Mr. Chuck Passaro, of Syren Ship Model Company, has announced a new gadget that should be of interest to anybody who's seriously into ship model rigging. It's a hand-cranked, gear-driven serving machine. Here's the link:
http://www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com/serving-machine.php
Looks like a great idea, well executed. And, being made out of solid cherry, not bad to look at either.
This thing would be great for seizing things like shroud and stay collars - and in some cases entire pieces of rigging. With a little tinkering it could also be used for seizing.
The price is reasonable, and the accompanying video shows that, with a little practice, the actual process of serving line should be pretty easy - and not really too time consuming.
I e-mailed Chuck about it; he says it should be ready to ship in a couple of weeks. I'll be one of the first purchasers.
Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.