20210912
Before leaving for my work trip a week ago, I opened the box, taped the plan sheets to my wall, grabbed the instruction book and started reading. After reading it through I knew this build would be different from the previous ones - the instructions are definitely not step-by-step by-the-numbers like several I've done and the plans are not as detailed as others. Also, most of the wood will need to be cut to shape/fit along with various metal fixtures. At first I was not sure I was up to the 'make the pieces' challenge but after some reflection (and a beer) I decided the only way to meet the challenge is head on. The next day I left for my travels.
Arriving back yesterday, I picked the instructions back up, re-read the first couple of pages and started in by cutting the false keel, keel, stem, and frame pieces out of the supplied sheets (there is not much left to cut out; a few knees and miscellaneous pieces - the rest of what I need will be manufactured by yours truly [hopefully without any spillage of blood]). Cleaned off the char from the various pieces, sanded the false keel from the bearding line downwards and then forward to the stem to create the rabbet along the keel, and glued false keel/keel and stem together (I figured the additional keel and stem pieces were extras and not needed; same for the extra rudder) . This morning I glued a couple of frames in working hard with a small machinist's square and a line stretched from stem post to stern post to keep them plumb and square. Since the weather was beautiful today I ceased work after about 30 minutes and went out for a bit of a bike ride. Upon returning, I realized I'd screwed up the frames I'd glued in (started in backwards order; no excuse!) so out came the acetone and the frames were gently removed. No harm; no foul at this point.
I decided to take a break to let the wood dry up. Put together a simple 2 piece wooden frame from scraps that holds the keel; the frame is then held in my vice and the top of the vice jaws gives me a flat surface to use with the machinist's square for making sure the frames are plumb. I'm using the false frame as my reference for square and the string stretched stem to stern lets me see if the frames are all aligned properly down the keel. So I now have a plan for moving forward with the frames.
While waiting for the wood to dry I've spent some time looking at SoS build logs for this model. All interesting to read and the pictures definitely help explain what is in the instructions. I'll be returning to these as I progress. I also realize that I have some more reading to do before I start on the the planking. I've printed off the references mentioned in a couple of the logs; will also be ordering the planking book from Model Expo.
Not much accomplished on the model so far and there will be no additional work done until next weekend as I'm travelling for work again this week. Nice to be able to get out of the office and on the road a bit.
Before leaving for my work trip a week ago, I opened the box, taped the plan sheets to my wall, grabbed the instruction book and started reading. After reading it through I knew this build would be different from the previous ones - the instructions are definitely not step-by-step by-the-numbers like several I've done and the plans are not as detailed as others. Also, most of the wood will need to be cut to shape/fit along with various metal fixtures. At first I was not sure I was up to the 'make the pieces' challenge but after some reflection (and a beer) I decided the only way to meet the challenge is head on. The next day I left for my travels.
Arriving back yesterday, I picked the instructions back up, re-read the first couple of pages and started in by cutting the false keel, keel, stem, and frame pieces out of the supplied sheets (there is not much left to cut out; a few knees and miscellaneous pieces - the rest of what I need will be manufactured by yours truly [hopefully without any spillage of blood]). Cleaned off the char from the various pieces, sanded the false keel from the bearding line downwards and then forward to the stem to create the rabbet along the keel, and glued false keel/keel and stem together (I figured the additional keel and stem pieces were extras and not needed; same for the extra rudder) . This morning I glued a couple of frames in working hard with a small machinist's square and a line stretched from stem post to stern post to keep them plumb and square. Since the weather was beautiful today I ceased work after about 30 minutes and went out for a bit of a bike ride. Upon returning, I realized I'd screwed up the frames I'd glued in (started in backwards order; no excuse!) so out came the acetone and the frames were gently removed. No harm; no foul at this point.
I decided to take a break to let the wood dry up. Put together a simple 2 piece wooden frame from scraps that holds the keel; the frame is then held in my vice and the top of the vice jaws gives me a flat surface to use with the machinist's square for making sure the frames are plumb. I'm using the false frame as my reference for square and the string stretched stem to stern lets me see if the frames are all aligned properly down the keel. So I now have a plan for moving forward with the frames.
While waiting for the wood to dry I've spent some time looking at SoS build logs for this model. All interesting to read and the pictures definitely help explain what is in the instructions. I'll be returning to these as I progress. I also realize that I have some more reading to do before I start on the the planking. I've printed off the references mentioned in a couple of the logs; will also be ordering the planking book from Model Expo.
Not much accomplished on the model so far and there will be no additional work done until next weekend as I'm travelling for work again this week. Nice to be able to get out of the office and on the road a bit.