Had some time this week to get the rest of the lower shrouds installed.
Figured I would share some pictures....not because my results are out-of-this-world or anything, but mostly because I don't know what method others use for spacing their deadeyes when they install shrouds....maybe the jig I use is typical for everyone?
Anyway, I take a little strip of styrene, drill two holes in in at the correct spacing (usually 3x the deadeye diameter) and put some thin wire through each hole (I use staples for this size of lanyard hole)...bend them, and CA glue them to the styrene...
20180930_095200 by Dave Kump, on Flickr
Then I insert a jig wire into the center hole of the upper deadeye...
20180930_095242 by Dave Kump, on Flickr
The other wire of the jig goes into the center hole of the lower deadeye, and then I run the shroud around the upper deadeye to hold it at the correct spacing
20180930_095323 by Dave Kump, on Flickr
20180930_095350 by Dave Kump, on Flickr
Alligator clip to keep the shroud tension on (just enough tension so it doesn't sag at this point, the deadeyes are easier to install with low tension, and the lanyards will get everything tight later)
20180930_095350 by Dave Kump, on Flickr
Then I put another clip just above the deadeye, so I can tie it with black thread and minimize the gap...
20180930_095409 by Dave Kump, on Flickr
Sometimes there is still a slight gap above the deadeye, but once I have the knot tied, I remove the clip and add a second knot for strength, and also to cinch the shroud tighter to the deadeye
20180930_095445 by Dave Kump, on Flickr
Add a couple seizings for the shroud, and voila.
20180930_095649 by Dave Kump, on Flickr
Then I pull the jig off and go on to the next shroud/deadeye.
20180930_095726 by Dave Kump, on Flickr
I used to tie each pair of shrouds and finish the lanyards as I went, but I found that as I worked aft, no matter how careful I was to keep the tension even, the foremost shrouds would end up slacking off slightly. Now I run all the lanyards without tying them, and then I work from aft to fore as I add tension and hold them temporarily with alligator clips until I have the correct tension along the set (and it helps me keep the mast lined up).
20180930_103614 by Dave Kump, on Flickr
It's also worth noting that I put the stays on after the shrouds, so I always tie on temporary stays to keep the masts from being pulled back while I tension the shrouds.
Anyhow...the topmast and tgall shrouds will be quick and easy (only a few on each side), so I should have those done soon, then I can get all the Main and Mizzen stays on....there are a LOT of backstays on this model, each with deadeyes at the deck, so I'll be working on that for a while yet...but I'm a good deal into the standing rigging now...figure I'll be ready to start thinking about sails before too long....might go with a silkspan material, but I really like what Rob W does with paper...might need to bug him for some pointers.
Thanks again for reading!
Dave