17th Century Battle Station

[mrshanks]

Ok.. let's try this again. Here are some of the pictures from the prototype parts development for this model:


Laser test cut. We are able to separate the hatch grills from their combings.

Plank butt and treenail etch testing


CAD rendering for frame part


CNC cut frame part in poplar


First full sheet of CNC cut frame parts


Frame mock up

 

[DocBlake]

Awesome shots, Mike!

I saw you comment on the spreadsheet about discussing the pillars: round or square? How about both! Here is a shot of the pillars in the hold of my cross section. I left the base and top (capital) square in cross section, but the center of the pillar was carved and sanded round.

 

[mrshanks]

Awesome shots, Mike!

I saw you comment on the spreadsheet about discussing the pillars: round or square? How about both! Here is a shot of the pillars in the hold of my cross section. I left the base and top (capital) square in cross section, but the center of the pillar was carved and sanded round.

I agree Dave!! As long as Don is cool with it, let's go with a capital top and bottom with round center. I have updated our spreadsheet to reflect this change.

 

[mrshanks]

The military wreath decoration around the upper gunport took a little thought. We originally tried to render it with laser. The practicum called for a layering craft method of fabrication. After a bunch of testing we decided to do a 3D CNC carving. The tests came out good we just now need to figure out how to make it gold. Since we don't want to use any paint the wreath will probably either be carved from a yellow wood such as yellowheart or osage orange. Or, we might just wrap it in gold foil. Cross that bridge when we get to it. Here are some pictures of the various prototypes during development. Enjoy.

 

[neptune]

Excellent work guys, a credit to your skills.

 

[Uwek]

The carving works are realy looking very good..... I am getting more and more surprised, what is possible these days with the use of lasers.
I have one question to the anatomy of your cross section / station.
What are these openings in the hull? Is this for dewatering / spigot .... (I do not know the correct term) ?

 

[mrshanks]

The carving works are realy looking very good..... I am getting more and more surprised, what is possible these days with the use of lasers.
I have one question to the anatomy of your cross section / station.
What are these openings in the hull? Is this for dewatering / spigot .... (I do not know the correct term) ?

Hi Uwe. Thanks for looking at our log. Those holes will eventually be for the hoisting rigging that raises and lowers the gunport covers!!

 

[Uwek]

Hi Uwe. Thanks for looking at our log. Those holes will eventually be for the hoisting rigging that raises and lowers the gunport covers!!

Off course....you are right.....I was not thinking enough before I wrote the question....thanks for clarification

 

[mrshanks]

Here are a couple of the prototype pictures as we developed the gunport lids. Don suggested the plans depicted a more simplified version of what we could do. After researching Wolfram Mondfeld's "Historic Ship Models" we settled on a more accurate and detailed design.


The original, on the right, was only a single piece and the nail holes were much too large. Our new design is on the left.


Here is our reference in "Historic Ship Models" that shows the nail pattern.


In the picture above we have scaled the nail holes even smaller to a more appropriate size.

 

[Uwek]

it is looking good....do you plan to add real nailheads to simulate the nail pattern?
One small remark: maybe you should turn the part with the nail pattern by 90° so that you have a better simulation of the timber grain.

 

[mrshanks]

it is looking good....do you plan to add real nailheads to simulate the nail pattern?
One small remark: maybe you should turn the part with the nail pattern by 90° so that you have a better simulation of the timber grain.

Great observations Uwe. We actually experimented with etching a diamond/square shape to simulate nailheads. But, we found that they are too small (only 0.012") to make a difference. Also, on the final model the insides of the gunport doors will hardly be visible so no need to spend a lot of time here. Our reference shows the part with the nail pattern running vertical - take a look again. (Edit: I may have misunderstood what you meant regarding grain.. we may indeed turn the wood so the grain runs the other direction in the final model. Thanks).

 

[Uwek]

Great observations Uwe.... .

Thanks

.... Also, on the final model the insides of the gunport doors will hardly be visible so no need to spend a lot of time here. .....

If you want to show the gun barrels out, ready for battle, than the gunport lids are open and you can see the pattern.....f.e. see here



I will follow the outcomes with big interest....great work

 

[mrshanks]

The cannonball shot racks were fun to develop. The practicum called for a simple rectangular cross section with holes milled to hold the shot,


We used a tapered bit in the CNC which gave a slight trapezoidal shape.


First CNC prototype

Borrowed some 1:32 shot from another kit


In the current prototype we have rounded the corners to give a more finished look.

 

[lauckstreet]

That's really awesome work, Mike, Doc, and Don. I'm getting envious now. Wish you'd reconsider selling this as a kit

Bob

 

[donfarr]

Bob the battle station is a kit, by the Lumberyard, one of my first builds sinceI got back into ship modeling, plans avaiable trough KIP at MSB. Don,,,,,,PS GOOD KIT BY THE WAY

 

[mrshanks]

The ladder was the most complicated part to make using a combination of CNC and Laser.


We start with a 3/32” sheet and CNC carve ten paralell grooves 1/32” deep. Then we cut out the sides at the proper angle to hold the steps.

Here is a short video of the laser cutting out the 10 steps.


The steps fit so tight and square that glue wasnt needed on the prototype.

 

[lauckstreet]

Bob the battle station is a kit, by the Lumberyard, one of my first builds sinceI got back into ship modeling, plans avaiable trough KIP at MSB. Don,,,,,,PS GOOD KIT BY THE WAY

Didn't know that. Thanks Don.

Bob

 

[DocBlake]

Here's a link to the kit: http://modelshipbuilder.com/page.php?131

 

[JosephH]

looks good guys nice job. and did you try gold leaf for the Wreath it really turns out good if the wood is sanded smooth first and really pops.

UWE those drainage holes you thinking of are called Scuppers FYI

 

[Uwek]

.....

UWE those drainage holes you thinking of are called Scuppers FYI

Thanks for the term,

 

[mrshanks]

Various pictures of prototype deck planking


We use a mask on our laser cut parts to make clean up easier.


The wood grain looks too uniform when an entire deck of planks is cut out of the same billet. We will randomize this for the models.


We are doing our best to ensure laser etched details such as this treenail be rendered as close to scale as reasonable.


Deck plank mock up testing