I am at this very moment considering those options....I like the template from I think it was Jolly Roger.....and Wang's recent photos are astounding...
I'm trying to research whether the bolts or some bolts were "counter-sunk; level with the surface or proud of the
surface.
I am going to experiment with the following; drill an appropriate size hole
fill that hole with a black filler (ebony)
lightly sand to clean up the surface.
I am talking quite small amounts of filler of course and will need to see the effect on the surface surrounding the bolt hole.
I think the 'chocks' joints assembly was reinforced with wooden dowels (but could be just wrong). Here is the definition of 'bolt' (from webster dictionary):
a metal rod or pin for fastening objects together that usually has a head at one end and a screw thread at the other and is secured by a nut
This being said, the head should be hidden inside the 'chock' to lay the planks even. Also, there should be a 'nut' on the other end of the 'chock' also hidden in order to properly lay down the outer (hull) planks. Hmm...in in such a case the 'chock' will have less 'meat' and would be weakened, IMHO. The double frame, however, was tightened using metal\brass bolts.
I plan to go with dowels imitation, in this scale 4.00mm should be sufficient...However, to make 4.00mm wooden dowels will be difficult. I am considering using brass wire instead, but preliminary testing didn't convince me 100%, they kinda too shiny. The brightness should go away with the time, though. Optionally, I might use the putty... Need some inputs, folks.
Here I got experimented, the pattern is wrong (extra nails) but, I just wanted tested to have an idea (never use brass wire as treenails)