USS Constitution - Model Shipways

[Der Alte Rentner]

As much as I love the new lathe, I'm soooo ready to be done with turning wood. I think I'm on the home stretch now..

The studding sail booms are now all turned. And positioned correctly in the group photo(?)

 

[g8rfan99]

They look great Peter,
Sorry to have added to your wood turning woes, but eternally grateful

 

[Der Alte Rentner]

Sorry to have added to your wood turning woes, but eternally grateful

I take that to mean your dowels finally arrived?

 

[g8rfan99]

I think so. I got a notice that a package arrived, and that was the only one I was expecting. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to the post office today. I'll pick them up tomorrow.

 

[Der Alte Rentner]

I turned a 4mm ish (5/32") dowel for the spanker mast, fabricated the boom rest, and test fitted all to the lower mizzen mast.

The plans call for there to be a square tenon at the top of the spanker mast. SInce I wasn't sure where that end of the mast would meet the top of the trestle trees, I held off on cutting it, which may be a good thing, because I seem to be about a quarter inch short in relationship to where I think it's supposed to fit. I know where I will make my adjustments, once I learn exactly where that square tenon falls in the grand scheme of things.

For now? An adult beverage and game one of the Stanley Cup finals.

 

[dockattner]

Inspiring work with that lathe. I might need a lesson from you!

 

[Der Alte Rentner]

Spanker boom done. And I butt jointed the cut-off dowel back onto the spanker mast. (The seam is barely noticeable, and will be completely hidden by rigging after the mast is installed)

 

[g8rfan99]

Well done sir. They all look fantastic. I'll reiterate what Paul said - great work on the lathe!

 

[Der Alte Rentner]

Hey, does anyone actually put the "clapper" on (or is it in?) the Spanker Gaff? Bob Hunt completely ignores it in Chapter 2, section 1.8, despite displaying it in picture p2.1.8-2 on page 45.



There's no reference to this in Anatomy of the Ship by Marquardt.

I have yet to find it mentioned in anyone else's build. Intimately I haven't checked every single Constitution build log here...

 

[JSGerson]

Obviously, I haven't installed it...yet. I didn't even know what it was, so I googled it. I found this on SuburbanShipModeler, a site I didn't know existed before.

On a traditional gaff-rigged sailboat, the "clapper" is a pivoting, flat wooden block situated in the throat between the "jaws" or forks of the gaff or boom. Its function is to provide a larger, smoother bearing surface against the mast as the spar tilts and slides. [1, 2]
The jaws cradle the mast and keep the spar connected, while the clapper pivots back and forth inside the jaws. It ensures consistent contact with the mast without binding, and is often covered in leather or "greased" with tallow to protect the mast's varnish from friction and wear. [1, 2, 3, 4]

This image is from the Bluenose build log on that site so it doesn't quite match up with the MS diagram (which I don't understand), but it does explain its function...if that helps.

Wait, I found an image from the Constitution herself:

 

[g8rfan99]

Of course, Jon would have a photo.

 

[Der Alte Rentner]

And Gregg found a reference from Ken at the other website.

Taking both pieces in, I don't think it's worth the effort to produce, since it will basically disappear upon install. Evidently Bob Hunt felt the same. Here's how he describes the installation of the gas in his last chapter - the one without any photos of the Constitution.



So, I'll ponder the matter for a few days, probably forgetting it between now and the time I get to rigging.

Having said that, the spanker gaff assembly, minus the clapper, is complete.



The sheave is there..

 

[GGibson]

Obviously, I haven't installed it...yet. I didn't even know what it was, so I googled it. I found this on SuburbanShipModeler, a site I didn't know existed before.

View attachment 609413
This image is from the Bluenose build log on that site so it doesn't quite match up with the MS diagram (which I don't understand), but it does explain its function...if that helps.

Oh yeah! I did one of those on my Bluenose! I thought Ken's picture looked vaguely familiar! <shrug> The Suburban Ship Modeler site was an awesome lifesaver when I was working on the Bluenose. Great help!