Zack Soderquist Posted October 12, 2018 Share #1 Posted October 12, 2018 Beginning a build of the Rattlesnake US Privateer by Model Shipways. This is only my third model, second wood ship. Previously I have built the USS Constitution by Revell - Scale 1/196 - Plastic 18th Century Longboat by Model Shipways - Scale 1/48 - Wood After building a plastic ship model and a wood ship model, I am totally hooked on the wood ships. My first wood ship build was purchased as a combo kit from Model Shipways which included the kit, paint and tool kit. I falsely assumed that if it came with a beginners toolkit that it was a beginner ship model. After receiving it and seeing how small it was, I researched further and found it was for advanced builders. Although a bit dismayed, I gave it a go and did complete it slowly. I learned a lot during the process. I probably learned more about what not to do. For this build, I used the MSW Model Ship Kit Database to pick my next model. http://mswshipkits.ampitcher.com/ This is a much larger ship and rated at an intermediate level. I hope the larger size will make it a little easier in some ways. After reading the instructions for the kit, it provides a lot more "beginner" details on how build a wood ship. It is much more detailed than the longboat instructions. Zapto 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Soderquist Posted October 12, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted October 12, 2018 My first step was to draw the water line, bearding lines and bulkhead markings on the center keel, then glued the two center keel pieces together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Soderquist Posted October 12, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted October 12, 2018 After attaching the the keel, stem and sternpost, I chiseled the bearding and rabbets. Then I sanded the slots on the bulkheads and center keel to fit. I also marked the waterline on each bulkhead to aide in installing the bulkheads properly. To square the bulkheads, I used a small square and clamp. The instructions say to nail a piece of scrap plank to hold the bulkheads square while the clue dries. After trying this, I found it very cumbersome. I then took some double sided tape and attached it to the scrap planks and used that instead of the nails and it worked very well and was much easier. I beveled the two fore bulkheads prior to installing. The rest, I will bevel after they are installed by using a sanding block. Not yet sure how I will bevel the inside of the bulkhead for the ceiling planks. After all bulkheads are installed, I will add a strip of wood on each side to strengthen the bulkheads for beveling as well as making sure each bulkhead is perfectly aligned before planking. In hindsight I wish I would have installed the bulkheads starting from the back to the front as there is not a lot of room to use the square on the aft of the boat. zappto, russ, JpR62 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Soderquist Posted November 30, 2021 Author Share #4 Posted November 30, 2021 I have abandoned this project. To be honest, I got in way over my head. I may circle back to this one in the future but I will likely purchase a 2nd kit and start from scratch. I can use the 1st kit for spare parts I suppose. Since this project, Model Expo has release a shipwright series that I have purchased and will build to learn the fundamentals. yvesvidal and Gregory 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yvesvidal Posted November 30, 2021 Share #5 Posted November 30, 2021 Don't feel bad Zack. We all go through these challenges and defeats. It is part of the learning process and the mastering that comes well later.... 🙂 Yves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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