Wawona59

My go to wood filler is a mix of the sawdust from the actual wood I'm using and a 50/50 dilution of Elmer's white PVA glue. I collect the sawdust with a palm sander and a dust collection bag attachment. I keep the sawdust in one of those plastic containers that you can get from the fast-food drive in for holding ketchup, etc. The filler is cheap, non-toxic (depending on wood species) sands well and the filled repair is virtually invisible from the surrounding wood. Staining the repair leaves a little to be desired IMHO but works well under a painted surface. Of course, nothing beats tight fitting joints to begin with. The plethora of warning labels on ladders, lawnmowers, automobile airbags, etc. is the result of the courts increasingly holding manufactures and sellers liable for injuries to consumers and bystanders by requiring manufacturers to provide warnings for known hazards in using their product as intended. They are also required to anticipate product misuse (You, manufacturer should have warned me not to use my table saw without the blade guard attached so I wouldn't have cut my fingers off). One of the justifications for this policy, I believe, is that manufacturers are in the best position to know of the known dangers in using their product. They are also in the best position to absorb any losses through insurance and pass the associated cost onto all of the other consumers of their product. So, part of the cost that we pay for that fancy new bandsaw, drill press or other power tool we purchase includes a small portion of the insurance and liability payouts. I taught college level Business Law for 30 years before I retired. Before that I practiced law for10 years (please don't hold that against me as I've seen the error of my ways).

Your planking redo is much better and I'm sure it was well worth the effort. I'm very glad to see that you took the time to fix what you felt needed to be fixed. Your dory really has some nice lines. It's going to turn out to be a very nice model. Keep up the good work. Thank you for posting your progress.

Hi all, I came across this video on YouTube quite by accident. Given the title of the channel, I probably would not be given it a second look except that I spied a familiar name, Flying Fish. This is a relatively short video that has some very nice model photos. I think some of them may be from MSW. Thought some of the "Fish" modelers on MSW might enjoy this.

Derek, Welcome to Model Ship World! You've got quite a variety of modeling interests; aircraft, rockets, trains and now ships. What kind of ships are you interested in? Bluejacket and Model Shipways have some nice entry level wooden ship models that would be a good choice as a first ship model. As it's been said many times on MSW, start small and work your way up to more complicated models later. Although tempting, I would save the USS Constitution or HMS Victory for later. This is a great forum. Welcome Aboard!

Giorgio, Your model looks great. I really like the hand made character of your model and the figures. It will look great when it gets into a display case.

Hello George, Your Flying Fish is truly impressive. I've been following (i.e. lurking) on your Fish build since I joined MSW. I realize I've fallen by the wayside on my Flying Fish build but I'll be back. I've since received a complete set of bulkheads and keel from Model Shipways even though I purchased my kit way back in 1997 or 1998. They really do stand behind their products with their replacement part guarantee. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I'm very impressed with your build log and have learned quite a lot. I've also been a dutiful student and have taken good notes on yours, Rick310's and Jared's build logs as well as the discussions with Clipperfan and Rob. They will really come in handy when I begin my Flying Fish project anew.

Just found your build log tonight. You're doing a great job so far. Just take your time and think through each step before you jump in. Sometimes you have to have to think ahead to later steps. As druxey said, and good advice it is, read through the instructions carefully before you jump in head first. That way you might be able to anticipate how future steps will affect the current step you are working on. Most importantly, enjoy the ride. You are not on a time schedule so take your time. Building a 3-decker is a worthy goal for sure. Just keep that one on the back burner for a while. You will be rewarded later when you have more experience and a few models built. As I said, you're doing a great job so keep it up and do not get discouraged with broken parts or goofed up steps. It's all part of the journey. I'd like to follow along if you don't mind.

Hi Scotty, I just found your build log today so I know I'm late the party. Your AL Swift came out really nice; much better than when I built that kit many moons ago. IIRC, the kit I built had die cut parts and the bulkheads looked like they were formed with a router as there was a 1/6" gap all around them. I'm really impressed how much your planking improved from the first layer to the second. I also really like some of the small details you added such as the entry of the rudder stem into the transom. I like your homemade block sander too. Looks like I'm going to have to buy some containers of cashews in order to make one myself (at least that will be my excuse). We're sort of Pacific Northwest Neighbors. I live a little north of you in Renton, WA. Do you have any plans for your next build? Welcome to MSW.

I've had good experience with Model Expo's customer service as well. Even though I bought my Flying Fish in 1996, ME sent me a complete set of bulkheads, keel and planksheer to replace the parts that I screwed up. (see my build log to see how bad I did). No questions asked. Now, I'll just start over and do it right this time. I hope to be back working on the Fish soon.

Ahoy! and welcome to Model Ship World. This is a great site with lots of friendly and helpful people. Welcome Aboard

Hi Adrian, Welcome to Model Ship World and your start on your first wooden ship model. There a lot of kits available today aimed at the beginning wooden ship modeler. Model Shipways offers a 3-kit combo in which the beginning ship modeler works their way through three successive models; each one being a little more challenging than the previous model. Each model is designed to introduce new skills. Bluejacket offers several entry level kits as part of their Ensign Shipbuilder series. In addition to enjoying building process whichever model you choose, you should strive to FINISH IT. Nothing builds more enthusiasm and confidence than finishing a model and seeing it displayed in a case or on a bookshelf. good luck in your ship modeling journey. Feel free to post an introduction in the new members forum. Welcome to MSW

Snow Squall was briefly mentioned in a 1980's documentary called "Ghosts of Cape Horn" at 42:40. Keep watching for Lisa Gylkison's "Song of the sea". and Gordon Lightfoot's "Ghosts of Cape Horn". I heard that he wrote this song for this documentary.

Hi Luis Felipe, I just found your build log. Your Sir Lancelot is simply spectacular! Thank you for posting the many photographs of your Sir Lancelot build. Your photo of the mast tops and the large lubber's hole really illustrates what Clipperfan was trying to show me for my Flying Fish build (which I'll be getting back to soon after I finish a few other projects I have in the pipeline). As for projects, I think one of Donald McKay's "California Clippers" may be in order. There are already plenty of Flying Clouds and Flying Fish modeled. What about one of his lesser known clippers such as his medium clipper Santa Clause of 1854 or his extreme clipper Stag Hound of 1850? Modeling any of these will require some research; but that's part of the fun. I've really enjoyed reading your build log.

Welcome Aboard Nate! I recall building an 1805 Swift around 1985. It looked like the thin plywood bulkheads on the kit I had were cut out using a router as the groove around each bulkhead was about 1/16" wide. Those were the good ole days before laser cutting. Wawona59

Hi Sgmartz, The good news is that you probably have several of the tools you will need from your plastic modeling such as x-acto or excel hobby knives and #11 blades. You'll also need sanding sticks. The ones I get at the dollar store are more than adequate and much less expensive than the specialized hobby sanding sticks. A variety of tweezers will be invaluable. Here's a short list of some of the tools you will need: 1. Zona (brand name) fine tooth saw and mitre box 2. Set of miniature files. Get good quality files, I really like my set of Nicholson files and have used them for years. 3. Mini vice for holding your work. I like my Panavice as it has a ball and socket that allows unlimited angle adjustments. 4. Clamps of various sizes. I'm partial to wooden spring loaded cloths pins. The tip can be modified to suit many tasks and they are inexpensive. By flipping the wooden legs around, you can extend the depth for clamping in tight areas. 5. You will need a building board with a way to hold the model steady while you work on it. You can easily make your own. 6. You can probably get by without a fancy plank bending iron and form. You can just use a mini travel iron or hair dryer to provide the heat. I use an old iron for attaching monocote covering to RC airplanes. Don't be seduced by all of the fancy tools and machines on the market. It's amazing and satisfying what can be achieved with simple hand tools. Buy the tools as you need them and buy quality tools. IMHO, buying cheap tools is a false economy. Before you begin your Endeavor, I would build one or two simpler kits. I think the Bluenose fishing schooner would be a good choice. I like the kits produced by Bluejacket and Model Shipways. Bluejacket offers a model kit of the fishing schooner "We're Here" from the Rudyard Kipling novel Captains Courageous. Another option for a first wooden ship model is to buy a cheap wooden kit that's already been started and modify and build it into something you create. It would be a nice gift for someone when you are finished with it. Whatever model ship you build, I hope you will consider starting a build log. MSW has thousands of members. You will get a lot of help and encouragement here. I'll be starting up my Flying Fish build log again as soon as I finish a couple of gift ship models for friends. By the way, Welcome to Model Ship World.

Thank you so much for this info Clipperfan. I recently noticed the issue with the lubbers hole on Jared's build log. The photos you shared are definitive that the lubbers hole on the Glory are larger that shown in the plans and other references I've gathered. I assume that all of McKay's other clippers were similar. I've posted this to my "Fish File" which will be very useful when I get to that point. I've been on a hiatus from the Fish pending replacement parts and other more urgent projects. I'm making a gift for a friend using a discarded MS Phantom solid hull that I was given as a rough guideline. I'm also restoring/completing an inherited Mamoli Golden Hinde as a donation to the college library where I used to teach. After that I'll return to the Fish build log as soon as I can. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying the progress that others on MSW members are making. Thank you for keeping me in the loop on the clipper projects.

Welcome Aboard to Model Ship World. After you finish your 18th Century Longboat, I'd suggest the New Bedford Whaleboat by either Bluejacket or Model Shipways. There are a number of build logs on MSW that you can follow. The instruction manual for the Model Shipways kit is outstanding and is actually a mini treatise on the history and construction of whaleboats. You can't go wrong with either kit. Wawona59

Welcome Aboard Ian, from a retired 64 year old college teacher. It looks like you are in good company as there are a few of us ex-teachers in the group. MSW is a great group of modelers. Good luck on your HMS Terror project. Perhaps you could start a build log when you are ready. Welcome to MSW! Wawona 59 John Newcome

Hello PierreS, Welcome aboard to the Model Ship World forum. MSW is a wonderful site. There are many excellent modelers on this site who willing to help other modelers. Thanks for asking about adding a signature to your profile. I had questions on that topic myself. Wawona59

Blaine, Welcome to MSW. I think the solid hull and shaped spars, (if I recall correctly) of the Marine Models kit will serve as a great starting point for building your Connie. I would not use the old metal fittings though except to use as a pattern. If you see your Connie project through to the end you will gain a ton of experience in research and fabricating parts. In my experience, the members of this MSW forum share and help each other which is one of the reasons this forum is so great. I wish you success in your Connie build and make sure you start a build log when you are ready. Welcome Aboard! Wawona59 John

I also use a tool to scrape out the grooves of my Nicholson Miniature files. Like Banyan I've used an old No. 11 blade usually with a broken tip. Of late, my tool of choice has been an old dental pick to clean out each groove. I've used this on my rattiest mini-file where the grooves were caked with brass, aluminum and styrene. This took a while but the file performance was restored to almost new.

Karen, thank you for sharing your build photos with us. Your artistry is stunning. I hope you will consider posting more of your work. Beautiful!! Wawona59 John Newcome

Hi Geoff, Welcome to MSW. This is a great forum for ship modelers and modelers in general. I've learned so much from the more experienced modelers in the group as well as the discussions on ship modeling techniques plans, research etc. Everyone has been extremely helpful and encouraging. I hope to see some of your work in a future post or build log. Welcome Aboard!! Wawona59 John

Hi Steve, Just discovered your CWM build log. Excellent work so far. I too am gaining considerable experience in fixing broken basswood bulkhead parts with glue and pins. I think the problem stems from me not paying attention to the grain direction on the laser cut parts. I use bamboo skewers and a draw plate to make my repair pins. They are cheap and strong. One package could almost be a lifetime supply. Keep up the good work! Wawona59 John

Welcome to Model Shipworld Igor. Your Ukranian Egg is beautiful and masterfully done. Welcome Aboard! Wawona59