focus intensely for a period on one project, then get sidetracked and follow its course before remembering something on the original project, and so go back to it and the cycles repeat, and so it goes. If only there were 48 hours in each day....

Then there is house maintenance, and visiting, the afternoon nap... you understand.

 

Michael 

[popeye the sailor]

I know the feeling...........

[Chasseur]

Lots has transpired since I last seen the cutter at McNalley High School. How is your wife's health? Is she better?

Jeff

Edited October 26, 2016 by Chasseur

[KeithAug]

Thanks Michael

 

I was worrying about getting the fold neat (sheet metal work wasn't my best apprenticeship experience) so I came up with a slightly different plan which I will try when I am next home - Friday. If it does not work I will try your method. 

[SawdustDave]

What a treat!

I don't know if I've ever seen a cleaner build Michael.
You have got to be very proud.

Thanks for sharing.

 

Dave

[michael mott]

Well thanks to everyone who have pressed the like button on this rather slow build.

I took a break from all the other stuff today and did a bit more reworking of the cabin I am still working out the shape and size of the companionway into the hull.

 

The underside of the forward section of the cut up cabin was a bit weak and so I added a thin reinforcing strip to keep things together until the rear cross timber is added

 

 

I shortened the rails and the hatch and also cut the rear section of the old cabin top in half along the line of the front of the new structure (temporary blocked up to see if this shape and size feel right)

 

 

 

 

So I will sit with this for a couple of days and then if it still feels about right I will finish up the structure and it will be fixed permanently with the rear section to the deck. Access to the interior will still be adequate through the two forward sections in order to load and unload the ballast weights.

 

Michael

[geoff]

absolutely brilliant Michael. Cant wait to see more!

[Jim Lad]

Nice to see an update on the beautiful lady, Michael.

 

John

[druxey]

I wondered when you might get back to her!

[shipmodel]

Good to see your work moving forward again.  Always an inspiration.

 

Dan

[Sailor1234567890]

I think that hatch is just a tinsy bit too tall as you've got it there. If it's to be that height, it will need portlights in it or something I think.

[popeye the sailor]

good to see you working on her again........I enjoy your work  

[captainbob]

It's nice to see more of such a beautiful boat.

 

Bob

[Julie Mo]

One can't appreciate the detail and expert craftsmanship in builds such as this unless they take a walk through the process, or have walked that path themselves.  Every time I see your work, Michael, I think I am in a boat yard watching the master shipwright ply his craft.  Beautiful work, Michael!

[michael mott]

Thank you all for your support and encouragement.

Since it seems that winter does not want to let go in these parts I might be able to spend a bit more time working on the cutter alongside the restoration work which I should technically working on diligently in the day time hours.

But it is evening.

I am also beginning to get back to the compass and am working on the glass viewing and access port. the first task is to cut the foundation ring for the oval support that the lid will hinge off.

 

The copper dome was inverted onto a scrap of  .031" (.8mm) brass sheet by inverting the dome and scribing a line to mark the inside diameter of the ring.

Next will be to fret out the hole and then use the hole as a guide with an odd-leg divider or caliper to scribe the outside of the line parallel to the inside hole.

 

Michael

[Jim Lad]

I notice that the compass card is (naturally) mounted on gimbals, Michael!

 

John

[michael mott]

Hi John the compass works properly one of the things I need to add are a pair of iron balls I have a little cast iron that I salvaged from a BBQ Grill it is just a matter of turning them up

 

Michael

[KeithAug]

Michael. Nicely done. I'm looking forward to the next instalment with anticipation.

[michael mott]

After my afternoon nap a little more progress.

first I set up the plate to drill a hole for the fretting out of the central portion.

 

And while looking for a couple of wrenches to tighten the collet I came across my very first tool that i made in school metalwork class an adjustable spanner, a great project that included all the major hand tool operations from cutting with a hacksaw to filing, bevels and holes, also draw filing  and lathe work for the adjusting nut, tapping and threading, riveting and also case hardening by heating up the main body to almost white heat in the forge and then plunging it into a tub of carbon powder. All before I reached the tender young age of 14.

 

 

The next picture shows the bow compass ready to mark the line for the next cut with the jewelers saw.

 

 

And cut out ready to file to finish size.

 

 

Temporarily balanced over the hole for a test to see how it will look.

 

 

I found the picture of the cast Iron from the BBQ grill that I will use to turn up the iron balls, the bar is machined from one of the grill to eventually to be fitted as a firebox grill in a steam locomotive.

 

 

Michael

 

[KeithAug]

Michael. Re first tools.

 

I remember those days well. All nuts came with acres of space around them and no obstructions in sight. Perfect for accommodating the pride and joy of our schoolboy and apprentice exploits. My first product was a pipe wrench, hack sawn, hand filed, drilled, turned, reamed, riveted, case hardened and lovingly polished. Alas it is no more, its teeth gradually fell off and it was consigned to that great scrap yard in the sky. I bet these days kids make them on 3D printers and wonder what all the fuss is about.

 

 

[michael mott]

1 minute ago, KeithAug said:

All nuts came with acres of space around them and no obstructions in sight.

Ah yes engines that you could actually fix without needing to completely disassemble the whole front end to get to a nut that adjusts the alternator. LOL

 

Michael 

[Julie Mo]

Michael, you are putting the Lilliputian shipwrights out of work!  Gimballed compass and all...

 

Other than that all I can say is, "Wow!" 

[michael mott]

Thanks Julie, and thanks for all those who pressed the like button.

 

I used an old Watchmaking tool as a go no-go gauge to file the ring down to a constant width.

 

 

Then set up the copper dome in the third hand in order to solder the brass ring to it.

 

 

temporarily reassembled

 

 

 

time for bed

 

Michael

 

[KeithAug]

That is really quite brilliant!  Soft solder I assume?

 

[Jim Lad]

Absolutely first class, Michael (why would we expect anything else?)

 

John

[Mirabell61]

Michael,

I`m with john and the others....

super detail compass....

 

Nils

[IgorSky]

Just incredible work, Michael!