US Brig Syren by kscadman - Model Shipways - Scale 1:64 - first wooden ship build

[kscadman]

Yes, 10 more to go but they should go quicker. I'll let you know how the MS tumbler works. I have it assembled and ready for a trial run.

[augie]

I tried mine out and put a pic on my Confederacy log.  It actually does improve the appearance of kit-supplied blocks to some extent.

[kscadman]

Whew, the carronade assembly is done! They're dry fitted for now because I'm thinking about assembling the gratings & hatches then taping a piece of fine grit sand paper on to the deck in order to get the right camber. Then I can permanently install the caronades and break out the rigging thread!   

 

Richard

[augie]

Very neat.  My big smile for the day!

[Gahm]

Beautifully done, Richard. Your Syren is looking very good!

 

Thomas

[texxn5]

Very nice.  thanks for all the pictures.  It gives me ideas concerning carronades on my next build the Niagra.

[kscadman]

Thanks John, I'm glad to help out. I almost went with the Niagara but I found a better deal on my Syren. Once you start your Niagara I'll definitely be sitting in the front row on that build.

 

I also went into the forums and found some good posts on carronades and from what I read I might go ahead and put in the breeching rings. But my first hurdle is to figure out which thread is the .028. I tried using my micrometer but the thickest tan thread I have measures at .023.

 

Is the breaching thread the thickest of the tan threads?

 

Anyway, here's some pics of my slow yet steady progress

 

I have all my carronades finished and dry fitted and a couple of the hatch & grate assemblies complete. I Still need to drill the holes for the masts. It looks like the plans show the foremast perpendicular to the deck. I'm I correct?

 

Also, on the main hatch just foreward of the mainmast is the grating supposed to be in two sections and what is the purpose of the two square holes on either side? I've never seen that and I cant seem to find out why. (Unless, of course, it was to keep the sailors on their toes 

 

Richard

Edited September 13, 2013 by kscadman

[augie]

Richard-  wrap your thread around a dowel 10 times and then measure that.  It will be a more accurate reading.

[augie]

OK, just wanted to check on mine.

 

Yes, the foremast is at 90 degrees to the deck.  Only the main mast is raked (aft).

 

The holes in that hatch are where the anchor lines will end as that is where they disappeared to go below deck.

Edited September 17, 2013 by Augie

[kscadman]

Thanks Augie, its been so long since I read that chapter. I completely forgot about the anchor lines. 

 

Richard

[Gahm]

Your Syren looks great! Having gratings and completed guns on a deck always makes a big difference in the appearance of a ship model. Can't wait until I get to this point myself!  

 

Thomas

[kscadman]

Thomas, I totally agree with you. It can get a little disheartening staring at an empty deck. I cant wait to see how you do on yours!

 

Richard

[kscadman]

Hatches & grates are finished. Companionway ledge & shot racks are installed. Mast holes are drilled (tricky) but I think I have the mainmast rake correct. Just need to glue the cannon balls in. (Already lost one - I'll have to add it to "Whats on your floor" post) 

 

Now its time to quit procrastinating and rig my carronades.

 

Richard

[augie]

Looking great.

 

Can't see if you've actually drilled the holes in the black painted portion of that one hatch.  Check to make sure the specified rope fits nicely in there as you'll need to bend it 90 degrees into the hole to make it sit right.  By the time you need to do that the deck will be very busy and the rigging will be busy as well.

[Gahm]

Beautifully done, Richard! It is a pleasure to watch your progress!

 

Thomas

[kscadman]

Thank you Thomas for the compliments, they are always appreciated. Especially considering the BIG mistake I just found and need to correct.

 

Augie, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! If you hadn't mentioned the anchor lines I never would of realized my mistake till it was too late. Once I re-read about the anchor cable I discovered that my grates were backwards!! 

 

Ok, momentary delay on the carronade rigging whilst I fix "ye olde" mistake

 

Richard

Edited September 18, 2013 by kscadman

[kscadman]

Ok, hatch grate mistake has been fixed, cannonballs have been installed and I've got the companionway walls glued together. But mainly I've been able to rig my first carronade. 

Here's some pics and I need a little feedback on how they look before I glue the tackle and make the coils. I read a post by dirk on breeching rings on carronades and after a little reasearch I decided to go ahead and add the breech rings."They really are there, just a little hard to see them in the photos.

 

Any thoughts?? First time rigging so I'm kinda tiptoeing thru this.

 

Richard

[Gahm]

Well, I have not rigged any carronades either yet, so I may not be the best reference, but it looks to me like you did a very nice job!

 

Thomas

[augie]

I love it.

[texxn5]

Outstanding carronades as well as the build.  Love the details.

[kscadman]

Thank you, Augie John & Thomas for your comments.Their just what the doctor ordered as I continue to make another 70+ hooks.

 

Richard 

[Chuck]

Looks real good to me ...well done.

 

Chuck

[texxn5]

the details are what counts, unfortunately when it comes to cannons and carronades it is so repititious you never think you'll get through it...keep it up

[kscadman]

Very true John, very true. But I do have deck furniture to work on when it becomes too repetitious.

 

Hope your enjoying your trip.

 

Richard

[kscadman]

All I have to say is 2 down 14 to go.   Who would of thought making coils would take up so much time ( and be soo frustrating). But I am happy with the result. 

 

Richard

[augie]

Very nice.  And that's a good view of your fine work on the margin plank and treenails.  I'm smiling!

[Gahm]

Well, that looks like a lot of tedious work  . . . but the result is well worth it! I really love your coils! 

 

Thomas

[Charley54]

Looks so great. I am just starting my Syren and all the build logs are so helpful. I' really new at this - mind if I ask how you did the rope coils?

 

Charley

[WackoWolf]

Excellent work withe riging for the cannons. Keep the pictures coming.

[kscadman]

Thank you Augie Thomas, Charley, & Joe. Slow and steady seems to be the order of the day. But I think I might want to take more pictures as I go. I get to see the mistakes. I tried to make sure the "hold down rings?" were directly behind each carronade, but to me they seem a little off center, both on the carronade and its partner across the deck. I'll just have to be more attentive as I go.

 

Augie, glad to see your smiling, but are you sure its just from my work? its been rumored by another member "realworkingsailor" that your training some paper cannonballs from your Conferderacy on others in the fleet.

 

Charley, Ive attached some pictures to help explain how I made my coils.It probably isn't the best way, or the easiest but its what I came up with.

 

First thing was to cut a piece of 1/4" dowel. then I made 2 discs out of clear plastic. I used some "Midwest clear plastic that I had at hand. (I took 2 pieces and tried to glue them together with my carpenters glue and it didnt stick after letting it cure for an hour so it was good to use)

 

I glued 1 disc to the dowel and drilled about a 1/8" deep hole in it that is the same diameter as the post I used (scrap length of the supplied eyebolts) I layed the other disc on top, center punched it then drilled a hole in it.

 

To make the coils I just soaked a length of thread (2-5/8") in diluted glue leaving about an 1/8", 3/16" out of the glue then I put the dry end into the hole in the dowel. I inserted the post into it holding the thread by friction. Then I put the second disc on top and put it in the pin vice. Then I put the pin vice in my "third hand" and twisted the dowel section to wind it, keeping a steady pressure on it. I let it dry then removed the pin vice and top disc carefully (if not then you get a really nice spiral) I remove the coil from the center with a pair of tweezers and cut the excess from the underside and end and then voila! a coil is made. 

 

Sorry the explanation is so long but I hope this helps.

 

Richard