USS Constitution by Model Shipways. - First Build Log

[rturcic72]

Started the deck planking work. Had the hatch comings in place, but not glued in just yet. While it looks easy, to me this has been a nightmare because I had to make many tweaks along the way and following the practicum, I realized there were a lot of inaccuracies in the practicum because it's based on Bob Hunts exact model size and and variances in the wood for the deck planking. There doesn't appear to be enough wood for the deck, or at least the 1/16x3/32 strips. There are two similar sizes in the kit and one has dark edges as if it were a pure laser cut and the other like any other strip of wood. Bob claims that a slightly large strip in the kit is acceptable and could be used as is, or shaved slightly down to the. I'm still debating this while I ordered some wood from a hobby shop. The strips of wood have very minute variances in width that it isn't apparent until you've laid many. There is tapering, but no where near the level Bob explains based on the strips size we're recommended to use. I found my self constantly measuring from the centerline throughout because I would need to add some type of filler to make up for the extra space. The number of planks from the centerline to to the waterways by the transom is supposed to be a total of 25, but I found this not to be true at all. Having 24 on either side of the centerline in this area is not even close. Anything outside of those planks are what gets tapered, but nothing more. Although I'm almost finished with laying the planks, it still takes an eternity so everything looks remotely correct. I think many builders got creat8ve to make the deck look good like a deck, but not perfectly in numbers and sizes as you would think. Anyway, I'm patiently waiting so I can start sanding and staining the deck and get that pice over with and then touch up what I've already painted and then some. Until next time...

 

[Tony H]

Started the deck planking work. Had the hatch comings in place, but not glued in just yet. While it looks easy, to me this has been a nightmare because I had to make many tweaks along the way and following the practicum, I realized there were a lot of inaccuracies in the practicum because it's based on Bob Hunts exact model size and and variances in the wood for the deck planking. There doesn't appear to be enough wood for the deck, or at least the 1/16x3/32 strips. There are two similar sizes in the kit and one has dark edges as if it were a pure laser cut and the other like any other strip of wood. Bob claims that a slightly large strip in the kit is acceptable and could be used as is, or shaved slightly down to the. I'm still debating this while I ordered some wood from a hobby shop. The strips of wood have very minute variances in width that it isn't apparent until you've laid many. There is tapering, but no where near the level Bob explains based on the strips size we're recommended to use. I found my self constantly measuring from the centerline throughout because I would need to add some type of filler to make up for the extra space. The number of planks from the centerline to to the waterways by the transom is supposed to be a total of 25, but I found this not to be true at all. Having 24 on either side of the centerline in this area is not even close. Anything outside of those planks are what gets tapered, but nothing more. Although I'm almost finished with laying the planks, it still takes an eternity so everything looks remotely correct. I think many builders got creat8ve to make the deck look good like a deck, but not perfectly in numbers and sizes as you would think. Anyway, I'm patiently waiting so I can start sanding and staining the deck and get that pice over with and then touch up what I've already painted and then some. Until next time...View attachment 523028View attachment 523029

Great start on the deck, I took the easy way out by planking the whole deck and fixing the hatches on top of the planks.
I don't remember having a shortage of planks but there was some inconsistencies in the width.

Tony

 

[GrantTyler]

Started the deck planking work. Had the hatch comings in place, but not glued in just yet. While it looks easy, to me this has been a nightmare because I had to make many tweaks along the way and following the practicum, I realized there were a lot of inaccuracies in the practicum because it's based on Bob Hunts exact model size and and variances in the wood for the deck planking. There doesn't appear to be enough wood for the deck, or at least the 1/16x3/32 strips. There are two similar sizes in the kit and one has dark edges as if it were a pure laser cut and the other like any other strip of wood. Bob claims that a slightly large strip in the kit is acceptable and could be used as is, or shaved slightly down to the. I'm still debating this while I ordered some wood from a hobby shop. The strips of wood have very minute variances in width that it isn't apparent until you've laid many. There is tapering, but no where near the level Bob explains based on the strips size we're recommended to use. I found my self constantly measuring from the centerline throughout because I would need to add some type of filler to make up for the extra space. The number of planks from the centerline to to the waterways by the transom is supposed to be a total of 25, but I found this not to be true at all. Having 24 on either side of the centerline in this area is not even close. Anything outside of those planks are what gets tapered, but nothing more. Although I'm almost finished with laying the planks, it still takes an eternity so everything looks remotely correct. I think many builders got creat8ve to make the deck look good like a deck, but not perfectly in numbers and sizes as you would think. Anyway, I'm patiently waiting so I can start sanding and staining the deck and get that pice over with and then touch up what I've already painted and then some. Until next time...View attachment 523028View attachment 523029

Good afternoon. Looking great, very good progress. Cheers Grant

 

[rturcic72]

 

[rturcic72]

And...the deck planks are getting there...unfortunately I had to order more strips of wood, 1/16 x 3/32. As I mentioned earlier, there were two types with of wood strips in this size in the kit. It appeared to be a mix of balsa and bass woods, so there is a mild variance in size when I measure what's from the centerline to port and from the centerline to starboard. The practicum recommended using 1/16 x 5/32 if I'm corrected if the modeler prefers it and using them mainly in the midships area where the most tapering is required. I chose to just buy some more wood instead to keep things uniform. The practicum also discusses the 25 strips in the center starting from the after part of the main hatch coming, which would be tapered between 1/16 and 1/32 ending at the transom. I feel this is somewhat negligible, especially with variances in the width of the strips already in the kit. I personally do not think it is necessary to taper the center when it appears to be required in the midships area towards the transom. The strips are very thin in the first place, unless they absolutely need to be tapered. The plan sheet also is not very clear regarding the width of the planks and appear slightly wider with no taper in the center group of 25 planks. Anyway, should I redo this part of the deck, or let it go and flow into the build?