The sad reality has now set in that if I finish my model, I will not have enough space in my small flat to keep it (especially with a cat and budgie around!).

Moreover, I also bought the Soleil Royale, Vasa and Sovereign of the Seas to build and therefore I am going to need one hell of a bigger property in future!

Managed to finish the beakhead though. I decided to use thin strips of wood to make the two doors. It's now time to start attaching all the port hole covers that I put off doing earlier in the build because I wanted to buy some thicker thread to use than that which was supplied with the kit.

Presumably many people who finish their builds then display their ships in a case of some sorts, to keep the dust off if nothing else - is there a go to place to buy a display case?

I have encountered a problem with a bent mizzen mast that is spoiling the look of my ship.

To clarify - I have had at least a year away from doing anything on the ship but have just taken it up again - determined to finish it. I am on the shrouds at the moment but have discovered that the top third of my previously constructed mizzen mast is bent. Looking at it I figure that the holes on the cross tree and mast cap did not align and I missed this when putting it together.

So my question....is there a way for me to correct this without trying to buy a replacement mizzen mast stage and completely redoing it?

Taking into consideration the following....
- I am not great at woodwork, the fact I have got this far is amazing
- I have had no luck in trying to cut out the top dowel from the cross tree or mast cap, probably due to excessive use of wood glue!
- I have been trying without success over the past month to secure a replacement stage for another part of the ship from the company and have had no success (which is really disappointing as I have purchased four large ship models from them in total!)

Photo attached to show how it currently looks and how it is messing with my OCD!

Hi Betty
I would say do as John suggests using warm water and maybe a hairdrier to loosen the joint. Providing you have only used wood glue, should come apart if you are patient.

Well I tried warm water and a hairdryer but didn't seem to be doing much...so I lost patience and poured some boiling water over the joint...the joint loosened in a matter of seconds!

I am most grateful for the help suggested - it has saved me from giving up building again for a few months!

Happy days

Oh what fresh hell is this?! 'Securing the shrouds' should come with a health warning! Anyone else find it hard to thread the thread through the deadeyes or have any tips....using diluted glue to stiffen the end of the thread is really not working well 95% of the time.
In other news, I am extremely pleased with the hammocks that are now completed!
Sitting back for 5mins to appreciate what I have done, I am actually super pleased with the build so far, despite the odd flaw and given I have no background at all in wood work. I've been quoted £1800 for a perspex display case and now I'm actually thinking that if I can produce this ship, then surely I can build my own case....

Getting the drill as we type! I've been at it an hour and only managed to complete one shroud so far!

Hi, try using a standard needle threader. Think you'll find things a lot easier.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i...2f76:g:GjEAAOSwIytgUFc-

Regards

Alan

I've done it! It took all day but the shrouds have now all been threaded, just got to tension them tomorrow. Phew! The needle threader did come in handy (I picked one up in Sainsburys!) and some of the holes definitely needed drilling.

Now, does the rigging need to be completed in a specific order as in the book or can I complete the ratlines now?

Hoping I can finish this ship in the 3.5 weeks of summer holidays I have left!

Thanks to all who have given advice on how to fix my problems - much appreciated.

And the build moves on.....I am aware that I only have 2weeks summer holiday left before I go back to teach and time to work on the ship disappears completely until the October half term!

So, I am ploughing on with the rigging...now have the first two masts attached and feeling as if I could take up a job as a surgeon oh, to have small hands that can get into small places!

As you can see, I have started the ratlines as well, which is my job whilst I've got the TV on in the background.

Onwards and upwards! (PS the admiral's lantern is still broken and I'm having a hard time trying to fix it!)

Hi Derek

The lantern came with stage 80 - literally the metal pole that is attached to the lantern has snapped just before the curve.

I'll have a look on ebay... in the meantime.

Rachel