Oh, by the way, my early trials suggest otherwise
.
Kingfisher 1770 1:48 POF
- Thread starter dockattner
- Start date
- Watchers 135
.- Joined
- Jun 17, 2021
- Messages
- 2,456
- Points
- 488
Wow! Extraordinary work! You set the bar very high, indeed.
You are very kind, Peter. My thanks!
I have them but only wear them for very tiny things right now. Reading glasses and strong lighting most of the time.
Hello Friends,
Things more important than ship modeling (blasphemy!) have kept me away recently. In recent days, however, I've been able to steal away a few hours here and there to work on the chains.
A photo essay capturing a few of the steps:
This remains a work in progress. The chains associated with the larger deadeyes still need something on the lower end called a preventer plate. About two weeks ago I ordered some dimensional brass strips from a supplier in Germany, and as of today my order is still in Germany. To that end I needed to move on to something else as I await the delivery.
That something else was an anchor.
The kit does include an anchor to be made from boxwood - and I suspect I could have managed to create something presentable out of wood. But I am always aware that I need to develop new skills, so I took a shot at making something from brass.
Here is a drawing from TFFM (Antscherl) showing a 20-cwt anchor (that's 2240 lbs. - just over a ton).
I transferred that image to a 3 mm thick sheet of brass and cut that out using a coping saw (fret saw?):
Since my saw work was pretty lousy (I also burned through about a dozen blades on this lark of a project), I needed to spend the next several hours cleaning this thing up:
After a bit of soldering and some clean-up work:
And that's it for now. My next opportunity at the workbench will take a shot at the anchor stock.
Things more important than ship modeling (blasphemy!) have kept me away recently. In recent days, however, I've been able to steal away a few hours here and there to work on the chains.
A photo essay capturing a few of the steps:
This remains a work in progress. The chains associated with the larger deadeyes still need something on the lower end called a preventer plate. About two weeks ago I ordered some dimensional brass strips from a supplier in Germany, and as of today my order is still in Germany. To that end I needed to move on to something else as I await the delivery.
That something else was an anchor.
The kit does include an anchor to be made from boxwood - and I suspect I could have managed to create something presentable out of wood. But I am always aware that I need to develop new skills, so I took a shot at making something from brass.
Here is a drawing from TFFM (Antscherl) showing a 20-cwt anchor (that's 2240 lbs. - just over a ton).
I transferred that image to a 3 mm thick sheet of brass and cut that out using a coping saw (fret saw?):
Since my saw work was pretty lousy (I also burned through about a dozen blades on this lark of a project), I needed to spend the next several hours cleaning this thing up:
After a bit of soldering and some clean-up work:
And that's it for now. My next opportunity at the workbench will take a shot at the anchor stock.
I must say that this went very well with your brass work, Paul. A very good looking anchor. Like the former mentioned Pippi quote: “I have never tried that before, so I think I should definitely be able to do that.” And it’s true again, just do it!
The blackened chains are nicely lined and gives some extra contrasts and dimensions on the model.
Regards, Peter
Last edited:
Good morning Paul. Deadeyes, strops/ chains are a nice addition to an admiralty POF style model. I see many builds leave these off even on the enclosed side. Spot on. I was wondering why anyone would build a scratch anchor...........your shot at learning new skills look as if you are a learned anchor maker. Kudos. Cheers Grant
Well-made chains and dead eye strops Paul but that anchor just wows me. Your welding/ soldering skills make it all possible.
Thanks, Heinrich. Lots of time spent with a file in my hand...
Thank you, Peter. I'm happy so far with the chains but wish they were done... Not as frustrating as rigging guns but fiddling with them was a bit too close to that experience. I think they were worth the effort though.
Thanks, Grant! Sometimes an idea just gets in my head. I have seen anchors made successfully out of wood - but burnished brass should look good. We'll see if I can blacken it successfully - it will take a large vat of Brass Black (or maybe do it in halves?).
Hi Allan,
I have gotten to like silver solder paste that jewelers use. I'm at work now so when I get a chance I'll check to see which one I am using. I know this was done with the 'easy' temperature paste and a mini-torch. The challenge here was soldering pieces of different thicknesses...
Thank you, Daniel. The soldering was a bit scary because I was sure I was going to melt the flange (thinner) piece.
Cutting the anchor from 3 mm brass sheet was super frustrating. For some reason a metal cutting blade on my scroll saw was just dulling almost immediately (proxxon blades so they weren't cheap ones) - plus it was crazy cold in my garage yesterday. I ended up using a hand saw and even then I could only get about a centimeter done before the blade broke (cheap blades in this case). My wife even came to check on my mental wellness at one point
.
Your perseverance paid off. I know when I am drilling into steel If I don't stop every few seconds and dip the bit into cold water the drill bit will very rapidly loose its cutting edge. Rapid heat buildup will dull any cutting edge.
My reaction to your recent posts mostly describes the fabrications of the chain and anchor. I can see, you are equally comfortable with the fretsaw and the butane torch. Once you start fabricating parts, you acquire that scratch-building bug and I already see signs of the one (the bug) in your blood. 
Despite some hidden challenges (we don't see or know), I can loudly say - you are enjoying fabricating parts, I guess the braces you made for your clients are always smiling!
Despite some hidden challenges (we don't see or know), I can loudly say - you are enjoying fabricating parts, I guess the braces you made for your clients are always smiling!
Well, it is true that I am having a lot of fun!My reaction to your recent posts mostly describes the fabrications of the chain and anchor. I can see, you are equally comfortable with the fretsaw and the butane torch. Once you start fabricating parts, you acquire that scratch-building bug and I already see signs of the one (the bug) in your blood.
Despite some hidden challenges (we don't see or know), I can loudly say - you are enjoying fabricating parts, I guess the braces you made for your clients are always smiling!
Everything progressing great!