SS Olympic ** Finished **

[JohnRatzenberger]

The bulkheads are glued in place and the fore and aft decks also. I am not trying to glue the pieces that form the rounded stern to the hull sides so I can start to fit the hull sides. I am not sure I understand this process completely but maybe be able to fake it. If hot, I'll have learned enough for the next attempt; it's already printed ....

[SJPONeill]

This is where really precise cutting pays off...the less wiggle room for the corners the better. On larger models, I sometimes use Plastruct right angle stock to strengthen and square corners before adding the skins...

[Dirkpitt289]

This is where really precise cutting pays off...the less wiggle room for the corners the better. On larger models, I sometimes use Plastruct right angle stock to strengthen and square corners before adding the skins...

That's a great tip Simon

[JohnRatzenberger]

Well, I figured it out, was more obvious when I tried to fit the stern then I could see how I could get the skins to conform to the aft bulkheads with a bit of finger pressure.





And I have all that sitting to dry well before I start on the rest of it tomorrow.



That's a good point, Simon, about stiffening. I'll get the sides on, then take it loose from the build platform and see how it looks. I can add pieces inside the hull before I get the main decks on.

The hard part is next, shaping the (very small and very rounded) counter and getting it on neatly. If that goes well, I can touch up with color pencil and move on ...

Time to start cutting more pieces ....

[SJPONeill]

She's looking good, John...for the final piece of the stern, I have been known to shape a piece of foam to match the shape of the gap and trim it down so that the surface of the foam is level with the inner edge of the skin. this gives you a greater surface area to press the final part down and and to shape it around...saves tears if the skin doesn't align perfectly with the formers...

[JohnRatzenberger]

Good idea. I'm still not sure I've figured out how to bend/curve it. I think I've made the right cuts.
On my task list for today, right after I get done washing a bunch of resin ...
and doing some grocery shopping. SWMBO is off hanging quilts for holiday displays and our son comes in tomorrow for a few days, if the pending Nor'easter doesn't foul things up ...

[splash]

That was the one part of the ship I was worried about when I built mine, but I found the glue softened the card and the parts fitted really well, the final curved part of the stern above the rudder is not a complex curve and fits quite naturally and once done will probably never be seen again as it's an overhang.

I like your technique for pinning the ship to some wood, I can see me stealing that idea.

Regards Splash

[JohnRatzenberger]

We'll see, as that's the construction next step.





The hull sides are on. You can see by the pins that I am married to a quilter - it is handy. In this case each pin is right at a bulwark, holding the side against it while the glue dries. I need to do some trimming and tidying up.

Note the wax paper over the wood to prevent glue from sticking.

[Tex Roberts]

It looks wonderful. Tiny hulls can be a real challenge.

[JohnRatzenberger]

Our son was in town for several days, so no modeling and very little computer time - but lots of bar & restaurant & basketball/football on TV. This coming week is turning out a bit full also, but something should happen with the model.



The hull is done and unpinned. I have done a little seam clean-up but still need to do the counter then run a colored pencil around. There is a base for the Titanic version which I downloaded and printed, but I had to reprint at 96% to get it the right size - must be something I did wrong 1st time. Anyway, it'll look nice.

So, still here ... but have to pick up the pace a bit ...

[splash]

I had the same problem with the base so it was not you

[Dirkpitt289]

Making me want to start one. Since Splash did the Titanic and you are doing the Olympic I would have to do the Britannic. GIGGITY!

[JohnRatzenberger]

Today, I put on the counter and all the upper decks.





While I did some clean-up and touch-up with color pencils, I'll have to do the same for this.

The instructions would have me do steps 15-22 which are all sorts of deck furniture and things but I am thinking of jumping forward to step 23 and putting on both promenade deck sides, then going back to 15. Seems a bit more logical.

[JohnRatzenberger]

I have been in meetings & such the past two days and have another day full today, so next effort on this will come this weekend.

Not my fault, with the holidays coming, everyone is cramming 30 days into the 1st 15 ....

[splash]

Its looking good, you are doing a much better job of it than I did, I think my error was using card that was too thin.

Regards Splash