michael mott Posted February 26, 2013 #1 Posted February 26, 2013 I thought that a challenge to build a small model at 1:500 scale similar to the ships in bottles might make a satisfying change from working in 1:8 scale the hull is carved from a small piece of the English Boxwood I decided to use the larger part of the block as a holding jig so I carefully fretted out the profile and plan with a jewelers saw, by not completing the cuts I was able to hold it easily until the end. The hull blank was reatached to the cut along the deck line saw cut with a little acc glue. The beginning carving most of the actual carving was done with the #11 blade then some files. Some .024" holes were drilled for mounting to a board and a similar hole was drilled for the rudder. The first trial assembly to get an Idea of how it will look. I think that the mast is a bit big in diameter yet and the hull still needs a bit of fairing in a couple of spots. Three quarter from the bow Still a fair ways to go but I am satisfied with the progress this evening. The brass tiller is just a placeholder it is a bit on the big side. Next the bowsprit and topmast gaff and boom. Michael avsjerome2003, piperjoe, Mike Y and 4 others 7 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.
captainbob Posted February 26, 2013 #2 Posted February 26, 2013 Oh what fun. Thanks Michael. 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
michael mott Posted February 26, 2013 Author #3 Posted February 26, 2013 Bob Thanks for looking in on the tiny build. I have a whole new appreciation for Donald McNarry let me tell you. It took me an hour to make a new mast that is a scale 12 inches in diameter at the base. .024" it is bamboo I used a draw plate and a sanding stick but did most of the final sizing by scraping with a knife blade. It looks like the mast now needs a bit of tapering, it is definitely tricky working with these big splinters. The photo shows the mast to be smaller at the middle than the top I did not see that while working on it I will try some other woods for this small stuff. Here is mini sitting on the stem of the 1:8 and a shot in daylight with the thinner mast. I took out the 12 inch thick tiller handle. Michael JesseLee, avsjerome2003, Krelis and 4 others 7 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 26, 2013 #4 Posted February 26, 2013 Oh, Michael - that's brilliant - working at both ends of the scale world! John popeye the sailor 1 Quote
mtaylor Posted February 26, 2013 #5 Posted February 26, 2013 So your cutter model will have model of a cutter on it, I hope? popeye the sailor 1 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)
capnharv2 Posted February 26, 2013 #6 Posted February 26, 2013 That is very impressive! Harvey popeye the sailor 1 Quote
druxey Posted February 26, 2013 #7 Posted February 26, 2013 Well, you do have a strange idea of light entertainment, Michael! The extreme change in scale must be hard to wrap your head around. Both models are looking very nice indeed. popeye the sailor 1 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
michael mott Posted February 27, 2013 Author #8 Posted February 27, 2013 John, thanks, it is fun, and break up the tasks which gives my mind a variety of focus. Mark, absolutely, the small cutter works out to a scale 12 inches long LOA as a model in the big one. Harvey, thanks for your kind comment Druxey, thanks for the compliment and actually it is quite the opposite I find it easy to switch scales, I have been a "rubber gauger" all my life. (Sorry about the reference to railways) the top off cut looked promising for the proper rudder. Fretted out and ready for shaping, The rudder was a little tricky to hold and it took five minutes to find it after dropping it, I think it did a sycamore seed thing as it fell. When it was almost finished I snapped the shaft which was carved as an integral part of the rudder. I glued it with some ACC and since it is hidden inside the hole through the hull, and there will not be any sideways torquing pressure I will leave it. At the moment it is just a very light push fit and it does swivel from side to side. I was reading that Donald McNally actually planked the decks of all his ships with actual strips of planking. ...... I'm thinking about it. I Also shaped a new mast out of maple and tapered it to .010" at the masthead and .024" at the base, I am pleased enough with it now. Michael Leo-zd, themadchemist, JesseLee and 4 others 7 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.
popeye the sailor Posted February 27, 2013 #9 Posted February 27, 2013 I've never done anything that small.......pretty snazzy little boat! Quote I yam wot I yam! finished builds: Billings Nordkap 476 / Billings Cux 87 / Billings Mary Ann / Billings AmericA - reissue Billings Regina - bashed into the Susan A / Andrea Gail 1:20 - semi scratch w/ Billing instructions M&M Fun Ship - semi scratch build / Gundalow - scratch build / Jeanne D'Arc - Heller Phylly C & Denny-Zen - the Lobsie twins - bashed & semi scratch dual build Billing T78 Norden in dry dock: Billing's Gothenborg 1:100 / Billing's Boulogne Etaples 1:20 Billing's Half Moon 1:40 - some scratch required Revell U.S.S. United States 1:96 - plastic/ wood modified / Academy Titanic 1:400 Trawler Syborn - semi scratch / Holiday Harbor dual build - semi scratch
captainbob Posted February 27, 2013 #10 Posted February 27, 2013 Beautiful, simply beautiful. Bob popeye the sailor 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
Timothy Wood Posted February 27, 2013 #11 Posted February 27, 2013 (edited) Outstanding work! I don't know if I would be able to work on anything that small.Tim Edited February 28, 2013 by Timothy Wood popeye the sailor 1 Quote Tim Current Build: Future Build: BlueJacket - USS Kidd (Fletcher Class Destroyer) Solid Hull BlueJacket - U.S.S. SAMUEL B. ROBERTS, DE413 | Butler-Class Destroyer Escort BlueJacket - 310' Destroyer "The famous "four-piper" of both World Wars" Model Shipways - Pride of Baltimore II (Topsail Schooner) Model Shipways - Willie L. Bennett (Chesapeake Bay Skipjack) Constructo - Pilar (Ernest Hemingway's Fishing Yacht) Sergal - Race Horse (Bomb Ketch) Classic Warships - USS Salem CA-139 (Heavy Cruiser) Resin Kit Pen Duick Schooner - Half Hull (Scratch Build) CSA Submarine Hunley (Resin Kit) Classic Warships - USS Washington BB-56 (Battleship) Resin Kit Blue Ridge Models - USS Alaska CB-1 (Resin Kit) Completed Builds: 18th Century Sea Mortar Endeavour Half Hull by BlueJacket Ship Crafters Scratch Build - Atlantic (Schooner 1903) Half Hull: Winner of the 1905 Kaiser's Cup Race. BlueJacket 80' ELCO PT Boat 1/48 scale Member: Hampton Roads Ship Model Society
michael mott Posted February 27, 2013 Author #12 Posted February 27, 2013 Popeye, Bob, Tim, Thanks for stopping by. Well working on the rudder I did resort to using the optivisor, I try not to use one if I can get away without it. I think that is why I mostly work on large stuff these days, but this was just too much of a fun challenge. The next task that will need some figuring out is to reshape the sheerline to accommodate the bulwarks and to leave the stem proud a little. Michael popeye the sailor 1 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.
Wintergreen Posted February 27, 2013 #13 Posted February 27, 2013 Excellent Michael What a delight, and then you fool anyone that does not know that the block that looks 1:1 is actually a 1:8 making the little cutter appear bigger than it is! Sweet popeye the sailor 1 Quote Happy modelling! Håkan __________________________________________ Current build: Atlantica by Wintergreen Previous builds Kågen by Wintergreen Regina by Wintergreen Sea of Galilee boat, first century, sort of... Billing Boats Wasa Gallery: Kågen (Cog, kaeg) by Wintergreen - 1:30, Billing Boats Regina - 1:30, Billing Boats Dana,
michael mott Posted March 16, 2013 Author #14 Posted March 16, 2013 Håkan, thanks for the compliment I did a little more work on the mini pilot cutter today I worked on the final shaping of the deck. Tricky little devil to hold. Then I remembered the Milton Bradley mock up clay. Heated up an exacto blade to cherry red and let it cool down so I could file the notch for recessing the hull to accept the bulwarks. I cut some .005" apple and also some white lilac so I will see how each look before deciding. The white lilac smelled like aromatic cedar which surprised me. Michael avsjerome2003, JesseLee, popeye the sailor 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.
Jim Lad Posted March 16, 2013 #15 Posted March 16, 2013 I was reading that Donald McNally actually planked the decks of all his ships with actual strips of planking. ...... I'm thinking about it. Well, why not, Michael - you've gone this far! John popeye the sailor 1 Quote
michael mott Posted March 16, 2013 Author #16 Posted March 16, 2013 Well John putting the bulwark on was tough enough for me. it is amazing what the camera sees that I don't. this is all for now. Michael omarcs, IgorSky, dafi and 13 others 16 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.
mtaylor Posted March 16, 2013 #17 Posted March 16, 2013 Wow.... popeye the sailor 1 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)
capnharv2 Posted March 16, 2013 #18 Posted March 16, 2013 What Mark said Harvey popeye the sailor 1 Quote
Jim Lad Posted March 16, 2013 #19 Posted March 16, 2013 Beautifully done, Michael! John popeye the sailor 1 Quote
popeye the sailor Posted March 16, 2013 #20 Posted March 16, 2013 very tiny......and nicely done! mini you must come in handy for this.........great job! Quote I yam wot I yam! finished builds: Billings Nordkap 476 / Billings Cux 87 / Billings Mary Ann / Billings AmericA - reissue Billings Regina - bashed into the Susan A / Andrea Gail 1:20 - semi scratch w/ Billing instructions M&M Fun Ship - semi scratch build / Gundalow - scratch build / Jeanne D'Arc - Heller Phylly C & Denny-Zen - the Lobsie twins - bashed & semi scratch dual build Billing T78 Norden in dry dock: Billing's Gothenborg 1:100 / Billing's Boulogne Etaples 1:20 Billing's Half Moon 1:40 - some scratch required Revell U.S.S. United States 1:96 - plastic/ wood modified / Academy Titanic 1:400 Trawler Syborn - semi scratch / Holiday Harbor dual build - semi scratch
Sven Posted March 16, 2013 #21 Posted March 16, 2013 Nice bulwarks Michael! You know that the wood is thin when it starts to become translucent! Great job Matt popeye the sailor 1 Quote Matt Current build Royal yacht Britannia - bottle - 1:500 scale http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/2299-royal-yacht-britannia-1893-bottle-scale-1500/ HMS Victory 1:600 scale http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/882-hms-victory-by-sven-1600-scale/
michael mott Posted March 16, 2013 Author #22 Posted March 16, 2013 Mark, Harvey, John, Popeye, and Matt, thanks for your kind words. Yes Matt the translucence did surprise me a little because the apple wood was quite dense. I measured the thickness and it was scraped down to .005" which in scale is still way to thick. if it were blown up to full size it would be 2.5 inches thick. I cut the curve out with a pair of regular scissors and then the curl by pulling between my index finger and thumbnail. the hardest part was getting the glue on. I used a dental pic and put the glue in the tip of it, I could have used a pin as well I suppose. Once the glue was good and set I used a tiny sanding stick with 600 grit and gently stroked back and forth lengthwise to get them down to the right size above the deck I also used it to shape the transom once it was glued on. Michael JesseLee, Rudolf, ggrieco 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.
captainbob Posted March 16, 2013 #23 Posted March 16, 2013 Michael, The picture of this little boat on the deck of its big sister made it look small but then you showed us pictures with a #11 blade and a wood pencil and we see how unbelievably tiny it really is. Well done. Bob popeye the sailor 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
DSiemens Posted March 17, 2013 #24 Posted March 17, 2013 I love it!!! This is very cool. Your craftsmanship is incredible. The lines look great. Planking will be a nice touch. Have you thought about getting her into a bottle? At that size you may even consider a pocket watch similar to what John Fox III has done. http://www.mosaictelecom.com/~jfox3/forshow.html popeye the sailor 1 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
michael mott Posted March 17, 2013 Author #25 Posted March 17, 2013 Daniel, I am not sure that I will be doing any planking on this model, perhaps when I get a little better skilled at the small stuff. Thanks for the link, Johns work just blew me away. Michael popeye the sailor 1 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.
hopeful Posted March 25, 2013 #26 Posted March 25, 2013 Hi Michael, Oh me, oh my, what a wonderful build. Who says a solid hull vessel cannot be elegant whatever the size. Looking forward to more! Cheers, Hopeful aka David “there is wisdom in many voices” Completed: Sharpie Schooner (Midwest) Reposting the build log at present On the bench: Sultana (MSW) Reposting the log and keeping on with the build Next: Lady Nelson (Amati Victory) popeye the sailor 1 Quote Completed Sharpie Schooner: (Midwest) Current: Sultana (MS) Current: Phantom (MS) Next: Lady Nelson (Amati Victory)
molasses Posted May 13, 2013 #27 Posted May 13, 2013 it is amazing what the camera sees that I don't. I agree, I catch all kinds of errors in my photos that I don't see even with an OptiVisor. I agree with Daniel, where's the bottle? Beautiful work! popeye the sailor 1 Quote Current Builds: ESMERALDA Chilean Navy School Ship, 1/640 in a bottle insanity Dan Clapp's hard water race boat in a bottle Completed Build: Prairie Schooner OGALLALA 1/96 in a bottle Research Project: Cruizer-class Brig-Sloops "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin
michael mott Posted May 17, 2013 Author #28 Posted May 17, 2013 Where's the bottle indeed! I'm workin' on it...... Hic! Michael popeye the sailor 1 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.
lamarvalley Posted May 17, 2013 #29 Posted May 17, 2013 I knew it was small, I mean, you said so yourself, it was small, at a 1:500 scale, a size at which i can't really wrap my mind around ..... until.... until the picture with the pencil. Ummm... wow! Just plain wow... I think I'd be working on the bottle too at this stage Very, very incredibly amazingly good! Hats off! popeye the sailor 1 Quote
thowen Posted May 27, 2013 #30 Posted May 27, 2013 Fantastic. Very good work. popeye the sailor 1 Quote
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