Eye Splices and Thimbles for Scale Ship Models

[@georgebain986]

found you channel and now I'm hooked. I recently purchased a terror kit by OcCre and your videos have really inspired me. Thank you thank you thank you for making these tutorials interesting and informative and sometimes funny. 👍

[@shipmodelguy]

Yeah well, you can't this stuff too seriously. Life's too short to be grim.

[@georgebain986]

@@shipmodelguy the boats name is the (terror) and I'm loving the experience. Lol ,thanks again for your videos.

[@raafatnia]

You teach with patience and amazing precise and filmed it in a very good way. Here i want to thank you for all your videos. I wish i could be your workshop student

[@shipmodelguy]

Thanks, Omid. Your comments are much appreciated.

[@shipmodelguy]

Something I should have mentioned in the video and somehow forgot: When making either style of splice, it is important to stiffen the "weaving" end of the line with some CA glue. If you look at the marlin splice segment at about 8:05, you will notice the end of the line is dark and rigid. It would be an exercise in frustration if you didn't do this prior tp splicing. Good luck and let me know how you make out. More videos coming!

[@ronaldfranck6960]

Excellent videos, Tom. I'm so glad I found your channel. They are so informative and well done. I'll be referring to your videos often. I built an AL "Swift" Pilot Boat a few years back, my first model. It turned out quite nicely considering it was my first attempt at building. My next build will be Model Shipways "Bluenose". With the knowledge gleaned from watching your videos I hope to do a crackerjack job of finishing the Bluenose to a higher level than I previously thought I might be capable of. Will you be doing any future videos on planking and building deck furniture? Thank you for graciously sharing your experience. Personal mentors seem far and few between and your efforts on KZbin help fill that void. Good luck in the future.

[@shipmodelguy]

Thanks for the encouraging words, Ronald. I don't have any plans to do a planking video as I don't have a project that requies it. Also, I have to admit, I have a lot to learn about the subject, myself. All that I do know, I learned from Harold Underhill's books, "Plank on Frame Models, Vols 1 & 2". If you can find them (try Amazon and eBay), they have a wealth of info and great illustrations. It takes you through the whole process. As far as deck furniture goes, that would be something for the near future. Thanks for watching and I hope you hit the subscribe and notifications buttons, so you'll know when I've uploaded new videos. Tom

[@nagrod47]

Thankyou for doing this! I have built many models before but am on my first tall ship and the rigging.....well, I'm looking forward to more videos! In the meantime, Happy Holidays!

[@caddy200]

That is very fine work & well done, Tom.

[@shipmodelguy]

Thanks. Glad you are getting something out of the videos. There will be more to come shortly.

[@caddy200]

@@shipmodelguy I was a seaman for 25 years & it is easy to do eye splices but on the miniature scale that you use it is a credit to your skill.

[@JackBaggette]

Neat job, and will much improve my splice work.

[@philgamwell9544]

I really like the quality and realism of your work☺

[@eminismayilova3606]

👍

[@shipmodelguy]

Thanks. Glad you liked it. T.

[@claeswikberg8958]

Thank you, i've never had good results with splicing, but i'll definitely give the marlin splice a try!

[@shipmodelguy]

Great. Let me know how you make out.

[@RobertHerzog-u5u]

I have boat plans by underhill but the plans show sails but not where the running rigging ties off. Could you suggest a reference for rigging small boats?

[@shipmodelguy]

Wow. That's a tough one. I really can't think of any books specifically for rigging small craft. As I'm sure you've found out, it depends so much on the period of the boat and its intended use. Some of the model kit companies may have small boat kits similar to the one you want to build. You might try contacting them and maybe buying one of their building guides. Other than that, I'm afraid I'm not much help.

[@JustShortOf]

Hi Tom...I have questions on rigging line. I have seen some beautiful ships built on KZbin and then the modelers wind up using line that is very "fuzzy" and just ruins the look of the model. Is there specific products out there that should be used and if so, where do you buy these lines? Thanks! Great job by the way.

[@shipmodelguy]

Linen and silk are the two most sought after lines, mostly because they have a minimum of that fuzz you mentioned. They are both pretty hard to come by these days and, if you do find them, they are usually pricey and not always suitable to your project's specific needs. Syren Models in Connecticut has some good looking linen line. Go to their website and give them a try. You can get a nice result from cotton if you take care not to man-handle the line too much. If you do raise some fuzz, it can be singed off with a micro torch. In one of my videos (Blocks not from Scratch, Part 2 at about 23:17), I demonstrate the technique. You won't see the micro torch in the frame, but you will see the effect it has on the fuzz. However, it is not for the faint of heart or the shaky of hand. A moment's inattention can send your rigging up in flames. Having said that, if you do master the technique, fuzzy lines will become less of issue. Good luck. T

[@thomasnash3064]

Well done, Tom! I just saw this video, thanks to the Broadside link. Is the line you are using made by you, or is it from a supplier? I look forward to watching more of these videos.

[@shipmodelguy]

No, Tom. I didn't make it. It's old linen fishing line. Thanks for watching.

[@raldikomara9913]

Hello, what type of thread do you use and what size?

[@shipmodelguy]

My "go-to" rigging line is linen, if I have it in the sizes I need. But, I freely use Chinese Suture Silk, or cotton when I don't have the linen. I have been very lucky to acquire a good supply of linen ( originally manufactured mostly as fishing line) in sizes down to about 8 or 10 thousandths. and I have some linen threads down to about 4 thousandths. I've been collecting the stuff for the last four and a half decades and, as I said, I've had some very good luck in mt quest. As far as sizes go, that's dictated by the scale of the project. So I can't be specifically helpful there. When in doubt, go smaller. It is important to make sure you accurately scale out the cordage you need for a project. I've lost count of how many models I've seen that have their appearance ruined by over-sized rigging. So, at the risk of repeating myself, when in doubt, go smaller.

[@Tagliamare]

Thank you for the video, that's very interesting. How do you create your ropes? Do you use a rope walking machine? Io so, will you make a video about how to make a rope walking machine?

[@shipmodelguy]

I didn't make the line. I use mostly linen, cotton and silk. The linen used to be made in a wide variety of sizes for fishing. Before the advent of synthetic line, it was the standard and there were many companies producing it. Now it's as rare as unicorns. You can occasionally find it on eBay, but you'll pay for it. The silk, like the linen, used to be widely available. The stuff I use (inherited from a model builder who has gone to that big shop in sky) is Chinese twist suture silk. And finally, the cotton, also like the linen was made for sport and commercial fishing market. I don't know if you can find anything like it in the tackle shops. As far as making a rope walk goes, I've never made one, but I have a friend who has made quite an effective one. Perhaps he can be persuaded. to give a demo for the cameras. I'll look into it . In the meantime go over to Syren Ship Model ( www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com/ )and look at their offering of linen line. I've tried the stuff myself and it's pretty good. Give them a try.

[@Tagliamare]

@@shipmodelguy Thanks Mr. Lauria, you were super clear. Lately, I bought a line from a Russian shop but it looks a bit "bright" in a way. Ill see what I can find! Thanks again =)

[@bobpluchino5104]

hey tom can you tell me what kind of lathe do I get with what kind of cutting tools do I need to get to make all kinds of parts for model rigging thanks bob

[@shipmodelguy]

There would be so many questions I would need to know the answers to before I could possibly recommend a particular tool to someone. I will say this: examine what you need to fabricate, how often you will use the tool and what kind of parts will you be making with it. Will this be primarily a metal working lathe or woodworking? How much space do you ave? What's your budget? What's your experience with machining? These are just a few things for you to consider before dropping over a grand on a piece of equipment. I would also recommend checking out the Blondiehacks KZbin channel. She's great for explaining how things get done from the hobbyists' point of view. She's very good, thorough, smart and you'll always learn something from her videos. If you're convinced a lathe is something you want to invest in, a good place to start is Little Machine Shop. They have the machines and the tooling to get you started and more. Just be warned: once you start spending money on machining. it can be addictive. Just sayin...

[@roberthanus207]

Thanks Tom

[@roberthanus207]

Hi Tom, got a question ?? U have any ideas on model boat rails for a tug boat. On mine made upper level in brass So what kind of a rigging to use between ladder ( chain ) or rope. Style. Boat is Carol Moran, taking personal Message

[@shipmodelguy]

I knkow virtually nothing about tugboats, but a quick perusal of google of your subject reveals that tug generally had rigid railings and banisters. It SEEMS like a safe bet if you were to continue on with the brass wire for all of it. Hope this helps. T

[@roberthanus207]

Thanks going to try your advice.

[@sandrasacco2241]

My husband was just given a Model of a clipper ship that his Grandfather made many many years ago. He made it by hand with no power tools .My father in law initially has them in his home but then later put them on display in his busy Italian Restaurant. Smoking was allowed back then so you can imagine how dirty and dusty and full of nicotine they are. I "tried" to start to clean the ship but I immediately discovered just how fragile its parts are and stopped before I damaged it. At this point I'd much rather have a professional cleaning and some restoration..any suggestions? I mean I'd love to have you do it but I'm in Ct..where are you?

[@shipmodelguy]

I believe I may be able to help you. If you would contact me through the "contact" page of my web site, we can discuss your project. tjlauria.com/contact/ Thanks, Tom

[@shipmodelguy]

Hello Sandra, In my reply to you, I gave the link to my website where you and I could discuss your project. I just discovered the site was hacked. So, if you tried to contact me through the site, I would not have received the message. However, it has been repaired and if you care to try again, here is the link, once more: tjlauria.com/contact/ Hope you will try again. Tom

[@mesudkeskic7531]

love your work

[@shipmodelguy]

Thank you!

[@johnbrock1602]

Thank you

[@davedunlap8807]

Man these are great...

[@Wasko1312]

thank you!