HMS Bounty Launch by mattsayers148 - FINISHED - Model Shipways - scale 1:16 - SMALL

[mattsayers148]

Well this is some of my first pictures taken for this build. I stained all planks prior to glueing and then softly bevel sanded edges to achieve a tight fit. This however left me to insert a 3/16 plank and scribe my shutter plank to it, to my delight it's nearly invisible.

[mattsayers148]

As you can see, I decided to stain instead of paint, and used tree nails, a lot of tree nail! I wasn't sure of the quantity, as I viewed several similar styles and made them to look correct to my eye. I used 3/32 dowels(from the craft store) then drew them through a succession of smaller holes in a scrap piece of metal to get them down to 3/64.

[mattsayers148]

As I went further on the interior floorboards, more tree nails appeared. Then went in the thwart risers, winch keep, mast steps, breasthook and gunwales, backrest and quarter knees. As a side note, when I bent my frames I used the soak and soldering iron neck, constant movement prevented burning and a very smooth bend. I decided to run the frames in one piece to both sides, I don't know if I just got lucky or what, but I managed this with zero breaks. Afterwards I reused the jig to bend all my tween frames on, so they installed really uniform.

[CaptainSteve]

Very nice work with your trennelling !!

 

So ... err ... I'm guessing this is not your first model ??

   

[mattsayers148]

Now we're up to speed. I held off on installing the thwarts to make the stern crane. I ended up laminating 1/32 x 1/8 strips(left over planks from a previous build) on a jig(the lid from my empty sherbet tub) into a half circle. Once dry, I cut them in half to get two identical pieces. Then I clamped together and drilled necessary holes for square alignment. Last nite I made the roller out of stock walnut. I turned it on my trusty poor mans lathe(flex shaft drill). Next for me is forming the windlass.

[mattsayers148]

Thanks Captain, it's only my third(18th century longboat and 21ft English Pinnace). Those kinda started the learning curve. The pinnace got away from me as I used it for a practice run for this model. I scaled down the masts and sails to 1:24 and kinda left the plans behind. I added walnut grating on the seat spot and made my blocks and belay pins from walnut stock. I also chose to use fine crochet thread for all lines and for hand sewing the sails. They didn't turn out too bad for a first effort.

[mattsayers148]

I figured I should finish off the crane before I start the windlass.

[jburchfield1@wowway.com]

Well, hell, now I'm disappointed in the appearance of mine!  

 

Very excellent work there Matt.  I like the looks of your crane and the way you handled the poop deck end.  I just cut a square hole for mine.

 

Could you explain how you made those two "handles" that are going thru the brace into the thwart?

[Cap'n Rat Fink]

Very beautifully done Matt...........

 

Mario

[Keith_W]

Really neat work Matt, and love the treenailing.

[mattsayers148]

Thank you KeithW, Cap'n Rat Fink and Pops for your words of encouragement. I had absolutely no idea what I was gettin myself into when my brain said, "I like the look of those dowel/wood/nail thingies, yeah I'm doing that!" I think it took almost three finger blistering weeks? Hey Pops, I hope these photos show how I did those handle/fasteners. I'm sure they exist only in my mind, but I bet the sailors of those days had to MacGyver a thing or two. I think the wire was 26ga and I just wrapped it around 4 times, pinched em tight, then twist and snip. They actually screw into place!

[jburchfield1@wowway.com]

Thanks Matt, I can see something like being used since that crane/braces was basically removable.

 

I also am interested in seeing your windlass as you build it.  I've done it twice but it doesn't seem realistic (to me anyway) with the small amount of wood left when you make the holes the size indicated in the plans.  Seems to me they would break the first time any strain was placed on the edges to rotate the winch. 

 

Maybe I'm just over-thinking it.  I seem to have a habit of that.  

[mattsayers148]

Hey Pops, well here's the windlass I made today. I agree with you in that it doesn't seem even close to being strong enough. I'm not super happy with it, but instead of making another one, I think I'm going to reinforce it with a thick rope lashing or possibly iron bands. What do think? I still have the handles to make for it and I know when they are in it most likely won't look so wimpy.

[jburchfield1@wowway.com]

Your windlass looks really good but, I'm glad to hear that you also think they look "fragile" where the openings are.  I'm just thinking about a real life situation and it doesn't look to me like there is enough wood to lever against if there is any stress/strain on the rope.

 

This is just my opinion, and only my second model - iron bands or ropes wouldn't do much unless they were actually wrapped around where the openings are and then they would just get in the way.  Although an "iron" band could have the holes punched through and if slightly wider than the holes would work to reinforce those really narrow edges.

 

What I've decided to try (working on a new one now) is - I'm gonna make the holes just slightly smaller, maybe 1/32 overall, then when I make the handles I'm gonna make them with a square section that fits snugly and is the same length as the thickness of the windlass, then I would put on the two tapers as shown on the plans.  In that way the handle would be applying pressure to both sides of the windlass cutting the pressure in half, instead of applying pressure to just one of those thin areas.  At least that's my theory.

 

It just doesn't look realistic (real life?) to me that they would have made the openings that large

[mattsayers148]

You know, as I making the 4 holes, it occurred to me that a solution may be to only have 2 holes on each end and and opposite side, one side horizontal and the other vertical. This would keep each side at 90 deg from each other. You could put iron plates on non-hole sides and band them in place. Seem like you'd break the handle before you'd split the windlass, and use your idea with handles extending through the entire thickness of the windlass. What do you think?

[jburchfield1@wowway.com]

Sounds like a plan to me.  

 

And since I haven't started putting holes in the latest one I'm gonna use that idea.  I'll have to get some brass strip.  Don't have anything wide enough, but I was gonna go get some brass rod and strip to make the pintles anyway.

[mattsayers148]

Well I came up with this addition to my windlass to make it look stronger. It seems to look ok?

[mattsayers148]

Well I came up with this addition to my windlass to make it look stronger. It seems to look ok?

[mattsayers148]

Started on the chest today

[jburchfield1@wowway.com]

VERY nice!  

 

How did you get that "iron" to look so real?  

[CaptainSteve]

Matt !!

Your winch looks fantastic ... what did you build it from ??

 

Incidentally, I've built that tool chest, so I know how small it really is.

Your framing is exquisite !!

 

You are indeed a Master !!!

 

PS: Don't forget the rope handles

Edited December 22, 2014 by CaptainSteve

[mattsayers148]

Thank you every one for all the likes.

 

Hey Pops, I think the biggest part of it was the size and positioning of the bolts. I took off the first two attempts before I got the size to look "correct", I ended up using 1/32 x 1/32 basswood stock and just dipped the ends in CA glue, held em in place for a couple seconds then snipped really close. Also I had to sand well(before the bolts), yet selective, keeping the sides and area around the holes square and the rest rounded. Then taped off and painted flat black. Hope that helps.

[mattsayers148]

Thanks CaptainSteve, the winch and braces were made from 1/32 basswood strips laminated in a semi-circle, first with white glue then heavy dose of CA on the edges(overkill) but very strong now.

 

And thanks for the reminders, and I would call me OCD not master.

I googled 18th century travel trunk images to get a feel for how unique they were and just started fiddling, I've got more junk for this trunk.

 

Thanks again CaptainSteve

 

Matt

Edited December 22, 2014 by mattsayers148

[Canute]

Mattie, I am in awe. Beeyootiful work!   And "junk in the trunk", eh? I can't wait.

[mattsayers148]

Thanks Ken, I'm really enjoying this build and trying not to go too far out in left field. I'm trying to put myself on the boat back then. What do I have, what do I wish I had?

 

Matt

[Canute]

Matt, check out the build logs, especially CaptainSteve's, for ideas. In this scale, you can run amok with details.

[CaptainSteve]

Well, Gee ...

Thanks, Ken.

 

But I think Matt is doing a superb job of putting my Launch to shame.

 

 

BTW, Matt, if you are planning on doing tools for your chest, then you could do a lot worse than check out Mario's build here.

(Incidentally, how's them working hinges coming along ??)

Edited December 23, 2014 by CaptainSteve

[mattsayers148]

Well thank you CaptainSteve you are too kind. Well I whipped this one together last night, a little rough, it still needs some fine tuning. I have a couple other idea I'm gonna try out tonite after work. And yes, it actually does work! Yeah!

 

Matt

[mattsayers148]

Merry Christmas everyone!

After several experiments went amuck, I finally caught the squirrel that was running around in my head and made him tell me the solution to the "working hinge challenge".

 

The final chest was aged and fit for public viewing. Now it's time for tools.

[Canute]

Arrr, nice work on the hardware, me buck-o! And the chest hath rope handles to boot.

 

Very weak imitation of Cap'n Steve's comments. Hope he doesn't mind.