daveward

Great advice, Jud! I'll definitely take the time to get used to my new tools before I start using them on the ship. Thanks! Kurt, I was on the fence about the magnifying light... I do think that there will be situations where it just gets in the way. I was originally thinking of doing just what you suggested and getting a magnifying visor. I still need some sort of light source, though. I'll be working on this ship mainly in the evenings, and the table at which I'll be working is in a corner of the room. If I can find a bright, inexpensive desk lamp that will be tall enough to not interfere with the model, I'll go with that. Anyway, I just moved to Wisconsin not long ago, so I was unaware of the model boat show/contest. I'll have to check out the website! Thanks! Jaager, I'll add some of those items to my list. Thanks! May I ask why you recommend the yellow PVA glue over the white?

Hello, everyone! I am currently preparing to build my first wooden ship model (the Amati/Victory Models Lady Nelson). I have been reading up on the various techniques needed to construct the hull, and while I wait for the kit to arrive, I thought I'd go about gathering some basic tools to help me with the build. I thought it might be a good idea to list the various tools that I have purchased (or will purchase) so that all the knowledgeable and experienced members of this forum can let me know if I'm forgetting something important. Since this is my first build (and I'm on a budget), I am keeping it simple and sticking to basic hand tools -- you won't find any lathes or Dremels in this list! I'm not going to be using any special plank-bending tools, as the "old school" method of soaking the planks, bending them over the bulkheads, clamping them, and allowing them to dry before attachment really appeals to me (and seems like a great way to get a really nice fit). I should also mention that, for now, I'm focusing on the tools I will need to construct the hull (I don't want to get ahead of myself). When it comes time to do the rigging, I will obtain a few extra tools, such as picks/hooks and perhaps a "helping hands" with a magnifier. So, here's my list: Deluxe Ship Modeler's Tool Set (I found a great deal on this set, and since I don't have any of the tools included with it, I thought it would be a good place to start; the set includes 3 hobby knives with 15 assorted blades, aluminum miter box with razor saw blade, pointed nose tweezers, flush cutter with spring-loaded handles , aluminum awl, 4 assorted gouges, 2 small needle files, pin vise with 3 micro drill bits, and a wooden sanding block with wedge) Mantua Strip Clamp (doubles as a keel clamp for hull work and a plank vise with a metal edge to assist in planing planks when tapering) Additional needle files (to supplement the contents of the kit) Miniature wood plane (1" wide) Analog calipers (I chose these over digital calipers for the savings, and the lack of batteries required) Small square Ruler Metal compass and mechanical pencil Emery boards Sandpaper (assorted grits) White wood glue CA glue Wood filler Small folding clips (the black metal clips with silver metal arms; for clamping during hull planking) T-pins Q-Tips Index cards Self-healing cutting mat Swing-arm lamp (with magnifier) From what I can tell, this list seems to include the essentials that I'll need to do a good job, while not being too pricey. Let me know what you think! Thanks!

Thanks, Bart! I have looked over that particular article in preparation for my build. It certainly has a lot of useful information! However, I'm not really looking for general information on how to mark a bearding line or cut a rabbet joint. Instead, I'm trying to find out if the Amati instructions that come with this particular kit include a diagram for the specific angles of the rabbet joint. Based on what I've read so far, and given that each ship's hull has its own specific plank angles that give the hull its shape, I would assume that the rabbet angles would be slightly different for each ship. If the Amati instructions do not cover this topic, then I suppose I would have to cut a "generic" rabbet or rely on trial and error to get the correct angles... Does that make sense, or have I misunderstood something?

Thanks, mtaylor! I have looked at those build logs, but I didn't see where any of them mentioned the bearding line or rabbet joint (with the exception of the first one, where the author says that he skipped this step). Without actually having the kit in my hands, I have no way of knowing if this aspect of the build is actually covered in the kit instructions. I suppose it doesn't really matter, as I'll know once the kit finally arrives. For now, though, I'm just really curious! I might send a message to a couple of the members who have built this kit and ask if they remember.

I just ordered the Lady Nelson kit from Amati/Victory Models. This will be my first model, and I'm excited to get started on it. However, I have a question about the plans for this kit. Do they include any sort of diagram or pattern for the bearding line and the shape of the rabbet joint? I seem to recall seeing a set of plans for another Amati kit, and there was no mention of this feature... I know that I can just look over the plans when the kit arrives, but in the meantime, I'm curious! So, if you've worked on this kit before, please let me know. Thanks!