My thanks, Geoff!
Thanks for checking in on me, Jim!
Much appreciated, Sergey!
Me too, Brad. Me too!
Kingfisher 1770 1:48 POF
- Thread starter dockattner
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Thanks, Michael!
Thank you for this post, Dirk. I am always open to criticism and correction.
I did attempt to install the capping rail parallel with the keel of the ship. As I look at it again it seems that I am off a bit - but it is definitely not perpendicular (90 degrees) to the face of the taffrail. That would have been far easier! But I did TRY to do it the correct way!
I'd say that's pretty close following that line.
On the other end of the talent scale. I built my first balsa wood airplane this past week. I have never worked with balsa before. I'm more used to oak, walnut, cherry, and other hardwoods.
This balsa model project suffered a lot of broken pieces as I had to learn to "finger pinch" instead of "whole hand pinch. Several times while holding a piece to dry with fingers I'd unknowingly squeeze the opposite side and ...snap! For awhile I would go from one snap to another! I'm working on a second one now (Sopwith by Guillow). I learned a lot from that ham-handed work last week.
I guess I need to practice patting my head and rubbing my tummy at the same time?
On the other end of the talent scale. I built my first balsa wood airplane this past week. I have never worked with balsa before. I'm more used to oak, walnut, cherry, and other hardwoods.
This balsa model project suffered a lot of broken pieces as I had to learn to "finger pinch" instead of "whole hand pinch. Several times while holding a piece to dry with fingers I'd unknowingly squeeze the opposite side and ...snap! For awhile I would go from one snap to another! I'm working on a second one now (Sopwith by Guillow). I learned a lot from that ham-handed work last week.
I guess I need to practice patting my head and rubbing my tummy at the same time?
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Super!!! Yes it is hard to do it. Looks fantastic Paul 
Edit: Sorry that I did not got it right at first sight!
Edit: Sorry that I did not got it right at first sight!
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Did you happen to use wax paper and a cork board as your base?
- swear jar full……..no doubt!!Good afternoon Paul. Very clever construction of the tafferel. As for the cap rail that is extraordinary - Impressive scratch building. I’m very happy to hear I’m not the only one to break fitted parts which took a long time to build. I feel so much better now.
.Cheers Grant
Looks mighty close to me Paul. Nice !
No worries, Dirk. It's not perfect and I know you value perfectionSuper!!! Yes it is hard to do it. Looks fantastic Paul
Edit: Sorry that I did not got it right at first sight!
.
Well, it's time for something new.
Ship modeling asks a lot of us: learning how to read plans, learning a new lexicon, working in wood / metal / textiles / plastic, working at drastically reduced scales... on and on it goes. In the case of the two models I have built/am building (Vasa and Kingfisher) there are also decorative elements (wood carvings). On the Vasa at 1:64 scale I was happy to use the metal castings and paint them in a color scheme I took from the 1:10 model at the Vasa Museum.
On the Kingfisher there are many fewer carvings (over-against the Vasa), but the swan class ships were still rather ornate given their small size and utilitarian function. I chose to try my hand at carving - others might choose 3D modeling with subsequent printing or CNC milling. I suspect with adequate training and experience the best results would come about with the 3D modeling approach. But working with my hands (not my computer) is the part of the hobby I am drawn to.
Anyway, this is my first attempt at wood carving. Of course, I searched far and wide on our forum (and elsewhere) trying to pick up whatever I could learn from others. Some prefer chisel/gouge carving, others prefer handpiece carving. Some use both. Notably (here on our forum) I found the work of @Maarten, @Ptèr, and @Steef66 to be quite helpful. Of course, Ivan has set the standard, but he only shows the finished result (when you have a museum dedicated to your work you get to do whatever you want). In addition, Bill Short has written an excellent tutorial on handpiece carving that I would commend to you (a link can be found with the advertiser's banners).
After a bit of practice on scrap pieces I took a shot at the decoration on the lower portion of the tafferel. It is a relief carving of a bird (presumably a Kingfisher bird) and some leaves and other swirly-gigs.
The current state of things under different lightings:
I'll need to get better...
But it was fun to work on this piece, so I think I keep at it for a while longer and see if I can learn this new skill.
Thanks for stopping by!
Ship modeling asks a lot of us: learning how to read plans, learning a new lexicon, working in wood / metal / textiles / plastic, working at drastically reduced scales... on and on it goes. In the case of the two models I have built/am building (Vasa and Kingfisher) there are also decorative elements (wood carvings). On the Vasa at 1:64 scale I was happy to use the metal castings and paint them in a color scheme I took from the 1:10 model at the Vasa Museum.
On the Kingfisher there are many fewer carvings (over-against the Vasa), but the swan class ships were still rather ornate given their small size and utilitarian function. I chose to try my hand at carving - others might choose 3D modeling with subsequent printing or CNC milling. I suspect with adequate training and experience the best results would come about with the 3D modeling approach. But working with my hands (not my computer) is the part of the hobby I am drawn to.
Anyway, this is my first attempt at wood carving. Of course, I searched far and wide on our forum (and elsewhere) trying to pick up whatever I could learn from others. Some prefer chisel/gouge carving, others prefer handpiece carving. Some use both. Notably (here on our forum) I found the work of @Maarten, @Ptèr, and @Steef66 to be quite helpful. Of course, Ivan has set the standard, but he only shows the finished result (when you have a museum dedicated to your work you get to do whatever you want
). In addition, Bill Short has written an excellent tutorial on handpiece carving that I would commend to you (a link can be found with the advertiser's banners).After a bit of practice on scrap pieces I took a shot at the decoration on the lower portion of the tafferel. It is a relief carving of a bird (presumably a Kingfisher bird) and some leaves and other swirly-gigs.
The current state of things under different lightings:
I'll need to get better
...But it was fun to work on this piece, so I think I keep at it for a while longer and see if I can learn this new skill.
Thanks for stopping by!
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Nicely done Doc! 
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Not bad for a first attempt. What did you use? Chisel or rotary carving?
Did you ever visit or see this one? https://shipsofscale.com/sosforums/...by-stephan-kertész-steef66.16094/#post-419508
Did you ever visit or see this one? https://shipsofscale.com/sosforums/...by-stephan-kertész-steef66.16094/#post-419508
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After a career of shaping crowns and fillings, I would imagine that rotary handpieces would feel right at home in your hands.
That carving is beautiful. I wish you were my dentist!
That’s looking good, Paul. Very clear: a bird with nicely shaped wings.Well, it's time for something new.
Ship modeling asks a lot of us: learning how to read plans, learning a new lexicon, working in wood / metal / textiles / plastic, working at drastically reduced scales... on and on it goes. In the case of the two models I have built/am building (Vasa and Kingfisher) there are also decorative elements (wood carvings). On the Vasa at 1:64 scale I was happy to use the metal castings and paint them in a color scheme I took from the 1:10 model at the Vasa Museum.
On the Kingfisher there are many fewer carvings (over-against the Vasa), but the swan class ships were still rather ornate given their small size and utilitarian function. I chose to try my hand at carving - others might choose 3D modeling with subsequent printing or CNC milling. I suspect with adequate training and experience the best results would come about with the 3D modeling approach. But working with my hands (not my computer) is the part of the hobby I am drawn to.
Anyway, this is my first attempt at wood carving. Of course, I searched far and wide on our forum (and elsewhere) trying to pick up whatever I could learn from others. Some prefer chisel/gouge carving, others prefer handpiece carving. Some use both. Notably (here on our forum) I found the work of @Maarten, @Ptèr, and @Steef66 to be quite helpful. Of course, Ivan has set the standard, but he only shows the finished result (when you have a museum dedicated to your work you get to do whatever you want
After a bit of practice on scrap pieces I took a shot at the decoration on the lower portion of the tafferel. It is a relief carving of a bird (presumably a Kingfisher bird) and some leaves and other swirly-gigs.
View attachment 507091
View attachment 507092
View attachment 507093
The current state of things under different lightings:
View attachment 507094
View attachment 507095
View attachment 507096
View attachment 507097
I'll need to get better
But it was fun to work on this piece, so I think I keep at it for a while longer and see if I can learn this new skill.
Thanks for stopping by!
Regards, Peter
Mostly rotary carving with cutting bits but also with sanding bits (white stones). I used a few chisels (and XActo) to clean up some junctions. The details are lacking, and I found it's hard to control the handpiece in some places. I ordered some different carving bits (flame shaped) but those need to travel from Ali.
I saw that tutorial but forgot about it. I'll check it out again. I'd be happy to hear your suggestions for improving...
Thanks, Russ. Unfortunately, I'm an orthodontist so shaping fillings and crowns is about 35 years ago. But your point is well-taken - I feel very comfortable holding a handpiece and doing 3D shaping. I just need to figure out this new medium (wood).
And Novocaine not required
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I'm absolutely thrilled, Paul. La Palme has some decorations and reliefs, and I'd love to commission them from you.
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The 7901 dental bur is perfect for detail. It is a finishing bur and it will not be jumping like a normal bur, perfect for the last details. And don't be afraid to go deep in your carving. A piece like yours can be made of multiple pieces of wood. So mess things up is no problem. Practise and trying things. I will see if I can give an example of the leafs. But like I said, not bad at all.