The underside of the gallery is now planked. The only problem is that I must have placed the first couple of planks slightly out of position so that I had to make some adjustments to the last couple so that they could fit properly. I’m really hoping that this isn’t going to effect the placement of anything in the future. Particularly I’m thinking of any windows or ornaments that go on the gallery.
 Gallery planking from back |
 Gallery planking corner view |
One of the things I didn’t realise when I embarked on this very daunting project, was that I would need to invest in some pretty cool new tools. Some of these have turned out to to be quite cheap, and the sort of thing I’ll probably find further use for. Others, have been a bit more specialised and I’ll probably sell them or pass them on when this is finished. (not that that will be any time soon) . Some were actually a bit tricky to find.
I have no doubt that most of these things will be standard piece of equipment well known to the avid miniaturist or ship building, but many are new to me.
The following list will develop over time as I discover new things that would make lief easier.
Filing things – Pin files and emery boards, general sanding
Loving the set of pin files I invested it. It was probably a bit extravagant but they were less than $10 and together with the really cheap emery board I have quite a bit of flexibility with filing small parts. Of course the sanding block is also really great and once I get the hang of the Mini rotary tool set properly, life will be a whole lot easier in the sanding department. This set isn’t the one that came with the Sovereign, its a set I bought from Bunnings when I saw it on special ($22.95) and thought it looked like a good idea. (Its almost identical to the one that has subsequently come with the Sovereign, but it was really good to have the use of it early when shaping the hull plank supports.
 Pin file set |
 Mini rotary tool |
Bending planks
One of the scary things about this project is the need to bend planks to the shape of the hull and the preferably do this without snapping them. SO! after a bit of research and hunting I invested in 2 things. 1. a plank crimper (which was cheap) and 2. a plank bender that looks like a soldering iron with a sanding disk on the end and a wooden mold (This was a around $50 at Hobby Tools Australia. I’m finding that I use one or the other depending on exactly what type of bending I need to do. Can’t say I have a favourite.
I’ve bought a couple of things from them now and they have a great range of all sort so things I never even knew existed.
 Plank bending tools |
 Plank bender in action |
Extra Hands and 23 piece craft/woodworking tool set
Found this awesome gadget on the Holly Tools Australia website.
What I actually went to their site for though was a mini flat plane in order to be able to plane down the sides of the planks for the hull. After the first few rows the planks need to be trimmed so that they end up wedge shaped at both ends of the ship so that they fit together properly. So I knew I needed a mini plane, but had all sorts of trouble finding one. This set include several craft knives and blades and some different shaving, whittling and carving tools which will come in really handy.
 Helping hands |
 Mini woodworking craft tools |
Pin Vice
And of course you can’t do without a pin vice for all those tiny tiny holes you need to make to stop the plants from splitting when you nail them to the ship’s framework. My pin vices and drill bits also came from Holly Tools Australia way back in April 2014 when I started getting serious about this project.
Actually I ended up getting a couple of different styles of pin vice as I some some harder to use than others, and also extra drill bits, because some are so small that they’re quite easy to break, or lose.
Pin vice and drill bits
Now life starts getting interesting as I start coming to grips with the plank bending tools, the pin vice and mini hammer.
It took quite a lot of time to shape the supporting/bracing pieces to that the planks would actually be able to be pinned and glue in place. It was really handy having the mini sanding tool that I got at Bunnings, Yes I should have waited for the kit that came with shipment 8 but I didn’t realise this when I bought it.
I’ve also had to use the plank bender and found that for a little bend I can just use the crimper, but right at the very front of the ship its best to use the hot one and to soak the planks in a vase of tepid water first. I’m really hoping that I did this properly and am using the correct glue so that planks wont spring off sometime in the future. Here is where I also hope that I’m using the right type of glue. According to various blogs PVC wood glue should do the job.
After the first 5 planks the are in place the ones at the front of the hull need to be planed down a bit so that they will fit around the supports properly. This will need the mini flat plane which will need some practice
 First 2 planks at the top |
 First 2 planks from the back |
 First 5 planks complete |
 Mini flat plane and whittling thingy |
The launch has progressed nicely and has now been painted white and brown inside and out. The brown/burgundy colour is actually not the colour that was suggested as I had purchase this paint before I discovered the paint set and quite like this Red/Brown.
 Launch and oars |
 Launch bucket |
Oars and bucket
The oars are Ivory white and the same red/brown and the Bucket is as per instructions.
Painting the bucket was quite a challenge given the very small size of it, although I’m sure that some would argue that its really not as small as it would have been. But still a challenge. Since painting the bucket I also found the amazing Helping Hands gizmo, which I think will make life so much easier later on when it comes to painting some of the hull ornaments.
Dunnage boards and thwarts.
The next step was adding the boards and the dunnage boards at the bottom. The dunnage boards are fine brass mesh which were painted black, but the paint went a bit blobby, so its not a terrific finish, but hey, its an old boat so I think I can cope. I’ll know to use a different method to paint brass next time. The thwarts are apparently the bits of planking that the sails sit on. The needle files I bought were really handy for creating the grove in the centre thwart which will eventually hold the launch’s mast.
Launch with dunnage boards and thwarts
See lists of paints
Great discovery today.
Miniature Steam, Located in Montrose, Victoria carry Admiralty Paints (which are the ones used that came out as a kit in the UK for the Sovereign). I ordered the colours that they had on their website and mentioned that I wanted them for the Sovereign. They rang and said they have put together sets of the paints priced at $80 plus postage. Yay! Its been really hard knowing exactly what the right colours are.
I have now added the second deck, which seems to fit quite nicely although I’m a bit concerned that the hole for the mast at the back is not entirely round and I wasn’t able to properly align it. It would be possible to file it later if needed I suppose, but I don’t really want to do it now in case it becomes too big and the mast end up insecure.
As I have decided to give the ship a decorative finish the assembly guide advises that the outer surface of the stringers and the decks can be painted with black modelling paint. It doesn’t however indicate whether this should be a matt or gloss finish so I will assume a matt finish.
Second Deck stern end
I have now removed the launch from the supporting jig.
It wasn’t actually as difficult as I had expected it to be. It was simply a matter of cutting it off gently using the miniature saw, and a craft knife to make sure that it didn’t rip.
The launch also got a coat of Mod Podge and All Purpose Sealer, although I’m still not sure about how the paint will go over the top of the sealer.
I filed the edges of the ribs as per the instructions and I’m loving the set of pin files I invested it. It was probably a bit extravagant but they were less than $10 and together with the really cheap emery board I have quite a bit of flexibility with filing small parts.
 Launch cut off the supporting jig |
 Launch tidied up |
 Launch with Keel added |
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Pin file set |
This is the first Ship’s anchor. I think it turned out quite nicely.
First Ship’s anchor
This is basically a list of the recommended paints colours and the colours I managed to find to match them. Its very much a list under development as there is no indication when you first start the Sovereign as to the number of paints, glues, finishes etc that you will be required to purchase along the way.
| This is the bundle of colours available as a package in the UK. |
These are the colours I’m using HA = Humbrol Acrylic, HE = Humbrol Enamel |
| Matt white | |
| Dull black | |
| Matt black | |
| Gold / Brass | HE 16 |
| Light ivory | HA 22 Pale Ivory |
| Ivory green | |
| Red ochre | HA 174 Red |
| French Blue | |
| Burgundy | |
| Yellow ochre | HA 154 |
| Wood (Walnut) brown | HA 10 |
| Antique Bronze | HE 55 |
| Ensign Red | HA 60 |
Colour used for the Ship’s Launch
Paint for Ship’s launch
So far there are 2 different cannons which I’ve made for the Sovereign. According to the instructions they should be painted red, but having done this I’m not 100% convinced that I like the look, but will leave it as it is for now.
The barrel itself is Antique Bronze.
Cannons
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