Chesapeake Bay Flattie – Midwest {part 11}

This build still sits on the other table……in it’s box waiting for me to figure out how to make a decent set of mast hoops.   It hasn’t been easy.   I began to look into this around mid December,  in search for the perfect solution………..

12-13-2016

Knowing that the sail needs to be made,  I still hadn’t seen how Midwest directs you to make the mast hoops.   Looking in the instructions,  told me all I wanted to know.

I didn’t like this……there must be a way that will achieve better results.   Putting it out there on the Model Ship World forum,  a few suggestions were made.  the first was with wood shavings.   It’s a good Idea…….if you have fresh wood shavings.   I made some shavings from a long dried piece of pine board in my closet.

These are to be wrapped around a dowel that is larger than the mast……in this case,  they need to be larger than 1/4.   Using diluted white glue {later changing over to full strength}, I was to wrap the shavings around the larger dowel.   It was sheathed in plastic wrap,  to keep the glue from sticking to it.

This didn’t yield a single mast hoop.  I think the shavings I used were too dry.   Plan #2 was to wrap some thin strips around the dowel.   I had soaked the strips in water for a couple of hours.

….and then slather it with white glue and wrap them around the dowel.

This was also a bust……well……not entirely.   Looking down the plastic tube,  you can see some I have already made.    They produced something like these,  after they were sanded.

These will need to be sliced thinner,  once they are completely sanded.   Another method I tried was using a piece of packaging paper.   This was glued and wrapped around the plastic tube.

I wasn’t too happy about the indentions,   that the clothes pins made…….I’ll just cut around them.   I only need five of them…….shesh!   So…….in conclusion to all this fiddle frigg’in around…….this is what I have to show for it.   First:

the shavings

Then……..the thin strip

….and then…….the package paper.

Yea……not good!   I’m not pleased with any of them.   I did hear about another method,  using birch bark.   Willing to try anything,  I went out to the field and got some off of an old dead birch tree.   Once it was in the house and warmed to room temperature,  I could work with it.

12-27-2016

It had been in the house for a few days.   Birch bark is made up of layers.   These trees have a habit of shedding their outer layer,  and the under layer takes it’s place.   Bringing it to the table,  I saw that it was beginning to separate.   I pulled it apart to reveal the clean inner layer.

Once down to a usable thickness,  I will wrap it around the dowel.   During this time,  I also traced out the sails,  from the instruction sheet.

Done!   I’ve only had this cloth out for a month.    Now,  they need to be cut out and sewn.   I will do that while I’m in the process of making the mast hoops.   I’ll try do this as soon as possible…….I’m about ready to settle for the Midwest method.   For such a simple kit….why must I torture myself!

AHOY!!!