thegrindre

Very nice, sir.

I just started mine today.

Well, it's been 19 days since I refused the damaged package and I have yet to heard from the seller. ebay emailed me to say that if they don't hear back from the seller by the 21st they'll have to close my case and I'll loose my $250. (I'm sure glad the government gave me that $1200 a couple weeks ago. So, I'm not really out anything really.)

Hi all,
Well, I'm broken hearted. My African Queen arrived today but the box looked as if a truck ran over it... TWICE! I could see the innards and they looked damaged too. The postman wanted my signature for the box and I asked him if I had too sign. He said, if it was his package, he'd refuse it cuz of all the damage. So I did...
Now, we'll see how it goes. I hope I'm not out $250. 

Just checked the status of my African Queen model and it's sitting in New York!!! It's almost here! YeeHaa!!!

I just watched that movie again last night for the umphteenth time...😀

Thanks everyone but I believe I'll build the Nina, Pinta and then the Santa Marie, in that order. I won't do paper fore it won't hold up, been there, done that, and I can't justify paying $10 or more for any paper/cardstock model.

Then, I want to try the Mayflower and if I'm still alive, the USS Constitution. I'll shop around but as it stands it looks like Amati is the most reasonable price wise.

Meanwhile, Billing Boats, African Queen, is on its way... 🙂

BTW, has anybody read a brief history about Mr. Billing and his boats?

Actually, I've noticed Model Expo has no models for sale. Everything is on back order. Are they going out of business?

Say, have you guys thought of cutting up tea bags to use for your sails? I've seen empty tea bags by the dozens over on ebay. They're cheap and thin and easy to shape with diluted white glue.

Thanks, Matt.

Amati looks to be the cheapest in all three ships and their scale 1:50 vs the others at 1:65 is nice too.

Historic Ships or Tower Hobby is what I've been looking at so far. Being retired on a limited income I need the cheapest models I can find.

A big THANK YOU, sir. 🙂

Due a week ago but I'm afraid it's still hung up in Europe.

After much studying of this subject and of these models I've decided to try my hand at Columbus' three ships, the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Marie, in that order.

The Nina and the Pinta look to be a level 2 build and I think I can handle that. Matter of fact they look to be the 'same' ship type. I know nothing about ships BTW.

Thanks guys.

Hi all,

Newbie here wanting to know if there is a simpler wooden tall ship to build out there than the ones I've seen here in the build logs? Sheesh, those look so complex. I want to try something I might be able to finish in my lifetime. (I'm 72 now)  I don't mind spending a few days or even a few weeks building but I've seen some who have been at the same ship for years.

Thanks, guys,

Rick

I see that my local Hobby Lobby store carries this paint for $1.59 a 2oz bottle.

Is this the stuff you're using instead of Floquil? Well, this and Vallejo?

I used Floquil paints and drank from the garden hose too. I'm now 72 1/2 and see that I have a good 5 more years to go to get to your ages. LOLOL I can at least plan for the next 5 years anyway. 🙂

I have many many years at wooden model building/construction in HO gauge model railroading and I've tried most everything. I've never built a wooden boat before but I used Floquil Stains and Paints to do all my wood weathering jobs. Most all my work looked very much like the model above. Not to be bragging but at age 72 I have a lot of modeling experience over the years and Floquil was my answer.

As mentioned above there is a lot of dry brushing, applying and than wiping off to get that type of appearance. It's very time consuming but as you can see it turns out 'perfectly'.

Unfortunately, Floquil is no longer be manufactured and I'd personally like to know what else I can use?

Although, Floquil can still be purchased on ebay for a price.

Hope this helps...

Thanks fellas. I'll start a construction thread when my 'toy' arrives. 🙂

Oh, one other thing, Sherline is made here. Made in the USA. The others are made in China which tend to be a bit off from the quality we do here in the states

On 6/11/2020 at 7:59 AM, Jorge Hedges said:

I was looking at this package...  any opinions?  Sherline 4410:

 

https://www.sherline.com/product/4400a-dro4410a-dro-package/

 

And this tool rest for manual work:

https://www.sherline.com/product/extended-wood-tool-rest-set/

 

Now, is there any lever action quick release cutting tool holder?  I have seen these on YouTube videos, but can't find it in the Sherline page; maybe a competitor's compatible accessory?  Is it a nice to have item, or would it really help?

 

Thank you all!

Jorge

I used a Sherline lathe and mill for many years. You won't be dissapointed with Sherline.

"HI"

That said, I hope these forums are what they seem to be, very helpful and informative for us greenhorns. I've been lurking here a few days now and like what I've seen so far.

I've never built a wooden boat before and The African Queen movie made me fall in love with the steam launch that Bogart and Hepburn sailed down the river in.

Now retired, I have tons of time on my hands and have watched that movie a good half dozen times or more already. I searched the net for a model of that boat and found a couple versions of it so bought the Billing Boats version. Due here last Friday, I've found that it hasn't even left Europe yet. That's OK... I can wait...

Meanwhile, I've also fallen in love with live steam. I've bid on a boiler on ebay and won! The engine I want is a bit steep but I can save up for it. The only issue I have here is that I know very little about steam.

Anyway, I welcome any and all the advice and help I can get from you guys.

Thanks,