Bomb Ketch Salamandre 1:48

dockattner · Dec 6, 2025

BradNSW said:
The Sherline mill made this fairly straightforward, but still time consuming.

I read in another thread that the builder was looking forward to using his new mill because it was going to save him so much time. I have found the opposite to the true. The set-up for the mill takes far longer than it takes to make the part. But the precision!

For what it's worth - I have patched up pieces in every one of my builds.

BradNSW · Dec 6, 2025

dockattner said:
I read in another thread that the builder was looking forward to using his new mill because it was going to save him so much time. I have found the opposite to the true. The set-up for the mill takes far longer than it takes to make the part. But the precision!

For what it's worth - I have patched up pieces in every one of my builds.

How true! Especially as I'm still trying different tactics and techniques, suggested by folks on this forum, on every piece.

If I had to develop or learn these on my own, I'd be trashing twice as many pieces in twice the time!

THANKS to all who share their experiences, tips, techniques, etc for us learners!!

BradNSW · Dec 6, 2025

Herman said:
It looks great Brad, but as always, the builder ihimself s his own biggest critic.

GrantTyler said:
True story. I only have admiration for Brads work.

CLB said:
Brad - I re did this assembly probably a half dozen times on my build. Heres what worked for me. I added all the transom bars first and then fine tuned them for a flush fit with the fashion piece which was then installed.

If I had to build my ship again I would have completed both the bow assembly and stern assembly outside of the construction site on separate jigs. Maybe on the next build...

Keep up the good work !

Thanks for the kind words and feedback.

CLB, I can see how much easier your idea of bow/stern first would be much easier! Like you say live and learn for "next time"!! Your build is looking awesome and still providing inspiration.

OlivierF · Dec 6, 2025

I have a friend who is a machinist in a commercial shop. He often tells stories of taking days to set up a project for a 15 minute cut. So don’t feel bad about the setup taking longer than the actual machining… Explosion

drop the mike! ROTF

BradNSW · Sunday at 1:30 PM

Spent the morning milling the three perpendiculars fashion pieces. I'm getting used to setting up jigs on the Sherline Mill. A very accurate angle finder had me mill all the interfaces at 12.2 degrees and from what I can see the interfaces are perfectly flush from every angle!!!

What a pleasure to incorporate this tool into the build. Several pictures below.

dockattner · Sunday at 2:01 PM

Pretty fancy, Brad! Way to go!

GrantTyler · Monday at 3:29 AM

Good morning Brad. That some fine work. Your joins in difficult places are mighty fine. Cheers Grant

BradNSW · Monday at 11:10 PM

Help: Transom Counter Timber question????

Boudroit doesn't show the Stern counter timber/Wing Transom joint (red circles in below diagram). Should the counter timbers be recessed into the wing transom???

Some models show these counter timbers just resting on the wing transom:

Others clearly show them fitting into recesses on the wing transom, which I think is the stronger and more accurate joint:

Any thought or feedback is appreciated.

CLB · Tuesday at 4:05 AM

Hi Brad,
Certainly every monograph I own shows a recesses for these timbers on the wing transom including on my current build La Renommee. I would add them - easy enough with your new mill

BradNSW · Tuesday at 7:20 PM

Completed and glued the Stern Cant Frames, Transoms, and Wing Transoms.

1. I added small 12-degree spacers at the top of each Cant Frame, for strength, then flush sawed them.

2. A view from the bow:

3. A view looking forward:

4. A view that shows the recesses for the Counter-Timbers, even though I can't find them on the Boudroit plan set. Thanks Chris, Olivier, and Paul for encouraging me to mill them!

5. Finally, a view showing the 1st half of the hull, which is now completely faired. I placed the Keelson, to see what it will look like.

dockattner · Tuesday at 7:24 PM

BOOM! Looking fantastic, Brad!

Magic Mike · Tuesday at 7:32 PM

BradNSW said:
Completed and glued the Stern Cant Frames, Transoms, and Wing Transoms.

1. I added small 12-degree spacers at the top of each Cant Frame, for strength, then flush sawed them.
View attachment 562737 View attachment 562738

2. A view from the bow:
View attachment 562739

3. A view looking forward:
View attachment 562741

4. A view that shows the recesses for the Counter-Timbers, even though I can't find them on the Boudroit plan set. Thanks Chris, Olivier, and Paul for encouraging me to mill them!
View attachment 562742

5. Finally, a view showing the 1st half of the hull, which is now completely faired. I placed the Keelson, to see what it will look like.
View attachment 562740

Nicely done Brad! Magic Mike

Herman · Wednesday at 3:40 AM

It looks great Brad, well done.

Namabiiru · Wednesday at 6:02 AM

Immaculate construction!

BradNSW · Thursday at 10:25 PM

Devastated!!
Seven months of work and Paul's BOMB comment above may have been a foreshadowing!!

I was smiling when I took the picture of the empty building jig below:

While placing the model in a new building cradle (NO, I didn't drop her), I felt something weird by the stern post at the keel. Here is what I found:

1. The pearwood on the port side had a tiny crack in the deadwood (easily fixed).
2. Just above the crack is the error that has me devastated. Somehow the piece that support the aft Cant frames shifted during the final glue up. See additional photos below:

It shifted 1.75mm

So how to proceed? While I drown my disappointment is my best Single Malt, here is the plan:

First, I checked several things.
1. The Cant frame is still perpendicular to the keel.
2. The transoms and wing transom are all perfectly level.
3. The distance A on both sides is less than 1mm of each other.

The plan:

1. I will fully plank and detail the port side. This will cover up the cracked pear in the deadwood. I will then be able to add some wood into the gap and fair it for planking.
2. On the starboard side, leave it Navy Board/Admiralty style, with cutouts to show the internal details.

Similar to the build by Alexandru Gurau

Sorry for the long post but had to show the Good, Bad, and Ugly of this build. Tomorrow, the sun WILL rise! ROTF

dockattner · Thursday at 10:49 PM

I just swallowed my gum...

Something like this requires me at least two days to ruminate on. Don't decide anything in the moment...

OlivierF · Thursday at 10:57 PM

I feel your pain! If you’ve followed my build log you know why!

Here’s what else I know, only you will ever see the flaw in workmanship to this otherwise excellent build.
Dam the torpedos, full steam ahead! That said, where’s the scotch? I’ll share a wee dram with you. Slàinte Mhath!

BradNSW · 2025-12-12T00:52:28-0600

dockattner said:
I just swallowed my gum...

Something like this requires me at least two days to ruminate on. Don't decide anything in the moment...

Paul,
No final decisions while ruminating over scotch. I'm open to any and all advice from the experts on this forum...all ears.

Not sure I can deconstruct, without destroying more than I'd be fixing...

OlivierF said:
I feel your pain! If you’ve followed my build log you know why!
Here’s what else I know, only you will ever see the flaw in workmanship to this otherwise excellent build.
Dam the torpedos, full steam ahead! That said, where’s the scotch? I’ll share a wee dram with you. Slàinte Mhath!

Olivier,

I admire that you tore out the deck clamps and did a "redo"

Discretion was the better part of valor on your limber board omission. This may be the case with my Whoops.

The wee dram of Dalmore is long gone. I highly recommend giving it a try. It's a gem I discovered during my 3 years living in Kilkenzie.

Our address was "The Old Smithy, near the phone booth, in Kilkenzie, near Campbeltown". Paul McCartney's High Park Farm was a mile away.

dockattner · 2025-12-12T07:27:29-0600

BradNSW said:
No final decisions while ruminating over scotch. I'm open to any and all advice from the experts on this forum...all ears.

Not sure I can deconstruct, without destroying more than I'd be fixing...

I'm no expert but know the pain of discovering something unwanted. I'm having a hard time imagining that there aren't other spin-off problems created. You addressed a possible solution for the exterior - what is your plan for the interior? How much of that will be visible or are you going to end up building out platforms and rooms?

BradNSW · 2025-12-12T11:57:11-0600

dockattner said:
How much of that will be visible or are you going to end up building out platforms and rooms?

As always, your intuition out-trumps my "wishful thinking" last night. Laying the keelson on the centerline makes the unequal fairing/curves immediately jump out.

This wasn't so obvious, w/o the keel set on centerline, as it's only around 1mm.

I'll have to see how patient and careful the shipyard is with deconstruction!!! I glued those joints tight

!!!

This will have to wait, as I'll be setting up obstacle courses, popping popcorn and watching movies for a grandkids have a sleepover. Then we have to watch Navy Beat Army tomorrow. For those who read nautical signal flags: