Black Pearl By ZHL build

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Aug 4, 2018
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Baltimore, Maryland USA
I have wanted to build this ship for some time and now with my Grandson wanting the Black Pearl Ship because its his favorite Movie I have Picked one up from ZHL to build. after doing a bit of research on the actual ship and finding a few articles posted from other builders my understanding is its not an easy ship to build and many are saying the Instructions are difficult to follow. I will be doing a very detailed build log on this ship for that reason lots of pictures and explanations as I progress through the build. I will be adding custom elements to the build and Ill do my best to create the most realistic rigging components I can. this will be a long build and even though I'm only days away from Maryland's opening of Deer Hunting season I will remain dedicated to the completion of the Vessel. I'm sure my Grandson will force that and I fully intend to have him help along the way.

I like the Black Ship however I wont be going that way with this build, there will be black and lots of it, but the whole ship will not be black as many have built it. I'm undecided as of yet to paint the black on or use wood Dye so I have some testing to do on the actual wood to see what will look best. I want to thank Max over at ZHL for a fantastic kit that came packaged very well and shipped super fast. So without further delay Here we go.
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I got started on the false keel which was straight right out of the box. I used a 5min epoxy to attach the front half to the rear and then sanded off all squeeze out. In case anyone is wondering what's holding things flat those are 3 Authentic Native American Artifacts I recovered from my Hunting Property Two are Axe heads and the triangle shaped rock is a pecking stone which may or may not have been used to create the Hafting groove in those Axe Heads. I have found a ton of stuff including Pipes, Arrow and spear heads, pottery, beads and even personal dress adornments made from stones and seeds that were made into beads. I am Half Cherokee Indian so finding these artifacts was very special to me. Ok enough of that back to business. 20180901_164525.jpg
one of the gray areas in the manual is how to derive at the exact placement of both parts labeled #3. I used Bulkhead #4 to help determine this. I put bulkhead #4 in place and lined up part #3 to its exact location. Once it was clamped in place I traced its location onto the false Keel. I removed the Bulkhead and both parts #3 from both sides and used a block sander to give the edge a 45* bevel as instructed in the manual. It was a simple process then to glue then back inside the traced lines. 20180901_175734.jpg20180901_175757.jpg20180902_114303.jpg20180901_181446.jpg
I then just started Installing Bulkheads one at a time using a square to insure they were square to the false Keel. When all were installed I glued in Part #P1 a support for both sides of the false keel where they were joined together. I wanted to make sure the frame was locked into place nice and straight before installing that part.
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I want to fill in the gap between Bulkheads at the Bow to insure a nice flow of the planks and plenty of surface area to adhere them to, unfortunately I didn't have the size blocks to place in them on hand so I had to order some. I'll pick up at that point on Tuesday when I get them, but till then I'll clean up the parts to be installed after that's done. Good thing I am replacing my dining room table otherwise the wife would have split my head for messing it up lol Its at a perfect height so it will go into my work room and when the new one arrives. Its just the Wife and I at the house now and the kids only come by for holidays and to drop off my Grandson so no one eats at the table till holidays anymore. With the addition of the Grandson and another on the way we needed a larger table so I get the old one which is pretty small, but perfect for my hobbies.
 
I am glad to see you doing a log on this model. I purchased this exact same kit a while back but have been waiting for someone else to build it first... :) It will be interesting to see how you do the black finish. I am along for the ride!!!
 
I am glad to see you doing a log on this model. I purchased this exact same kit a while back but have been waiting for someone else to build it first... :) It will be interesting to see how you do the black finish. I am along for the ride!!!
The Manual leaves a lot to the imagination, but I think I have it mostly figured out. It has some areas that if your not familiar with ships would be a real mind bender for instance the lifeboat it shows the components to build the frame but shows no planking I figured that out by eliminating the parts that are listed to a known placement. then eliminate the parts that aren't planking types. This will be the norm for much of the accessories/fittings on the ship. I have built a number of ships from Mantua, Mamoli and Sergal I do speak Italian though so that helped a little I don't know any Chinese so I have no idea if some of the info is in that text. I'll have it worked out though as I already have much of it figured. this will be a fairly detailed build log so shouldn't be much trouble to follow along. and I'll make a point to note the harder parts.
 
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I sanded down the tops of the Keel and bulkheads and dry fit the decks in place they fit like a glove so I know the kit is fairly accurate to further determine this I dry fit the bulwarks they are to line up with the stern bulkhead and lay along the deck line and they do that exactly as they should without having to manipulate anything. Hoorayyy finally a build that's at least fairly precise in fitment. 20180902_213007.jpg20180902_203713.jpg20180902_203636.jpg
 
A great start. I have seen a couple Black Pearls started but not finished so I will be watching with interest. At the speed you build things you will be finished in time for Christmas,;)

Cheers Andy
 
I'm so active in my life I feel like if I'm not doing something I'm wasting my life away. I hate to even sleep because its time I can be Productive in. Winter time is a good building time for me even though it coincides with Hunting season which is now only 4 days away for me. My Grandson wants this ship fast, but I don't want to rush it I want this one to be the best work I can turn out for him.

So this Morning I woke up and was looking at the decking still in dry fit and noticed three areas where the Decks are floating, I don't like floating so I addressed those issues with the Plywood I removed the bulkheads from. I measured to make sure the decks will be at an even height to the bulkheads Marked that location and cut some Blocks for support. so when I secure the decks down they will have full support and no issues later. the areas are at bulkheads #4, 12 and 13

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I should get the decks buttoned down today. hopefully My blocks come early tomorrow to fill in between the Bow Bulkheads. then I'll sand all the bulkheads for Maximum surface contact and flow of the planking.
 
I will follow your blog, seems to be a very detailed kit incl all interior etc. Nice to see that more and more people are going to the high quality Chinese kits.
 
Got all the Decks center lined for Planking 20180903_140022.jpg
I want to light up some areas of this Build so I opened up a door and windows in bulkhead #12. I wanted to leave some meat on that bulkhead so I chose to do it this way rather then open the entire area. 20180903_160249.jpg20180903_160459.jpg20180903_182955.jpg
I opened the door way on part #D5 I plan on having both doors open and I must give Thanks and credit to [U]s.solajjic[/U] for the Idea. I cut some clear plastic for the window openings that isn't crystal clear so it looks like old hand blow glass. It fits inside the opening up against the window molding. I think it looks pretty good. I tried coloring a piece with a yellow sharpie and it was to Bright so I'll be ordering some Tiny SMD LED's in warm white light should give that nice yellowed light. 20180903_155420.jpg20180903_155826.jpg20180903_155922.jpg
since the doors are to be opened I didn't want the inside to look ratty so I installed some planking and built a room. 20180903_191332.jpg
Looks pretty good from all angles with D5 dry fitted to the opening 20180903_191610.jpg
Now I just need to Black out any plywood color to bring it all together. I will be painting in the Black because the dye I have though great for Guitars isn't so good on all woods I ended up with different shades because of multiple wood types in this kit and I don't want that. so in order to keep some of the wood grain Ill be essentially washing all the Black on with a watered down paint so will probably take multiple coats, but I think it will look much better then being blocky looking black. I am hoping to raise the grain of the wood a bit.

I had hoped to have the decks down today but that didn't happen so tomorrow will be Bow Blocks, Lay the Deck and the Bulwarks. In preparation for the Bulwarks I waxed the uprights on the Bulkheads because once the Bulwarks are on I have to cut those uprights off to deck level. The wax will prevent the Bulwarks from sticking to those uprights should any glue squeeze up there. I learned that trick from building Mamoli, Mantua and Sergal kits as it seems you always have to cut those off on those kits. Its much easier to cut them off when they aren't stuck to the Bulwarks. I'll put on one more wax coat just before I install the bulwarks
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Holy smokes you are moving fast!!
this is actually slow for me lol by now I'd have the decks down planked and be planking the Hull. I wont have as much time to work on it during the week with work and Hunting season opening on Friday, but I'll stay on it everyday until its complete. I start work at 4am and I'm off by 2 most days weekends I have all day except now my Saturdays will be hunting and some Sundays as permitted. I usually spend a whole week in the woods during the Firearms season. I like to rough it so I take no food with me and a small tent. I eat what I trap and shoot and sleep in the tent during the winter with a small survival stove I made from an old 50cal ammo can for heat during the night. I do have a 3 piece Military Mummy bag and usually don't even need heat, but its nice to have the stove if I do. I had survival training in the Corp and I teach it here in my state during the spring into the summer. The Woods are My Church that's where I find my peace and tranquility. I get in tune with Nature and appreciate all the modern living luxuries I have. I think we all need to find that place that gives us understanding and inner peace with the crazy world we live in.
Nice tip about the wax, I'll have to give it a try.
Mike, It works very well I wish I had thought of it on my first models it would have saved a lot of swearing lol
 
Enjoy your time and we will enjoy your building log. Many thanks for sharing your working steps in detail - makes fun to follow
 
Waited for my blocks to come from the slowest postman on the east coast, so while I waited I secured the Main deck down and added some stop lines for the planning. The plans say all deck planking should be 10cm in length.
20180904_200408.jpg Still waiting on the postman I was debating on how to wire those rear lights because I didn't want exposed wires so the decision was made to run them inside that stern bulkhead. I drilled some holes through bulkhead #17 for the wiring to the exterior stern lights. I carefully drilled straight down till I was clear of the design on the rear bulkhead continued drilling till I was well into what will be the Stern cabin that will be place on later. I then drilled on a steep angle to intersect the hole and give an exit for the wires to run out into the stern cabin. 20180904_203225.jpg20180904_203250.jpg
I Twisted up some Litz Wire and fed it though the holes to insure I had clear passage and that the wires would fit.20180904_123852.jpg
I Placed an order for some Warm white SMD LED's and some Brass Tube to run the wiring through from the stern bulkhead to the Lamps.
Blocks finally arrived so I got right to work rough shaping them got then glued in place and almost shaped where I want them. Have to pick up some sand paper in the morning as I used all of my 340 grit on the Santa Maria and forgot to get more for this build. I'll final shape and smooth the Bow Blocks tomorrow.
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Sorry I didn't get pics of the block shaping I was trying to get it done before some guests arrived. Overall I'm pleased so far with what's happening on this Build. everything is going smooth and I am gaining ideas for more custom work as I progress.
 
After looking at the pictures I see that the center hole I drilled in bulkhead 17 isn't quite in the center so it's to close to redrill next to it so I'll fill it completely and redrill it. This is what happens when my mind over runs the task at hand sometimes.
 
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