Robert, Looks like solid progress! You might find that some of your oak is denser than others in the batch. You can pre-drill a pilot hole in the areas that are troublesome. I have this chamfering tool, it does work pretty nice.
Batavia VOC 1:72 Kolderstok by RobertD [COMPLETED BUILD]
I don’t find Oak all that troublesome , it surely is denser than other timbers , but sands very well , drilling is no option for me , the nails are very tiny and finding a drill equal in size , bending the timber is easy , using a Steam Iron while bending
Thanks Grant for your comments , I am looking forward to the little tool
G‘day Rob , The Kolderstok plans are very accurate , the instructions in three languages are okay , in my case I follow it mainly in English however understand Dutch as well , the kit itself is superb , the laser cut couldn’t be any better , the nails I am using are from a third source not Kolderstok , and I love the Oak for planking , yes they used Oak in those days for the Hull and less density material for other areas , cheers
The issue is the density of the timber , drilling is troublesome and using a hand cutter ( Artesania) is useless , I broke the blade once , so I cut the timber using a mini circular bench Proxxon saw
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Hi Robert
That's great to news to hear about their kits and just the confirmation I needed. I was wondering about the planking too, and you have just enhanced my conception of using Oak wood instead of the Walnut as you well know they give you 2 options here.
Hoping those English instructions are OK and are workable, as I do not speak or read a second language.
"Die Seven Provinces" now just became more of a reality now, can't thank you enough for this insight into Kolderstok. I will however keep following your build with massive interest to see how she goes together.
All the best
Robert.
It can be confusing reading different languages , but I manage and the English version is pretty solid , however the instruction booklet lack the detailed process photographs that other manufactures have in their arsenal , so you have to resort to the original plans , and they are very accurate and the right scale , it means going back and forward , don’t get me wrong I also follow other Batavia builds as I go along to verify correctness and ideas , and on occasions change things a bit , for example I didn’t build the Gun Ports off site
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Hi Robert
I can relate to that regards to the English instructions and lack of building photos where you need to relate bk and forth from plans to instructions mostly and of course any relevant references we have at our disposal. I have a Corel kit which although I haven't started it's quite similar in what you have said as is the 2 Mamoli kits I also have, but all are definitely workable withe regards to great sets plans.
A few more planks , the areas pointed out not glued against the frames , they have to removed at a later stage anyway and I don’t want glue stains , just used them as a support . the front end , apart from sanding smooth leaving the double planking towards the first frame only , double decked as initially to low so adjusted , looks a bit bit better now.
extra planks needed
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Dear Robert. I am so glad that you are building the Batavia and enjoying the kit. Like you said, @Kolderstok quality is superb. The hull in oak will look splendid and is well worth the extra time and effort it takes. The oak is certainly not too difficult to bend, but the bent planks do tend to have a fair amount to spring back to them compared to the walnut. The saving grace is on the Batavia is that the bends are relatively gradual, long and sweeping.
Actually I am quite impressed with the Oak , it bends easy using an steam iron , don’t have to wet or soak just bend as we go along , the pinholes apart from on double planks on the
Used a Sikkens Stain ( yes a Dutch paint manufacturer also around the time the Batavia was built, I won’t be surprised the builders used their products , who knows , anyway I gave it a shot , I have received the little gadget for the hull planks and ordered some rudder hinges , didn’t like the brass strip that came with the kit . should be in the mail by next week so another task
received the Rudder hinges today and thought why not place them on the rudder , also the grating on deck , instead of cutting the individual segments I measured the total length and saw the individual pieces using my mini Proxxon saw bench , I don’t know how anybody cannot do or work without these tools , you might say it is looking a bit rough with hull planks with filler , mind you these will be painted.
Just catching up on your log, I'm fascinated by the Dutch ships, I have two in progress. Your planking looks great. I would be interested to see what you think of the Chamfering tool. I recently was "gifted one" and haven't assembled it yet.
Jan
Jan
Rudder hinges really look good! Coming along nicely!
Yes Rob ,, waterline and under white or chalk colour , also the top need more sanding and a final coat(s)
I didn’t like the brass strip that was in the kit , and soldering the bits together would turn out messy , that’s my guess Bill, hence the seperate purchase of the hinges .
The Chamfering tool , it works okay , but since the hull planks are in Oak it is hard to see because of the density of the wood , in hindsight I might give it a shot with other timbers .