MARCH 2022

We had another successful virtual meeting with 24 members in attendance!  A special thanks to Jared Fein for having assembled the searchable BLOG INDEX which is now available as a download XLS or PDF file near the top of this page.

We began with a presentation by a special guest speaker, Bob Filipowski, describing how his Chicago, USA area Tri-Club Association members built their 18th century English Long Boat Windlass that would have been used to assist raising the ship's anchor.

Bob explained how he used his Dremel Rotary Tool Drill Press/Work Station to create the bevels on all four corners along the centre length of the windlass. He sets the tool at a 45°, clamped securely to the work bench and uses it in conjunction with his Preac Table Saw's rip fence and vernier dial adjustment.  A sheet of Bass wood is utilised as the work surface with 1/16" thick x 1/4" wide guides glued to it.  Wooden stops are clamped down at each end to assist in keeping all shaping symmetrical.  

Using some soft brass tubing that would fit over the barrel, he cut a slit cut in it and slipped it over the end of his work piece so he could grip it in his mini-lathe chuck.  He then cut the tapered ends on the lathe using chisels, files and round contoured sanding grips.

​Next was cutting in the square holes.  These were carefully marked off and round holes were drilled about half way through the windlass from each side as the hole might have drifted if drilled completely through.   The drilled holes are slightly smaller than the final square hole width.  Bob made a broach out of a metal nail to cut the square corners in the round holes.  The nail was shaped into a square broach with his Dremel Rotary tool using a cutoff disk mounted on top of a fibre disk backer to provide additional support so it hopefully wouldn't shatter as they are known to do.  Measuring across the flats with a vernier helped to keep the shape square and the proper size.

Next came the windlass mounting plates which where rectangular in shape with a slotted pocket for the windlass axle stub.  Bob decided to glue the axle stub into the slot, and the windlass was glued over that providing a stronger joint but if looked at from the side it seemed as if the windlass and axle were one piece.

The final pieces to make were the two windlass bars which were quite straight forward.  Rounded handle with a square tapered end.  Once bar was set into the windlass where as the other was lashed to the starboard riser.

Don Knowles described to us his method of making his forestay mouse.  The forestay is a large diameter rope used to support the foremast.  It has an eye spliced in the end, wraps around the top of the upper part of the lower mast and passes through the eye splice.  It then runs forward and secures to the bowsprit.  The mouse acts as a stopper to keep the eye from sliding up to and clenching around the mast.  Downloadable PDF  document explaining his process available here...

weaving_a_mouse_-_don_knowles..pdf
File Size:	636 kb
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Alan O'Neill made a presentation on Treenails (aka Trenels or Trunnels), describing the different types, when and where they were used and when specific hole patterns were employed for hull and deck planking.  He a also discussed deck plugs and finished with explaining how modellers make treenails and plugs.   His complete presentation and images are available for download as a PDF here...

TREENAILS.PDF
File Size:	2382 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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In October 2020 Phil Main had shown us the progress of his model of the “San Juan”, the Basque whaler wrecked in December 1565 during a storm at Red Bay, Labrador.

At that time he had 5 years of construction in her and needed to decide whether or not to rig the model.  Over the past 2 years Phil has completed and mounted his ship model.  From his photos (image 1) we see the masts are displayed as stubs.  The hull planking is completed on the starboard side and she is mounted on two cradles raising her above the base plate, a tree cookie or slice from a tree trunk.  In his second photo (image 2) we see the hull opened up exposing the inside bits of framing and the decks.
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Phil looks forward to giving a detailed presentation including the discovery of the ship, the historical significance, and highlights of his build at a future "in person" meeting.

Robin Coles showed us his latest project, improving his hovercraft working model by various  methods , firstly by improving the airflow to the vertical lift fan/motor with an improved air intake system and reducing weight. First  stage was to cut away the old inefficient air intake grill ready for a 3D printed inlet housing,  He also removed some stiffening struts to around the  propeller housing to compensate for the additional weight he will be adding.   Also  a 3D printed servo mount was made to fit in between the rear propeller guards.  He will be giving us another update as he progresses with this right up to her trials on land and water.