Its good to see what is waiting for me.... 
La Belle - Caf Model 1:48 by Thomas Marocke [COMPLETED BUILD]
- Thread starter Thomas Marocke
- Start date
- Watchers 61
Beautiful work, Thomas. How thick is the copper sheet and how did you cut it to shape? Jeweller's saw, files?
I saw brass with the fretsaw. Until 1mm with the Jigsaw. But i will buy a Jewellers saw near in the future.
The copper sheet is 0.7 mm thick. It was sawn with a fretsaw with metal saw blades. In one hour I already sawed 30 x 20 cm, 3 mm thick brass plates by hand and straightened them with a disk sander. This small part was separeted from the plate as a strip with the fretsaw, clamped in the vice and straightened. Duration: 5 minutes. The rest was done with small metal files. Total: 1 hour. The ring is a bit thick and could be reduced to 0,5 mm??? No special tools are needed for this work!
The woodwork takes longer.
With best regards
Thomas
The woodwork takes longer.
With best regards
Thomas
I would not like to conceal the 1. failed attempt.
I broke off the holders afters soldering. They were too soft.
With best regards
Thomas
I broke off the holders afters soldering. They were too soft.
With best regards
Thomas
Many thanks Thomas for detailed explanation. Much appreciated. I wish my La Belle turns out half as good as yours.
Hi Gennaro!
I see you also have the biography of La Belle from the Ancre Publisher. At the beginning of my report I wrote that the figurehead is mirrored. But on page 46 of the biography the figure is printed full-page as delivered by CAF modell??? The front cabin is drawn too wide on the wrong frame and the ring of the mast foot is not possible to realize (compare plan 14) in the top view. In addition there are my own simplifications, which make building easier for me.
Only the finds in Texas are certain. The rest is based on Boudriot's excellent knowledgs at that time.
The CAF model can be built from the box. It is up to the model maker how much time, energy and additional material is spent to detail the model even further. Each La Belle from the same kit looks slightly different, but is basically the same as the original.
When I visited the Hermione shipyard in France, the forge fire with ist coal smell was on and the ropes were freshly tarred and there was a smell of tar all around. A sensual pleasure, which always accompanies me while modeling.
Your model will look very beautiful and with her craftmanship she will certainly be beautiful.
Best regards
Thomas
I see you also have the biography of La Belle from the Ancre Publisher. At the beginning of my report I wrote that the figurehead is mirrored. But on page 46 of the biography the figure is printed full-page as delivered by CAF modell??? The front cabin is drawn too wide on the wrong frame and the ring of the mast foot is not possible to realize (compare plan 14) in the top view. In addition there are my own simplifications, which make building easier for me.
Only the finds in Texas are certain. The rest is based on Boudriot's excellent knowledgs at that time.
The CAF model can be built from the box. It is up to the model maker how much time, energy and additional material is spent to detail the model even further. Each La Belle from the same kit looks slightly different, but is basically the same as the original.
When I visited the Hermione shipyard in France, the forge fire with ist coal smell was on and the ropes were freshly tarred and there was a smell of tar all around. A sensual pleasure, which always accompanies me while modeling.
Your model will look very beautiful and with her craftmanship she will certainly be beautiful.
Best regards
Thomas
Last edited:
Thank you Thomas for your kind and encouraging words. Much appreciated. This build log has been a constant inspiration.
The material of the mast strip was with 0,7 mm too much and so I reduced the thickness with a file diagonally to 0,4 mm.
Now I am satisfied.
The binnacle was finally mounted. It consists of a wooden core with cladding.
Even a lamp is installed. With the eye you can see it well, the camera can unfortunately perceive it.
Detailed views.
And mounted on a small board. The differences in color of the wood are due to the fact, that some parts are alredy primed.
I wish everyone a nice weekend
Thomas
This is unbelievable Thomas! How do you manage to make this miniature things to such a perfection is beyond me. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Gennaro!
The construction of the binnacle is still simple. The baseboards are really small.
Files.
One more saw cut and then cut off with the cutter. Glue the four baseboards, let them dry well and file them to their final shape.
Make sure that the roof does not prodrute, otherwise the drawers cannot be pushed up. I have reworked mine again. Only glue wood on wood, no oil, no varnish. Do not oil or varnish the binnacle until it is mounted.
With best regards
Thomas
The construction of the binnacle is still simple. The baseboards are really small.
Files.
One more saw cut and then cut off with the cutter. Glue the four baseboards, let them dry well and file them to their final shape.
Make sure that the roof does not prodrute, otherwise the drawers cannot be pushed up. I have reworked mine again. Only glue wood on wood, no oil, no varnish. Do not oil or varnish the binnacle until it is mounted.
With best regards
Thomas
Thank you kindly for the great explanation. Still though - it's magic. What you do with file and xacto knife I have trouble doing with milling machine
How did you make that metal half sphere?
Hi Gennaro!
The easiest way to produce the metal half sphere is of course with a lathe. My lathe is under the workbench and is heavy. Therefore I have renounced it.
The original plate is made of copper and has holes to dissipate the heat of the lamp. I shortened a brass cap nut with the fretsaw.
In the drill you can also file a piece of brass while the machine is running. Then cut it with the fretsaw and grind it smooth.
The drawers are simulated with a blade and a metal ruler. Always carve from the corners to the outside.
With best regards
Thomas
The easiest way to produce the metal half sphere is of course with a lathe. My lathe is under the workbench and is heavy. Therefore I have renounced it.
The original plate is made of copper and has holes to dissipate the heat of the lamp. I shortened a brass cap nut with the fretsaw.
In the drill you can also file a piece of brass while the machine is running. Then cut it with the fretsaw and grind it smooth.
The drawers are simulated with a blade and a metal ruler. Always carve from the corners to the outside.
With best regards
Thomas
Ingenious Thomas! The lathe thing reminded me of an old machinist, decades ago, who turned round piece of steel on a lathe into an ashtray. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, I just worked my way through your build log. Exceptional fine detail work.
Your explanations of the methods you use are fantastic.
Jan
Your explanations of the methods you use are fantastic.
Jan
Very good work my friend - good idea with the cap-nut !!!
Sailors need something to eat and so I started with the kitchen. First I need a cooking pot.
The lathe laughed once when she heard about it.
1 st try made of brass.
First touch briefly with a center drill. With brass not necessary, with copper absolut necessary. Otherwise the small drills will move and break.
Then drill deeper with a drill bit. This is where handles will befixed later.
2. try to make a pot out of a tube without a lathe. The pots were made of copper and I did not really like the color of the brass pot. First the pipe has to glowed with a burner to soften it. Then expand the tube with a mandrel and a hammer.
Solder in the lid. The bottom stays open and gets a wooden core after soldering.
After the silver soldering the pot looks bad. Put it in vinegar for a view hours and polish it.
Put on the fittings and age a little and two pots are ready.
With best regards
Thomas
The lathe laughed once when she heard about it.
1 st try made of brass.
First touch briefly with a center drill. With brass not necessary, with copper absolut necessary. Otherwise the small drills will move and break.
Then drill deeper with a drill bit. This is where handles will befixed later.
2. try to make a pot out of a tube without a lathe. The pots were made of copper and I did not really like the color of the brass pot. First the pipe has to glowed with a burner to soften it. Then expand the tube with a mandrel and a hammer.
Solder in the lid. The bottom stays open and gets a wooden core after soldering.
After the silver soldering the pot looks bad. Put it in vinegar for a view hours and polish it.
Put on the fittings and age a little and two pots are ready.
With best regards
Thomas
Wow!!! Your detail and explanation of how you get there are fantastic. I just jumped to the end of the log but now I will have to go back and see some of the amazing work you have done. Very impressive.
Last edited:
Very good work. Thanks for showing.