There is always light at the end of the tunnel and you are already half through the tunnel
Kingfisher 1770 1:48 POF
- Thread starter dockattner
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Hello Friends!
Over the past several weeks I have dedicated myself to installing treenails in the exterior hull planking on my Kingfisher. Without counting them individually, some simple math tells me that I am already well over 4000 treenails. The boxwood treenails stand out a bit much for my taste on the holly planking but it's not entirely disagreeable (though you might think otherwise?).
As you will see below, I could not resist the urge to sand out the lower hull and there is even a first coat of wipe-on-poly applied. I did this mostly because the holly gets easily smudged and stained and I wanted to get a protective layer or two (or three) on it before anything regretful happened.
First, a few close-ups to give you a sense of it all:
Now, from the front end:
And the back end:
I also installed black treenails in the wale but I'm not entirely satisfied. I tried brass nails but the alignment has to be perfect and I couldn't pull that off so I went with the black. They are more 'hinted at' than visible. This may or may not be a work in progress. I'll see what it looks like with a bit more finessing (sanding/finishing/startovering???).
I tried to take an overall picture, but the brightness of the holly is confusing my camera and I'm not a good enough photographer to do much about it:
Here in the US we celebrate Thanksgiving this week. Despite some challenges in my little corner of God's creation, I am thankful for many things. I'll count this forum, and all of you, among them.
Over the past several weeks I have dedicated myself to installing treenails in the exterior hull planking on my Kingfisher. Without counting them individually, some simple math tells me that I am already well over 4000 treenails. The boxwood treenails stand out a bit much for my taste on the holly planking but it's not entirely disagreeable (though you might think otherwise?).
As you will see below, I could not resist the urge to sand out the lower hull and there is even a first coat of wipe-on-poly applied. I did this mostly because the holly gets easily smudged and stained and I wanted to get a protective layer or two (or three) on it before anything regretful happened.
First, a few close-ups to give you a sense of it all:
Now, from the front end:
And the back end:
I also installed black treenails in the wale but I'm not entirely satisfied. I tried brass nails but the alignment has to be perfect and I couldn't pull that off so I went with the black. They are more 'hinted at' than visible. This may or may not be a work in progress. I'll see what it looks like with a bit more finessing (sanding/finishing/startovering???).
I tried to take an overall picture, but the brightness of the holly is confusing my camera and I'm not a good enough photographer to do much about it:
Here in the US we celebrate Thanksgiving this week. Despite some challenges in my little corner of God's creation, I am thankful for many things. I'll count this forum, and all of you, among them.
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well worth the time investment. It looks great!
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Now we know where you've been for the last couple of days.
Head down for 4,000 treenails under magnification. Are you seeing double? How many fingers am I holding up? 
I absolutely love the clean tuck of your planks into the transom. So difficult to achieve cleanly. And while a macro photo may show slightly more contrast between your treenails and the planks, it's much less so and not at all objectionable from the normal viewing range Paul.
"Absolute perfection belongs not to man, nor to angels, but to God alone."
I sense we all have much to be thankful for. An early Happy Thanksgiving to you!
He might blackout while working on a patient and start tree-nailing teeth. I mean, it would be "a look." Could be interesting in gold-fill.
Wow, that is magnificent planking and nailing.
Certainly no startovering needed.
Certainly no startovering needed.
Holly really makes for beautiful planking material. All of the spiling and tree-nailing has come through to great effect. Well done, Paul!
Just a WOW, Paul. As a lover of treenailing, you did the right job.
Regards, Peter
Regards, Peter
That hull planking and the tree nailing is masterful Paul.
Honestly...and I am trying to be honest, I just don't know how to express... I don't like it...I love it!! 
Sanding/finishing are on your horizon. Start over.....no way.
I do have to ask though. How many drill bits have you broken. Inquiring minds want to know
Happy Thanksgiving to you and family
I do have to ask though. How many drill bits have you broken. Inquiring minds want to know
Happy Thanksgiving to you and family
Here a treenail, there a treenail, everywhere a treenail! It looks superb Paul. Happy Thanksgiving
Just superb, Paul. And for the wales, I personally prefer the black on black. They blend in and I don't believe they ever stood out on a real ship. You are certainly a perfectionist! Much to learn from your posts.
Good morning Paul. What they all say! Brilliantly done Paul.
Cheers Grant
This was something I was concerned about during your tests, however seeing all 4000+ I love the effect of the Holly and boxwood contrast.
True story
A special time Thanksgiving - I wish we had that in SA, as we mostly forget to reflect on what to be thankful for…..and there is plenty. Happy Thanksgiving Paul.
Cheers Grant
Witaj
Drogi Pawle doczekałem się, z wielką przyjemnością oglądam tak pięknie wykonane poszycie wygląda rewelacyjnie a kołkowanie podkreśla jego jakość. Kołkowanie wymaga dużo pracy ale warto to robić . Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji Święta Dziękczynienia .Pozdrawiam Mirek
Drogi Pawle doczekałem się, z wielką przyjemnością oglądam tak pięknie wykonane poszycie wygląda rewelacyjnie a kołkowanie podkreśla jego jakość. Kołkowanie wymaga dużo pracy ale warto to robić . Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji Święta Dziękczynienia .Pozdrawiam Mirek
A pleasure to follow the construction. Very precise and clean. Thanks for showing it