Scott Crouse

Starting putting a few deck pieces together, just enough that I can map out the deck.

Trimming, sanding and more sanding and even more sanding and some filler for a few gaps.

God some work done today, I decided to join the two halves together, to me it does not make much sense doing it half and half. Took some time and made a strip to go around the deck, will be adding scuppers at a later date.

Slowly plugging away but not getting too far ahead of Olha's build as I am enjoying watching and emulating her techniques (for the most part) Planking on this thing involves 4 large sheets of balsa. After shaping the ribs, soaking the first board and bending it into shape, the biggest issues is that clamping this shape is difficult to say the least and discovered that one of the ribs, despite sanding, just did not allow the board to sit right. Cut that part open and added a piece to the rib and I am much happier. CLAMPS, CLAMPS AND CLAMPS! Trying to get these pieces in place for future filling, sanding and shaping. I know the Shipways version of this kit has moved to a more traditional style of planking which I think would have been easier.

Managed to get both sides of the hull put together. Can never have enough clamps and elastics . Put the false deck in place. and a test fit (not joining the halves, going to build them up side by side) and everything seems to be lined up nicely. Next up will be preparing the ribs and then doing my first real planking - scared and excited all at the same time!

This one caught my eye many months ago and has been on my list ever since. This will be my first time doing normal planking, the Shipways Dory and Pram were large planks and the Lobster Smack I am doing on a group build is the Midwest version so big slabs instead of planks. Following a few build logs here on Model Ship World as going from wordy instructions from Shipways to a few pages of pictures and 1:1 scale plans is an adjustment - although one I kinda like. Hummed and Haw'd about doing it in halves or putting it together into one frame for planking but decided to try how Billings wants it done - unless someone on here can convince me of the error of my ways? As always, constructive criticism is welcome so I can continue to learn in this great hobby. I still need to get some lego blocks or 123 blocks for leveling things. On my "to make or purchase" list.

I seem to mostly use Gorilla products. Gorilla PVA Wood Glue for the majority of the build and then I have Gorilla CA glue which I use on the ends of ropes or adding that 1 piece that needs to bond quickly. If I have plastic pieces, either the CA or Tamiya Extra Thin. I have been using Gorilla CA for years now and have never had a bottle dry up and my current bottle of PVA is well over a year old and no sign of it drying up or getting old.

Thank you everyone!!!

lol, thanks for the follow and glad you like the stream haha. The doggy cam is new I have always found the Vallejo paints somewhat finicky but a 50/50 ratio with a pressure of around 15psi should be a good starting point. You might have a bent needle point as well but you said it was happening with 3 different ones... ya could be something not right there. Yesterdays stream was pretty boring just doing PE

I have recently got a gaahleri to compliment my Badger 105 and have been very happy with it and it is much less in cost than the Iwata's and other high end brushes. But before you go down that road, I would be happy to discuss the problem to see if it is more about paint, thinner, bush cleaning or any of the other problems that could be causing it. I have been airbushing plastic models for over 5 years now. Feel free to dm me, or happy to discuss it in here (assuming you wish to).

Tiny update, this weeks class was about sanding the ribs to shape them for the planks. After putting too much finger pressure in the wrong spot and having to repair my ham fisted approach, all fixed and the first plank put in place And I need more and bigger clamps!!!!! MORE CLAMPS!

I enjoy how she mumbles and talks to herself in confusion, shows I am not the only one who has to scratch my head and figure out what instructions and drawings are really telling me haha.

And we are complete. This kit was a ton of fun, my 2nd build. Most definitely there are errors, I know where many of them are and I know how not to repeat them the next time There are things I would do different next time. Thank you for the encouragement folks! Onto the Lobster Smack and the Norden 603.

Managed to get a bit me PE and dry fitting done, having to think all this through for the painting of the superstructure before I glue it all together. Been so busy with the wood builds that this one got put on the back burner but think I am going to find the time and get this one sorted.

My first day doing sails and rigging - I have zero clue of I did this right. The description in the manual is like "huh". But between the builds on this forum, the manual and the one decent video on youtube, we muddled along Have to say, I am a bit confused by the battens, every small sailing vessel I have been on, the battens are usually in a cloth sleeve, not glued or attached to the sails. Anyone have insight on if this is actually correct or just simplified for the model? Lots of muddling with knots and glue. Probably not overly correct but doesn't look terrible. Still have the lines to clean up, some paint touch ups here and there and the stand to finish. So another day or two and will have it ship shape. Did discover one very serious error today, and I am shocked that no one else noticed it either..... I have been around sail boats for over 40 years and I can't believe I did it nor did not notice it until today. Scroll up in the old photos and check out the cleats, I glued both of them on upside down bwahahahaha.

Progress continues. Received my .7mm nails, surprise! They fit . Got the rear line ready to go; and the highlight of the day, the sail is drying and will be ready for tomorrow;

Productive morning. Finally got to use my useless plane scribing tool for something it seems to do well, simulating planking; Interesting gap left behind, but the seats will cover it, but will probably put something in there to less the visibility. Before putting the deck on, put some of the other pieces on while everything is exposed. and put the deck on. Not a ton of room for clamps, nor do I own many but managed with elastics and some angles.

Not quite finished the Pram yet, but there is a group build underway on Youtube for the Lobster Smack being run by Olha Batchvarov (https://www.youtube.com/@OlhaBatchvarov/streams). There are several builders all working on it so jumped in to learn with them. After week one, the skeleton is put together. I actually won this kit in a raffle and it comes with many tools, the paints and extras, decent little setup.

Well done, nice clean build

Productive Sunday! Finished the oars, mast, gaff and boom. Laid out the sail and treated it with a PVA/water wash. and stepped the mast! She is coming along. Expect to receive my new nails later this week and will see if we can get most of this finished up next weekend.

I completely agree palmerit. I am surprised that they have not made the little tweaks to get this back into the beginner category, unless they like the confusion cause part of learning is how to figure it out on your own? haha. I have new nails coming - I had to order something from somewhere else who had the right size so spent a few bucks instead of going through the complaint process, I missed that the mast diagrams where out by about 3% so I ended up removing about a quarter of an inch from the mast when I shouldn't have, so I hope that does not bite me in the backside. Now I am trying to decypher the instructions on how the hardware goes on the mast, that will be todays challenged adventure. . Despite my grumblings and pointing out the obvious, still loving it!

and a coat of varnish for everyone!

broke mine today in the exact same spot.

Three hours of sanding and got the mast, boom and 2 oars done. Broke the gaff (should have heeded the warning of others....) but have it repaired. 2 more oars to go. Did sandpaper companies invent this hobby to keep themselves in business? Curious minds want to know 🤣

It has been awhile since I updated or did much building. My fall hiatus Got all the parts painted up - not a fan of brush painting or the Model Expo paints, will be going back to using my airbrush and Tamiya paints and Vallejo when I need to hand brush. Just find these paints so thick. and it was at this moment when I realized I had f@#$'d up. I thought it was just a line that paint would go over, nope, time to sand it down again. That's better, although I am not a fan of how this paint goes down. But to be fair, a real boat would have tons of thick paint. hmmm, might dull this white down a bit. Hind sight being 20/20, I would lighten the red and blue up but will see how it looks in the end. Have decided to try the square version of the mast first - if I don't succeed I will use the dowl. It seems the kit is short one of the V's for the jig... shrug. Ok, I know others have pointed this out, but what is up with the provided nails that are too damn big for anything? I can order up smaller ones from 3rd party sites, but the shipping costs more than the nails. Gonna try and cut the tops off and see how it looks, but if crappy, will have to wait for my next run to the hobby store. Got the rudder put together but I did not bend PE around the tube. I put the tube on the outside. I am still pretty limited in my tools for this kind of work so had to cut with the Dremel so the edges are rough. I put the tubes on the outside (have seen it done both ways and I kinda like this way). Still some cleanup to do on the brass pieces and figure out the bolt heads Overall learning lots from this kit, mistakes are there but having fun and can see my skills improving. What a difference from plastic boat building. My biggest complaint at this point is the instructions with this kit. I never thought I would say that something is to verbose but damn... these things are wordy and assume you know every term for every part on a ship. Finding I am having to break down each sentence one by one. Or just flat out ignore it and follow videos on youtube. Hope everyone had a great New Year and have wonderful builds in 2025! https://www.twitch.tv/bartbandy