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Build Log: MarisStella Ragusian Cog

The main rail takes several twists and turns (and twists again) as it goes up the forecastle. After failed attempts to form this rail the usual way I decided to pull out the big guns . . . or lasers in this case. I use a piece of card stock from some junk mail to create a template. I scan this into Adobe Illustrator and make a vector graphic. That vector gets put into LightBurn to make a simple GCode file to run on the laser.

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This is my Creality Falcon 10W laser engraver/cutter. I was sent this machine by Creality to review on my YouTube channel (free laser? sure!)
I used cherry again because it reacts well to the vinegaroon.

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After soaking it conforms MUCH easier without having to edge-bend the wood all over. But still have to clamp it down -- a little -- to conform to the curves . . .

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I made the rail a few millimeters wider than needed so I can do final trimming and fitting. I make it flush to the inside frames so all I have to do is sand off the outside...

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Using a coarse rasp to quickly remove the bulk.

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Final shaping. I use a thin piece of wood as a guide to ensure the rail extends evenly from the outside of the hull the entire length.

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Finished! Now just have to do all the rest.

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This was a huge tree (on the real ship) - very good work :cool:
 
Finishing out the rails.... Not much to report here. Just standard bending, gluing, and sanding to shape.

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I use sandpaper taped to these pieces for a more precise fit.

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As mentioned previously, I'm deviating from the official kit some. I used Tinkercad and my 3D printer to create a fancy decorative . . . um, finial thing? (what would you call this?) Then painted to match the wood color.

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Chakotay said:
Despite already being a few steps into the process, I’m starting this build log of MarisStella’s 1/48 Ragusian Cog on the suggestion of fellow modeler Bluebeard, who’s own log of same subject I’ve been following:

Marisstella Cog 1:48

Hi guys and gals: This is my first build log ever and I hope you like my orientations and pictures. By no means I consider myself a “Pro” since I have only built 5 wooden models that later I will post pictures of them. Before my wooden models I built many plastics model ships like many of the...
shipsofscale.com
His build log has helped me greatly as the kit's instructions are very . . . um, brief (I'll go into this later).

Special thanks to Rick Shousha of Modeller’s Workshop for helping me import this kit to the U.S. from Croatia.

Let me say that the materials of this kit are excellent. The wood (almost all walnut) is top quality. The dowel rods are straight and round. The laser cuts are square (a first in my experience). The cannons are turned brass. The ropes I may actually use (instead of ordering from Syren). I may replace the blocks though.
Click to expand...
Hallo @Chakotay
we wish you all the BEST and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Birthday-Cake
How is your work on the cog going? Any updates for us?
 
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