Model Shipways 1/64 USS Niagara
- Thread starter mwroman
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- model shipways niagara
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I am so glad you posted this picture. I am just about ready to take the first steps on building this ship. I see that you are using the base jig without the other pieces. I wondered while building this jig if it was square enough. It didn't look to be. What was your thoughts?
Thanks.
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Well, there are a couple of things about that jig that I wish I had the forethought to change..
The biggest is that instead of using the screws and wingnuts provided on the sliding clamp, I wish I had used T nuts and thumbscrews, or at least carriage bolts.
The screws provided aren't carriage bolts.. So they turn when you are tightening and loosening the wingnuts.. Aggravating.
The other thing is that the bow and stern supports are just cumbersome, bulky and get in the way. As is the bulkhead holding apparatus.. So I just don't use them.
The jig can be as square as humanly attainable, I just found it to be more hassle than help. So I use the base only.. When I constructed the base, I used a steel ruler that I knew was straight as a gluing guide.
I bought a Woodpeckers aluminum mini-square and then use the clamps to hold it against the keel. Works for me..
www.woodpeck.com
The biggest is that instead of using the screws and wingnuts provided on the sliding clamp, I wish I had used T nuts and thumbscrews, or at least carriage bolts.
The screws provided aren't carriage bolts.. So they turn when you are tightening and loosening the wingnuts.. Aggravating.
The other thing is that the bow and stern supports are just cumbersome, bulky and get in the way. As is the bulkhead holding apparatus.. So I just don't use them.
The jig can be as square as humanly attainable, I just found it to be more hassle than help. So I use the base only.. When I constructed the base, I used a steel ruler that I knew was straight as a gluing guide.
I bought a Woodpeckers aluminum mini-square and then use the clamps to hold it against the keel. Works for me..
Woodpeckers Mini Square
You can use any square for checking a chisel, but they're usually too long to clear the handle, not wide enough to make it easy to align to the edge and generally poorly designed for the job. That's why we came up with the Woodpecker Mini Square. At 1-1/8 x 2, inside dimension, it is absolutely...
www.woodpeck.com
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Looks like you are taking the lead for this build. I'm not far behind.
I appreciate the updates. It's great to have someone to refer back to.
Kurt Konrath
Kurt Konrath
Looking good gentlemen, keep up the progress and you will be done in no time.
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So have you made any progress on the Niagara?
I am creeping along. Just about to put the mast support blocks in. Just wanted to pick your brain on this. The masts are 3/8". The slots on the keel are only 5/16". Are we supposed to open the slots to fit the masts?
It just seems odd that it's so far off.
Thanks
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Took a break to fly some indoor free flight over the winter and finish a few paintings. There was also some procrastination in that I was a bit daunted by the stern blocks that had to be carved. But good sharp tools and taking my time and they are nearly done. I had forgotten how satisfying carving wood is to the soul.
