Next up is the gun tackle for the cannons. Three sets will be needed for each cannon 2 gun tackles that would haul the cannon into firing position and change its aiming point and a train tackle that would be used to pull the cannon back into the ship. For this 12 sets of blocks would be used, 12 single and 12 double. I started by enlarging the holes in the blocks so the line would actual pass through it. Using a drill vise i gently enlarged the holes and made sure they were free of any obstructions. some blocks needed small hooks seized to them. Some needed a hook and a line seized on opposite ends. I started by using the small thread I was using for seizing the other lines and tied a small hook onto it. I placed a small piece of wire onto some foam board to hold the block as I tied onto it. A nearby piece of doubled up tape was helpful in holding loose ends of line that seemed to want to fly away on it's own. for the block that required a line seized onto it, I also tucked a length of line to the seizing thread.
The line was then positioned and tied tightly using a square knot.
After this I help the hook with a clamp and seized the line with the same length of line I used to seize the hook onto the block.
I used 5 or 6 half hitches around the line and then placed a drop of glue on the seized area. After it dried I cut off the excess lines.
After stropping several blocks with small hooks I had a lot of trouble aligning the stropping line along the block before I tightened them up. I finally put a dab of glue (I used the wood glue but the CA would also work) onto the block where I wanted the hook to be and aligned and stuck the stropping line with the hook onto that spot. After allowing the glue to dry a bit I found it much easier to align the stropping line on the block.
I then assembled my first Train tackle using one single and one double block.
I set up a few tackles and tried them on my "stage" set just to get an idea of what I have to do. My first discovery is that I can really use about half as much line as I have used for the tackles. I am slowly tightening the tackle to get a realistic look of how the lines would look.
While I was making the gun tackles I decided to glue the walls of the gun deck to the frame. The required a lot more sanding of the tabs to fit into the frame. I do not know if the height of the waterways is more than they wanted. but the walls fit nicely once everything was sanded.
To form the rope coils on the tackle, I borrowed the method that Olha Batchvarov used in her you tube video. She placed the line down on a sticky tape surfeace and used a round form to get the coil. I used a pare cannon wheel, as I did not want the coil to be too large. I figured the crew on a ship would want to keep the amount of line to a minimum, since space was tight. I carefully placed the line around the form pressing it down to stick into place. I then took the wheel off and coiled the rest of the line inside the other line. The procedure went quite easily. One could just as easily wind the line outside the first coil if you wanted a larger coil.
To put on the planking, these cannons will be turned upside down and on their side, so I wanted to make sure they were firmly attached. To help with this I drilled a hole in the carriage frame of the cannons. I then set the cannon into place attached to the frame with the breeching line. When I was happy with the position I drilled a hole into the deck going through the hole in the gun carriage. I am luck enough to have a long 20 gauge spinal needle that was able to easily go through the deck. I then used a eyebolt that I coated with wood glue and placed through both holes. I also used a dab of wood glue under the wheels. With things in place it is very hard to see the eyebolt securing the cannon.
Then using tweezers I attached the 3 gun tackles, gluing the coils to the deck and using a drop of CA to help secure the hooks onto the eyebolts.
I altered the location of the eyebolt for the train tackle, as there was not enough area for a pleasing effect. Of course, once the spar deck is added a lot of this detail will be hard to discern.
After everything dried I turned the ship over and nothing budged. Well three more cannons to go!
It has gotten mixed reviews but I decided to order it. It came as laser cut maple parts and a few brass tubes. The assembly instructions are only available online. I sanded the char off the parts as suggested and it was easy to assemble.
I then put on a few coats of poly acrylic to seal it. To make sure that it operated smoothly, I used lithium grease on all the moving surfaces and bearing points.
Once assembled it appear to rotate easily with no slippage.
I will follow up with how it works, or doesn't when I gain some experience with it.
