Well played, Brad!
-
Win a Free Custom Engraved Brass Coin!!!
As a way to introduce our brass coins to the community, we will raffle off a free coin during the month of August. Follow link ABOVE for instructions for entering. -
PRE-ORDER SHIPS IN SCALE TODAY!
The beloved Ships in Scale Magazine is back and charting a new course for 2026!
Discover new skills, new techniques, and new inspirations in every issue.
NOTE THAT OUR FIRST ISSUE WILL BE JAN/FEB 2026
Bomb Ketch Salamandre 1:48
The Boudroit plans show a significant taper on the knee of the head, which I included. I haven't seen any tapering of the stern post or keel in the drawings.
Wow!3rd redo of the Stern Cant frames completed!!!!
Turn of the bilge frame spacers were also added.
The entire interior is faired and sanded.
Will oil the interior this weekend.
View attachment 566637
View attachment 566638
Longitudinal stiffeners at the top of the frames were added, both inboard and outboard. She is very solid now, so sanding the outside can begin soon. 5lbs of copper bullets keep the keel from hogging!
View attachment 566634
View attachment 566639
View attachment 566640
Shipyard Superintendent approved the Keelson installation!!! Ensign Newbee / PO Brutis are going to party tonight!!
The bolt pattern copies what Tobias used on his wonderful Le Rochefort build.
WATCO Light Walnut was used on the alder frames. Dark Walnut was used on the pearwood keelson.
The Shereline mill made it possible!! I was able to very accurately mill these complex interlocking joints on the keelson! The bow had even more complex interlocking joints, but I forgot to take pictures.
The transom/keelson intersection was a very iterative process over several hours, with the mill, files, chisels and sanding blocks but it resulted in a tight union.
I made a jig which made nailing the keelson very accurate. I used a push pin through the holes in the template to accurately mark where to drill for the 20-gauge wire "bolts".
The ugly. I had a small gap at the lap joint on the keelson when the stern portion finally fit the transom. I filled it with a pear shim and stained it. It is hardly noticeable but very evident in the camera lens.
The visible ends of the keelson bolts (20-gauge brass wire) were rounded/ polished with a cup burnisher. They stand proud of the keelson by about .5mm.
Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year!!
The bolt pattern copies what Tobias used on his wonderful Le Rochefort build.
WATCO Light Walnut was used on the alder frames. Dark Walnut was used on the pearwood keelson.
The Shereline mill made it possible!! I was able to very accurately mill these complex interlocking joints on the keelson! The bow had even more complex interlocking joints, but I forgot to take pictures.
The transom/keelson intersection was a very iterative process over several hours, with the mill, files, chisels and sanding blocks but it resulted in a tight union.
I made a jig which made nailing the keelson very accurate. I used a push pin through the holes in the template to accurately mark where to drill for the 20-gauge wire "bolts".
The ugly. I had a small gap at the lap joint on the keelson when the stern portion finally fit the transom. I filled it with a pear shim and stained it. It is hardly noticeable but very evident in the camera lens.
The visible ends of the keelson bolts (20-gauge brass wire) were rounded/ polished with a cup burnisher. They stand proud of the keelson by about .5mm.
Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year!!
Lovely work, Brad. Best wishes to you and those you love as well!
Good morning Brad. Brilliant bolts. I hope 2026 sends you an adventurous and enjoyable times. Cheers Grant
Main Longitudinal Deck Beam Ledges installed and level. on the second attempt. The bow/stern Hooks were completed!
The deck beam ledges shifted after I applied the numerous clamps and ended up being off slightly when the clamps were released. The shipyard is getting good at deconstruction/reconstruction. Some photos of the process:
1. Can't have too many clamps.
2. Finally used the micro screw clamps I discussed making, earlier in the log.
3. The FAILED bubble check for level along the build. After unclamping, the Stbd Deck Ledge had slipped lower and lower toward the stern and was off by just over 1mm. Probably could have just cut the deck beam notches 1mm deeper on port side, and the beams would have been level but wanted to "get it right"!!
4. Shipyard Inspector tells LTJG Newbie that PO Brutis did a nice job on the Scarph Joint below:
5. Main Deck Bow Hook passes weight test inspection.
6. Top Transom Stern Hooks installed and inspected. The slight rise of the deck aft is clearly visible.
The hull is now rigid enough to begin the tedious but rewarding job of fairing and sanding the outside of the hull.
Thanks for your interest!
The deck beam ledges shifted after I applied the numerous clamps and ended up being off slightly when the clamps were released. The shipyard is getting good at deconstruction/reconstruction. Some photos of the process:
1. Can't have too many clamps.
2. Finally used the micro screw clamps I discussed making, earlier in the log.
3. The FAILED bubble check for level along the build. After unclamping, the Stbd Deck Ledge had slipped lower and lower toward the stern and was off by just over 1mm. Probably could have just cut the deck beam notches 1mm deeper on port side, and the beams would have been level but wanted to "get it right"!!
4. Shipyard Inspector tells LTJG Newbie that PO Brutis did a nice job on the Scarph Joint below:
5. Main Deck Bow Hook passes weight test inspection.
6. Top Transom Stern Hooks installed and inspected. The slight rise of the deck aft is clearly visible.
The hull is now rigid enough to begin the tedious but rewarding job of fairing and sanding the outside of the hull.
Thanks for your interest!
Nothing more satisfying than running your hands over a faired hull. Enjoy the process!
Only if “faired hull” is a euphemism for something else…
Absolutely clean work Brad, the hull looks fantastic from the inside.
I had to catch up ‘some posts’ but this is looking very nice, Brad.
Regards, Peter
Only if “faired hull” is a euphemism for something else…
Thanks all for the nice comments.
Looks like we all love faired smooth hulls!
Lots of saw dust as I rub and tease the "outside curves" smooth!
!
Absolutely love this!! Ungluing and repositioning the deck clamp (deck ledge) was great to see. Many of us have been there and it is hard decision on whether to redo or go the easier route and cut notches in the clamp or beam.
Allan
10 days into fairing the exterior lines! Averaging 3-4 hours per day.
Port side is 99% complete (last 1% will be symmetry checks after Starboard side is done and a final pass with 400grit).
I used only sanding sticks on the port side. Took forever!!
Friday, I bought a nice set of Pferd rasps cut 2. They are amazing!! Taking off 3-4 times as much wood as 120grit sanding sticks BUT it seems to take LESS sanding with 240grit to get rid of the rough sanding/rasping marks. Don't know how that works but it is awesome!!
New file set:
Port side smooth and just starting Starboard side:
Finally, Brutis got bored with sanding/filing/scraping. So, he milled a stockpile of ebony for the Main Wales.
Dimensions: 24'L x 5.75"Thick x 15.5"Wide
Steamed a section and it will conform to the bow curves, with patience!
Treated the test section with WATCO Dark Walnut Danish Wood Oil and looks great.
Football playoffs and grandkids this weekend may slow progress a bit!!!
Thanks for tuning in.
Port side is 99% complete (last 1% will be symmetry checks after Starboard side is done and a final pass with 400grit).
I used only sanding sticks on the port side. Took forever!!
Friday, I bought a nice set of Pferd rasps cut 2. They are amazing!! Taking off 3-4 times as much wood as 120grit sanding sticks BUT it seems to take LESS sanding with 240grit to get rid of the rough sanding/rasping marks. Don't know how that works but it is awesome!!
New file set:
Port side smooth and just starting Starboard side:
Finally, Brutis got bored with sanding/filing/scraping. So, he milled a stockpile of ebony for the Main Wales.
Dimensions: 24'L x 5.75"Thick x 15.5"Wide
Steamed a section and it will conform to the bow curves, with patience!
Treated the test section with WATCO Dark Walnut Danish Wood Oil and looks great.
Football playoffs and grandkids this weekend may slow progress a bit!!!
Thanks for tuning in.