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USS Hannah - scratch built 1/72 POB

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Highwingpilot

Mon Oct 21 2013, 08:24pm

Registered Member #4099

Joined: Tue Jan 08 2013, 12:42pm
Posts: 91

After taking some time off for some other projects, my son and I are finally getting back to work on the Hannah.

I built some some custom 4-pounder guns, Swivel guns, and anchors using the open-source 3D modelling program "Blender". We just got in our first "prints" which came out better than expected in detail. They're a wee bit grainier than if they'd been cast (or certainly lathed). But after a little light sanding and painting, they'll be fine. And at 1/72 scale, hardly noticeable to my eyes. The 4-pounders are under 1" long. and the swivels are far smaller. The beautiful thing is now that the models are built, I can easily adjust them to print out at any scale needed.

If anyone needs any, they're available at http://www.shapeways.com/shops/modelshipfittings
I definitely recommend their Frosted Ultra Detail material. It looks like frosted glass, and offers the smoothest finish and detail.

Now that we have the guns in hand, I can see that we need to adjust the height of the gunwales before we get into planking the upper wales and gun ports. They had seemed a bit short. But I have to raise the height by about 1/8" (9" scale). That's what I get for drawing my own plans!

Anyway, it'll be good to be under way again!

daves

Tue Oct 22 2013, 02:25pm

Registered Member #105

Joined: Wed Jul 15 2009, 12:01pm
Posts: 2926

there is an article in the July 2013 journal on deck planking and caulking

daves

Tue Oct 22 2013, 02:33pm

Registered Member #105

Joined: Wed Jul 15 2009, 12:01pm
Posts: 2926

hello Jim I went to shapeways to see if I can 3D print the stern carvings but the problem I have is creating the print file. I have no idea how to even start.
do you think something like tis could be modeled in 3D for printing

Highwingpilot

Tue Oct 22 2013, 05:40pm

Registered Member #4099

Joined: Tue Jan 08 2013, 12:42pm
Posts: 91

Yes... though there are some limitations. In fact there is someone there who has a couple of stern and stem carvings... maybe available for purchase. The challenge is in building the 3D mesh (model). The learning curve is steep (almost vertical), and some of the software can be expensive. But I use an open-source (free) program that is nearly as powerful as the kind used by animation studios. Blender is an incredible tool. You can download it at blender.org. And there are tons of online tutorials there and on youtube to help get you started. I started with the cannon and achors. But will be adding parts like blocks, bells, windlasses, dcorative cavings, etc. Once the models are built, they can easily be scaled and modified to fit. I have mine posted on Shapeways so anyone can have them printed. Just let me know if you need them in a different scale. Also if you need a different size of gun/carriage, I can build the model and post them there. The online store at shapeways allows people to add on a small markup. But it isn't much. I do it for fun and the challenge - just another form of model building. I'll try building out some simple carvings and blocks next. Some of the limitations relate mainly to the thickness of the materials and the resolution of the printer. For example, Shapeways Frosted Ultra Detail material allows wall thicknesses down to 0.7mm. And free-standing wires/cylinders down to 1.0mm. So with the swivel guns at 1/72 scale, I couldn't include the handles as they would have been too thin. And on the gun carriages, I had to lay the rings flat against the sides as they would have been to small and thin to print as anything more than surface detail. Shapeways can print these in a range of different material including bronze, gold, and silver. But different materials mave different limitations.

Right now I'm working on making 1/72 deadeyes, blocks, and other fitting for the Hannah. But If there is any interest, I can make some test pieces at more common scales for the members here to test out. What would you think would make good test that most of here could use? A 16-lb long gun and carriage from 1812 era? at 1/4"=1'? Let me know what you guys think...

donfarr

Tue Oct 22 2013, 06:25pm

Registered Member #2001

Joined: Fri Dec 23 2011, 09:51pm
Posts: 1482

Hi Jim, I am always interested in items that make my ship modeling easier at 75 years old I want to spend time modeling and many things that I used to do I can not do anymore. Thanks Don

Highwingpilot

Tue Oct 22 2013, 06:54pm

Registered Member #4099

Joined: Tue Jan 08 2013, 12:42pm
Posts: 91

I'm happy to build out some fittings for the group to try out. Cannons are relatively easy to make. Sculpted figures are much harder. But I enjoy the challenge in learning new techniques. And 3D printing is fascinating. I may try some belaying pins and other finicky small parts as well. I may even try using it to print frames or moulds for building ships boats on. Maybe there is a way to put up a survey to see what parts and scale folks here would be most interested in.

donfarr

Tue Oct 22 2013, 08:51pm

Registered Member #2001

Joined: Fri Dec 23 2011, 09:51pm
Posts: 1482

Hi Jim, I have heard a lot about 3D printing and Ship Modeling how do they relate like from print to making modeling parts is this tech. going to replace Laser Cutting. Thanks Don

Highwingpilot

Wed Oct 23 2013, 12:21am

Registered Member #4099

Joined: Tue Jan 08 2013, 12:42pm
Posts: 91

I doubt 3d printing will replace laser cutting of wooden parts. There related but different. Plastic printed parts are not (yet) as smooth as molded plastic or metal parts. But it does provide modelers with ability to manufacture custom small parts in quantity. In some cases it's possible to make parts that cant be made in any other way. But at the end of the day, if I wanted to build a plastic model, it would be cheaper and far easier to buy one of the many kits available. I just see 3D Printing as a way to make parts that I just cant easily. Like miniature cannon barrels. And really tiny parts like the 1/72 scale swivel guns. And quite possibly ornate stern carvings... I just haven't developed microscopic carving skills like the master builders on this site. I'm always in awe of their craft. And I much prefer the look of a hand crafted wooden ship to a plastic model any day.

[ Edited Wed Oct 23 2013, 10:55am ]

Highwingpilot

Tue Oct 29 2013, 02:06am

Registered Member #4099

Joined: Tue Jan 08 2013, 12:42pm
Posts: 91

I started to create scale figures for the ship using open-source software "MakeHuman" and "Blender" to test printing them out at Shapeways. But I have to do more research on the different crew members' uniforms. The rough first draft below looks more like a Canadian Mounty or old Boy Scout leader than it does a colonial sailor. But the technique should work once I get the proper style worked out.