USF CONSTELLATION by toms10 - FINISHED - Artesania Latina - scale 1:85 - first wooden build

[toms10]

Jparsley,  some of the pics are washed out from the flash from my IPhone.  The 2nd, 4th and 5th pics are more true to the actual color.  The natural color of the different woods tends to "pop" with just a coating of urethane so if your wood has good color it should come out nice with just urethane.  I started the deck planks with some stain because my wood seemed much too pale.  My walnut also had many shades so I used the stain to even them up.  Once I started with the stain I was pretty much forced to finish with it.

 

I did end up using the premade stern cabins.  There are pics of them on the previous pages of this build log.  They look okay... maybe a tad bit small but maybe I am just looking for something to pick on.  The builder is never happy.

[Jparsley]

You should be very happy with your girl She is a beautiful lady

[Jparsley]

Hey tom haven't seen you in a while hope everything is well

[toms10]

Now that spring is here, the shipyard is only open part time so progress is slow.  I did manage to glue down some of the deck items and drill the mast holes at the proper angles (thanks mtaylor & trippwj).  I also made a stand for it.  I didn't care for the set up that came with it and did not want to go with the metal pedestals so I put my engineering degree to use.    

 

Now I will put in the raling posts and start threading the ropes for all the railings. Here are some pics of where I am at in the build. Have a busy week planned so I won't get back to it until next weekend most likely.  One of the plus things with keeping a hobby a hobby... it gets done when it gets done.

[Jparsley]

As always she's looking grand

[Gundorph]

Looking beautiful... Nice build.

[toms10]

I finally made some progress between all the outside chores.  Got all the top deck cannons installed and rigged as well as all the railings.

Here are the cannon pics.

 

Here are the railings:

 

And a profile:

 

Next I will need to put the gun port lids on.  I waited because I did not want to risk knocking them off while working on the deck.  Finally after that I can take a look at the masts!

Edited May 30, 2015 by toms10

[Winlich]

Looking very good! Keep it up, nice work!

 

 

[Jparsley]

It is so good to see you back Looking great love the little square plates you anchored the canons down with great idea Can you get a close up of how you secured your coranades Great job tom

[Gundorph]

Beautiful work...

[toms10]

Thanks everyone for the likes and compliments.

 

Hi Jparsley,

I put the little square plates with the eye bolts there for 2 reasons.  First I did not want to have the stem of the eye to poke through the bulwark and mar the outside.  the stem needed to have some length to be stable and secure.  Second, it was easier to assemble the block and tackle rigging off the deck and then just glue the plates in plate.

 

As for the cannonades, I kind of improvised a bit.  I had to file a notch in the front of the base and lay that on top of the waterway.  This allowed me to get the cannonade closer to the bulwark so it protrudes through the bulwark.  Just my visual preference.  I also did not put any tackle on them because of their size.  I don't know if that is correct and I am probably glad I am not the one that really has to move them forward after they are loaded.  

Here is a closeup pic but it really doesn't show much so I made a quick hand sketch to illustrate what I am talking about.  Engineering school is paying off.

[Jparsley]

Thanks Tom the drawing is great I like the idea of the notch They look good

[toms10]

Finished the long boat and the rigging for it.  I ended up scratch building everything but the hull.  The oars I built seem a bit large but I am going to live with them.  With some filing and painting, the metal hull was okay.  Pics are a bit dark this time, not sure why.

 

Also put the anchors in place.

 

Now I am working on 46 chain plate and dead eye assemblies.  Seems I am always finding something to keep me from getting to the masts.  I had to jump around in the instructions with this kit or it would have been next to impossible to put together. Now I am going back through the book to make sure I did not forget anything before I start work on the "above deck" items.

[Jparsley]

Wow Tom It's good to see you back once again I have to say she's pretty Can you take a picture of where the rigging for your long boat is secured my plans don't even show it I can't wait to start all the lovely chain plates it makes her so much more Hummmmmm busy looking lol I'm still no where near where you are in your build but trying to pretty up some of the things I've already done Once again it's good to see your posts again Good job love the anchor chains where did you get them

[toms10]

Hi Jparsley,

The pics above pretty much show what I did.  I drilled 2 holes in the bulwarks and lined them with an extra brass eyelet that I had.  Just to the side of each hole I made a cleat and mounted it on the inside of the bulwark so I could tie off the rope.  On the other end, I inserted an eyehook into the seats of the long boat.  That has a block and tackle set up hooked up to it.  The davits have 3 holes drilled in them through which the rope runs through to simulate a double block in the davit.  The boat just dangles there.  Obviously in real life you can't leave the boat hanging or it would be swinging all over the place during sailing.  I am thinking about possibly adding another set of cleats and running some line around the hull of the long boat and through the same hole in the bulwark.  That will lock the boat up against the davits and be more secure.  I will need to see how that looks.  I need to remember that this is a model and will not be in any rough seas!  It does however, need to look good.

 

Below are some pics of the chain plates I put in this weekend.  They are going to be secured with 2 nails in the end but for now I only used one.  This way I can rotate them so they line up with the ratlines after they are installed.  Once that is done I will put the second nail in to lock them in position.  My boat is starting to get that "busy" look.

 

I also just realized that I need to put in the planks that will hold all the belaying pins on the inside of the bulwarks.  The instructions fail to mention these anywhere.  Upon reviewing the top view pic of the assembled hull that came with the kit I noticed them... I will never get to the masts!   I will use McArdle's book to make these as the pics in the instructions are somewhat blurry and I can't tell how many holes are in each piece.  I am sure I am going to need to buy more 8mm belaying pins... I need black cannon balls anyway.  The silver ones supplied don't cut it for me.

[Jparsley]

Silver cannon balls what's that lol Mine were all rusted up and looked very old I used them on mine Not pretty but they worked Like you I've had a lot of life things that have kept me from making much progress Thanks for the complement I love the way yours is coming out keep it up She is looking wonderful

[toms10]

Did my first mast work this past weekend.  Bow sprit seems to match the plans. Now on to the Mizzen.  I am assuming from the rigging pics that the masts are built and rigged (shrouds) in sections.  I mean that the bottom section of the mast is mounted to the deck and then the shroud lines are tied and then slipped over the mast post.  Once those are fixed then the next section of mast is attached.  Otherwise it would be a nightmare to get the lines looped, tied and seized.  I am learning as I go.

[mtaylor]

Tom,

Do it the way you are most comfortable with.  Many of us build the mast up as much as possible (all sections, some do yards at this point, some don't, tops) and then install.  Others do that and add as much rigging (carefully labeled, of course) then install the mast.  Others build it one piece at a time, on the ship.

 

I find it's easier to build the mast up as much as possible on the bench first.  Including the upper shrouds and ratlines.  I save the lower ones for after installation but I hold off on the ratlines and they are the last thing done.

[toms10]

Mark,

Thanks for the advice.  I will most likely build the most of the masts on the bench and then as you said put the lower ratlines in last.  I will probably do a lot of just staring at it too    .  It is pretty obvious to me now that there really is no "right" way to do most of the build.  There are definitely easier ways but if it all comes out looking like you want it in the end then that is the "right" way.      This being my first build, it is exciting to be working on something other than the hull.  She is starting to take on a third dimension.   Patience is more important than ever now that I have so much time invested.  Its look is changing quickly and I want to see it progress but there is much to learn before the light at the end of the tunnel becomes bright.

Tom

[Jparsley]

Tom she sure looks grand with the bow sprit on She's starting to take on that sailing ship look

[toms10]

Here is an update as to my progress.  It has been a bit slow.  The summer weather here has been quite nice so I am taking advantage of it.  I have built all the masts and yards for the mizzen and  installed the lower mast.  I also made my first attempt at rat lines.  They came out okay for the first time.  Once I got going and figured it out it wasn't so bad... just repetitive.  About 220 knots worth so far.

 

I guess my next step is to secure the dead eyes to the top of this mast section and then more ratlines.

Edited July 27, 2015 by toms10

[Jparsley]

Nicely done tom I'm no where near that yet Progress has been slow on my end also Keep it going

[thomaslambo]

Tom,

 

Very nice job and it looks like you got the dead eyes set correctly....I've seen a few builds lately that had them upside down (I had no idea about the correct position of dead eyes two weeks ago....gotta love MSW)  

 

The summer is slowing me down as well     

[toms10]

Just a progress post.  All the masts are completed I started working on the standing rigging.  I just keep telling myself, "Knots are our friends".     Since this is my first attempt at rigging, I spend a lot of time deciphering the instructional sketches.  Some are a bit vague.  I am also referencing the book, "Rigging Period Ship Models" by Peterson.  The book is excellent and it really helps us novices understand using very detailed pictures.

Some of the bow sprit rigging up close.

[HIPEXEC]

Take care of your bowsprit. It's easy to forget it sticks out so far. I built a bowsprit guard so it would take the bump or blow  first . Very nice work! 

[toms10]

Hi Hipexec,

I know what you mean.  I hang a bright yellow tissue paper on the tip of the bowsprit and the top of the main mast so they are easier to see.

[Jparsley]

Tom she is looking wonderful I'm not to that point but can't wait to tie a billion knots I love to see your lady coming into her rightful beauty Great job

[Jparsley]

Hey tom   was looking back through your log  on the stern the plans show two beams  looks like davits that stick out at angled from the rear of the galleries  I noticed yours does not have them  was that intentional or did you miss it   I personally think it looks cleaner without them   not sure what purpose they have other than to maybe tie the mizzen yard too?

[mtaylor]

Those aren't davits, Jeff... there's two davits that stick straight out from the stern and are actually (on the real ship) moveable.  The can be slid inboard.  What you're asking about (I'm not sure of the name.... brainfart) are where the mainsail lower course yard braces belay to.  Check the rigging drawings.

[Jparsley]

Ok thanks didn't know what to call them I knew they were to tie off the mainsail But noticed they weren't on yours is it something your adding later looking at my plans to try to figure out what I'm wanting to tackle next lol to many things to many things my brain is spinning