So, I’ve managed to make some progress. I finished painting the deck hardware. On the one hand, the degree of detailing I put into the lin-stock tubs may seem like overkill for something so small, that is largely overshadowed by the waist gangways. However, I truly enjoyed the process of engraving them, boring them out, banding them, painting/weathering them, and making ears and annealed wire handles for them. It gave me the sense, once again, that I was engaged with the project, in the limited time I had available.
(honestly - not sure why so many of these images are importing vertically, when they are horizontal in my photos)
For placing these tiny items where clumsy fingers fear to tread, I found that wall-tack putty rolled around the end of a toothpick enabled me to place these items precisely, in the limited time before the CA sets.
I did make one shot-rack placement error, but it will be completely concealed beneath the f’ocsle deck. It wasn’t worth creating a paint repair problem.
Now, I still have cleats and blocks and cavals to place on the main deck. I still also have to belay sheet and tack lines to the inner bulwarks for the eventual rigging. I had momentum, though, and wanted to continue making significant progress. I decided to begin detailing the f’ocsle deck as a motivator to finally route my belay points on the main deck, so that the whole project can move forward.
A few of these plank lines are a little ragged, but from most perspectives those flaws will not be very apparent. I found that, at first, I was moving a little too quickly with the engraving, and not taking enough score passes to create a clean channel to back-drag the tip of my blade. The proof will be in the paint, when those lines really jump out, but I think it will be okay.
Next up, I decided to make the galley chimneys:
I blacken the edges with graphite, so that I can more easily gauge the bevels I am filing into them.
Next up - I wanted to make a f’ocsle capstan because I see evidence of one on the Louis Quinze model at the musee.
A montage:
The foundation of the machine are 4 pcs of .100 square stock cemented together, and then trimmed to 3/16” square. I then faceted the barrel into an octagon:
I am always looking for places where I can re-purpose the stock ornamentation, and these radiant fleurs from the quarter galleries seemed like a fitting complement to this machine.
The capstan will stand four scale feet above deck and the capstan bars will just clear the height of the chimneys:
All-in-all, this little machine was one of my favorite elements to make for this project. I still have to make the capstan locking pawls that engage at the foot of the machine.
Next, I think I will design the break rail and belfry. Thank you, as always, for the likes and looking-in.