IgorSky

Checking on the stand

Greetings Igor,
 
I don't really recall exactly how I did the logo on both sides of the Eagle, but if I were doing it again I would draft/draw it with software. I would then print it in color on a piece of normal printer paper, then attach a sheet of cigarette paper directly over the printed image, I use clear scoth tape on two edges of the paper, opposite edges. I then stick the paper back into my inkjet printer, making sure it is oriented so it prints on the same side it did the first time, and then print it again. This time it should print directly in the cigarette paper, which you can then cut out and glue to your hull. The paper is super thin, so leaves almost no ridges on the edges when glued onto the hull. In my case, I know my inkjet printer ink is water soluble, so I normally spray a light coat of clear varnish, to seal the paper and keep any colors from running.
 
Hope that helps, though  bit late as I didn't see your question.
 
Anchor's A Weigh!
John Fox III
Ladysmith, WI

The pirate rein-actors have requested another ship.  This time for a crew called the Scavenger which is the name of this ship.  I got lucky with my first commission from the pirates because they had a full set of plans.  This time I had to piece together a few things based on the request.  I think the customization will make this build fun though.  
 
The plans I chose were from a 1712 ship called the greyhound.  It didn't have sail plans though so I put some on.  The masts are a bit thick on the plans which I'll have to adjust on the ship.  As usual my plans come from the Story of Sail.  
 

Nice work.  It is coming along nicely.
 
Gwyl

Are you using perfume bottles? The last couple you've used have been very interesting.

Checking on the stand

Checking on the stand

And one more small project - Koch - The russian polar ship XIV-XVII centuries

I am adding the deck elements

My new project - Steam schooner "LENA" 1875
 
 

Here are the files that Alex mentioned.  One is a jpeg for viewing and then a pdf if you would like to print it.
Alex,  Thanks for sending these to me. 
Gwyl
 

 
Friendship Sloop.pdf

Thanks Gwyl. This sloop is right out of Chappelle's "American Sailing Craft". I've made at least 15 models from the same plan at various sizes, and it's always been a satisfying project, and always a vertical project. Here is another, smaller version in a glass ornament. I tried to upload the plan as well but got a message I couldn't load that kind of file. It's the 1900 sloop on page 39. Perhaps some one with better computer skills can load it here for everyone.

I edited an article on vertical models by Paul Stanton, of Nova Scotia, for Bottle Shipwright, and this taught me much of what I've learned about this option. It's a great alternative for presenting handsome vessels that happen to be taller than they are long, such as sloops, yawls and some schooners. I have been trying to combine the simple, natural wood presentation of a half model with a rigged ship in bottle. Here is one attempt, with the ever lovely Friendship Sloop in a liter bottle. The sloop is a small enough boat so that at this scale, 12' = 1", it allows for some working rigging. The topsides and cuddy are holly, there's an ebony wafer at the waterline and the hull below is pear. Deck planking is box and the cockpit siding is seasoned pine. The stand is oak, and it might not have been a great idea to carve this long a name into it. As David says, this lady did go in bow first.

I am now working on the cargo liner Arabia, of 1947.    The ship belonged to the Cunard Steamship Co.     Scratcbuilt at 32 feet to 1 inch.     I have been working on it for 21 days, with a total time spent so far of 32 hours.    
Hull length 16 inches.     
Bob
 

Preussen has been bottled many times including by the Philippine company that makes most of the cheap, tourist-shop SiBs (#4 below).
 

 

 

 
 

Life has been exceedingly busy. I rarely get into the man cave these days as work has me going constantly. As well I have a big shut-down coming up which will require me to work 20 days straight to supervise the safety aspect and I will be on-call 24/7. However every once in a while I do manage to get a bit done regarding the planning and implementation of the Preussen build.
 
Lately I have been working on building a few special tools for inside the bottle work. My seas are ready to install but… I needed two special tools to proceed, and one more for inside the bottle finesse work.
 
The first is a tool to touch up the cracks/seams with some modelling paste. The second tool is to then mask the paste with some acrylic paint so henceforth an inside the bottle paint brush system with interchangeable brushes.
 

 
I went out and bought some more piano wire and some brass tubing.
 

 

 
I heated some piano wire with a propane torch to form the modelling paste. I love piano wire it's very usefull for building tools.
 

 
The third tool is still in the design stage. It will be a spring loaded grabber type tool to maneuver stuff around inside of the bottle like yards, masts, sails, rigging etc. I purchased some brass tubing and bullet proof piano wire. I love the wire as I can heat it and beat it into whatever shape my heart desires. The tool for painting inside of the bottle is designed to incorporate interchangeable paint brushes. I just soldered some brass pipe on the wire and I can cut off the tips of paint brushes to use as desired. So there you have it for now ... Jeff
 

Alex,  She looks like she was  a beautiful ship.  I know you will be able to restore her to her former beauty.  Definitely keep us posted once you start the repairs.

I was given this damaged model by Rob Napier and I think it is so well made it should be repaired and given a new home. The workmanship looks familiar so I am putting out these pictures with the hope they might reach the original builder. I won't be able to get to her until early next year anyway. She is an English 4 mast ship about 4" high and 8 3/4" long.

Igor,  Your miniature work is incredible.  Thanks for sharing your talents.
 
Gwyl

And one more small project - Koch - The russian polar ship XIV-XVII centuries

I am adding the deck elements

And one more small project - Koch - The russian polar ship XIV-XVII centuries

I am adding the deck elements

I wish I was as organized as you guys

I promised myself that I will set up a corner for myself, but so far have not succeeded. I made a small portable workstation a few years ago, it can go on the dining room table or my knee when I'm watching telly. I tend to keep things that I want for the current phase in 'Office drawer' trays. I bought a compartmentalized box for travelling  with when I stayed in hotels on business, and have started to use clear plastic boxes with adjustable dividers recently when I found some that were long enough.
 
My workstation - idea nicked from a commercially available item
 

 
One of my trays
 

 
The travel box
 

 
Latest acquisition
 

 
I have plans to build another, slightly larger workstation, and use one of the trays as a sort of drawer under the storage ledge at the back. I need time.
 
All the best
 
Alan