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Captain's Log ~~~ May 1, 2021
Build time today: 2 hours
Total build time: 95 hours
Construction for the Black Pearl (All-Scenario version)
Build guidelines:
Steps 105-134
Secure the following parts:
Parts: 13C, 14C & 15C, H1-H3, J11-J20, L1-17, LC1-17, P2, P4, Q2, R2 & R3, #29
Note: I was hoping to document this build in parallel with the written manual and up to this point, our plan was pretty much on target. However, all Captain’s don’t sail alike and I can see its better to follow their chosen paths through experience, rather than to follow a Chinese map that has me talking to myself! The Pole #1 manual at this stage leaves a lot to the imagination! So, I’ll do my best to navigate the turbulent waters ahead and give you the paths I chose to follow!
Step 105 shows the placement of Parts 13C-15C and P2, P4, & Q2. I decided to go with 15C but did not glue in 13 & 14C because it would make it a bit harder to panel the inside deck walls. Since 15C was the highest bulkhead, it serves as a stabilizer when flipping the ship upside down.
I was a bit nervous with attaching Part P2 because of the empty space in the bow and wondering if the side plywood panel would locate properly in relation to the bow deck. I recall Jodie's thread (@MystRacing) showed that he deferred to his own way of closing in the front of the bow when he was not happy with how the panel laid up. I really didn't have any styrofoam laying around to fill in the dead space in the bow like Jodie used so I cut a few small pieces from a 2"x3" that was laying around the garage. Shaped it some and glued it in.
Now mates, this is where I really started treading water because I have never done this before. I just wasn't confident in what I was doing as far as sanding the bulkheads and shaping the curve of the bow. I really was winging it. So, I dry fit the P2 panel and was pleasantly surprised that it fit pretty good.
I was lucky that it fell in right under the bow deck and I assumed this was the proper location...although I did bend the third strip a bit too much and too fast and broke it. I used a heat gun and it worked pretty good in shaping the panel.....I soaked the front part for a few minutes and then used the heat gun as it dried out into shape. The second time around was a bit easier, as you can see below.
I trimmed them up and glued in the panel. Panels P4 & Q4 fit in fine and I glued them next.
Now, onto the L (4mm) and (3mm) LC parts to add support to the panel plywood sidewall. The pieces fit together almost perfectly, with a bit of light sanding just to clean up the laser marks. Yet, despite the nice fit, things didn't look to well once placed into their respective places.
Every piece required a good deal of sanding.....and I really didn't know why they were off so much...was it the Captain's faulty build or was it a poor laser cut? Luckily, I bought a new 1" belt sander that has a 5" disc sander on the side too.
Almost every cannon port had this amount of off-center, requiring a lot of sanding. So, I marked them up and started squaring things up, one-by-one.
So, I worked several hours getting these pieces glued in and found myself digging through the kit trying to figure out if I identified Part 29 correctly. Even though this deck will be sealed up and not quite visible, I decided to not panel over the cannon ports and trim later. Instead, I cut strips to 2.5" length, and planned to panel and cut as I laid the strips from bottom to top. Since my gun deck is a lighter deck, I wanted to create some contrast so I laid the first two layers of panel (stained Ebony) the next 7 rows were stained Golden Oak. Finally, I laid a piece of what we now call Crown molding on the top layer and matched it in Ebony stain to the lower two layers. I finished the paneling of the gun deck and feel it contrasts OK with the lighter deck. I just have to do some light sanding to clean up a few gun ports. Here's how it looks:
The Starboard side is plywood pieces R2 & R3. They were glued in and paneled and stained the same as the port side. In regard to Step 120, I have played around with a prototype of a cannon design which I shared earlier. While I have made some hammocks and have some pieces to place on the gun deck, I think this is where I have to take a breather and study my next steps.
Again, I have to agree with Jodie @MystRacing, it doesn't seem that it makes sense to glue in cannons and ornaments now.....Steps 121-126 detail the LED soldering. Those steps are not necessary in my plan because I am using my own lighting design and pre-wired LED's. Steps 128-134 can be completed now too. (Parts H1-H3, J11-J20). Steps 133 & 134 (ladder assembly can be completed now or later).
So, looking ahead my next steps would be to secure some of the stern, run my wire out the stern for the stern lamps, Captain's Quarters and masts. Do a bit more study on planking......it's likely that's going to happen before laying the main deck. Steps 135-185 will not follow the kit plan, as I do not feel comfortable going that route. So, this part of the build becomes the uncharted waters we will pursue.....
Hopefully, my greatest fear of planking will be conquered within the next few weeks....
134 0f 268 Steps completed in the 1st Pole. (50% completion.)
Ahoy all.
Build time today: 2 hours
Total build time: 95 hours
Construction for the Black Pearl (All-Scenario version)
Build guidelines:
Steps 105-134
Secure the following parts:
Parts: 13C, 14C & 15C, H1-H3, J11-J20, L1-17, LC1-17, P2, P4, Q2, R2 & R3, #29
Note: I was hoping to document this build in parallel with the written manual and up to this point, our plan was pretty much on target. However, all Captain’s don’t sail alike and I can see its better to follow their chosen paths through experience, rather than to follow a Chinese map that has me talking to myself! The Pole #1 manual at this stage leaves a lot to the imagination! So, I’ll do my best to navigate the turbulent waters ahead and give you the paths I chose to follow!
Step 105 shows the placement of Parts 13C-15C and P2, P4, & Q2. I decided to go with 15C but did not glue in 13 & 14C because it would make it a bit harder to panel the inside deck walls. Since 15C was the highest bulkhead, it serves as a stabilizer when flipping the ship upside down.
I was a bit nervous with attaching Part P2 because of the empty space in the bow and wondering if the side plywood panel would locate properly in relation to the bow deck. I recall Jodie's thread (@MystRacing) showed that he deferred to his own way of closing in the front of the bow when he was not happy with how the panel laid up. I really didn't have any styrofoam laying around to fill in the dead space in the bow like Jodie used so I cut a few small pieces from a 2"x3" that was laying around the garage. Shaped it some and glued it in.
Now mates, this is where I really started treading water because I have never done this before. I just wasn't confident in what I was doing as far as sanding the bulkheads and shaping the curve of the bow. I really was winging it. So, I dry fit the P2 panel and was pleasantly surprised that it fit pretty good.
I was lucky that it fell in right under the bow deck and I assumed this was the proper location...although I did bend the third strip a bit too much and too fast and broke it. I used a heat gun and it worked pretty good in shaping the panel.....I soaked the front part for a few minutes and then used the heat gun as it dried out into shape. The second time around was a bit easier, as you can see below.
I trimmed them up and glued in the panel. Panels P4 & Q4 fit in fine and I glued them next.
Now, onto the L (4mm) and (3mm) LC parts to add support to the panel plywood sidewall. The pieces fit together almost perfectly, with a bit of light sanding just to clean up the laser marks. Yet, despite the nice fit, things didn't look to well once placed into their respective places.
Every piece required a good deal of sanding.....and I really didn't know why they were off so much...was it the Captain's faulty build or was it a poor laser cut? Luckily, I bought a new 1" belt sander that has a 5" disc sander on the side too.
Almost every cannon port had this amount of off-center, requiring a lot of sanding. So, I marked them up and started squaring things up, one-by-one.
So, I worked several hours getting these pieces glued in and found myself digging through the kit trying to figure out if I identified Part 29 correctly. Even though this deck will be sealed up and not quite visible, I decided to not panel over the cannon ports and trim later. Instead, I cut strips to 2.5" length, and planned to panel and cut as I laid the strips from bottom to top. Since my gun deck is a lighter deck, I wanted to create some contrast so I laid the first two layers of panel (stained Ebony) the next 7 rows were stained Golden Oak. Finally, I laid a piece of what we now call Crown molding on the top layer and matched it in Ebony stain to the lower two layers. I finished the paneling of the gun deck and feel it contrasts OK with the lighter deck. I just have to do some light sanding to clean up a few gun ports. Here's how it looks:
The Starboard side is plywood pieces R2 & R3. They were glued in and paneled and stained the same as the port side. In regard to Step 120, I have played around with a prototype of a cannon design which I shared earlier. While I have made some hammocks and have some pieces to place on the gun deck, I think this is where I have to take a breather and study my next steps.
Again, I have to agree with Jodie @MystRacing, it doesn't seem that it makes sense to glue in cannons and ornaments now.....Steps 121-126 detail the LED soldering. Those steps are not necessary in my plan because I am using my own lighting design and pre-wired LED's. Steps 128-134 can be completed now too. (Parts H1-H3, J11-J20). Steps 133 & 134 (ladder assembly can be completed now or later).
So, looking ahead my next steps would be to secure some of the stern, run my wire out the stern for the stern lamps, Captain's Quarters and masts. Do a bit more study on planking......it's likely that's going to happen before laying the main deck. Steps 135-185 will not follow the kit plan, as I do not feel comfortable going that route. So, this part of the build becomes the uncharted waters we will pursue.....
Hopefully, my greatest fear of planking will be conquered within the next few weeks....
134 0f 268 Steps completed in the 1st Pole. (50% completion.)
Ahoy all.
I’m hoping to do the sanding when finished and apply DAP plastic wood as needed! Re-sand and get it smooth for the 2nd round! I like the DAP wood filler...goes on pink, dries tan! Sands easy!
