These types of clips can be easily found and can help out tremendously if using a longer drying glue.
Assemble the spine and ribs of the longship.
Use a dental tool or pick to remove any remaining wood "flash" from the head and tail details.
Glue the detail pieces of the head and the tail on before attaching the strakes to the ship as the strakes need to fit into the notch between the main and detailed pieces.
You may find it helpful to wet the strakes.
Then twist the strakes, gently. The water will help the wood bend farther before breaking.
The strakes do not have to be twisted very far but you do need to hold them twisted for a time.
They will then dry and hold their newly bent shape.
It works well to allow them to dry before attempting to glue them to the other parts of the ship.
! It is not necessary to wet the strakes, only if you want to do so. Do not try to bend the stakes dry as they are much more likely to break. Some additional strakes are provided in the kit but I still recommend caution while working with them.
Begin attaching the strakes to the ribs and into the notch between the detail parts and the main parts of the head and tail.
Press the front of the strake firmly into the notch of the tail and head. Take care to press the strakes carefully one into the other as if they are assembled poorly they will affect the positioning of the other strakes.
As is noted in the instructions the strakes are numbered, marked with 1 to 6 etch marks, one being the lowest strake and six being the highest up the sides of the ship. You will note that strakes two, three, and six being the longest.
After both sides of the fore and aft strakes have dried begin assembly of the side strakes.
Note that there are only five strakes on the side strakes with five being the uppermost.
The deck sets into place.
Also be careful while glueing the strakes in place that if you have to much glue spill over on the inside the decking may not fit easily.
I recommend coating the inside of the strakes with glue firmly to one another and the ribs to give your longship additional strength for those long sea voyages.
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It's all true! That experience is a reminder to me of the determination and effort it takes to get that spot behind the table. It's not the table itself so much as the product the individual is willing to expose to the world. It is a part of them, and I found sharing a table with Tim, as much as with my family, to be a profound inspiration.
When you read this book understand that a man had an idea, and from that idea and a lot of hard work spawned a story. From that story emerged three graphic novels, another on the way, t-shirts, hooded sweaters, drinking mugs, shot glasses, lighters, buttons, pins, posters and god knows what technology you may be reading this on right now. Many man hours went into what you are going to enjoy and one man put it all together.
The things I like most about the book. In the art is the fine detail you'll discover through-out the landscapes. Tim really has a place in mind when he sticks you above an abandoned building, or the belly of a seedy alleyway. I like the story for its effort to be a bit of everything and make it work. That's very hard to do and most novice writers try it and get it wrong. I know because I am one. It tends to get too convoluted and never ties itself up to satisfaction. This story stays unknotted and on track, but still gives you the ending wanting for more.
This isn't an homage page, I'm not getting paid to say nice this about Tim. In fact contact me and I'll tell you what I don't like about his book (it'll drive him crazy) - I know it would drive me crazy. That's my elbow nudge for this foreword.
Crack the spine on this story about the angel of death's first love, and let the scythe sing through the air. Let it split you for a time from reality and into a fantastic tale where fallen angels will literally amass like an army against our protagonists.
I'm honored to have the chance to write this foreword for Tim and for everyone who will enjoy his works.
A glass of the thickest, highest grog up in the air to you friend,
J.J. Kocholek