Bluenose Build Log

I fabricated and painted all of the deck structures described in Chapters 7 and 8. Some things I did differently include 1) planking the cabin roof with walnut, 2) inlaid walnut planking on the two main hatches, 3) masked and spray painted the brown areas for a neater appearance. I also added the cap rail extensions, painted the cap rail black, and installed/painted the buffalo rail. I tend to build sub assemblies of like colors and paint them all at once. Now all I have to do is put everything together and attach it all to the deck.

Build duration this step: 25 hours
Total build duration: 156.5 hours

deck_furniture.jpgcaprail.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
She is coming along nicely now. I used a technical pencil to add a few small details, painted the cabin hand rails white for some added contrast, and painted most of the hoisting machinery black. I also decided to leave the dory off. After fiddling with them I felt they just would not look good and would end up hiding some of the nice deck planking. This concludes Chapters 7, 8, and 9. Onward to masting and rigging!!

Build duration this step: 13.25 hours
Total build duration: 169.75 hours

chap9_3.jpgchap9_2.jpgchap9_1.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hello Mike

I must congratulate you on your very fine job that you are doing on your Bluenose. The Bluenose is one of my favorite ships, maybe because I am from Nova Scotia and also she was my first wooden ship build many years ago that I started in Montreal, PQ when I was working as a factory consultant to fill in my evening hours.

I just love the very fine lines that the Bluenose processes, so very slick on the water under sail and also to look at first hand. You are doing a much nicer job than I did, just love your deck nibbing, I bet that took many hours to perfect to the extent that you have shown here, ENJOY.

Regards Lawrence
 
Thanks Dave and Lawrence! I built this model back in 2014 after joining Bob Hunt's crew. The Bluenose definitely has some sleek lines, it's no wonder she was so fast.
 
It's looking really good Mike, I like the paintwork on the Hull, the base and mounting pillers show off the sleek lines really well,

Cheers Andy
 
Thanks Andy!

I'm near the end of fabricating all the masts, booms, and gaffs. I fondly refer to these parts as "sticks". I'll have a better update later but wanted to share a couple of things. I always like how Bob's practicums teach us the simplest ways to complete a task. He always tries to show how things can get done without the use of expensive power tools. However, I've also noticed a lot of folks on this forum have fully equipped shops already. In that case, here is a different way to taper sticks. I chuck them up in my drill press and use a variety sand paper, sanding sticks, and sanding blocks to quickly taper them down. You just need to be careful on the smaller pieces that you don't apply too much pressure. For the gilt balls on the end of the top masts, the practicum calls for the ball to be carved by hand. While looking through my spare parts box I came across these nicely machine carved boxwood balls. They have a little hole machined in the bottom that fit nicely onto my tapered mast. They are a bit over scale but for the purposes of this ship they should look very nice.

mast_tapering.jpggilt_balls.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I'm pleased to report that Chapter 10 is complete. All the sticks are fabricated and ready for rigging. I used 1/16th inch art tape instead of construction paper for the metal bands. I also painted the trestle area white on both masts. But other than that, I followed the practicum closely. I can almost see the light at the end ... only rigging remains.... I'm cracking my knuckles and loosening up to do a bunch of seizings. Two more chapters... here we go.

Build duration this step: 25 hours
Total build duration: 194.75 hours

sticks.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Standard seizings, figure-8 seizings, multiple line seizings. Ok, I think I'm getting this now.. I like to use a little tape to keep the lower shroud lines and other long pieces as tidy as I can. It's still a mess though... but, a fun mess.

Foremast Rigging (2).jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I definitely got the kinks out of my fingers and am moving right along. Chapter 11 is now completed with all the masting hardware ready to mount. One last chapter to go!!! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!

Build Duration this Step: 12 hours
Total Build Duration: 206.75 hours

Chap 11 Done.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi Mike,
I have been so busy with setting up extra features on the forum, I am just now getting around to looking at some builds going on. Your BN is outstanding. Perfect.

Donnie
 
Thanks you so much Donnie.

I created a simple deadeye spacing jig out of wire (4th from the right in the picture). This made getting the smallish deadeyes much more agreeable to being rigged. I can see why most people like to work in larger scale. At 1/64th scale the rigging of the deadeyes was a challenge. By the time I got all 10 of the foremast deadeyes rigged I had managed to get the process down to about 10 minutes each.

Deadeye Jig.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Today, I completed all the stay rigging for the foremast and bowsprit. I was able to tie seizings for all of the lines. I also shaped, painted, and installed the rudder and deadeye chainplates. Once again, I used 1/16th artist tape to simulate the chainplates and rudder detail. Moving on to the main mast next ...

Build duration this step: 13 hours
Total build duration: 219.75 hours

foremast_1.jpgforemast2.jpgrudder.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks Dave!!

I got all the ratlines done. I've done better and worse. Out of curiosity I did a little math. For this ship, I tied 364 ratline knots. I estimate that would be about 1/4 of the number needed for a fully rigged frigate class ship. Something along the order of 1440 knots. Its almost painful even thinking about it. Anyway, I'm happy to have this part completed. I also got the anchors fabricated. Time for booms, gaffs, and some running rigging...

Build duration this step: 9.25 hours
Total build duration: 229.00 hours

ratlines.jpganchors.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
One of my favorite things I learned from the practicum is the figure-8 seizing. It allows blocks and such to be rigged "off ship" using a simple helping hands jig. I'm in the final stages of rigging and only have to mount the anchors and running lights. I hope to post the completion of this build and a couple of pictures very soon!!

seizing_jig.jpgaft_rigging.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi Mike

That is a cool handy tool. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers
Geoff
 
Back
Top