Rattlesnake by KenW - FINISHED - Model Shipways - Scale 1:64 - American Privateer

[KenW]

I was able to sneak a little work during the period between Christmas and New Year’s.  I made some of the rigging collars needed on the bow sprint.  The MS plans definitely show two thimbles for the shrouds and a deadeye for the bobstay.   On my previous models, these collars were all the same and the Hahn plans don’t show any details, so I’m going with the MS plans (for now).  The Hahn plans do show a fore stay AND a fore preventer stay.  So I’m going to follow the Hahn plans on that.  There are two beckets in lieu of thimbles on the preventer stay collar for the spritsail bunt lines.  My smallest thimble looked way too big.  I also tried my hand at carving.  I used an x-acto knife and a needle file and after a few tries, I think I’ve produced two adequate hounds to be placed in between the cheeks.  I may try to add more detail, but I’m afraid of breaking a leg or tail.

 

Edited January 2, 2016 by KenW

[rafine]

Very nice work on the collars and those hounds look great. I would leave them be.

 

Bob

[KenW]

Thanks Bob.

Happy New Year.

[shipmodel]

Hi Ken, and Happy New Year - 

 

The detail work is coming along very nicely.  Congratulations.

 

As for the carved canines (hounds has another nautical meaning), you might try stiffening them with Minwax wood hardener before doing more detailed carving.  It dries clear and does not seem to interfere with gluing strength.  It makes carving a bit harder, but significantly reduces breaking along the grain.  Of course, test on some scrap before letting the dogs out.

 

Be well

 

Dan

[GDM67]

Hi Ken,  She looks beautiful.  I finished my Mamali kitbashed Rattler last summer.  Yours has really great lines.  I will follow along with interest.
Gary

[Martin W]

Hi Ken -- Nice progress.  And your foray into the decorative carving looks very good.  You might find that these will need a touch of vertical trimming to fit into their space, but that shouldn't be much of a problem, and there's no way of knowing until you begin setting them in.

 

Can't wait to see more!

 

Martin

[KenW]

Thanks Dan, Gary and Martin and the 'likes'.

Dan:  I will try the wood hardener - testing first.  The issue with doing too much detailed work is that no one will really see it (or notice it).

Martin:  I'm working on the cheeks now and will make sure everything fits before the final gluing.  I can't wait to see more as well.

Cheers and Happy New Year.

[JSGerson]

Ken, the carving is a matter of personal taste and pride whether or not anyone else can see it but you and God. I get a lot of praise from my family and friends on my Rattlesnake carvings even though I know it's very rudimentary. It was after all my first ever carvings. They didn't see the fine Bob Hunt example I was following. So, put in what ever detail makes you feel good.

 

Jonathan

[KenW]

Thanks Jonathan.  I totally agree.  The fear factor will prevent me doing too much.

Happy New Year.

[Martin W]

Fear shouldn't be a real factor:  remember that you can always do something over.

[KenW]

I finally completed the cheeks and mounted them on the stem, along with the wolf-hounds.  ‘Martin W’ was right – the wolf hounds were a bit too large.  In fact, even though the carved wolfs were the exact size as those on the MS plans, the stem wasn’t the same size as the plans.  So I had to make the cheeks narrower and modify the carvings in order to manage to fit them on the model.  They don’t look as I imaged them, but I think they’re OK.  The cheeks were laminated to get the look I wanted.

 

I also created small laminated pieces to enable the covering boards to look like they curved around at 180 degrees.  I think the result looks pretty good. 

 

 

 

Now I'll continue working on the head.

 

[rafine]

Nicely done Ken.

 

Bob

[GaryKap]

Ken, that's beautiful work!!!   You are certainly becoming a master ship modeler.  As I agonize over the tiny "fiddley bits" on my SYREN build, I can only envy your skill.  The wolf hounds look very good and are a nice addition to the model.  And that whole construction of the cheeks and head rails is one of the greatest challenges with a period ship model.  You nailed it.

 

<<Gary>>

[KenW]

Thanks Gary, Bob and the 'likes'.

Now on to the head rails and the 'seats of ease'.

Cheers.

[Burroak]

Ken that's some very nice work! A lot of detail for sure.

 

Greg H.

[shipmodel]

Hi Ken - 

 

Looking really good.  Nice work on the wolf-hounds.

 

From experience I suggest that you locate and dry-fit the catheads before working out the top rail.  They fit together and the location of the cathead has a major influence on the size and shape of that top rail.

 

Dan

[KenW]

Thanks Greg and Dan.

I'll plan out the location of the catheads while working on the head rails.

I'll be at the SMSNJ meeting on the 26th and hope to bring the model.

Cheers.

Edited January 17, 2016 by KenW

[KenW]

I must express my shock and sorrow upon hearing of the passage of my 'friend' Augie. 

He was always encouraging to us 'new guys' and his knowledge and advise were welcome and often sought after.  And, his advice never felt like criticism.

His posts gave the impression of a likable and encouraging person.  He will be sorely missed.

 

If you are not aware, there is a site set up for MSW users to express their feelings. 

It can be found at - "http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/12546-augie-bruno/".

[KenW]

The head took a while but it's done and I’m satisfied with the result.  I used Minwax Wood Hardener on the end of the head rail where a line will be tied off since the end looks very thin.  Not much else to say, except I’m on to the ‘seats of ease’.  I’m thinking, however, that before I complete the platform, I will have to install the bow sprint and its gammoning.

 

 

[JSGerson]

You did a beautiful job with the rails. Because my Rattlesnake was my first build, I did not know that the head of the rail was to be used for a line tie off. I would have added the "head piece" as well. I only learned this recently as I was rigging the bow.

 

I totally agree with your decision to install the bowsprit and gammoning at this point. Following Mr. Robert Hunt's practicum almost blindly because I didn't understand how things were interdependent, mine was installed at a latter point when it was much more difficult. May I suggest that you also get your figure head at least prepared and dry fitted if not installed, before the bowsprit installation just so there is no complications down the road.

 

Jonathan

[KenW]

Thanks Jonathan. 

My figurehead is being prepared 'as we speak'.  Although, I'm not carving it.  I know I can't do as good a job on the figurehead, as well as those stern decorations, as you did.  I considering other options.

Cheers.

[JSGerson]

All I can say is, you won't know how well you can carve until you try. I NEVER carved before I attempted the Rattlesnake decorations. You've got nothing to lose in the attempt. You can always go back to what you originally planned if it doesn't work out. 

 

Jonathan

[rafine]

You should be more than "satisfied" with your work on the head rails Ken. They look really good.

 

Bob

[sport29652]

I have head rail envy. You did a great job sir !

 

I'm right where you are right now trying to figure out how to get the gammoning, heads and grating to fit with the two dolphin striker like things coming form under the bowsprit. gonna be a tight fit.

[Gmummey]

Hi my name is Gordon mummey

I"'m one of the silent members I've just started the rattle snake and am very impressed with your build log. Wonderfully done ,

 

I have just finished hms victory by coreal

Also msw flying fish,syren,blue nose, and uss constitution that is my last 4 years of ship building, keep posting and I will keep watching .

[gerty]

Beautiful work !  I enjoy following along - 

[Martin W]

Nice work, Ken.  And I know what you mean about the tight fit for everything.  Looking at the overhead shot of those 2 guns, I recall that I had a heckuva time seating the bowsprit in between them.

 

And I'll echo Jon's comments about carving -- you never know, but it might prove to be loads o' fun! 

 

Cheers,

 

Martin

[KenW]

Thanks Bob, Eric, Gordon, Gerty and Martin and the 'likes'.

[KenW]

Now the head is truly finished.  The bow sprint with its gammoning, the ‘seats of ease’, and the platform are complete.  I do plan on making a hand railing, but I want to wait until the rigging is done so I can insure that the railing doesn’t foul the lines.  So, for now, my plan is to move aft with the installation of the last 4 guns.

 

[KenW]

All 20 guns are now installed.  The boat looks good with them all lined up.  One thing I noticed is that the four quoin handles I created this time are both smaller and better looking than those I made before.  I guess I’m doing better; but I won’t be starting over.  The work on the hull aft will not wait any longer; I have to get to it.