Mike Dowling

Hi Mike!
 
I know what you mean about how bad it feels when you break something, or find out you did it wrong.  However I also know how wonderful you feel when you fix it or make it even better!  You can do it!
 
I hope you have more of those wonderful feelings at success than the bad ones of things not working out.
 
Have fun!

MD, abbreviating your name makes you a doctor!
 
Anyway, I suggest you plank according to the instructions. I mistyped and corrected my post, "first bulkhead" was what I was meaning. From what I can tell from your photos it's the solid bulkhead at the bow.
 
The goal being flush first planking and bow filler block making a very smooth surface the veneer planks can adhere to. Wood filler can help I hear.
 
I will say you have done a fine job on the innards and the building of an open side model is appealing to me. I am sure if you take the planking one step at a time I'm sure you can do it.
 
Cannon Fodder

Hi, just plugged in to your build. This was the first boat I made. Enjoyed it a lot though my planking was complete rubbish as I had no idea what I was doing!! Still don't come to that. However I did bottle out when it came to the sails and just rigged it. Still made a fairly handsome model and I was very pleased for a first attempt. I am trying to build the Bounty now and I can't remember how tricky the Scotland was. They do say you forget pain eventually!!!! Anyway, good luck and I will keep watching.
All the best,
Mike.

Hi guys and gals! I'm back having completed my second deck!! A bit if a challenge owing to the 'bendy' character of wood but eventually all the bits fitted as required.
The dreaded planking gets ever closer and I am still trying to get my head round the procedure.
 
So far I understand 'fairing' the hull and don't have a problem with it. 'Lining off' is a different matter! Some people seem to advocate the use of temporary battens whilst others favour using string or similar. What I can't understand is that if you use battens without subjecting them to any lateral stress, they seem to me to sit differently from using string. The latter seems to be placing the string by eye for a pleasing curve rather than where the wood 'wants' to go. Help please!
 
Also, I assume when working out the number of planks that are needed I should measure the widest bulkhead which would be midships and divide that by the maximum width of the planking wood provided. Is that right?
 
I don't understand the purpose of a fan template. I can see that it would provide a regular taper but boats are not like that. It seems you would have to have one for the stem and one for the stern but the template starts at one point and expands theoretically to infinity so where do you start from. You see I am really struggling with the concept here!! More help please.
 
This becomes even more complicated with this particular kit and the 'nose' section of the boat is not fitted until after the first planking. It is eventually covered by the second planking.
 
The instructions advocate using as many straight pieces as possible and filling in the gaps afterwards with long wedge shaped pieces. Whilst I am sure this would do the job I am also sure that the good ship builders out there would throw up their hands in horror. What shall I do??
 
 
 

Post a picture of your bow and stern as these are the business ends of planking. Not sure if your instructions mentions using filler blocks for either end but now would be the time to consider it as I hear it helps on planking the bounty from what I've seen others build logs.

It might help to take it one step at a time as well. Start with the batens. If you refer to a document available on the download section of this website, "Simple Hull Planking Techniques for beginners" on page 11 it addresses this. I used this document a lot when for sorting out this technique.
 
With theses batens you are breaking up the hull into workable chunks. The batens to be removed as you progress with planking.
 
Post a pic of your batens.
 
Then we can work out the next steps. When you think of planking the whole ship it might get overwhelming but it really is just a series of small steps.

I think I prefer my version!!

I always save bits and leftovers. I have found them to be useful so many times!! I know kit manufacturers are not 'over-generous'. In fact I have already had to use some on the present build!!! I should be able to give you some more pics soon. Still dreading the planking!! Oh I am going to need so much help! 

glad to see you got your log up and going , good choise of scale for first build .My first was 1:100 and second 1:64 .the difference is incredible the 1:64 so much easier and more room for detail .Cant imagine what could be done with 1:45  dont worry about running out of wood a few more strips wont cost much  . take your time ,keep having fun ,and yes time flies when your enjoying yourself .

Hello, welcome from a fellow new ship builder. I chose the Bounty Jolly Boat as my first build and the Bounty is on my wish list and will follow your build with much interest.

Well here is the beginning of my first build log with Model Shop World. I have opened the box, read the instructions at least three times and numbered all the precut pieces. As you can see I have started the hull. I think this will be a challenging kit and somewhat unusual as part of the starboard side of the hull will be left open to show the decks, accommodation etc. That is why the hull at the moment looks like fish bones as all the decks have to be assembled at the beginning of the process. This will give sufficient strength (I hope!) to be able to do the fairing of the hull prior to any planking. 
This has meant that I had to be extra careful to get all the sections completely vertical at this stage. I have to say that so far the pieces have been very well cut making the assembly process thus far reasonably easy. The only slight worry is the transom where the pieces could have fitted better but I hope to sort that out when I come to do the fairing.

Mike, welcome to the forum (I sound like an oldtimer which I am not). Your kit looks similar to my Bounty in that it has mostly open framing. Your's has a few solid bulkheads in the bow and stern which mine does not. So with these (flexible) open frames you will probably encounter similar challenges. However careful I thought I was being, still various alignment problems came up. I was naïve in thinking that if the rebates (notches) connecting the frames to the false keel were tight that the alignment of the frame fore and aft had to be square. Not. I have several that for some reason did not square up, even though at the keel they are perfect. This could be cause of warpage (my kit sat in a garage for 6 years before it was given to me). I've also found that the knees for the decks are not perfectly level (hold platform and lower deck) and I've had to add shims to some. Anyway, my big takeaway from it so far is that you can't trust the kits to be perfect and its a good idea to read the plans as well as the instructions. I look forward to following your progress, and hope you take a look at mine. I've not posted much to my build log lately, but I plan to catch up this weekend.

Looking forward to seeing this progress. It's somewhat larger scale than the Caldercraft I am building

Welcome Mike...
 
I am also a newbie in wooden model ships... and I say: It is a perfect hobby... I will follow your log with full interest -at least as the Bounty is on my wishlist too. And the scale 1:45 is almost perfect.
 
Best wishes and good luck
 
Cheerio
 
Max
 

Hello Mike,
 
I see you already started your buildlog.
Good luck with your build and have fun.
 
Anja

Hi Mike!
 
Congratulations on starting your first Build Log!  As a new builder myself I will follow along eagerly and I am sure I will learn a few things along the way too.