Before you begin building the masts, topmasts and yards, it is ad to compare the dimensions and proportions shown on your pi the tabular information on proportions in this book, as a top.h model is a lamentably common sight.
The tables of proportions for masts, topmasts and yards can only provide average values for individual countries and periods, and slight variations are possible. However, the proportions of spar diameters as listed on pages 216, 218, 224, 226, 228 and 230, did not vary at all.
   
   The positions of the masts
   The main mast should be located at the mid length of the keel, or mid length of the main deck, that is 0.04 to 0.05 of the length between perpendiculars abaft the midships frame. The foremast was situated
about 1/3 of the length between the forward end of the keel and the fore side of the stem until 1630, then moved to the halfway position around 1660, and to 2/3 of this distance around 1700; until 1630 it was ahead of the beakhead bulkhead, and after 1630 abaft it. The bonaventure mizen mast was located exactly over the sternpost, and the mizen mast midway between the main and bonaventure mizen masts .On three- masters the mizen mast stood l/3 to 1/2 of the distance between the stern and main mast ahead of the stern.

   Construction of the masts
   Originally the masts were assembled from a series of square timbers jointed to each other. Model masts are made from a square strip wood, which is first cut to the appropriate diameters. Using a small plane, this strip is then planed to an eight-sided section, then a sixteen-sided section, and finally sanded round.

   Wooldings and mast hoops
   Rope wooldings and iron hoops were fitted round the masts to hold component timbers of the masts together. Wooldings were fitted on the main mast from the Middle Ages, on the foremast from the late 15th century , on the bowsprit from the 16th century, and on the mast since the late 18th century. Rope wooldings were made from one inch tarred rope, and the width of the wooldings was the same as the mast diameter. After 1580 wood hoops were fitted above and  below the wooldings, and in the 18th century wood fishes were fitted to reinforce the masts. They were originally fixed in place with rope wooldings, but by the end of the 19th century iron hoops had taken their place
 
   Mast wedges
   To fix the mast firmly in the deck, a series of wooden wedges was driven in between the mast and the deck, which were then covered  with a fairing of canvas known as the mast coat. The model maker can fabricate the wedges from a single piece of obechi or lime, and then glue cloth on top.