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BALDER, Vlaardingen Herring Lugger from 1912, scratch build scale 1:50 Plate-On-Frame

I started this build and log at the end of August 2023.
At the end of the 1st year I was on page 46, post #903 and showing this:
IMG_3408.jpeg

After the 2nd year it was page 100, post #1983 and showing this:
IMG_1339.jpeg
Now the 3rd year has done it’s page 143 and post #2843 and it going to look like a sailing lugger:
1196 Weeflijnen.jpeg

I would like to express my appreciation for all your returning visits, 'likes', and posts with the various types of comments. In addition to building the model, maintaining this build-log gives a lot of satisfaction. So, regarding the Balder, you haven't seen the last of me yet. Up to the finish in this 4th year.
Regards, Peter
 
Last edited:
I started this build and log at the end of August 2023.
At the end of the 1st year I was on page 46, post #903 and showing this:
IMG_3408.jpeg

After the 2nd year it was page 100, post #1983 and showing this:
View attachment 631111
Now the 3rd year has done it’s page 143 and post #2843 and it going to look like a sailing lugger:
View attachment 631112

I would like to express my appreciation for all your returning visits, 'likes', and posts with the various types of comments. In addition to building the model, maintaining this build-log gives a lot of satisfaction. So, regarding the Balder, you haven't seen the last of me yet. Up to the finish in this 4th year.
Regards, Peter
Bravo Peter. Are you on another bike trip ? This time in the Czech Republic :D.

Cheers Grant
 
Rather than read back 2843 posts to see if you mentioned this before, I’ll ask here. This lugger is so beautiful is it going to a particular location for display or proudly on display at home?
 
Bravo Peter. Are you on another bike trip ? This time in the Czech Republic :D.

Cheers Grant
Thanks, Grant. Yes, on the road again with 3 of the 4 bike-mates:
IMG_1271.jpeg
First in 2 days to Berlin. To visit the BMW Bike factory. Forbidden to take photos, so just one in the entrance:
IMG_1263.jpeg
Then south to the Czech Rep. staying for 3 days in a loft:
IMG_4953.jpeg
Tomorrow we drive in 3 days back home.
Regards, Peter
 
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Tha
I appreciate multi-year build logs Peter; it's like getting to visit old friends on a regular basis. In fact, there are some build logs that I kind of hate to see come to completion. I'm looking forward to your year number 4.
Thanks, Daniel. Only relevant issues and some holiday stuff. Then we get also some background info of our fellow builders.
Regards, Peter
 
Rather than read back 2843 posts to see if you mentioned this before, I’ll ask here. This lugger is so beautiful is it going to a particular location for display or proudly on display at home?
For sure not the Museum in Vlaardingen, Roger. It used to be the Fisheries Museum. Now it’s a 'Historical' museum. It seems they would rather be rid of their ship models than keep them. There needs to be more of ‘an experience’. Apparently, people need to be able to press a lot of buttons.

The Balder will remain in-house for the time being, and where there is interest, we will see what is possible.
Regards, Peter
 
I started this build and log at the end of August 2023.
At the end of the 1st year I was on page 46, post #903 and showing this:
IMG_3408.jpeg

After the 2nd year it was page 100, post #1983 and showing this:
View attachment 631111
Now the 3rd year has done it’s page 143 and post #2843 and it going to look like a sailing lugger:
View attachment 631112

I would like to express my appreciation for all your returning visits, 'likes', and posts with the various types of comments. In addition to building the model, maintaining this build-log gives a lot of satisfaction. So, regarding the Balder, you haven't seen the last of me yet. Up to the finish in this 4th year.
Regards, Peter
This is one of the more impressive scratch builds I've seen so far.
The research, the selection of the materials, the countless hurdles being thrown up and resolutions being found, plus the patience and craftsmanship involved and all I haven't mentioned, makes this a one of a kind model.
Scratch building, as is shown in amongst others this build log, is highly feasible and I hope this sets a trend of other modellers, transferring their dreams to build their favorite model, of which no kit exists.
 
This is one of the more impressive scratch builds I've seen so far.
The research, the selection of the materials, the countless hurdles being thrown up and resolutions being found, plus the patience and craftsmanship involved and all I haven't mentioned, makes this a one of a kind model.
Scratch building, as is shown in amongst others this build log, is highly feasible and I hope this sets a trend of other modellers, transferring their dreams to build their favorite model, of which no kit exists.
Thank you very much for this compliments and very nice words, Johan. I really appreciate this!
Regards, Peter
 
Time for a new post, even though there isn't much news to report. It’s more of a repeat of the steps taken with the mizzenmast.
It does, however, offer a glimpse into the 'organized chaos' of my workspace ;):
1199 Main mast.jpg
With the mainmast in the vice and all the lines and blocks installed.

While working on the mainmast, I also turned my attention to making the beads for the lines that guide the mainsail along the mast:
1200 Klootjes.jpg
PS: They have already orderen new beads for the lines on the gaff itself.

I ultimately opted for cocktail sticks, which I thinned down slightly. I avoided bamboo toothpicks due to their texture.
1201 Klootjes.jpg
1: drill a 0.6 mm hole in the center;
2: make the initial cut with a fine triangular file;
3: slowly rotate it into shape until the bead snaps off;
4: retract the drill chuck and remove the bead from the drill bit.
Then do it again, and again, and again... :rolleyes:
1202 Klootjes.jpg
That yields an initial batch to test how they will function with the sail and along the mast. Also included are the two bridles for the gaff, the construction steps which I’ve showed —> earlier.<—
Regards, Peter
 
Last edited:
Time for a new post, even though there isn't much news to report. It’s more of a repeat of the steps taken with the mizzenmast.
It does, however, offer a glimpse into the 'organized chaos' of my workspace ;):
View attachment 635008
With the mainmast in the vice and all the lines and blocks installed.

While working on the mainmast, I also turned my attention to making the beads for the lines that guide the mainsail along the mast:
View attachment 635009
PS: They have already orderen new beads for the lines on the gaff itself.

I ultimately opted for cocktail sticks, which I thinned down slightly. I avoided bamboo toothpicks due to their texture.
View attachment 635010
1: drill a 0.6 mm hole in the center;
2: make the initial cut with a fine triangular file;
3: slowly rotate it into shape until the bead snaps off;
4: retract the drill chuck and remove the bead from the drill bit.
Then do it again, and again, and again... :rolleyes:
View attachment 635011
That yields an initial batch to test how they will function with the sail and along the mast. Also included are the two bridles for the gaff, the construction steps for which I’ve already shown.
Regards, Peter
Hi Peter, I hope you enjoyed your road trip.

I'm just back from holidays myself and just catching up. I like the beads, I need to make the fairleads that attach to the shrouds and your method may work quite well, but I need to go down to 2mm OD and have a larger internal hole because I need to run three lines through each fairlead - I may struggle!

Dom
 
Hi Peter, I hope you enjoyed your road trip.

I'm just back from holidays myself and just catching up. I like the beads, I need to make the fairleads that attach to the shrouds and your method may work quite well, but I need to go down to 2mm OD and have a larger internal hole because I need to run three lines through each fairlead - I may struggle!

Dom
Hi Dom. The sticks I used are 2 mm in diameter. If you put the stick at the edges of the 3-claw the wood has a good support and will not slice.
Here I first made a center point with a needle and as an example drilled a 1 mm hole.
1203 Fairleads.jpg
For sure 1,2 or a bit more is possible.
1204 Fairleads.jpg
After drilling pull the stick a bit outside together with the drill and you can cut off the ring. I cut the beads off using a file to round off the edges. You can also cut the ring off with the tip of a scalpel blade for cleaner, sharper edges.
Regards, Peter
 
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