1:25 scale Quarter-wheeler river Drogher

[Steven S]

Yes I beveled the top edge only to get the effect I was looking for.  They fit tight to each other without a gap between them and are glued to the plywood wall.

[Paddlemex]

Single sided bevel. Nice. Will have to note that down. 

[Steven S]

I have finished the engine room siding and have started on the removable roof for it.  The building will be fastened down and the roof can be lifted off if needed.

I have also been working on the boiler room and was very surprised to see that I need over five metres of 2mm x 6mm framing material for all the studs and plates.  This simple boat may take me all winter build after all.  Lots of ripping and chopping to do.

[Steven S]

I have finished cutting out all my wall studs and plates and ended up with quite a lumber pile.  I printed out the boiler room walls and have started gluing them up.  I should have all four walls framed tomorrow and make a start on the siding.

[Steven S]

All the walls have been framed, sheeted with some 1/64 ply and the siding has now been installed.  I dry fitted the walls to the deck just to make sure that I didn’t overlook something.  After painting I will install the post braces and corner boards.

It looks like it’s time to get serious about staining the deck.

[DamienG]

 

[Steven S]

I have been staining deck test pieces but I’m still not satisfied with the colour so I’ve moved on to a different part of the project and am making the boiler.  I’m still working on the sight glass, pressure gauge and plumbing and will get back to the deck staining tomorrow.

[DamienG]

 

[Steven S]

Thanks Damien

I have finally stained the deck and have applied a coat of shellac to it.  After it dries I will apply a coat or two of varnish.

While waiting for the shellac to completely dry I have started on the ships wheel.  I glued two coffee stir sticks together and am cutting out eight pieces for the octagon to shape the wheel from.  I'm drilling each piece to fit a cocktail stick for the spokes.  I'm building the wheel this way as we can't travel unnecessarily right now because of the Covid restrictions so I have a lot of spare time to fill and I am quite enjoying the detail.

 

[Steven S]

I have put a couple of coats of varnish on the deck and finished the ships wheel.  I will finish off the engine house next.  I’ve bought some 50 grit reddish sandpaper to represent roll roofing for both the engine house and boiler/pilot house.  Roll roofing comes in 1 metre rolls here so I will be cutting my sheets into 40mm strips and gluing them on.

My captain/pilot isn’t really an arms dealer, I had to cut his arm off so I can reposition it to rest on the wheel better.

[Hankwilliams]

Very fine and well-reasoned build, Steven. I don`t wont to occupy your blog, but in this coherence may be also interesting to have a look of the fine paddler build by a friend of me, Martin Schulte-Schrepping. The model is steam powered with boiler and engine of Wilesco steam roller - the cost of the whole boat were very low.

Thomas

[Steven S]

Thanks for visiting Thomas; it gets kind of lonely here.  That’s a very nicely made paddleboat your friend built.  I’ve added the picture to a folder I call “Next Project” on my computer.  I’m trying to keep it down to a manageable size; it contains paddleboats, airplanes and gliders.

I’ve been steadily working on my boat and have most of the main assemblies nearly finished.  I’m going to make a bench for in front of the captain for a couple of passengers to sit on as I’ve added passengers to my company sign that will be mounted onto the Port wall.

My next big job is the rudder, like the Murray River boats have.  It will pivot at the extreme back of the boat and be chain operated.

[Spankbucket]

She's coming along a treat Steven. Lovely work by you.

[Hankwilliams]

Yes, very fine - I `m very expectant to see her on water. The picture - presumable the prototype of Martins model.

[Paddlemex]

That's a nice wheel you built, Steven. Looks great.
And the ship too, of course.

Jurgen