Blocks for rigging the masts

I had to figure out a way to handle and paint all of the tiny blocks which are used to run rigging lines all across the ship. These blocks are tiny. I decided to use an extremely thin gauge of wire to wrap the blocks and create an eye for use in reeving (tying) them to the necessary eyes on the masts. Each mast will have four blocks so I began with the question of how to make eight at once without the pain of using tweezers to hold these while wrapping with wire and painting. I came up with this, it looks interesting, but was quite helpful.

Here is another look at the blocks on the line. THe line is a 26 gauge wire and the blocks vary in size according to the number of holes running through them. There are single, double, and triple blocks, all are extremely small.

To show the size, for those who have not worked on this type of project before. this is all of the completed blocks for the mast. I have yet to attach them using there new eyes, but I am hoping it works well because these eight took about three hours to wire up and paint. The eyes made were wrapped around a small sewing needle, and as you can see all eight fit very comfortable on a quarter.

The Masts

This model is of a two masted ship. The fore mast was created first from a dowel of the right diameter (which is small) and then tapered with some delicate sanding to a narrower top that is able to accept the mast cap which allows the addition to the fore top-mast. In the photo below you can see the finished (besides attaching to the model and running the rigging) fore mast and the beginnings of the main mast. The completed for mast stands nearly 12 inches tall which is just a bit shorter than the main mast will be when completed.

The bottom of the for mast was painted white up to 1/2 inch and the main mast will have the same although there will be more detail to be completed later. top of the fore mast has a good deal of detail. There are three simulated iron bands and a hand full of hand made eyebolts, which are actually very tiny. The photo below shows some of these details with a penny in the shot for added perspective.

I have been working on the main mast a little more after completing the for mast and the details at the top section are even more so. There are four iron bands (all made of pinstripe tape) and the V at the top which is where the main boom will attach during the rigging process. This mast is mot yet finished, but a detail shot if the top as well as what will eventually be the display base for the ship are in the next photo.

Attaching the Bowsprit

The bowsprit is the front most part of the ship and is similar to a mast that lays on its side protruding out of the front of the ship. There are many details on this bowsprit, although it does not compare to the level of detail on a larger vessel. The small size of all the parts involved proved to be especially challenging. The photo above shows the bowsprit from the front and there is a good view of some of the rigging that keeps everything in place.


Small details were hand crafted like the stretching screw attached to one of three small eyes at the end of the bowsprit. this stretching screw is still larger than it should be for scale, but there were two more made that had to be smaller and that was difficult enough. Here you can also see the jackstays and the line that would have been used to tie up unused forward sails. Because of the small size these had to be glued down, no amount of gravity could keep these thin lines from sticking straight out.


Multiple eyes were attached to the ships hull where rigging for the bowsprit was to be attached, and additional eyes are in place for the mast stays that will be put in place later. I had difficulty getting these lines tight, and I ended up pulling out some of the eyes which prompted me to make new ones. I have now graduated if you will, to hand crafting all of my eyes and stretching screws. The additional stretching screws are shown here, only one of course because its match is on the other side.

In this last photo it is easier to see all of the details of the bowsprit. on the inside of the ship it is white and square, while on the outside it is stained wood and round. the sheaves that go through the bowsprit are also visible and will eventually house the lines for the mast stays. In this photo it is also easier to see the different rigging lines and the attachment of the bowsprit to the ship. At this point I will now be moving onto the masts and must first mount the ship to its final display base. It may be some time for the next update, I am not to sure how I am going to tackle the masts, but eventually they will go up and then the rigging will begin.

It has been too long since my last update!

With so many things going on I have spread myself to thin and have not worked on this project for more than a few minutes at a time over the past several months. The last few days I have gotten back to it and have made some good progress. The duck and all if its components are now complete which will now lead to the bowsprit, and soon after the masts and rigging.
Here you can see the fore deck with the forward companionway, ventilator, fife rail, winch bits for the bowsprit, and of course an anchor.

Here is another photo to show the entire deck and all of its wonderful detail.
Here you can see the run of the caprail, and all of the details built into the bulwarks, as well as all of the deck components that will not be a visible once the mast and rigging go together. With any luck the next steps should not take to long and I can have this project completed relatively soon. I guess I just have to stop taking five month breaks.

Until next time...