USS Constitution - Model Shipways

[Jack Sparrow]

The kit doesn't include these parts?

One of the challenges associated with scratch building (or kit-bashing) is that you need to purchase dimensional strips and sheets if you don't have the tooling (or inclination) to process wood yourself:

Precision Exotic Hardwood Sheets & Strips | Hobbymill.EU

Precision hardwood for ship modellers, luthiers, CNC and laser work: Swiss pear, Castello boxwood, black hornbeam, Alaskan yellow cedar and maple — planking…

hobbymill.eu

The problem is you will need to purchase lots of dimensional stock because you won't necessarily know up front what you will need. Of course if you had or made a thicknesser (thickness sander) that gives you more flexibility.

I suppose these particular parts could be made from basswood - but that would be pretty much my last choice

no the kit does not. you have to make them from scratch.

 

[Jack Sparrow]

If you live in or close to a major city, you may have a Woodcraft store that will have dimensional lumber and wood blanks that may fit your needs. Whenever I am driving by my local store, I'll drop in to look at any of the specials they have going on. Wish I knew more about some of these wood species they sell... but they always have the basic cherry, maple, oak, walnut. The small carving stock they have are perfect sizes for our shipbuilding needs.

you are lucky to have that sort of service. THat sort of thing is not viable around here. We do have a Michaels though and a Walmart, lol

 

[Jack Sparrow]

is cherry a good wood to use?
I think i can get some in sheets

 

[Der Alte Rentner]

You can get rough cut (full size) boards (boxwood and virtually every other species) domestically, but not dimensional strips and sheets. My orders from Estonia have been large enough to make the shipping acceptable - but a small order would make no sense.

If Mark lived near me I could process material for him. Of course, that option is available to you as needed...

I have tried to get boxwood domestically, exhausting, if memory serves, the list of providers use specified some time ago. I certainly have a tools to be able to dimension just about anything from a large board, but struck out with US providers.

I'll give it another try when I get back to my office. I wouldn't mind loading up on a bunch of board feet just to have it.

 

[dockattner]

is cherry a good wood to use?
I think i can get some in sheets

Its harder than basswood.

 

[mtbediz1]

Boxwood is also very difficult to find and very expensive where I live. Instead, I use hornbeam, which is both widely available and much cheaper. Hornbeam is a hard and durable wood.

 

[Jack Sparrow]

Boxwood is also very difficult to find and very expensive where I live. Instead, I use hornbeam, which is both widely available and much cheaper. Hornbeam is a hard and durable wood.

Can you work hornbeam like boxwood? ie is it easy to sand and cut?

 

[Jack Sparrow]

well i can get Obeche wood at a good price. I think I will try that. It's apparently a hardwood on the softer side. Supposed to be easy to work with.

 

[mtbediz1]

Can you work hornbeam like boxwood? ie is it easy to sand and cut?

Yes, hornbeam is a wood that is easy to cut and sanded. I made this trestletree and many other small parts out of hornbeam.

 

[Jack Sparrow]

Unfortunately the hornbeam is too expensive for me. The shipping costs again. I am going to try that Obeche wood.

 

[Tony H]

I have to decide whether to make the topmast crosstrees out of wood or 3d print. The problem is the type of wood I have is bass wood. I have made those crosstreas in the past and they were a pain because of the wood. THey would break on me all the time and when I went to drill the little holes at the ends it would break the crosstree. Maybe I can source boxwood from somewhere around here...

Hi Jack
I used the Bass wood provided with the kit and brushed on some thin super glue to reinforce the timber before drilling.



Tony

 

[Jack Sparrow]

great idea. thanks

 

[Jack Sparrow]

In the interest of doing something while I wait for my wood, I decided to create a an stl file for the topmast top. I'll add the cleats after. I want to use the cleats that are used on the deck. I don't like the cleat design on the plans. I'll drill the holes myself. Other than that I think it has all the required elements

 

[Der Alte Rentner]

They look great. Just make sure the masts fit the openings when you make them.

 

[Jack Sparrow]

They look great. Just make sure the masts fit the openings when you make them.

Thanks
it took me a long time to get that to work. It was the hardest part because of the dimensions and keeping things proportional. ie change one thing and it changes the size of the holes...

 

[Jack Sparrow]

well. for fun i used chatgpt to create an stl of the main topmast top. To do it myself in freecad, took 45 minutes. To do with chatgpt 1.5 hours.