Thank you DSiemen and IgorSky for the warm welcome and ideals. I'm going wing it on this first model and make it up as I go along. But I will definitely try out your method on the next one IgorSky. I do like the thought of being historical accurate but I also do like the unpressured "mold the wood the way it wants to be molded". I have a feeling I be doing abit of both.
The bottle I'm using is a style we have stop using when bottling maple surup. Mostly do to the fact that they are small and don't sell as good as quarts jars and larger ones. If anyone is looking for a style bottle like this I believe I got these from Sugar Bush, I would have to look for the catolog to make sure. I got a couple other styles from there that I would like to try this craft on.
I'm trying this project from a different angle and going try to form the side rails and stairs by carving. The stern deck railing will be form from a different piece of wood, I dont want to bring that deck down any lower. Once i got the railing and stairs carved the way I like, I start adding the decking accessories. Attached should be a update photo of the project. Still going carve a bit on the back of the hull and add a captin quaters. I might try adding deck stairs that would go to the lower decks towards the center of the deck space and I get the stairs down as far as possible before using a drill to add depth. I was also wondering what do you guys use to make your cannons? I had thoughts of trying to shorten some nails and glue them between a homemade wooden carriage for the top deck and then use just the nails for the lower decks. Your thoughts and ideals are always welcomed.
Carving does have a slow begining when first starting. It can lend to disapointments on the first few trys. Biggest thing is to learn the four major carving cuts and to keep trying. Also pick up some basswood from a crafting or construction store, I think even warlmart sells it, it will keep you from quitting. While carving I always think about creating shadow and depth on the piece. Once I got the shape I like, I go over it, clean it up, and smooth/round it out.
I don't have any examples of my previous works here. I done most on public lands, close to atv trails, and a couple in the neighbor's woods by my relative's cabin. It brings a smile to my face each time I think of someone stumbling across one, pulling out a camera and snapping a picture of it. I first started out using just a 6 inch blade, birch on the first few. But I soon discovery, 1 maybe two years, the tree would heal up and the face will be all but gone. Realizing my cuts got to get deeper I now use the habor frieght 8 inch blade and a small hatchet. Being a cheap blade I dont have to worry about damaging it or breaking it, plus the prommel is semi flat so I can pound the hatchet againist it to get those deeper cuts for the most important spots. I will have some free time coming up, Tuesday to Thrusday, that I be spending some time in the woods "ones I do not own, but a friend." I take some pictures of the process and remember to bring my tools with when I go.