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lraymo

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Everything posted by lraymo

  1. lraymo
    Thanks for the feedback. I've got a call into Model Shipways to discuss the tools I need for this build.
  2. lraymo
    @Ryland Craze Hi Ryland. Do I need to add "tags" to the title of this new build log? Or is that something that you do? (I didn't do that for my Dory log, but they magically appeared). Just wanting to make sure I'm doing things correctly!
  3. lraymo
    Thanks Ryland, I just added my "Current Build" per your instructions, and I think it worked!
  4. lraymo
    I'm just starting my SECOND model ... the Norwegian Sailing Pram. As a rank beginner, I learned alot from my first build (the Lowell Grand Banks Dory), but this one looks even more complex and challenging! So I first read several of your Build Logs here, and I'm glad I did. Found out my instruction manual was printed at less than 100%, so I downloaded and printed the appropriate pages (p 4, 5, 39) from the Model Shipways pdf, specifying 100% on my printer. Worked out well. (As an FYI, the "foot" of the sail pattern is supposed to measure 6". In my manual, it was only 5 3/4", so my new printout is now correct.) I also learned from the logs to do an Inventory check. Sure enough, mine was missing two oar locks. Called Model Shipways and they were really great, and will mail me the missing parts. But now I have questions on tools. I only have the initial tool set from the Dory, but the instructions show a longer list of tools required. I know I need drills and files, but it also mentions "hard metal flush cutting shears", bench block, miter box, broach (what are these used for?), and mini plane? Any advice on which tools I really need? Thanks and looking forward to getting started!
  5. lraymo
    Thanks, Steve. I really enjoyed this kit and learned alot, although I am a rank beginner, so it was challenging for me, as will be the next one, the Norwegian Sailing Pram that I'm about to start! You'll enjoy this one. Have fun!
  6. lraymo
    Hi. I tried to enter a signature, but I couldn't figure out how to change the text "Lowell Grand Banks Dory" into the link for the actual build log. Any help appreciated!
  7. lraymo
    Thank you, everyone, for your warm welcome and encouragement! I am enjoying this community, you are all wonderfully kind and encouraging and helpful! I'm going to spend some time reading the build logs for the Pram, and getting familiar with the instructions before I start, but I am hoping I can carry forward what I learned from the Dory (which is proudly displayed in my dining room!) Stay tuned for the next build, and thanks again! - Lynn
  8. lraymo
    @Cathead Thanks, I'm definitely happy with how it turned out, mistakes and all. And I will apply much of what I learned to the Pram (and thanks for encouraging me to continue with a build log!) Have fun at the Royals games (if you don't get rained out!) @ERS Rich Thanks for the congrats! @Keith Black Keith, you've been so encouraging to me throughout this entire process, and I can't thank you enough! To be able to share on this forum and have you and the others give me feedback and encouragement has been awesome, and kept me from giving up at times, knowing there were folks out here that I could turn to for advice and sharing. So I believe I may be one of the very few women out here, and I think you may have all thought I was a guy since I never indicated male or female. I didn't think it was needed, as I've always been in professions that are male-dominated (engineering and IT), and I always fit in quite well. But I wanted to make sure you all know who you're talking to, because I've grown to appreciating you all alot, and I hope that it doesn't change things, because I'm going to rely on you all for help with my next build! One more thing... on alot of comments, I see things like "Current Build" or "Completed Projects". Where does that get added? (Now that I've completed something, I'd like to post it!)
  9. lraymo
    It's DONE! I have FINISHED my very first wood ship model! Whee-ha! I have learned so much... thank you, thank you, for all of your suggestions, comments, and encouraging words! It was a huge learning curve for me, and looking at the instructions for the Norwegian Sailing Pram (my next project which arrived yesterday), I can see its going be another giant learning curve! But I'm enjoying learning new things about myself (patience comes to mind), and even with frustration and not knowing what I am doing, its still been fun! Here's the final pics... lots of mistakes along the way, but I am ok with everything, given all that I learned! Again, thanks! I used Red Oak Minwax wood finish on the base and on the thwarts. Size 18 yellow twine for the becket. I could've spent more time on the oars, but I was concerned about breaking them, so I decided to stop. In looking at the pictures, you can see the frayed planks, excess glue, and many other imperfections, but still, I am happy with my first-time results! PS - Tholes are difficult. I am glad they supplied 12 inches of dowel, even though only 4" are needed, since I used several extra inches in trial and error!
  10. lraymo
    Thanks Cathead, what a great idea! I will definitely get one of those for my next build.
  11. lraymo
    Problem solved by using all your suggestions! First, I went to the hardware store and found thinner string. In the pic below, the tan string came with the kit, but I found a thinner yellow string (and I liked the color better anyway!) Then, as Keith suggested, I glued the string to a needle, (rather than tying it as I first tried to do). And then, as bobandlucy pointed out, I used a drill bit (turning it by hand) to enlarge the holes. I haven't finished the cap rail yet, but wanted to solve the becket problem first. Thanks for all the advice! Needle glued to yellow string Becket installed! Whew!
  12. lraymo
    Thanks Keith. I tried using a needle and thread, tying the rope to the thread and passing the needle thru. It just pulled the thread off the rope! Drilling is beyond my skill level at this point (and increases my stress!) but i may try the wire suggestion. Thanks!
  13. lraymo
    Thanks for the glue removal info. I got nervous about potentially separating some of the pieces in trying to remove blobs. It looks a little better after the 3rd coat of paint. I was really feeling good about my progress after I painted the cap rails and finished 3 of 4 oars (I broke an oar while sanding, so I really appreciated the spare in the kit!) Felt good about the painting UNTIL I realized I painted the wrong side of one of the rails! Oops! One other question... any ideas on how to thread the THICK piece of rope thru the TINY holes in the becket? I glued the end as instructed, but it still isn't thin enough to make it. I may try to find some thinner "rope-like" string at the local hardware store! Oops! Realized my mistake when I placed the cap rails in the direction they'll need to go! Back to painting!
  14. lraymo
    Thanks Keith, for your advice! For painting, I am using the regular bristle brushes that came in the kit. But good eye noticing the foam brush! I'm also sanding the oars, and I'm using the foam brush to "brush off" the shavings as I'm going along. 🙂 I also appreciate your words on the sander. I'll hold off... it costs more than the Dory kit!!! And thanks for the kind words! I'm enjoying this, and really happy I started with this little boat! Someday I'll get to my dream of building a three-masted schooner with rigging and sails, but I need to learn so much more before I attempt it!
  15. lraymo
    Started the painting process. White primer, 1st coat, 2nd coat. The main thing I am learning, (for my next build!) is to be waaay more careful in applying glue! The excess glue is really showing up with the paint. After primer, I tried to scrape some of the blobs off, but didn't have much luck. The first coat looked really blotchy, but the 2nd coat is looking better, and I think it will be ok after the 3rd coat, as long as (again) no one looks too close! At this point, is there anything I can do to remove the excess? I found a "reciprocating micro sander" that I could buy on Amazon, thinking i could "sand off" the excess glue, but not sure if this is a reasonable purchase at this point in my beginning shipbuilding. Any thoughts? Is this a helpful tool? First coat also shows excess glue as well as ragged planks too! 2nd coat is better, but hoping 3rd coat will even out the paint. I just wish I could eliminate the excess glue blobs. But, its all part of the learning process, and I will be CAREFULLY applying glue going forward!
  16. lraymo
    Almost ready to paint. Can't believe I've made it this far! Attached bands, risers, gunwale, breast hook, and frame head irons. (those were difficult. I used a yellow playing card to make the little pieces, and without the right tools they aren't exactly identical, but I wanted to practice doing tiny piecework.) I'll need more practice. Inserted thwarts (just to see if they would fit). Thwarts 2 and 4 came out of the kit looking identical, so I trimmed the sides to fit the opposite ends of the boat. Also, thwart 1 was too long (I made Frame 1 too narrow), so i carefully took some length off the thwart, only to realize that the actual problem was that the notch that fits around the frame wasn't deep enough for my narrow frame. So I increased the notch depth, and it fits better now (but nerve-wracking to mess around with it!) Next step - prime everything (I have a spray can of white primer), and then begin the painting process! And lots more to do after that... oars, cap rail, tholes, becket. But it's well on its way!
  17. lraymo
    You're right, Keith! It looks better from a normal viewing distance! So I put on the bands and the risers, tried to sand it down to look like the picture in the book, and then cut back the frame tops to get ready for the gunwale. I'm trying to be a bit more careful, and a lot more patient! But giving up for tonight, as my eyes are bleary from staring at this! I already wear progressive lens glasses, but I may need to get some magnifiers too! Tried to show my close-up like the pic in the book. I ended up doing more sanding on the top of the sheer, after seeing this pic. n And finally, for tonight, cut back the frames to get ready for the gunwale. I'll need a large segment of time to work on fitting the gunwale, and its just too late to start now! And I may take some time to try to remove all this excess glue while I'm at it!
  18. lraymo
    Hi Cathead, I sure hope that's true, because there's a multitude of mistakes on this! But I appreciate what you are saying, and yes, I am VERY happy that this kit was only $49! (And with tools, since I didn't have any, it seemed like the best choice!) So I went ahead and replaced part of the broken frame with a newly carved piece, and it seems to look ok. And as you said, the end result hopefully will result in a good "overall impression", if people don't look too closely at the details! (I have friends who are amazed that I'm even attempting this!) A little bit crooked, but hoping no one will notice!
  19. lraymo
    @Ryland Craze@Keith Black Once again, thank you for your encouragement! I really didn't think there was much I could do, but you've inspired me! I'm using yellow wood glue, so i'll try the wet Q-tip idea. And I lost the broken piece, but I think I can carve a new one, so I thank you for your suggestions, and I'm feeling better about going forward!
  20. lraymo
    Your precision is incredible. I have LOTS to learn, and your work is really inspiring!
  21. lraymo
    I’ve finished the planking. Didn't look too bad at this point, or so I thought! Made the little “false stem” too. But freeing the frames from the frame tops proved a bit more difficult. Broke a frame in the process. At this point, after attaching the side cleats, I took stock of my progress. It's not good! Broken frame, lots of excess glue blobs, strakes that don’t attach to the frames, frayed wood planks, and many other imperfections. At this point, it’s looking really bad... And what I am learning about myself is eye-opening. I know I’m not a perfectionist, and that’s ok. But I always thought of myself as a patient person. Not so! I wanted to “get this done”, so I didn’t take time with gluing, or taking care of the frames, or staying patient with the process. I kept thinking it’ll be “good enough”… Not sure I can salvage or fix any of this, but I'm hopeful that by continuing, some of this will be resolved (or covered up!) with the gunwale and cap rail going forward. And I think some additional wood filler and creative sanding will help too! (The good news is that if I turn it sideways, and don't look too close, it looks better!)
  22. lraymo
    Whew! I'm sure there will be many more mistakes on which to learn and practice "fixes"! Thanks for the encouragement!
  23. lraymo
    Ok, I've done my best to "fix" the end of the sheer strake. It's not perfect, but I am satisfied with how it turned out and I can go forward now and finish the planking. My hope is that final sanding and paint will cover a multitude of sins!
  24. lraymo
    Thanks druxey! This will be interesting!
  25. lraymo
    Thanks @druxey and @dvm27. I need to learn patience!!! Is there anything I can do to fix this?

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