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10-13-2005, 06:24 AM
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Pride of Baltimore II
I am starting this thread as I begin building my first Model Shipways kit. I am aware of a few out there who have already built this kit, and one builder who is awaiting delivery (while working to finish his beautiful Bluenose). It may start out as somewhat "talking to myself", though I am hoping others who know this kit might chime in when they recognize familiar building situations with the kit.
As an Artesania builder till now, this kit has already introduced numerous new construction techniques. Single planking, all basswood, no ply sheets anywhere on the kit...and an instruction manual and plans with undescribable detail compared to what I've seen previously. Though I've not yet put glue to wood, I have already found one item I may "adjust" on the model (a small "rail" under the caprail that matches with the bulwark stanchions, will affect rail height...EDIT: nevermind, it's there, Plan sheet 2, the inboard stringer...). The rigging plan does indeed have the ratlines and battens on the standing rigging, it wasn't visible in the catalog photos. The detailed instructions will smooth the construction, while some of the construction techniques (and scratch building) will introduce new challenges. The detail and accuracy of the kit will be a test. I am currently shaping (sanding) bulkheads to the correct(ish) bevels, and plan on cutting and shaping the rabbet this weekend. I made a small adjustment in the bulkhead K notch to get my reference lines aligned (and the upper corners aligned with the sheer of the other bulkheads). Then a slow careful installation of the bulkheads. I have a few tools to buy (french curve, files, clothespins, etc) that will help in the build. I've learned that staining basswood is questionable, and there is a fair amount of brightwork on the Pride II. I plan to do a bit of "testing" in this area before crunch time. Finally, I have my copy of the MS "Planking the Built-Up Ship Model" booklet, the planking will be a careful blend of this and the kit plan. (note to self...add dividers to shopping list). I've about memorized the first several pages of the manual...  Dave (need a Pride II avatar!!) 
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10-13-2005, 03:45 PM
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Forum Post: Re: Pride of Baltimore II
Posted by: wirewolf (John) Captain - (Ol' Man)
Posted on: 10-13-2005
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This is a General Forum Posting
Quote:
Aye, Aye Matey! Pride of Baltimore II (open in a blank window)
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10-14-2005, 04:21 PM
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Re: Pride of Baltimore II
I suddenly got an itch to go "rabbet hunting"...
I got my knife, flat needle file and sandpaper and went to work on the starboard side rabbet. A bit of carving, a bunch of filing and sanding. The port rabbet is a bit cleaner, no carving there, just filing and sanding...lots around the "deadwood" area in the flat stern of the keel. Now, off shopping for supplies, then back to the bulkhead tapers... Dave
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10-15-2005, 10:46 AM
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Re: Pride of Baltimore II
Having never carved a rabbet, this is interesting...I have discovered a couple ot things. Symmetry is important, if your bearding lines are off kilter with each other, this can lead to unequal rabbets on either side of the keel. Also, the tape I put down as a middle marker did help in keeping a "centerline" as I shaved away the rabbet. I have since gone a bit deeper, as I was finding uneven rabbets in the stern. Then I realized I have about a 1/32" twist in the false keel. When it's weighted down flat, the rabbet appears about equal on both sides. I tacked the keel on temporarily with a couple of dots of white glue, looks good, but I will be using dowels to secure it come real glueing time.
I've got the stern rabbet "slopes" as flat as I can manage, nice and smooth, time to stop fiddling with that (before I mess it up!). I have the two bottom pieces of the keel/stem glued together and drying on the kitchen counter (flattest spot in the house!!). Then I'll taper those per the plan and glue/dowel them in place, tapering and adding the stern and stem pieces after. I actually glued something finally. Thus far, I have already learned much which makes approaching some of the Latina type kits much less "concerning". Still have bulkheads to shave and bevel too... Incidently, there is a small piece on the false keel, a sliver between the C bulkhead slot and the foremast slot...this puppy likes to break off, temporary reienforcement not a bad idea. Dave
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10-16-2005, 12:08 AM
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Re: Pride of Baltimore II
Hi Dave,
I am in the midst of working on the Model Shipways Niagara, and approaced the rabbet with the same trepidation(this too is my first SERIOUS wooden ship kit). The biggest problem I had was in transfering or laying out, as it were the lines from the drawings to the keel. All in all though, it turned out well. MS parts fit is outstanding with their laser cut materials!! Only had to shim one bulkhead to get it flush with the top of the keel. I used a dremel tool and careful carving for the rabbett, and was pleased with the results. Currently I am preparing to plank the deck, and am working on hatch combings. Was interested to hear about your experiences with the Pride, as that, I believe will be my next kit. Was on board her up in Bay City two years ago, and have been fascinated with her ever since. Really enjoying the MS kit!! Good luck and keep me posted. Bob
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10-16-2005, 04:16 AM
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Re: Pride of Baltimore II
Hi Bob,
Well, I really have a rabbet now, I have finally gotten some wood glue and after final touchups on the carved/filed/sanded rabbet and some careful fit checks, i put glue to wood and installed the "real" keel over the "false" one and weighted it down to dry. Later I installed the stem and stern keel pieces...it turned out real nice, a real even slot for all the plank ends. I still don't have dividers, I used a metal metric ruler and a good pair of reading glasses to transfer the bearding line position at each bulkhead slot position from the plans on page 1. I never quite "got" the bearding line/rabbet thing before now...now I got it, having marked and carved same! I've drilled the dowel holes in the keel, will use round toothpicks for that. Then need to taper the keel per the plans, and get on the bulkheads. Also gotta install the mast blocks, that little piece forward of the foremast got knocked loose again! I have roughly a .5 mm twist in the keel, upper stern to lower stem, need to keep an eye on this. Good luck on your Niagra, that is a really beautiful ship! Dave
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10-17-2005, 12:00 AM
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Re: Pride of Baltimore II
A very productive, and enjoyable, day.
I started by filing down a toothpick to act as a dowel for the keel/false keel interface. When filed way down to fit the hole, I realized this isn't as strong as i'd like (I used a small drill bit). I found some straight garden wire, and filed it down to fit the other holes (forgot/missed the far one in the bow). Nice stong connections. Then I started on the keel tapering per the plan. I filed (using my trusty flat needle file) some sample tapers, then proceeded to connect them by further filing. This took a long time, and I came to use a sharply tapered triangular needle file to flatten the taper faces...learning new techniques as I go. In the process of working on the bow keel taper, the bow keel connection came a bit loose (the rabbet was filed pretty narrow). I then installed the missing bow dowel (wire), and finished the keel taper work. Then, on to finishing the bulkhead bevels. Filing, sanding, it took time but it is done. I did manage to snap the thin M bulkhead at the narrow keel notch in the process, which was finished and glued back together. The installation glueing will strengthen this joint. It was a nice building day, somehow the tedium I was concerned about never happened, I was in "the zone". While focusing on all the filing, my mind wandered to other things, somewhat mesmerizing. I have gotten into Stage A step 4 (some already done), the bulkhead install is next. This will take time with all the alignment checks. It's going very well thus far, minor hiccups along the way. Small steps... Dave
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10-19-2005, 08:38 PM
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Dang it, did it again...
The hull, complete with bulkheads, has a twist...nothing like on the Scottish Maid, probably less than a degree, but it's there...the wife noticed it when I showed her.
I'm thinking of devising some sort of jig to hold the ends of the hull in line while I get some of the planking done. Hopefully that will stiffen it up. The alignment of the frame is done, the bulkheads were quite straight, there were a couple that were very slightly off port to starboard. The warp showed up during bulkhead install apparently, it was, best as I can tell, dead flat after I installed the keel. The keel is still showing straight on top and bottom, looking along down from the bow, the misalignment seems to start somewhere in the aft end. Any ideas here appreciated...what am I (still) doing wrong...small voice is saying order the wood from MS and rebuild it from scratch. Pics going up in my POB album. Edit: I have it in the keel holder with a weight looped over the third to last bulkhead, going over the top, and gently twisting the rear keel straight. I occasionally paint some water on the false keel, it's "straight" with the weight applied, will let it sit through the nite and see what this does... Dave
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