grsjax

My thoughts exactly. These look like excellent models but a larger size would be a great help to us with fat fingers. The deck boat in a larger scale like 1:64 or 1:48 would be just the right size. Will these kits have English instructions? The pictures are great but some explanation in English to go along with them would really improve understanding of the process.

Any of the the Midwest Products Level 2 or 3 apprentice kits would be a good choice. Midwest no longer makes them but they turn up on eBay regularly. The best are the Flattie, Sharpie Schooner and Skipjack IMHO. If you want to venture into POF their open boat kits (Peapod, Seabright dory and Boston Whitehall) are a good place to start. There are several other kits of varying difficulty to check out.

Who is selling this kit in the US? I found a place that sells it in the UK for 86Euro (minus VAT) plus shipping but I think shipping would probably be costly.

I don't have any experience with the Billings Marie Jeanne but I do have the AL one. My impression is that the kit is pretty decent. The laser cutting is very clean and sharp. Fittings look good and the strip wood is African Walnut, Ramin and sapele. Keel and frames are ply. Instructions could be better but arn't the worst I have seen. The illustrations are very helpful.

Two things. First, what type of copper are you turning? There are many grades and alloys of copper and they have different properties. Second, if you use lard or bacon fat be sure to clean it up really well. When it starts to go rancid it can really stink up a place.

I just bought a Panart Lancia Baleniera kit off of ebay. Was wondering if anyone had build this kit or knew of a build log for one. It is interesting because it is an example of a whaleboat with a straight stern post and was used for shore whaling. Any info on what to look out for when building the kit or tips on making it more accurate or authentic would be great.

Added a for sale price if any one is interested.

If you have the money and really want the veritas or Lie Nielson chisels by all means go for it. On the other hand if a good set of chisels at a lower cost would work as well why not save the money. I bought a set of Woodpecker micro chisels off of ebay because they were cheap and looked interesting. Was not expecting much because of the price and the fact that they were made in China. I was pleasantly surprised by them. They looked well made and sharpened nicely. Even cheap chisels can be made of good steel. There are also some South Korean chisels out there that look interesting. Not everyone is willing to buy a cheap chisel and work it over but I find that that is part of the fun. PS making your own from drill rod is also fun.

Looks like they just took everything off of ebay and change the price to $43.95.

I have a Billings Boats Bluenose II kit (No. 600) I would like to trade. The kit is in excellent condition. Box shows some wear but contents are all there and nothing has been opened. I am no longer interested in building this one so would like to trade for something different. I am interested in open work boats, fishing boats, steam launches and small coastal trading vessels. Late 19th century America's cup defenders might also be of interest. I like to work in larger scales of 1:50 and up but that isn't a hard and fast rule. Not really interested in full rigged ships or warships. PM if you have any questions. Would prefer a trade but will sell for $95 plus shipping.

Thanks for the info. Do you have any experience with the Artesia Latina model of a Dutch botter?

The Zeeschouw and Statenjacht.

I have been looking at building a couple of the Billings Dutch boats. I have limited knowledge of how these boats were built and would like some opinions on how accurate Billings kits are. For starters I know their instructions are kind of minimal but is the design true to the type and period?

You can get blank decal paper that works in inkjet printers. Draw the lettering or scroll work using a program like paint or a cad program like designcad or turbo cad. Print the artwork on the paper and apply the resulting decal. I believe these sheets are called water slide decal sheets. There are two types, clear and white. Use the one that works best for you.

If anyone wants some of these NRJ back issues now drop me a PM. I have most of Vol 25 through Vol 40. $1.25 ea plus shipping.

Over the next weeks I will be listing back issues of Nautical Research Journal, mostly from the late 70's to early 90's. Start price will be 99 cents with a "Buy it Now" price of $2, and there is no reserve. I combine shipping on multiple purchases. I will also be listing some more plans.

Remaining plans have been listed on eBay.

Looks like nice wood. Here is a link to some information about its characteristics. http://www.wood-database.com/tasmanian-myrtle/

You can use a dapping block to make metal domes. Here is a link to a set on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JPLHDR8/ref=asc_df_B00JPLHDR85356372/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B00JPLHDR8&linkCode=df0&hvadid=216554815864&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=533642903297776801&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1015579&hvtargid=pla-416568837597 . You can probably find the same thing cheaper on eBay. You can find these in pretty much any size you need.

If you are willing to consider woods other than pear or boxwood you might want to go with maple. It is an outstanding wood for framing and keel and is easy to stain to look like other woods. Go to any hardware store that sells wood and they probably have maple available. If you can pick over what they have on hand look for one with a tight grain and not to much figure but any decent piece will work. As for making your own lumber it isn't hard with a table saw. Use a hollow ground planer blade and be very careful with your fence setting and you can cut some really accurate strips. Unless you are looking for really thin strips you should be able to get what you need straight from the saw. There are numerous sites on the web with how to articles on doing this.

The unsold plans are still available. In addition I have listed several more on eBay. All with a 99 cent start and no reserve.

All the books I originally listed on eBay have sold. Have listed several more with the same 99 cent start and no reserve.

Imagna Plans are in the mail. Thanks

The remaining plans have been listed on eBay. Brand new, Model Shipways New Bedford Whaleboat. $19.99 from MSW. 3 large sheets with lines plan and templates. $10 SOLD Model Shipways Sultana. 2 large sheets. Good clean set of plans. $5 SOLD Model Shipways Clipper Ship Young America. Older plans on heavy paper. 4 sheets plus 3 sheets of instructions. Very good clean set of plans with some minor pencil marks. $5 Model Shipways Brig Fair American. Older plans on heavy paper. 3 large sheets plus 2 small sheets and instructions. $5 SOLD Model Shipways Frigate USS Essex. Older plans on heavy paper. 3 large sheets plus 3 small sheets and instructions. $5 SOLD Model Shipways Frigate USS Constitution. Lines plan, stern detail, large scale drawing of 24pdr and carriage, large scale drawing of 24pdr bow chaser and large scale drawing of bower anchor. $5 Mamoli Schooner USS Lexington. 6 large sheets of drawings, details, templates and instructions. $5 SOLD Mamoli Cross Section USS Constitution. Scale 1:93. 6 large sheets and one small sheet of drawings, templates, details and instructions. Good clean set of plans. $5 SOLD Bluejacket Bon Hom Richard. 1 very large sheet. Scale 1/8"=1'. Older plans that have yellowed and are creased but still clear and usable. $5 Bluejacket Pirate Brig. 3/16"=1'. Older plans that have yellowed and are creased but still clear and usable. 1 very large sheet. $5 MRB Landing Craft LCI. Scale 1:50. Text in French. 2 large sheets. Older plans that are age darkened but clean and completely usable. $5 Buy them all and I will pay the shipping.

Listed the plans on eBay with a 99 cent start and no reserve.