palmerit

Need to write the part numbers on the sheets, following the layout map on a page at the start of the instructions.

I thought I had seen that some of those "battle station" kits might be available some time some place - I can't remember if it was on the NRG web site or Syren. But the kit says "limited edition" of 25 so maybe not.

Kind of frustrating that for a “new” 2024 reissue they didn’t get the laser cuts right on the keel.

In its new home in my office.

The instructions call for drawing on the deck planks with a pencil. I’m going to try adding actual planks. A first. And first deviation from instructions. We’ll see how it goes.

Inside the kit.

For my next model, I'm doing the San Francisco Bay Scow Schooner by Midwest (sold by Model Shipways / Model Expo). This is another example of a Midwest model that Model Shipways / Model Expo has reissued. It looks like this came out just last October 2024. I picked it up for a fairly cheap price, more than 1/2 off, during a Model Expo sale a couple months ago. It looks like it has been redesigned a bit. Someone online said that it does not look quite the same as the model they build in the 1990s. I found online a link to an article describing these scow scooners: https://www.wisconsinshipwrecks.org/Files/scow-schooner-regional-context.pdf I'm continuing my approach of having multiple models going on at once. It lets me just let paint or glue dry on one model and work on another model. It also lets me work on something that I'm keen to work on rather than feeling like I need to plough ahead on a step that I need to think hard about, research, or that I need a break from. I liked how this model looked and it seems like a straightforward build. I might try on this model to do a few things that deviate from the instructions, which would be a first for me. I think this might be the first build log for this reissued model. I couldn't find any other in a search. It'll also be a first for me to go solo.

Well, the Midwest Dory is finished. It was a nice easy build with just a few hiccups. Pretty different in a number of ways from the Model Shipways Dory, and not just in scale.

What kind of knot do you have attaching to the anchors?

Have just a bit of rigging to do and need to add the beckets (ropes).

Argh. A mismatch between instructions and parts. The instructions describe and illustrate the ring bolts as double width cotter pins and have you drill a hole to accommodate that width. The actual parts are single width, so my holes are too wide. I could have tried bending over the end but instead I used some filler and superglue.

I haven't replaced a blade yet, but I probably need to - the last time I used it (a few days ago) it seemed like the blade was getting a bit dull. These blades don't seem to wear down as much as something like the scalpel blades I use, which I replace pretty often. Maybe because I don't use it as much but probably also because they're always cutting straight down, as opposed to my scalpel blades that get used in all sorts of angles that will wear the blade down and sometimes get glue or other matter on them or get rubbed against something metal and dull. I ordered a few packages of replacement blades when I ordered the chopper. They're 10 blades for 5 dollars. I'm not at home, but I think they came with instructions on the specific kind of upholstery cutter blade you need to buy. You could email them and ask what specific kind of blade it uses: info@ultimation.ca I just found it easier to buy from them when I ordered the chopper originally. I probably got two packages of 10 blades. I suppose someday I'll need to research where to buy replacements. But I'll probably just order from them. The shipping is probably going to cost more than the blades I imagine. I think they use these particular blades because they're (apparently) way sharper than a regular razor blade. When I ordered it I also got some of the replacement rubber disks that fit inside. Those do seem to be proprietary. They're pretty cheap though. The cutter is pretty small. And since it's light and easily moveable, I just keep it (and my sander) under my work table. With their sander, they tell you what kind of sanding disc sandpaper to order. To be honest, I wish they just sold replacement sandpaper themselves. It'd be easier just to order through them since it takes a bit to find the specific kind they recommend. It's available online, but it's not just something you can buy at a local store.

I'm in the midst of both the Vanguard Sherbourne and the Vanguard Ranger (one of the six fishing boats). Both of these would use some similar kinds of construction approaches to the Occre kits you mentioned (though the Vanguard hull skeleton is way more robust). You'll also see recommendations here of the Model Shipways Shipwright series (Dory, Pram, Smack), which I built and are fun beginner models in a progressive series (if sometimes frustrating) but they're also a very different kind of model (especially for the hull) - some of the Midwest kits are similar to these in construction. If you want a model before doing one of the other ones you mentioned, I think the Vanguard models would be a better option. You can see the full sets of instructions for Vanguard models (and Model Shipways and some Midwest models) on their web sites. Occre I believe has most of theirs too, which are often just photos and often Youtube videos with no commentary, which is a different approach. I'm pretty new to this hobby, having just started last summer. I remember being lost in a sea of options, not knowing how to pick one. If I hadn't researched suggestions people made here, I probably would have picked a model in the middle of the difficulty hierarchy assuming I could handle it, got frustrated quickly, and likely abandon the hobby. It's easy to make a false analogy to the ratings on plastic models or a Lego models. I'm sure most adults could build a middle-level plastic model kit or any of Lego's 18+ models. Beginner plastic models are for 8 years olds, beginner Lego models are for 5 year olds. Wooden ship models are different beast. Novice wooden ship models are challenging to most adults. Maybe since you come from a woodworking tradition, you'll find them easier than many of us. I’ve never seen someone post that they regretted starting with a novice model because they found it was too easy - to the contrary, most end up finding lots of challenges, and a lot of the abandoned build logs are from people who started a model beyond their skill level. One thing nice about a novice model is that you can complete it in weeks to months rather than years. Olga Batchvarov has a YouTube channel with group builds (and lot of other content) - she's about to start one for the Model Shipways Philadelphia (not a beginner model, but also not an advanced one): https://www.youtube.com/c/OlhaBatchvarov There are also a couple of YouTube playlists on building the Vanguard Sherbourne. Even with great instructions from Vanguard, and lots of build logs here, it's sometimes helpful to see a video of someone building the model and talking about the approach.

Vanguard Models has great kits, great materials, great instructions and plans.

Completed the oars and added the thole pins.