The Old Man

I stored some Basswood for about 6 months. Our summer humidity 70-90% ruined it. I am looking at aircraft quality Birch Plywood for my next project. My current build I used standard 3 ply lumber yard. I noticed that when I sanded, I reached the discoloration of the plywood glue. A pink color. Which then required paint.

I never thought about MDF. I use hand tools only. Is MDF easy to cut with a Frett Saw or similar hand saw?

For Keels and Bulkheads, which wood is recommended?

My problem is that I live on a isolated Alaska Island. I am currently using a piece of standard 3/16th 3 ply plywood scrap from the lumber yard. What any person would call a junk piece of plywood. It's all I have. I was wondering what I might order for the next time. I saw Birch on a online hobby store. I am just not sure what to use. Plus, any piece of any wood measuring 12 x 24 inches will cost me $19 to have shipped UPS !!! USPS ships cheaper, but so far all the stores will ship UPS only. The price I pay for living in paradise.

Where and how do you get a chance to look into any other model Kit and compare?

What's the consensus on Birch Plywood? I am looking at picking up some Birch Plywood. 3/16 4 ply. The same Birch Plywood used by cabinet makers. I would be using it for any future builds. For Keel and Bulkheads, and misc pieces. Any thoughts?

I didn't know that. First time I have seen it that way. I can still see why people would want to replace the wood in many of the kits though. I'm not going to get into any hurry to buy one. Not for that price. I'll stay with my wood twiddling.

I don't believe it would hurt their bottom line any to include a slightly better quality of wood, and an extra ball of string. Actually, they may end up selling more model kits. Maybe there quality control needs to be improved. Those wood strips for planking and other items were in very poor shape. Could be they had been in that box for a long time. I don't know. Having burnt marks all over the laser cuts didn't look very nice. The burned dust would come of on your fingers. The above were just a novices observations.

I just had a chance to look at my very first Scale Model Ship Kit. It was a Nelson's Navy, The Snake. Caldercraft I believe. Having no experience in such ships or kits, makes me no expert. Just a interested observer. The Instruction Booklet looks a little vague. Not too detailed. They didn't spend money there.The Plans looked great. I learned a lot by looking at them. They were the best part of the Kit. The planks were Basswood or Lime Wood? They were dry, and cracked. I thought they were of poor quality. I would replace them. The parts laser cut from the hardwood, Mahogany I would guess, showed Laser burnt marks. Is that normal? The Dowels looked like standard hardware store dowels you can buy for $1.95 each. I did not open or look much at the "Bag of Goodies". I didn't see any plastic. I'm not sure enough string was included to complete the model. Looked pretty skimpy. Come on, they can't include a little more string!` For the price the guy payed for it, around $350, I don't see where the value was? I liked the extensive and large size of the plans, but most of the wood I would replace if I could. I don't understand why, for that price, the wood strips were not of better quality. The Basswood planks, and strips I cut from variety store sheets look much better than those. There must be a huge mark up on those Kits. I have been thinking about buying one, but I was discouraged after seeing one for the first time. Which manufactures will sell you only the Plans?

I thought about opening a build log on my current project. Decided not to because: This is my first build. No prior experience. I wanted to make sure that I could complete the model. Not start a log and have it end unfinished. Nor did I want to start a log and have the model end up in the wood stove. I have taken many pictures during the process. Years ago I was once a wildlife cinematography. I still see some of my footage on TV sometimes. So I have kept good photo's and records of construction. I am 60% finished with the model. A Historical Society is already interested in it. Not that it is good. It's not, compared with what I see on this site. The ship I am building is very historical. As far as our research, no scale model of the ship exists anywhere in the world. We'll see how it all pans out. Then maybe a log later. I put information about the ship in your historical section. If it wasn't for for the Neva's presents in the North Pacific, Hudson Bay Company and the British would have controlled the area, and Alaska would be part of Canada today.

We have four separate boat harbors filled with all kinds ships, of all types and sizes in our community. 200-300 boats at any one time. More in the summer. You can't believe all the derelicts and rust buckets. Coast Guard Buoy Tender showing rust and lot's of grime. NOAA Ship always has some rust. The military ship that come in, the same. The only super clean ships I usually see are the 50-200 foot super Yachts. That's because they are paying some poor kid to run around all day with a rag to shine it up. Work boats? Ferries? Tugs?, Container ships. Most are rust buckets. North Pacific is not a friendly place. I no longer write very well, and have MS, so sometimes people misconstrue or get confused as to what I am trying to get across. So, if I miss the mark or offend, I don't mean too. They tell me my IQ has dropped from a Masters level to around 10th grade during the past 10 years. I like the Character of the old wooden boats or ships. Cracked wood, dripping rust and peeled paint. The smell of diesel oil in the bilge, smells like money.

Weathering? I call it character.............

All fly tying tools are helpful. Vise Threads Bobbins for Thread Whip Finishers and don't forget Sally Hansen Harder than Nails clear nail polish. It soaks into threads and lines, and unlike CA glues, it will not glue your fingers together!

I use one of these. Bought for a few dollars. Will cut 1/32 and 1/16. Excellent guide for measuring width. It's very fast. I can cut 30 pieces in about 5 minutes. However, it will only cut material to 16 inches in length. But it works for me. For rigging I have been using Sally Hansen Harder Than Nails clear nail polish. It dries very fast. Soaks deep into the thread and line, and best of all, it will not stick or glue your fingers like CA glue.

Thank you. I am aware of the source and will use it next time. A Basswood 1/16 x 4 x 24 costs $4.69 at my local store!