I realized the main top mast, was a little larger in diameter at the top, than I prefer. So I turned it down some and adjusted the ball accordingly. I like it better now. I also rounded the corners of the mast plate to a large radius.
The YQ kit using wood instead of metal bands at the lower mast top saves a lot of small brass bending and soldering. Your work looks very nice. Rich
Stained and painted…now for all of the masts rings, eyes, etc. …that should keep me busy for a while!
Vert clean and sharply edged work, patiently waiting for the fittings to be set. Rich
Dean, you tried to run and hide from me but I've found you! Looking forward to seeing this one cross the finish line...
Hey Dean, I enjoyed the review. WOW your craftsmanship is that of a master modelmaker. Looking forward to the mast and rigging work. Thank you for sharing your work.
Daniel
Daniel
Thanks for dropping in Doc!
Thank you Daniel! You are much too kind!
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Today I worked on the main mast again. So much to do! Created a mast band for the futtock shroud supports, used two halves. Then made the supports, and added eyes. Tedious as usual at this scale. Not perfect, but passes the one foot away test…lol. 
Painted the ball at top white for contrast. I think it is an improvement. Then added the end pieces I built with brass strip for the side support lines (I think stays).
Painted the ball at top white for contrast. I think it is an improvement. Then added the end pieces I built with brass strip for the side support lines (I think stays).
Strike up the band as the brass work has begun. Nicely done. RichToday I worked on the main mast again. So much to do! Created a mast band for the futtock shroud supports, used two halves. Then made the supports, and added eyes. Tedious as usual at this scale. Not perfect, but passes the one foot away test…lol.
Painted the ball at top white for contrast. I think it is an improvement. Then added the end pieces I built with brass strip for the side support lines (I think stays).
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Thank you Rich! Some things were done twice…but we all know how that goes!
Moving forward…the fair leads were added and the spreader rods and bolts.
Next will be all the mast bands, halliard crane, and bail.
Next will be all the mast bands, halliard crane, and bail.
Crane added…that’s it for today. But I feel I got a lot accomplished. Still 4 masts bands with eyes and the bail to add.
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This was the step that I got ahead of myself in not having placed the served lower shrouds over the top of the lower mast BEFORE it placed the crane. Oh well, they are now all cut off and I am waiting for new lines to arrive so that I can make a new set of foreward and main masts' shrouds with the ratlines. . . not to mention the bar at the bottom and deadeyes for those. At least I have salvaged the running lights' boards for reuse. No work today as it is 113 deg outside and the window air conditioner blows across my work bench for this part of the house and we have agreed to keep it running during the heat that will last two more days!!! At least we have two large trees on the south and west of the house for God given shade cooling.
Your brass bending looks very good. Rich
I looked at all of this closely and there is enough room to put the shroud lines in below the crane mast band. They also have to be feed between the futtock shroud supports. So you’re threading the needle so to speak, but very doable! Once I finish with the rest of the mast bands, I plan to install this mast and add the shroud lines.
You are right. I tried that and was not satisfied with my results in splicing them together and re-threading them under the crane. So I'll try another method to bring the threaded end to the other side and have a more neatly served splice. I just didn't have the skill set to do it the last time. I think that your hands and approach will work for you.
I have also been bounding back and forth with the futtock shrouds below the crosstrees as to whether they are brass rods or actual lines with the deadeyes attached above with the lanyards from the upper shrouds being joined with small thread. From what I have seen think that my first and preliminarily cut/bent brass rods were not what is indicated but I may be wrong and have to go back to the same system of brass rod that you use.
You were correct with the brass rod futtock shroud assembly. I had not looked at my own plan detail for some time at that or the instruction book which are very clear on the rods for the main mast. As my wife tells me at times when it does not work. . . 'look at the instructions"! I will do those after I have bent the shrouds around the mast so that I don't have the thread the eye of the needle more than necessary. Your view got me mind to working for which I thank you. Rich
A very nice tiny complex build, Dean. With nice ad-on's.
Regards, Peter
Thank you Peter…there is a lot of scratch building ahead, for all of the metal work on the masts, bowsprit, booms and gaffs!
My granddaughter didn’t stay with us today…I miss her, but… I put in about 4 hours on the main mast! Starting to think I will never finish it…lol
I put all the mast bands on, the bail, and other parts that I can’t even name…but it’s a very busy area! And of course all bolt heads are in place.
I just have to put all the blocks on and move to the top mast for a few things and finally put a plate on the lower mast.
I have to say, with all this metal work…bending and hammering, I feel more like a blacksmith than a shipwright!
Only thing in kit was eyes. So if it’s not an eye, I scratch built it! I think I used 3 eyes so far!
Picture time…
I put all the mast bands on, the bail, and other parts that I can’t even name…but it’s a very busy area! And of course all bolt heads are in place.
I just have to put all the blocks on and move to the top mast for a few things and finally put a plate on the lower mast.
I have to say, with all this metal work…bending and hammering, I feel more like a blacksmith than a shipwright!
Only thing in kit was eyes. So if it’s not an eye, I scratch built it! I think I used 3 eyes so far!
Picture time…
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