Dharma66

Thanks for the warm welcomes.
 
Im finally getting round to some clearing out this weekend. A couple of weeks and I should have some space back.
 
I've been reading lots of build logs, and though the planking seems a little awkward in parts (for a beginner), I'm thinking perhaps Pickle may be my first build.
 
I'll keep reading and pondering and try to make the final decision soon...

Thanks for the links Anja...my name is Phil
 
Keith, I'm very much on the red side of the city

Hi,
I've been lurking a while, and reading lots of information on this site.
 
I'm brand new to wooden ship modelling, so new in fact, that I haven't yet started! I've done some plastic modelling over the years, mostly aircraft, but wooden ships have been percolating at the back of my mind for as long as I can remember. I've decided now is the time to try.
 
I think it will be a little while yet before I get so far as purchasing a kit. I have probably 90% of the tools required by, virtue of previous modelling, and having worked a little in wood for other purposes, such as building electric guitars (purely for fun). But what I am lacking is space. My "workshop" is currently more akin to Steptoe's yard than a useful area to work in. So, I need to do some rearranging, chucking out, and negotiating with the missus in order to reclaim my space.
 
This will, though, allow me to spend more time reading the couple of books I have, these fora, and the excellent articles at NRG.
 
And it will also give me a little more time to make what seems now to be a huge decision, but ultimately is probably not really that huge...which kit to build first? There *may* be another Lady Nelson on the way...

Good choice of models, Phil.  There's plenty of builds of this boat and I'm sure you'll have lots of eyes to help.

Well, I nearly have the workspace sorted, so I've taken the plunge.
 
After reading literally hundreds of pages of build logs, I've ordered Model Shipways 18th Century Longboat.
 
I know it's down as an intermediate level kit, but a few people have managed to pull it off as a first build, and I'm hoping that if I go slow enough, and quadruple check everything, maybe I can manage it.
 
I will be starting a log once I finally have the space in order (or on the kitchen table if it drags on too long!), as I am pretty certain I'll be hoping for a few pointers along the way!

Hello Dharma. Is it City or United?
 
Guitar building seems to be a popular route into ship modelling, you should check out Julie Mo's J Class Endeavour Build. If you try a kit I think its well worth finding a relatively simple one, preferably plank on frame. The reward of rapid progress will spur you on to attempting something more demanding later on.
 
Good luck,

Hello Dharma66 and welcome aboard,
 
Can you please tell us your name?
 
Whatever you decide for your first build, make sure it has your interest and that you really want to build it.
That way you'll be more likely to get through the trials and errors.
 
One of our members, Adam (SkerryAmp) has created 'The Model Ship World Ship Kit Database'. http://mswshipkits.ampitcher.com
You can search the database on skill level, manufacturer, scale, kit type etc. It is certainly worth having a look.
 
You also might have a look in the Ship Modeling Database of articles for information about Model Ship Kits - What to expect and Kit selection: http://modelshipworldforum.com/ship-model-plans-and-research.php
 
I wish you smooth sailing and happy modelling.
 
Regards,
Anja

Hi Phil,
 

Phil
 
Thats great, being born in Warrington my son is a lifelong supporter of United. 

Welcome aboard mate! Looking forward to watching you work.
 
Vince P. 

Hello Phil, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'.
 
John

Now that I no longer have to contend with the false keel, and I have a couple of planks glued to the transom, I've decided to change my approach as far as shaping the planks is concerned. You may recall that before gluing a completed plank in place, I used it as a template for the next plank.  This procedure, at least, got me in the ballpark. For the rest of the model, I'm going to use the "Magic Tape" method, which works pretty well, especially in a situation where you're trying to run one continuous strake from bow to stern.

I understand that some modelers duplicate the edge of the mounted plank by rubbing an impression in the tape, but I've found that a sharp pencil also works.  You don't have to press as hard, and since I'm working with basswood, that may be especially important.


The template you get from the rubbing may not be perfect, in fact mine rarely are, but they get you pretty close.

If I were spiling a plank for a larger model, I'd be using the concave part of the cutout.  However, since I'm edge-bending the planks, I'm going to use the convex portion as a guide.  The next two photos aren't pretty, but I think you get the idea.  The white pieces of paper under the clamps minimize the chance that the clamps will leave impressions in the soft basswood.  I'm using a sheet of glass as a base for this procedure because it's perfectly flat, impervious to water, and is quite thin, which allows me to use smaller clamps.


As suggested in the instructions, you can dry the plank with a hairdryer, or just leave it for a few hours, while you work on something else.

If the plank isn't quite right, I just dampen the area in question, and repeat the procedure.

Hello all,
 
Things have been a bit crazy for me lately, and I haven't had a lot of time to work on the longboat.  However, since my last post, I did finish the planking, but I certainly didn't break any records!  Here are a series of photos that show my progress.  In this next photo, I have five planks left on each side, and I'm using the Magic Tape method to spile the planks.

With only four planks to go on each side, the spiling is becoming noticeably easier.

Whith only three planks to go, I stopped spiling and formed the planks by eye.

At this point, because the curve of the planks wasn't that great, I was able to do a true edge-bend on the planks.

As you can see in this next photo, the bend is not that great.  There were only two left on each side at this point.

In this photo, the next to last plank is being mounted.  If I had to do it over again, I probably would have tapered the previous three or four planks a little bit more at the bow.

Here are a series of photos of the completed planking job.  This little hull has very pleasing lines,

It’s been quite an enjoyable journey. I started this model as a practice build, the idea being to use the build to develop my skills before moving on to a larger, more involved project. The longboat has been a challenge every step of the way. Being a practice build, I was committed to using the kit supplied materials. I learned that though I’ve used basswood for years, the low quality wood supplied with this kit set new standards for poor quality . . . The one upgrade I made was using Chuck’s scale rope, rather than the nylon rope that came with the kit.
 
While this project started as a bit of an experiment for me, I quickly grew rather fond of this little boat. I think my results are acceptable for a first build, and the finished boat actually turned out to be a credible model in its own right. Being a practice build, there were several instances where I skipped redoing things I wasn’t completely happy with in favor of just moving on to the next step. My next build will involve only high quality materials, and the will to put in my 100% and do things over until I get them to my liking.
 
I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to this build log with their comments, encouragement, and ‘likes’. They have really helped contribute to sustaining my motivation through the more difficult aspects of this build. I’d like to give a particular shout out to Brian (GuntherMT), Toni (tlavine), Mike (Stuntflyer), and of course Chuck, who were kind enough to answer my questions off-line when I messaged them at one time or another. Mike (Stuntflyer) has been a real mentor to me. His longboat was his first ship build, and in my mind it stands as a sterling example of what can be achieved on a first build when patience and persistence are applied. As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery; it’s no accident that my longboat has nearly the same look as Mike’s.
 
Lastly, I can’t thank Chuck enough. It’s your devotion to this hobby that has helped attract new members like myself. The Longboat is an exquisite kit, and just the model to whet the appetite for more. Your availability, not just to me, but to all members of this forum, is the type of attention that’ll ensure that this hobby continues to thrive.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Erik
 
 

Since I've been getting compliments on my planking, I thought I'd show you all how I go about gluing and holding the strakes onto the ship while the glue sets.  I'm using PVA, since CA sets too fast for my liking.  The first set of photos show the typical clamping positions on the top belt of strakes.  All the clamps are test fit on the formed strake before I apply glue.  You can figure out the best angle beforehand that way.  The ideal clamp location is one that holds the strake firmly against the bulkhead as well as holding it to the edge of the strake you're gluing it to without bending or warping the plank, if at all possible.  The clamping I'm doing is to hold the strakes tight while the glue sets, not to force the plank into place.  I have edge bent them with heat (no water) and face bent them around a jar without heat to get them as close to the correct shape as possible.
 

 

 
 

 
This next photo shows the clamping at the bow of the lower belt of strakes.  The clamps are positioned for even pressure across the edge of the plank.  On this one I couldn't get the clamp positioned to my liking at the very bow, so I did it the old fashioned way . . . held it tight with my fingers and sat there for 15 minutes.
 

 
Now a short tutorial.  I just glued this strake today and took photos of the process.  The strake was shaped, had the edge beveled, and was pre-bent, before it was glued on.  These next two photos show the first gluing session.  I only glued the 3 left-most bulkheads and the edge of the plank between two and a half of those.  The clamp on the right is up against the bulkhead where that side of the plank's edge is glued.  I've found that when gluing a strake in sections, it works best to split the sections to be glued midway between bulkheads.  I let this set for about 20 minutes.
 

 

 
These next two photos show the tool I use to apply glue, and how I do it.  I've been able to bend the boxwood and get in there with the curved sharp blade in order to get the glue as close to the previously glued plank center.  I think it gets to within 1/8" or so on the plank edge. 
 

 

 
This shows more of the same in the center section of the strake.  Again, notice that at the edges of the clamps on either side, the clamps are up against the interior bulkheads.  I really try to make sure that the plank edge only half glued is snugged down tight.  I also let this sit for about 20 minutes.
 

 
And finally the last part of the plank.  Testing the clamp position was essential on the very end of the plank because the shape is changing, so the clamp angle has to be adjusted.
 

 
One thing I'd like to point out.  Though this is only my second build, I don't feel like I necessarily have an aptitude that's greater than anyone else.  I have noticed over the years that being patient and going slowly yields better results, always, than when rushing through things.  Part of my ability to get the planking looking the way I want it is because of the time I've spent thinking how I'm going to do certain processes before I begin cutting wood.  My goal is to build a ship, rather than to have a finished ship . . . so if the process takes me a while, that's fine.  Lastly, some advice, don't ever look at the builds you admire on this board and think, "I can't do that."  I'm convinced that taking your time, and spending the effort to think your processes through . . .  and practice, practice, practice, will yield great results. 
 
Erik
 

Planking, planking, and more planking.  Here are some quick photos, warts and all, after a quick rough sanding.  Planking from the keel up is a different beast than the other belt of strakes.  The shapes take a bit of getting used to.  It's coming along well so far.  I've double and triple checked my tick marks.  I shouldn't have any surprises when I get to the meeting of the two belts.
Erik

I finished planking the first belt of port side strakes.  This had been partially done when I posted last weekend, so no, I didn't plank 10 rows of strakes in a week.     These photos show the first rough sanding.  There are still areas that are uneven or need a little more attention . . . which pop out to me when viewing these photos.  That, and ignore the dinged paint, and glue marks.  Definitely not a clean finished look yet!  I'm looking forward to working on the square tuck next.  I could use a little break from planking the hull sides!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Erik

Okay Erik,
This is "bugging" me  
You need to update the pictures using an editor to mark the errors, because I can't even find a single one.
This is an outstanding clean build.

I finished the square tuck, gave it a rough sanding (I've only done a preliminary sanding below the wales with 120 grit sandpaper so far), and applied another 4 thin coats of red paint to the counter.  The counter had gotten scuffed over the last couple of weeks.  Things turned out pretty well.  In the last photo, the uneven gun port frames jump out.  When I planked the transom I erred on the side of having the transom planking symmetrical, knowing the gun ports would be modeled closed.  The important thing to me was to have the gun port framing appear aligned correctly when viewed from the interior, since that will be visible.  Every time I look at a photo of the exterior of the transom though, that just annoys me, as do the dozens of other little imperfections that only the builder usually notices. 
 

 

 

 

 
Erik
 
 

I read the whole of Chucks Cheerful thread, and thought to myself that no mere mortal could ever replicate that.
 
You sir, are no mere mortal.

The sling is now completed. It is made from Chuck's .035 Dark Brown rope and served its entire length with 50wt thread. Adding the thimble and seizing it was straight forward. The rope length was measured so the bottom of the hook falls about 3/16" below the gaff. A small eye was seized to one end of the rope, while being careful to maintain the proper rope length. This was all done off the ship. After feeding the sling around the mast, the remaining end was inserted through the eye and the last intertwined eye was made when the sling was in position. Seizing the last eye proved to be quite tricky. The sling is short, so holding onto it while seizing the eye proved to be awkward. It took several tries before I managed to do it.
 

 
Mike
 

Thank you all for the kind words, comments and "Likes".
 
After a week off vacationing, I'm finally getting around to building again. I finished the lower backstay and tackle today. Next up is the sling and then the mainstay. After that I'm going to clean up some of the scratched paint work. At least that's the plan.
 

Mike

Ship presentation to Dr. Pillsbury....
Yesterday went extremely well.  Dr. Pillsbury was completely surprised.
I'll let the video speak for itself.
Enjoy
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSFWm6nc-ag

Yet another amazing Cheerful build. I'm working my way through all of the logs, and the standard is simply not declining!
 
Really inspiring, and I'm really falling in love with this wonderful design by Chuck.
 
I was very pleased, though, Erik, to see that whilst this is only your second boat, you are an otherwise experienced modeller. Had this been the second "model" you'd ever built, I'd have had to hang up my tools

Yet another amazing Cheerful build. I'm working my way through all of the logs, and the standard is simply not declining!
 
Really inspiring, and I'm really falling in love with this wonderful design by Chuck.
 
I was very pleased, though, Erik, to see that whilst this is only your second boat, you are an otherwise experienced modeller. Had this been the second "model" you'd ever built, I'd have had to hang up my tools