acaron41120

Finally almost done with the hull of my Mayflower. Going with the recommended color scheme of white below waterline and a dark color stain on the rest of the hull. So 1st question. What color stain do most modelers use? I see a lot of beautifully stained models but haven a clue if they are dark oak, walnut, mahogany or whatever. 2nd question. Is it possible to mix stain colors to get the color you want? For instance mixing Minwax dark oak with Minwax light maple, etc.?

Good to know. Thanks Roger.

Not sure about paints v stains on our ship models but I have heard that paint used on the actual ships was a flat (non gloss) color as gloss paint didn’t come out until the 1900s.

I'll have to bring out my Nikon and use that for posting photos. I like it better anyway. Thanks for that info.

While scouting the different build logs I came across a NRG Half Hull Planking Project by T Livine and decided that I should get this and learn the proper technique. After receiving this tutorial kit I did my usual kit inventory and all was well. The bulkheads are thicker than what is normally found in the kit and that in itself makes the fairing (shaping) of the hull easier AND it gives more surface for the planks to adhere to the bulkheads. So without further ado, I begin. Pictures will be aded at the end of this segment. Following the instructions I attached the the plan to the building board (1/4 inch foam board) purchase from our local craft store. Then I carefully removed the parts for the beginning of the build. The stem post, keel, keelson, stern post etc. and dry fit them all on the plan. The slots in the keelson for the frames were cut a little narrow which allowed for a better fit after some slight sanding. Then came the first of my worries...the rabbet. Kits usually don't have nor do they mention a thing about cutting the rabbet. I thought of trying it on my Mayflower build but not knowing enough I refrained from trying its until I learned the correct way. This kit was great at teaching the proper way to cut the rabbet. I wish I had known about this kits for my other builds. After reading and re-reading the method in the tutorial, I carefully marked the rabbet and used a small file to carve it out. I think I did a fairly good job of it. I then removed the frames from the supplied sheets and sanded off the char so the frames could be glued. Did you know that glue doesn't hold well on the areas with char from the laser cuts? I didn't! Starting with the first three frames, I had to file just a little off of one of the slots in the keelson for the frame. It took me three days to get all the frames mounted to the keelson and now I have to add the supplied spacers between frames for stability and strength. Next thing will be to mark the bearding line and remove the deadwood below and aft of it. Well stay tuned. I'll add the missing photos when I figure out why they won't post here. Until next post....build on! Dry fitting the keel, keelson and stem post. Marking the Rabbet on the Keel and Keelson After twisting my knee working outside, I finally got back to the planking tutorial. I tackled the bearding Lind, deadwood nd most of the remaining frames. I still have a few remaining frames and the transom to take care of before I start fairing the frames. This time I won't have the false deck to help me get the shape correct but this IS a tutorial right! These next photos are where I am in the build now. Somehow the last photo wants to upload upside down.

Many of the articles and tutorials I have read talk about kits not having enough bulkheads. Indeed, many of my kits certainly could have used a few more. Which leads me to my question. How does one make additional bulkheads? For instance, if I am adding a bulkhead between No. 3 and 4, how do I know the shape of the added bulkhead? It seems that it would be wider than 3 but less wide than 4. What would someone use to get that width or is it just a shot in the dark and hope for the best. Any thoughts from you more experienced modelers is greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone for the references. I like the idea of reading how to in a book and the followup in a video. Sometimes my pea of a brain has trouble figuring out what’s written.

Is there a book that covers how to tie knots on our model ships? On virtually all my ship models the knot I use is the standard double knot.

i have several wood model ship building books and have read those and read many on-line sites on the subject of cutting the groove in the keel for the garboard strake. What I find interesting is that cutting the groove in the keel is never mentioned in the kit model instructions. Which leads me to my question. Are the kit instructions taking for granted that everyone knows to cut the groove for the garboard strake or is that groove really unnecessary? Just wondering is all. I’ve never cut this groove in my model ships until my current build, Mayflower and have had no problems.

I’m building the Mayflower by Billing Boats. I’m working on making the ships Grates because this is an older kit with plastic grates and I don’t like mixing plastic with wood. Plus I’m still what I call a semi-experienced builder but don’t have the $$$ to buy the expensive model tools I see in many of the build logs and NRG articles. So my question is what wood would you use to make the grates and outer frame around them? I have several basswood strips of various thickness. All the cutting I do is accomplished using a basic hand saw and/or Exacto knife. Thanks for any advice.

Quote from me. "I'll have to check on Titebond and see what the difference between Titebond and Titebond II is." Well I googled it and found out that not only titebond but in general wood glues DO NOT take stain. Then I searched for stainable wood glue and came up with this little tidbit. Elmer's Stainable Wood Glue Max contains real wood fibers that make it especially receptive to sanding and staining. I've been using Elmers wood glue max on all my builds. Go figure!

Bruce d. You are correct! The thickness should read 0.5mm. My bad. Jaager and Captian Shaun I'll have to check on Titebond and see what the difference between Titebond and Titebond II is. Thanks all for the assist.

Like the topic title asks. Do you just brush a thin layer of wood glue on each plank or do you thin the glue and then brush it on? My 2nd layer of planking is 0.05 mm thick.

Well I started the garboard strake dry fit and just didn't like a portion of the port side of the hull. Just seemed not quite right. So I sanded the area and then the whole hull again with 220 grit sand paper. Looks better now but I still wonder if I should sand it one more time but with 400 grit this time. Then install the second layer. How many times do you experienced folks sand the hull? I started with 100 grit, then 220 and now will do my final sanding with 400. THEN...after the second layer of hull planks are installed, start sanding lightly with 400 and 1000. Does that sound about right? The bottom half of the hull will be painted flat white and the upper portion will be stained mahogany.

Okay thanks for the replies. I kind of thought I was going to have to line it all again. My major difficulty with planking the hull (whether the 1st or 2nd layer) is the Garboard Strake. For some reason the devil lives in that strake.

I'm getting ready to start the 2nd layer of hull planking. I've triple check the sanded hull with eye, thin plank and cardboard and I'm seeing no peak or valleys. With the first layer of hull planking I used tick steps and divided the hull into 4 areas and used the method in the tutorial. (works great by the way). So my question is do I need to follow that same procedure (tick strips etc.) for the 2nd layer of planks?

Couldn't find a way to remove the glue without damage so after discussing it with my friend, he decided to just make a new set of parts. Thanks for the assistance. Now back to the second layer of planking for my Mayflower build.

Helping a friend who got ahead of himself on a build. Five runners were glued to the wrong side of a cabin piece with Gorilla Glue. How can I remove the Gorilla Glue?

Roger. Thanks for the info. I'll have to get one of the books. The plans in the kit leave a lot to be desired.

Thanks for the tip Mark. I'll remember that next time.

Plans are no longer available. They went to a MWS member. Thanks for the interest. Allen Caron

I have the plans of the Joseph Conrad ship. I purchased the plans to build the ship that got me interested in classic sailing ships. But I have come to realize that I will never be able to complete a build like this with my limited skills. So...before listing it on eBay I thought I'd offer it up here to Model Ship World members first. Cost to whomever wants it is free. I will wait till the end of next week before listing it on eBay. If you'd like it, email me at: Email Removed to Prevent Spam Thanks Allen Caron

Hi Jaeon. When faring the frames on my Mayflower I used a sanding block I purchased from Lowes. Its a small yellow rubber piece that has different grit sandpaper that velcro to it. And I sanded the frames diagonally and along the length of the hull checking each frame as I went. Just easier for me that way. I do have a dremel tool with sanding bits but have not used it much. Probably because I'm old fashioned and like using my hands. Just remember to take it slowly and check a lot and you should find that you're have with the results.

Okay! I found what I need at Michaels. Will just have to trace the pattern on is and I'll be set. Thanks everyone for all the help.

Thanks for all the replies. I never knew that HD, Lowes or Ace hardware sold wood block. I'll give them a try today before going on line. The wood block is for fabricating the brass keel piece on the bottom of Billing Boats Dragen. It is item F443 in their fitting kit. billing boats.com experienced level, page 3, Dragen, click on plans in top right corner and scroll to last page for the F443 brass keel illustration.