Hi guys - as promised a few pics of current progress.
It is nearing the end run of construction now with just another coat or two of varnish on the decks to be applied then the process of fitting out can begin. During the last few days I've been picking away at the fittings as well as finishing varnishing the hull - a slow process indeed with the need to allow it to harden completely before lightly rubbing down. Before starting varnishing, after a real good vacuuming, I rigged up a tent over the bench to help keep the dust at bay which worked well enough - two pieces of string and a 99p dust sheet from QD solved the problem.
Before varnishing commenced though, to finish off that breastwork I wanted to convey that the 'heavy pieces' had been through bolted and plugged
Two tools were turned up, one to cut a precise hole the other to cut the plugs. The hole cutter was drilled to take the guide pin then heat treated to prevent the sharp edge from folding over. The plug cutter was left unhardened which worked well enough for the few plugs required. A hole was drilled to take the pin, counterbored just under size to the cutter then the pin inserted to act as a guide for the cutter. The actual plug is only in the stock by about 1.5mm
It all worked well enough and the outcome was as hoped for
And so finally, after all these months, that varnish could be applied. I used 'Le Tonkinois' which I bought at the Midlands show last year. It's a pure natural varnish and flows beautifully. The first coat simply disappeared into the wood leaving a very matt finish but the second soon indicated the potential shine to come
Though more or less touch dry over night I didn't feel it was suitable for rubbing down for a good three days so spent some time between coats pleasantly distracted by the garden
This last week or so attention turned to finishing off and making the remaining 'fittings'
The rudder had it's reinforcing plates epoxied on (dummy rivets), the pintle bands the same
The steering wheel was finished off by making its mounting - the steel part is for the (dummy) rudder cables .....
... and the front was finished with a brass housing over the locking screw
Sundry other bits and pieces have slowly trickled off the mill and lathe - I was particularly pleased with the oil box for the prop shaft - that's the first time I've made a hinge.....
... and of course no boat would be complete without a name plate - courtesy of my good friend Phil who helped me install the new mill. The wood is Firethorn kept from a major pruning of a very over grown example years back. Very hard and close grained it proved ideal for engraving without tearing.
It'll be at least next week before any of that can be attached. I have used 'International' yacht varnish for the decks as this is a much paler colour. Surprisingly this is taking much longer that the other to harden off but after all this time an extra day or so is neither here nor there
however here she is as of tonight.....
.... not far to go now
Thanks for the words of support Bill, Bez and Jason - as my friend Chris would have it, I'm currently not in full possession of my MoJo but I am working on it
Regards - Ramon
