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Should I be embarrassed?

S

socalveteran

Joined
Jan 3, 2022
Messages
43
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48

Location
Los Angeles, CA, USA
My current challenge in ship building was resolved when I gave up on pine and used balsa to create bulkheads for the bow of the USS Constitution (aka "Old Ironsides"). The good news is that I didn't slice off any fingers in my frustration at trying to create a curved piece 1 1/2"x1 1/8"x3". Twice.
But did I cheat to use balsa? The whole thing will be covered with planking anyway.
 
What scale is your U.S.S. Constitution? If it were me, I wouldn't fret about using balsa wood to make bow bulkheads. They won't show in the final model when planked over and you were able to carve a piece that fits and provides the support you need. But I'm not a purist or stickler for historic building methods.
 
socalveteran said:
My current challenge in ship building was resolved when I gave up on pine and used balsa to create bulkheads for the bow of the USS Constitution (aka "Old Ironsides"). The good news is that I didn't slice off any fingers in my frustration at trying to create a curved piece 1 1/2"x1 1/8"x3". Twice.
But did I cheat to use balsa? The whole thing will be covered with planking anyway.
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The only person that needs to be happy with your model is you. if you are happy with it, that is all that matters. Not what other people think.
If it worked, I think that is great. :)
 
socalveteran said:
I gave up on pine and used balsa to create bulkheads
Click to expand...
socalveteran said:
But did I cheat to use balsa?
Click to expand...
Unless you are trying to recreate an Admiralty model, the type of wood (or other material) is irrelevant. However, I suspect that your problem had to do with the species of pine that you were working with. I always preferred carving a good piece of pine (e.g. eastern white pine) over balsa, which I find difficult to carve precisely. Radiata pine (which is what is now usually carried in home improvement stores) and southern yellow pine are harder, have more grain, and are no fun to carve. Fair winds!
 
socalveteran said:
My current challenge in ship building was resolved when I gave up on pine and used balsa to create bulkheads for the bow of the USS Constitution (aka "Old Ironsides"). The good news is that I didn't slice off any fingers in my frustration at trying to create a curved piece 1 1/2"x1 1/8"x3". Twice.
But did I cheat to use balsa? The whole thing will be covered with planking anyway.
Click to expand...
I always try to keep some scraps pf spruce 1x3 from the home store in my workshop. It is well sized for bulkhead fillers and carves relativeily easliy.
 
No need at all to be embarrassed, shipmate. In fact, you showed admirable adaptability. And, as you noted and others acknowledged, it won't be at all visible on the completed model anyway. That said, I will second lobo's comment; he beat me to the post suggesting basswood for your framing needs. It's my own personal favorite for carving particularly fiddly shapes.
 
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Kilo66 said:
No need at all to be embarrassed, shipmate. In fact, you showed admirable adaptability. And, as you noted and others acknowledged, it won't be at all visible on the completed model anyway. Tat said, I will second lobo's comment; he beat me to the post suggesting basswood for your framing needs. It's my own personal favorite for carving particularly fiddly shapes.
Click to expand...
I second / third the suggestions about bass wood. I keep basswood 2mm and 3mm sheets in my shop. They come in handy when trying to replace planks, decking, and bulkheads.
 
socalveteran said:
My current challenge in ship building was resolved when I gave up on pine and used balsa to create bulkheads for the bow of the USS Constitution (aka "Old Ironsides"). The good news is that I didn't slice off any fingers in my frustration at trying to create a curved piece 1 1/2"x1 1/8"x3". Twice.
But did I cheat to use balsa? The whole thing will be covered with planking anyway.
Click to expand...
Unless you are tasked with reproducing a model of the ship as built, with all the internal work that that needs then how could it be cheating to provide the support that 'real' planking expects?
Others have commented on the choice of species, so I'll throw in lime wood as being a carvers choice, But you're not here too do carving, so use whatever works - balsa, obeche/bass lime, hard balsa, soft balsa, even card.

At least it will be guaranteed to float if it's packed with balsa - enough to rescue it from the pond at least.....

Jim
 
socalveteran said:
My current challenge in ship building was resolved when I gave up on pine and used balsa to create bulkheads for the bow of the USS Constitution (aka "Old Ironsides"). The good news is that I didn't slice off any fingers in my frustration at trying to create a curved piece 1 1/2"x1 1/8"x3". Twice.
But did I cheat to use balsa? The whole thing will be covered with planking anyway.
Click to expand...
You should be ashamed of yourself, go and stand in the corner...FACING the corner...not grinning at the rest of us!!
 
Kilo66 said:
No need at all to be embarrassed, shipmate. In fact, you showed admirable adaptability. And, as you noted and others acknowledged, it won't be at all visible on the completed model anyway. That said, I will second lobo's comment; he beat me to the post suggesting basswood for your framing needs. It's my own personal favorite for carving particularly fiddly shapes.
Click to expand...
For filler blocks, balsa is much faster than basswood to shape by power sanding. Basswood is much stronger and is best used for interior structure like frames and bulkheads, but not good for final planking or exterior parts that are visible unless those parts are painted.
 
Andy, I see in your third photo (the day sailer) ) a figurine at the helm manning the tiller. Did you make it yourself or purchase it? I’ve been looking all over the internet for a similar figurine but can’t find one for my Herreshoff 12 1/2.
 
BigBad said:
Andy, I see in your third photo (the day sailer) ) a figurine at the helm manning the tiller. Did you make it yourself or purchase it? I’ve been looking all over the internet for a similar figurine but can’t find one for my Herreshoff 12 1/2.
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The skipper there is a Fisher Price Loving Family doll. They are 1/12 scale plastic dolls with movable arms and legs. I don't think Fisher Price manufactures them anymore but they are generally available on Ebay, Craigslist, etc. I've modified them by painting their clothes, painting beards, and adding a hat. In the last photo you can see a small patch of stick on velcro that prevents the helmsman of from going overboard. Please send along some pics of your 12-1/2. They are lovely little sloops. Fair winds!

saildory4.jpgsaildory9.jpgstpierre 3.jpg
 
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