Dave_E

Hello Everyone,

Tonight decided to “work” on the guns of the Lady Nelson. UNDER the magnifying glass you can see mold lines. I was able to scrape those off and clip/file any flashing off and file down the big nub at the muzzle. How far do you go to detail these tiny things? I’m thinking after I prep them and paint them, the paint will hide most casting imperfections, no? Does anyone go as far as try to drill out a little bore? 

Model "what"? 1/2 scale stuff? 😄 Looks like a full blown wood shop, something we had in high school back in the day.

I have a Dremel model 395 type 5, 5000 - 30,000 RPM. The variable speed is real, not simply 5 different speeds.

Some really deep thinking going on here. Thanks. 😳

Greetings All,

Merry Christmas to all! 

I am retiring in 10 days. I am currently building the Lady Nelson. I have a cash reserve before retirement and think I should get something on the shelf while I have the scratch. Was considering the Coldercraft HMS Badger or the Brig Supply, Manitua Endeavor or Shine, Amati Bounty or Fly. I'm looking forward to a build that is not beginner, and will take awhile and not break the bank. I am all tooled up and can only foresee consumabales like paint, glue and blades. Comments regarding the manufacturers and ships would be appreciated.

Dave

Thanks Kirby,

I have studied all the build logs for the LN (including yours) 🙂. How is your coming along?

Some serious ship yard work goin on here!

 😀 The Amati instructions are so bad that quite frankly, without the forum and the build logs, I could see how a novice would just given up in short order.

Hi All,

After reading and studying many of the build logs, I have come to the conclusion model wooden ship building is like many other things in life; there are many ways to achieve the same desired outcomes and results. I beveled the forward and aft 3 frames and decided to follow the instructions and get the prow and keel on. I am going to wait on the rudder post. The clothpins were used in my guitar making. They appear to have value in the shipyard as well.

Construction has begun! I could only hope it would all be this easy...😆 I glued 4 of the frames with CA (medium) and the rest with Titebond, just to experiment.

Good Discussion,

I got the headband magnifier set from Amazon, it had an LED light, 5 different magnifier lenses... all pretty much useless for me as I wear glasses and could not make them work over my glasses, even though some can, I couldn't. Repackaged and sent back. Ordered one of the lit, round magnifiers on a flexible stand. I suspect it will work OK.

Welcome Chris,

I'm new here myself, about a week or so ahead of you. I just started my build log for the Lady Nelson, look forward to following yours! Stay warm.

Hi All,

Never gave this a thought until I watched many videos and understand the vast majority of builders live somewhere other than the U.S. and use the metric system. Is building using the metric system the norm? I have no problem with that, just have to get some new rulers and scales.

Hi All,

What's your opinion on building larger scale ships? Obviously they are going to be longer and higher, that goes without saying. Suppose that's not an issue with your space. Are they easier to build? Pros and cons of adventuring into larger scale? Is a 1:50 that much different than your run of the mill 1:64?

Opened everything up, looks to be in good order and complete. Start with something easy like the cradle. 😄 Also noted the cannons are all metal... better research the metal prep for painting etc.. Also noted I am definitely going to have to get some sort of magnifier to see some of these tiny weeny parts.

Greetings Everyone,

The Lady arrived a few days ago. I've been picking up ship building tools, doing lots of research and got the work bench turned into a ship yard. You may notice the tools on the peg board don't look like model ship building tools... I have built 6 classical and 4 acoustic guitars. The bench was also an RC helicopter and airplane hanger for a few years, and now it's being converted to a shipyard. I retire in 19 days and will get at it.  🙂

Hi Rick,

From one new guy to another, welcome!

Dave

Hi All,

Watching videos like crazy as this planking thing to a newbie looks daunting. I watched the lady from the Ukraine use a nailer exclusively. Sure looks like a good way to crush or crack some structure. I see others use map pins, rubber bands and all manner of clamps. Is there a consensus by the experts for the newbie on what technique to start with?

Dave

Hi Everyone,

So this 64 year old has eyes that are bad enough not to see anything up close without my glasses. So I’m thinking I’m absolutely going to need either some magnifier glasses or an LED magnifier glass. Any recommendations? Pros and cons of either type? Maybe nothing and just good lighting?

Dave 

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to wooden ship building. Always wanted to, just never did. I built plenty of plastic tall ship kits in my youth where you could include the "plastic" sails or build it with bare yards. In the real world, the only time you'd see a tall ship with naked arms is when all the canvas would be removed for repair or ship layup or something like that, no?

Anyway... has anyone added sails to these kits that come with naked spars and yards?

Did I get the terminology correct?

Dave

Very Nice Sir,

I just ordered my Lady this morning. What colors and brand of paints did you use?

Dave

Very Nice!

Just ordered my Lady this morning. What colors and brand of paints did you use?

Dave

Hi All,

Getting the new shipyard equipped. Do any of you ahve a recommendation on which "Ship Modelers Shop Notes" to start with, volume 1 or volume 2? Which book will help the newbie the most? 

Dave

Hi All,

Getting ready for the first build (Amati Lady Nelson), who has built their first ship and wished they had started with a building slip? When during the build process is it most useful?

Dave

1 hour ago, ccoyle said:

Welcome, Dave.

Cutters, like Lady Nelson, are good first kits, just be advised that some manufacturers have really stepped up their instructions-writing game in recent years, if instructions are something that is important to you. Chris Watton, who designed the Amati kit, has produced a similar kit of Alert for his own company, Vanguard Models, and the instructions are incrementally better than in the older kit. Either, though, will produce a great finished model.

 

Cheers!

 Thanks!

Quite a bit more expensive... I would possibly consider it for the sake of the membership, however it's out of stock.

Hello Everyone,

Very nice to find this site! I have always wanted to build a wooden ship... built lots of plastic ships when I was younger. I am retiring next month, have a nice work area and have decided to jump in. I have been reading the forums and looking at the build logs. WOW! So much to learn and so many good resources! I am thinking about Amati's Lady Nelson for my first build. However I also see the 1/2 hull on this site. That might be a good one to start on first. Opinions on either of these are certainly welcome, and opinions for a first build.

Also had a question about the actual ship size. Is it easier to build a ship of larger scale? Are all the ship kits out there generally the same scale?

Look forward to meeting many of you - Dave