Thankyou Alan,Robin

The tip on the rope coils is very good, took me a while to visualise the jig but I have it now - a variation of this can also be used for ropes coiled on deck too. I really never thought to "pretend" that the coil is actually joined to the rope, you can just tie off a rope a put a fake coil on top - perfect
Steve

Thanks for looking Jonny

Issue 101 still! The topgallant shrouds and futtock staves are now all done, I didnt even realise these were there until I got to this issue. Not much to look at really but these are the shrouds at the very top of the masts - no ratlines to go on these though

Technically, the ratlines are next (still issue 101 unbelievably) but I'm thinking about going to issue 102 to get all the backstays done - then again no point in delaying the inevitable

The other pics just show the top ropes tidied up on deck, as the instructions said to wrap these to the posts and not to the belaying pins I just coiled them up.
Steve

Really like what your doing, excellent work, well done.
Regards.

Your build looks great Steve, getting better every time

Thanks for the comments everyone

Just completed the last remaining job from a previous issue - the gunport lids are now all done on both sides.

Not much to show really, firstly the threads were inserted into the lids by supergluing the thread to make a point, this was pushed through from the inside of the hatch so it could be used again to insert into the hull holes.
PVA was used to secure the thread to the hull and when dry was pulled tight down through the lid and secured underneath with superglue. So much work involved in the gunports overall and due to the repetition takes a lot of time.
Note to self: Make sure my next partwork contains cast metal gunport lids
Steve

Looking superb Stevie and I don't envy you with the task of making up all those gun port lids..... .. Oh yeah, I have the same thing coming up on the SOTS... .. Look forward to seeing the next instalment...

Regards

Alan

Hi Steve.
Superp job on your gun port lids Ian

Thankyou for the comments again guys!

Well, it could be put off no longer - The ratlines

I decided to go for the method used in the instructions and the Official build diary - this is where the ratlines are pushed through each shroud with a needle. The knot tying method is much more time consuming and can result in the knots looking out of scale.

First thing was to find the right size needle, it has to be able to take the .25 thread but as thin as possible so as not to make to big a hole through the shroud.
I also made my own needle threader (1st pic) as the ones that come with sewing kits kept breaking after a few uses, my home made worked fine though

The port formast ratlines are now done and I found the top shrouds much easier as the needle was longer than the width of the 6 shrouds so could be pushed through in one go, the lower ones I had to do individually.
It was then a case of trimming off after sealing with pva and adjusting the shrouds and lines to a more natural look.
I really wasnt being too fussy about this but my main concern was that I had no ratlines that "drooped" the wrong way, ie they werent curving upward, only dropping downward or pulled straight. Im pretty sure on the real ship these wouldnt be exactly uniform, some will be more stretched than others.

I reckon this is going take me a week to get them all done so will post up here when finished, and amazingly I am still on issue 101 - there is no end to it

Steve

Hi Steve
It one of the tedious jobs that have to be done, looking good though
regards
Andy

Hi Steve
That looks all too familiar, job well done. Looks great. like your threader as well, good idea.