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[ukmike]

More progress on the build following a shortish lay off, so, here are a few photos showing the state of play so far.


I have modified the bow roller making a new roller and fitted it lower down to make the anchor more secure, also, made the winch controls which would be foot controls, Red for raise and Green to lower. The winch isn't permanently fitted yet nor is the anchor chain. I was intending to make a chain lock between the bow roller and winch but decided that was going to be too fiddly.


The cabin windows are glazed now and tinted to allow 75% of light to pass thru', I would have preferred a light green but couldn't find a suitable film that suited.


The 2 Blue Plastazote shapes will be fore deck mattresses when covered and stitched with the off white vinyl as in the cabin, I may yet tweak the shape at the front.


Mike.
 
 

[madwelshman]

Nice detail/touches Mike.
Looking very smart and luxurious.


Will

[RST]

Smoked windows looks way better than I could imagine any other tint -looks great!

Rich

[DJW]

Morning Mike


Superb detailing work. Window tint looks just right to me too, good contrast with the surrounding white, but clear enough not to hide the interior detailing.


Upholstery looking really good too.  I see it appeared in the thread without too much fanfare, looks to me like the same thin faux leather used on the Aquaramas. And looks like you've managed to achieve the appearance of piping, with great shaping of the seats / padding.  Is this a shaped balsa core, thin foam, then the faux leather, maybe the thin foam stitched to the faux leather to give the cushioning / padding effect..?


Its one of those tasks that I'm putting off as I don't have it clear in my mind how best to do it...
Best regards
David.

[Stuw]

Absolutely fantastic detail and quality of work!

[ukmike]

Good Afternoon all.

Thanks madwelchman,Rich, David and Stuw for the kind words, much appreciated.

David, the 2 seats on pedestals have shaped medium Balsa cores, then covered with a fairly soft synthetic wadding about 20mm thick but it can be easily crushed down to suit, no idea what it's called, but I think it's packing material, here's a picture, maybe someone could identify it. I doubt that it could impossible to sew it to the Vinyl tho'

I've experimented with many ways to achieve a decent cushioning/padding effect but I now only use 3mm Plastazote and a soldering iron to get the effect that I was looking for, all the upholstery in the big Riva and is done using that method as is all the upholstery in this one, with the exception of the 2 chairs on pedestals.
Sewing the foam to the Vinyl I believe would be very tricky due to the need to achieve an even ark from one line of sewing to the next, repeatedly, but you are a very resourceful man and it wouldn't surprise me if you did it. Have a go and see how it turns out, maybe it will work.

Mike.


 

[mmartin1980]

wow, the fine details you have gone into on this is outstanding!

[ukmike]

[quote author=mmartin1980
wow, the fine details you have gone into on this is outstanding!


Thanks for that, much appreciated.


As I stated earlier in the blog, I have little interest in the sailing of the boats that I build, but do derive satisfaction from the building, particularly wooden ones I do try to make them reasonably well.


My skill with metal, unfortunately, isn't that good but you can only do your best of course.


Off topic now, here are a some pictures of some bits of furniture that I made a while ago, a pair of corner cabinets,(one shown), a book case and 1 open corner cabinet, all from English Oak. These are the only things that I've ever made that I was totally pleased with, (the wife chose the contents, not me). .


Back to the boat, do you are anyone reading this have any idea on how to make linear wind screen washers ?

Mike.

[DJW]

Hi Mike


We talking functional linear windscreen washers..?


David.

[ukmike]

Hi David.


Non working, just the drive housing with the blade parked vertically. It'a a split screen so I need 2, both parked at the centre.


Mike.

[DJW]

This is the kind of thing...


https://www.nauticexpo.com/prod/scanwipers-s/product-47048-370778.html


Normal wiper, just the casing at the top to be added.


David.

[ukmike]

Perfect David,thanks.


All I need to do is make it make curved a little to suit the screens.


Mike.

[DJW]

Maybe mill a piece of nylon, then heat and clamp to conform it to the windscreen curve.


Just in case, I was thinking a bowden cable, inner bared through the housing, wiper clamped to the inner. Do same with second unit. Bring ends back to a 360 capable servo, and both ends to attach to one arm. That you give the motion needed...  just a thought... 


David.

[ukmike]

Hello.


Build so far, unusually, managed to get a little more time this week, so I've tried to make the most of it.


The photos show the fore deck and sun bathing upholstered area, no sewing or cushioning this time due to not wanting any stitching holes that could let in water.
I did make some with stitched cushioning but didn't like it at all so it was scrapped. All of the photos are showing everything just laid in place, nothing fixed yet.


Have made an AIS touch screen unit which looks reasonable where it's to be fitted. It's showing the Solent.
It will be painted the some colour as the winch and bow roller. Also, the Morse throttles and dials in place, just need a few switches to finish it off.


Could't resist adding the, "Moody Photo". 1 more photo shows the flying bridge. The spray deflector allowed only 40% light, the tint was just too dark, so, I've made a new one using allowing 75% of light,much better.


Due to the AIS display turning out reasonably, I may make a Sat Nav or Plotter, along with Radar, both for the Cabin.


I may have to add a communications antennae/domes gantry to house the domes and aerials, I would rather not have to but will give it a go later.


Mike. 

[DJW]

Evening Mike


Pleased to hear you've had some time on the boat this week. Lovely work, and yes I think an arch is going to be needed to take all the antenna...! But will it be chromed tube, or a solid unit..?


The cushions look great, the edges beautifully rounded. Any pointers how you got that look..?


Best regards
David.

[ukmike]

Evening David.


I use occasionally a Proxxon HUZ universal holder screwed to the bench and a rounding cutter 29036, the base of the shape is 1.5mm Birch ply then covered with Plastazote 3mm. Then just set up the depth of cut and run the piece round it,(another good reason for using Plastazote). The difficult part is pulling the Vinyl around the piece neatly, particularly on the inside curve.
I would like the cutter set 29020, but can't justify the cost. The HUZ is a very handy piece of kit, I use it with a 50mm  sanding disc much more than router bits.


Look here for the sanding disc..... https://www.banggood.com/Effetool-BG0300-2-Inch-50mm-Hook-and-Loop-Sanding-Pad-3mm-Shank-with-60pcs-Sandpaper-p-1089070.html?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=cpc_organic&gmcCountry=GB&utm_content=minha&utm_campaign=minha-gb-en-pc&currency=GBP&cur_warehouse=CN&createTmp=1&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=cpc_bgs&utm_content=tanya&utm_campaign=tanya-ssc-gb-euw-all-0113&ad_id=491180619117&gclid=CjwKCAiA1uKMBhAGEiwAxzvX9ygZMiqqt4omGK8HsksKGyj9RLoKPpHRNaE0Fg6ZLBH-uhu0X-n3jRoCwqwQAvD_BwE


Many thanks for the compliment.


Mike.

[ukmike]

Hi.

Latest piece of work which will be the last until the Spring due to my having to winterise the machines and all metal parts in my little shed.
I don't have any heating in there and it's very cold so roll on warmer weather.


The pulpit top rail is 3.5mm x 1mtr brass which  was too short but the longest piece that I could get. As I needed a piece 1.25mtr long, I had to splice in a further 250mm which turned out quite well and didn't show. The joint was done using silver solder as will the upright stanchions.


The photos show the jig roughly shaped  and then the final shape, along with the 2.5mm stanchions which are milled to lay on the top rail snugly which will show no excess s/solder.


Twiddling my finger now until the better weather.


Mike.

[zooma]

Superb work Mike 

[ukmike]

Good Afternoon.


Pulpit completed now with the exceptions of cleaning up with wire wool then popped into a bath of ferric chloride for a minute or so. That will ensure that the paint will adhere tenaciously to the Brass and not suffer from chips and scratches or knocks.


The uprights plug into plastic pockets so that should the need arise, it will be easy to remove the whole assembly and then re fit it.
The hand rails on each side of the flying bridge are also removable and easily re-fitted should the need arrives.


The wooden blocks are used to set the height of the top rail and then removed, depth stops are then glued into the bottom of the pockets.
The fore deck subtly droops to the point of the bow, but the the height of the top rail will always be the same.


Finally, I have to thank Subculture for all of his advice regarding the etching process.


Some pictures.


Mike. 

[zooma]

Nice work Mike 

[DJW]

Agreed, rails looking good Mike, a very good looking boat, what colour / finish are you planning for the rails..?  Interesting about the etching to prepare the brass.


Looking like it could be ready to see the water in spring...   


Great to see progress.
David.

[ukmike]

Good evening David / Bob.

Having tried several test pieces of the ferric chloride on Brass, particularly the solution strengths and application times
I have settled upon 25% water added to the f/c with a dipped or brushed time of 45 seconds.
I then washed the item in soapy water, ( washing up liquid ), and when dry applied a coat of primer, not posh stuff, just cheap and cheerful.
After a couple of hours drying indoors I tried to scrape it off, not a chance, the only way to remove it was by very brutal scraping with a scalpel, so no problems.  The primer then only needs light sanding before a top coat.

The colour that I want is s/steel which is the preferred metal for full size for pull pits, railings, ladders etc. as chrome would very quickly rust in water, particularly salt water.

I have looked at the data / application sheets of several, "etching primer", manufacturers/ retailers. Not one of them say that they will be suitable for Brass or Copper. The f/c method does work and at a very low price.

Also, should the primer need to be removed for any any reason then soaking in cellulose thinners easily removes it, but, the f/c etching process is still in place as it has left millions of microscopic dimples and scaring therefore will still be ready for use.

Mike.

[ukmike]

Good Evening.


Have made a small amount of progress on the F/Bridge which I have modified yet again since the last posts.


Have painted the side hand rails, which turned out not too badly, gone are the days now of me paying for hard chrome plating).
The Ferric Chloride etching process has worked better than I had hoped, no chance of it coming off.
Should it ever be necessary to remove it for some reason it will need to be sanded off, scraping won't work, either that or drop the piece into a Gun Wash bath.


The spray deflector has been tinted and pertinently fitted and white piping around the top.


The dash has been simplified and the Mahogany had 4 coats of varnish then matted when dry. I will probably add the small Depth/Speed display as there is plenty of
space without adding clutter. Next thing is to make is the ladder up to the F/Bridge and hand rails.

The hull and deck need painting but the weather isn't warm enough to complete that so that is for the future.

Some pictures.

Mike.

 

[DJW]

Afternoon Mike


That chrome effect is looking good and very acceptable to me. The price of hard chroming was indeed eye watering for my Riva, looks nice, but at a cost...


The detailing is coming together very nicely, hope the improving weather lets you spend more time with the boats.


Very best regards
David.

[ukmike]

Evening David.

I am quite pleased with the paint. I never intended it to look like Chrome, more akin to Stainless Steel really.

The weather is perking up a little now which has allowed me to put on the deck final coat at last. That leaves the side colour and the bottom to do, plus the cheat line.
The Riva needs a final coat of varnish and the White bottom. All of the deck furniture is made and trial fitted but still in the raw state. As I have no intentions of
 
Chroming the metal parts I think that will be about as far as I go with it.
The S/Fisherman will be finished fairly soon, when I make the ladder system and F/Bridge simple upholstery. The ladder system is going to be quite challenging  as it

is more than just for going up/down. That could prolong things somewhat, plus, I keep changing my mind about things all the while and have to make new bits.

As there are no building plans, as far as I know, for the Flying Dolphin, I have no idea as to what to build next, there isn't anything else that I like.

Keep well you and yours.

Mike.