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USS Constitution - Model Shipways

Hey Chris.
Have you considered adding a "signature" to your user ID here? I've found it useful (especially for myself) to have the ability to go directly to my first and last posts from anywhere I see my icon. But it's also much easier to get to someone else's build from their signature. Most only have signatures linking to their finished projects. I like having the first and last posts linked for my (one and only, as well as) current project.
Cheers and Happy Father's Day
Peter

P.S.
Please refresh my memory on the mill you're using. I know it's neither Proxxon nor Sherline.
Thanks
 
Hi Peter,

I'll look into adding a signature - thanks for the tip. As far as Mills - I own a TAIG. Its substaintial and has a long x and y table. It also comes with the stepper motor to spin at 10000 rpm which we need to work with wood. You need to install that modification as an extra with the Sherline. Here's the site - I bought this model.

taigtools.com

2019ER Micro Mill

TAIG Micro Mill 2019ER is designed for exceptional accuracy and versatility, ideal for a wide range of milling jobs.
taigtools.com taigtools.com

Its compatible with most Sherline accessories (I use their vise and many other accessories - thats the one of the areaa in my opinion they have over the TAIG mill) The Sherline also has a DRO option which could be nice to have.

Hope this helps !
 
While finishing up the tenon, I turned my attention to the bowsprit cap and jib boom. The laser cut piece that Model Shipways furnished for the cap needed some tweaking to accommodate the tenon and the jib boom. I repurposed the failed jig from a few posts back to provide a properly angled clamping setup to mill the mortise for the tenon and the hole for the jib boom.

2026 06-22 USS Constitution Build 01.jpg

2026 06-22 USS Constitution Build 02.jpg

2026 06-22 USS Constitution Build 03.jpg

2026 06-22 USS Constitution Build 04.jpg


I started widening the slot in the cap while still on the milling machine. This got me close..
2026 06-22 USS Constitution Build 05.jpg

Fortunately, I had a 3/16" router bit - the same diameter as the jib boom. To use it, I had to switch to the drill press. (Now, if only I'd had that TAIG mill? :p. Yes, Chris and Paul, I will be getting one - sooner rather than later..)
2026 06-22 USS Constitution Build 06.jpg

2026 06-22 USS Constitution Build 07.jpg

2026 06-22 USS Constitution Build 08.jpg

2026 06-22 USS Constitution Build 09.jpg

Of course, I had to turn yet another spar. I haven't yet removed the bowsprit from my jig. I'll probably need to tweak that square inch or so at the cap end.
2026 06-22 USS Constitution Build 10.jpg

Going home for a "bees knees" before I start work on the bees.
 
g8rfan99 said:
LOL! Well said Peter. I wouldn't mind the sleeping in the cold part, it's all the flak one catches during the day :)
Click to expand...
I keep reminding my wife to be patient. Those frivolous tools will be there when I need them - every so often, her eye roll :rolleyes: is replaced with "now how did you do that?". ROTF
 
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Mustafa, you picked a perfect time to ask that question. I still have the bowspruit mounted to my jig. All I need to do to Square Off the cap is to run it back through the mill. However, for what it's worth. Bob hunt did not do that. Well, at least not in chapter 1.3 entitled constructing the masts- the bowsprit. In his photo p1.3.1-5, the cap is not parallel to the jibboom.

Even later, in chapter 3.1 "the bowsprit", photo p3.1.1-1 shows the cap unaltered.

The MS plans do indicate that the top and bottom of the cap run parallel to the bowsprit and jibboom.

Excellent timing, excellent advice, thank you kind sir.
 
To answer your second question, I only took a quick glance at the taig Mill yesterday. If an option for a tilting head is not there, I'm going to have to look at Sherline instead. Somewhere, I've seen that that is one of their options.

If no one offers the option for a tilting head, I'll probably stand Pat. I've made myself a bigger table, so overcame that limitation of the Proxxon. I want a tilting head, and a rotating table/vice. I'll let you know if I find the perfect combination. If not, I'm sticking with the Proxxon.
 
Der Alte Rentner said:
Mustafa, you picked a perfect time to ask that question. I still have the bowspruit mounted to my jig. All I need to do to Square Off the cap is to run it back through the mill. However, for what it's worth. Bob hunt did not do that. Well, at least not in chapter 1.3 entitled constructing the masts- the bowsprit. In his photo p1.3.1-5, the cap is not parallel to the jibboom.

Even later, in chapter 3.1 "the bowsprit", photo p3.1.1-1 shows the cap unaltered.

The MS plans do indicate that the top and bottom of the cap run parallel to the bowsprit and jibboom.

Excellent timing, excellent advice, thank you kind sir.
Click to expand...
Photos from the actual ship. It's clearly visible that the top and bottom edges of the cap are parallel to the bowsprit. You can easily achieve this by sanding if your circular sander's table angle is adjustable.

Screenshot_20260623_222632_Chrome.jpg

Screenshot_20260623_222559_Chrome.jpg
 
mtbediz1 said:
Photos from the actual ship. It's clearly visible that the top and bottom edges of the cap are parallel to the bowsprit. You can easily achieve this by sanding if your circular sander's table angle is adjustable.
Click to expand...
Hello gentlemen! After reading your recent discussion regarding the bowsprit and how the cap was cut on the actual ship, I said to myself "I wonder if any of the pics I took last September of the Constitution during my Boston visit would show any of those details?"

Here are a couple of pictures I found in my limited picture stash from that day. You will recall me saying it was cloudy and rainy that morning, so a lot of the spar deck details were covered, but... here a some of the bowsprit area that should be of help.

Looks like the top is rounded but parallel with the bowsprit mast. The bottom is flat but, again, also parallel with the rest of the bowsprit. FYI, the top of the port-a-potty is also rounded... ROTF

EDIT: Not sure if you can zoom in on that far shot to see the bottom. I'll try to do better!

IMG_8704.jpeg

IMG_8708.jpeg​
 
GGibson said:
Hello gentlemen! After reading your recent discussion regarding the bowsprit and how the cap was cut on the actual ship, I said to myself "I wonder if any of the pics I took last September of the Constitution during my Boston visit would show any of those details?"

Here are a couple of pictures I found in my limited picture stash from that day. You will recall me saying it was cloudy and rainy that morning, so a lot of the spar deck details were covered, but... here a some of the bowsprit area that should be of help.

Looks like the top is rounded but parallel with the bowsprit mast. The bottom is flat but, again, also parallel with the rest of the bowsprit. FYI, the top of the port-a-potty is also rounded... ROTF

EDIT: Not sure if you can zoom in on that far shot to see the bottom. I'll try to do better!

Click to expand...
Is it under construction? Where are all the masts and rigging?
 
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