USS Constitution by Jeff - Model Shipways - Scale 1:76

[JeffT]

Thanks Jay, Geoff, and Wacko.

 

I have a soldering iron that allows me to adjust the temperature, so I hope that does the trick. I also have some scrap brass that I can use for practicing. I finished carving the interior of one boat last night. It took me a couple hours. It wasn't easy and I ended up doing it all by hand. I tried using the dremel like Bob showed but quickly found out that is too risky. Those burrs might be the answer Geoff, thanks!

[Anja]

Hello Jeff,,

 

Congratulations on becoming a moderator.

And welcome to the team.

 

Take care,

 

Anja

[JeffT]

Thank you Anja! I am looking forward to this great opportunity!

[Geoff Matson]

Wow  Now I actually know a moderator nice going

[Beef Wellington]

Congrats Jeff, do you have to pass some sort of multi day written theory and practical test?

[gjdale]

Congratulations Jeff on your appointment as Moderator. I know you'll do an outstanding job in this role.

[JeffT]

Congrats Jeff, do you have to pass some sort of multi day written theory and practical test?

 

Yeah, we had to do some crazy stuff. It was like trying to get into a fraternity.

[JeffT]

Thanks Geoff and Grant.

[Salty Sea Dog]

Hi Jeff!

 

Just wanted to say congratulations and thank you for being a moderator. The Constitution looks great!

[JeffT]

Thank you Buck!

[Geoff Matson]

You know, just because your a moderator now it does not exempt you from modeling   So....Make some sawdust and post some progress on your Conny and Kingfiaher

[JeffT]

Lol, I know Geoff. I'm due another update soon. I finished shaping the boats and need to work some magic with wood filler to finish the little guys. I also received my blocks from warner yesterday so I'll be able to start rigging the guns.

[JeffT]

I received my new blocks from Warner Woods today and below is a picture to show the comparison between them and the ME blocks. The blocks are 3/32" and 1/8". I included the number 11 exacto in the picture for scale. Following that is a picture of the current state of the ships boats. They are shaped and ready for some wood filler to hide all the imperfections before painting.

 

Here are the blocks, 3/32 at the top and 1/8 at the bottom:

 

 

Boats:

 

[fabius.b]

Hi, helmsman,

I'm following your very interesting topic.

Your Connie is beautiful, and I take a lot of ideas and solution for my one.

[Timmo]

Those boats are looking good jeff. Also a belated nice work on that soldering.

Wayne

[Beef Wellington]

I received my new blocks from Warner Woods today and below is a picture to show the comparison between them and the ME blocks.

 

Hi Jeff, those blocks are a dramatic improvement, do you happen to have a link to the website where you got them?  Cheers

[Geoff Matson]

Jeff

 

Great to see your progress on the boats, now all you have to do is fill them. The warner blocks are definitely an improvement from the kit blocks. For the kit I think scale is an issue. If you look at the instructions, it says to use the same size blocks for two or three different block sizes. Thats why in the future I think I will try build models in the 1/48 scale or larger so you can add the kind of details you what.

 

As you know I am in the masting and rigging section of the build. Still working on the yards, but I plan on making all my own rigging lines. I ran into the same problems with the rigging lines as the blocks. The kit comes with about six or so different size rigging lines. If you look at the plans there are about 12 or more rigging sizes. The kit again says to use one size line for several sizes of line. I know this is a scale issue, not much difference form .006 to .008 line.

[JeffT]

Hi Jeff, those blocks are a dramatic improvement, do you happen to have a link to the website where you got them?  Cheers

 They are from Warner Woods and he doesn't have a website. He operates via email and postal service. His email is: warwoods@infowest.com

 

I have the order forms and can email them to you if you want.

[JeffT]

Hi, helmsman,

I'm following your very interesting topic.

Your Connie is beautiful, and I take a lot of ideas and solution for my one.

 

Thanks!

[JeffT]

Thanks Wayne and Geoff. I'm going to experiment with different line sizes to see what works best for the size of the hole in the new blocks. I plan to use as much of the kit supplied rigging lines as I can.

[CaptainSteve]

Jeff,

You have done a fantastic job on shaping those boat hulls.

Enjoy fitting them out !!

 

BTW, I wouldn't mind a copy of the Warner Woods order form if possible (will PM my e-mail).

[JeffT]

Jeff,

You have done a fantastic job on shaping those boat hulls.

Enjoy fitting them out !!

 

BTW, I wouldn't mind a copy of the Warner Woods order form if possible (will PM my e-mail).

 

thanks! i had to order some styrene to finish them. send me your email an i'll send the forms.

[JeffT]

Its been a while since I updated my log so here we go. I have been working on the ship although progress has been slow lately due to other obligations like gardening and yard projects. I had to prep and put down 500 square feet of sod and I built a garden area.

 

Anyway, I've been skipping around a bit on the various things I need to do on the model, most likely to avoid rigging guns and making chainplates. I started working on making the belaying pin racks and installing the chocks. Frustratingly enough there are no chocks included with the kit, no cast ones, no wooden ones, nothing. I am irritated by that. Fortunately I have some cast ones laying around that I can use.

 

I also finally built a stand.

 

Here is the belaying pin rack at the bow.

 

 

I have assembled two of the four racks required for the fore mast. Below the rack in the picture you can see what I think is a mooring chock. I managed to get it to fit although the maker of the practicum wasn't able to do so. You can also see the eyebolts installed for gun rigging. I decided not to use the rigging parts made from styrene as recommended by the practicum and just go with eyebolts.

 

 

Here is the stand. A chunk o' teakwood with cradles made from mahogany.

 

[Beef Wellington]

impressive work Jeff, nice to see some progress again.  I'm curious where you got the wood from to make the cradles and the base, it looks great.

[JeffT]

Thanks Jason. I found the teakwood on ebay and the cradles were cut from a 1/4" sheet of mahogany I got from model expo.

[Geoff Matson]

Good to see you back working on the Conny. I really like your stand. I did the same thing with the eyebolts, I used wire instead of styrene.

[JeffT]

Thanks Geoff. I guess I'm just getting weary of buying things above and beyond whats in the kit. I'm going to do my best to make use of whats there.

[Geoff Matson]

I know how you feel. After changeing a lot of the kit parts I feel like I might be ready for a scratch build.

[JeffT]

I know how you feel. After changeing a lot of the kit parts I feel like I might be ready for a scratch build.

 

Exactly what I'm thinking. Its time to go down that road.

[mtaylor]

You guys might as well come over the darkside.  Only difference between many kits and scratching are the instructions...