Model Shipways Massachusetts Privateer Rattlesnake

Just did a side by side comparison with what the kit supplied...... I think the kit capstan is also a little too big....
I'm just now bumping up against a tool issue myself. I never intended to do anything but build the kit as supplied - until I looked more closely at where the kit was heading. Once I realized that the time investment vs end-product was out of balance I started making upgrades (which, of course, added more time). I am looking ahead at some of the bits and baubles that I might want to upgrade and realize I lack both the tools and the craftsmanship needed to meet my vision. But I'm motivated so maybe...

I'll say one thing - the capstan you built is a marvelous improvement vs the one supplied with your kit. Well done!
 
@PGN sorry for the Offtopic...

I'm just now bumping up against a tool issue myself. I never intended to do anything but build the kit as supplied - until I looked more closely at where the kit was heading. Once I realized that the time investment vs end-product was out of balance I started making upgrades (which, of course, added more time). I am looking ahead at some of the bits and baubles that I might want to upgrade and realize I lack both the tools and the craftsmanship needed to meet my vision. But I'm motivated so maybe...
Welcome to the club, Paul! If you start talking about getting additional tools, you are one step closer to a scratch building. Sooner or later you will be struck with the idea of getting one or a few, perhaps.
Ask yourself: what do I want to accomplish if I would have tools? What kind of fabrications I would do? This can give you an idea of what tool\s you might need the most. All do, buying the tools never stopped, at least for myself :cool: you just cannot have enough tools, and they become our toys!
 
@PGN sorry for the Offtopic...


Welcome to the club, Paul! If you start talking about getting additional tools, you are one step closer to a scratch building. Sooner or later you will be struck with the idea of getting one or a few, perhaps.
Ask yourself: what do I want to accomplish if I would have tools? What kind of fabrications I would do? This can give you an idea of what tool\s you might need the most. All do, buying the tools never stopped, at least for myself :cool: you just cannot have enough tools, and they become our toys!
You aren't going off topic, we have two Pauls that want to go to the next level.


What tools do we need?

I (meaning the 2 Pauls) would like to have blueprints and build it without a kit.
 
What tools do we need?
It is not so easy to answer in one or a few sentences. It is a very broad topic and will be required your honest answers when asking yourself. All of us have different, subjective opinions on tools needed to scratch build.
Building models from blueprints doesn't justify buying tools as most of the parts as well as resawn timber you can purchase somewhere. But if you intend to fabricate your own parts...then you will need some power tools.
The first dilemma is what tools do I really need, yet another dilemma is the cost of those tools. Good tools will cost you...Should I buy a cheaper or expensive one? The answer is - always buy good tools!
 
I did a 'pre mortem' on the ship and realized that I needed to put 2 more kevels on the quarter deck to support the rigging. I also noticed that the binnacle that I bought would interfere with the boom. I took apart the binnacle and rebuilt it.20210402_093440.jpg20210402_100333.jpg20210402_101236.jpg20210402_105058.jpg20210402_110707.jpg20210402_115748.jpg20210402_122224.jpg20210402_130808.jpg20210402_132103.jpg20210402_133120.jpg20210402_145330.jpg20210402_145815.jpg
 
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The rail was easier than I thought it would be. I made the stanchions by putting the wood in the dremel and using a micro file. I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier....but I now know how I'll make the oars....20210410_165824.jpg20210410_172834.jpg20210410_174014.jpg20210410_185952.jpg
 
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Hi Paul, wonderful work at this scale! Creative use of your dremel tool as well - a substitute lathe... Did you clamp the dremel in a vice or free-hand it? I've seen others use a traditional drill in a similar way.
 
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Hi Paul, wonderful work at this scale! Creative use of your dremel tool as well - a substitute lathe... Did you clamp the dremel in a vice or free-hand it? I've seen others use a traditional drill in a similar way.
Thanks Paul.

I did it free hand....... it didn't work for the oars. I would have to find some way to secure both ends....
 
OK. But the big question is: will your oldest daughter approve???
I'm standing by to explain why I waited. She had way too many things going on with her move from Europe to Florida. She would have stopped everything but that would have caused her more stress. I didn't want to distract her from her well deserved leave. If she is sad, I mail a couple guns for her to build. Her schedule is really tight, she just checked into her new unit and in May she has to attend the Naval War College in RI.
 
I stained the carriage that I made last night....didn't turn out too good. The dried glue off set the stain. So I pre-stained the pieces before I built the second carriage. Much better results. I also did some minor work on the guns, cleaning them up and drilling the bores.

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This is what I am using for my cannon carriage ideas:

 
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Good Morning from South Carolina Paul.

My MS “Rattlesnake” arrived in the mail yesterday. Your build log is fantastically detailed and inspired me to join this forum. I am at about the same point with my first build: Artesania Latina’s latest version of their 1805 Swift Pilot Boat. Thank You for raising children who answer the call to serve their country (I have a son at Fort Bragg) You are clearly very Proud of Your Daughter ( I hope she approves of your work on the 6 pounders!) Good call on pre-staining before building the carriages: Like a woodorker cannot have enough clamps, a model builder cannot have too many tweezers: I have 3 pair on my bench now. My favorite pair gets its points dressed and sharpened on a regular basis. Find what works for YOU. The one tool that I kick myself for not buying earlier is an Optivisor: it has improved the quality of my work more than any single skill or tool I have obtained in my 40 years of Modeling. Keep up the great work!

Marc
 
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