Flying Cloud - Making Pin Rails

Pin Rails are part of the ship's rigging, which I won't be getting to for quite a while.

But, they needed to be fabricated and installed as part of the deck gear.

The kit contained tiny cast metal belayng pins, but I had to build the rails.

Ever try drilling 88 holes in 1.5 x 4mm walnut strip stock?

You need either a very steady hand, or a drill press for your Dremel tool.

My metric straight edge serves as a guide and guage.

The drilled strip material is then cut into the proper lengths.

Side braces are shaped and cut from 2 x 4mm walnut.

Did I mention that the belaying pins were tiny?

A drop of CA glue for each pin.

Before you know it, there's eight pin rails ready to go.

Here they are glued to the bullworks.

The deck is progressing nicely.

Flying Cloud - Foredeck progress

I've been experimenting again, probably not the first to do this.

Small parts are hard to hold and work with.

But using some balsa wood, tongue depressers and clothes pins,

I've been able to fabricate the two hatch covers (~18mm sq.)

Having consulted with my good friend Keith,

who suggested that the anchor chain would be stowed while sailing (duh)

I've decided to go ahead with the windlass and anchor chain per spec.

Had to get out the small tweezers for the rings on the forward hatch.

Here's the foredeck... no those aren't whiskers.

They're some parts of the standing rigging

that were easier to install now.

Flying Cloud - Anchor chain installation plan

I'm confused about the kit plan for the anchor chain and windlass.
They show the chain coming out of a hole on the open deck.
Then dragging across about ten feet of deck to the windlass.
Seems like that would be hard on the deck.
Not to mention the poor bastards who would have to work around it.
I need to research this.
How did they do it on the real Flying Cloud?

Flying Cloud - Painting small parts

While the "lazy susan" idea is still good for paint around something,
it's not good for small parts.
The blast from the spray can blew them away.

Here's Plan B

Tack a "holder" stick onto each small part.
Use clothespins to organize them.

Now, I can hold each small part with a gloved hand

and spray every angle.



Now if I could just figure out how to use the blog editor.