Scottish Guy

Sadly I can´t give more than one thumb up. Looks much better and much more realistic. I love that sub, never have done one myself but that one looks really good. Micha

Thank you Steven but there might not be a recovery. The injury I caused on my shoulder might be permanent. RIght now they are assessing if there is the possibility of a surgery, but that´s not clear and not yet certain about the outcome. I might just have to live with the constant pain. It´s just affecting my job and I (and my manager) try to find another job within the company now so I don´t increase the pain and damage to my shoulder. Micha

Hi Johnny, that´s what I intend to do, sanding the bow and stern smoother and thinner. It looks a bit very bulky tbh. I also want to give all the planks a smoother surface, not much just to get rid of the excess of glue that is visible on some planks. After all it makes sense to do the halves of the hull but I think my way is still a bit easier since the clamps are already tight to get in because of some really narrow spaces at the bow and stern. When the hlaf is laying flat on the MDF board (which is suggested in the instructions) then it will be even harder to get the clamps on. But that is my humble opinion about it. I liked my way to build the hull, I just would build a better jig for sure, where the bow and stern are secured to prevent them from moving / warping and I would definitely glue the planks on each side at the same time, for example Part 11 (first plank to the spine) I would glue on both sides at the same time and so on... so the hull "grows" on both sides simultaneously. Thank you Johnny, it boosts my confidence that someone is interested in my LOG and that it might help you to avoid mistakes or errors to make on your own build or someone elses future build. Micha

* Chapter Six * Planking Galore or The Hull rests on the Stand - finally I just thought I will finish the planking today so I can start with sanding over the weekend. I like smooth surfaces and especially a smooth bow and stern. Unfortunately the spine / keel is warping because of my planking. Meaning the bow bends to the port and the stern to the star side. Also the planking is not exactly mirrored, some planks are not exactly equally set in height on both sides which will maybe cause issues to get the ribs in. I will use the little nails to connect the planks to the ribs - at least that’s my plan. View from atop onto the hull, unfortunately you can see some gaps where I put the glue not properly onto the planks. Will fix that when sanded and ribs in. View from the bow and you can see the warping to the port side. You can also see that the lines of the planks are not equal / mirrored. I think I have still a lot to learn. A view from an angle just to show the lines. I’m not happy with that… can’t change it anymore… The hull placed onto the stand (which I don’t really like). The rest of my supper / dinner… Micha

I´ve done it a couple of times (not related to scale models but under different circumstances) also paper (which is somehow also cellulose - somehow wood) for staining it to look old (for bookbinding). It works well and it doesn´t harm the wood or paper in any way at least not that I noticed. I`ve done this for years now and never had any bad experiences with it. Micha

Don´t get me wrong Simon, you did a pretty good job there. Don´t listen to me, I´ve never done any rat lines yet so I´m the wrong one to assess anything comparable. But to me yours looks amazing. Well done my friend I know you will rock the rest as well, pretty much I can learn from you there. Micha

Thank you Glen for letting me be part of it and allow me to follow your build. It looks amazing and I really love the stand. The root piece looks amazing and that the bottle fits in so neat is just great. It was really a pleasure to follow the build and having all this conversations, even the few "heated" ones (I´m joking, I loved every chat in here pretty much). Thank you guys for allowing me as well being part of your conversations. Micha

* Chapter Five * The Orgy continues or Why do Ships have two Sides to plank… Since the last post of the ship some time went by and my situation changed a bit. Work took over most of my day time now (how dares it) but I kept glueing planks on the ship. Only one and a half is missing. This is part 16 (plank) secured to dry half way on. I never expected to be in need of sooo many clamps lol. For the bow and the stern I prefer the metal clamps since they are thinner on the tip and therefore fit better into the narrow spaces inside, also the keep the planks tighter in place. There is quite some tension on the planks as you can see the gap on the unglued side. Gladly the planks are flexible enough to be bend properly to be fitted on after the other side is dried up. Keeping the unglued side in place… After 15 minutes of waiting and giving the glue time to dry and bind up I glued the other side on. Unfortunately it still takes a lot of clamps to keep it in place. The tension is higher than I expected. Again metal clamps in the narrower spots to keep the plank properly in place. Part 17 (plank) glued on one side. Procedure is the same, a bit repetitive the entire job but that is what it is. I noticed that the sides (port and star) might not be mirrored but a wee bit different. Not sure yet. It’s still a learning process. As I wrote in an earlier post, I would do it definitely different the next time. I would glue each side the same time so it’s easier to measure the distances to the spine and between the planks easier. So the sides would look mirrored properly. On the other hand, in real life the ships wouldn’t have been that accurate because they wouldn’t have had the tools (long level and proper measuring tape) to properly mirror their planks. And again there is the tension noticeable on the opposite side. I will try to put the last plank (part 18) on today so I can start sanding the bow and the stern. They look quite weird with the planks stacked up. I will sand them a bit more rounded and smoother, also the edges of the planks I will smoothen and even them a bit to give a more neat and smooth look. Micha

What shall I say Simon, looks amazingly good. I knew you could make it, you just didn´t want to admit your great skills in doing rat lines hehe... but yes, it looks really good. The top bit is a bit narrow though but I don´t know, it just looks a bit narrow, I wouldn´t like to climb up there. Micha

I have two 3D printers but I don´t do the development for the prints, was always lucky to find some ready patterns to print ^^ I really should get into 3D stuff to print my own ideas and not always search the entire internet for some ideas or pattern. Micha

Maybe I should give it another go lol Micha

Welcome at MSW Micha

Another option for you might be TinkerCAD, it´s a free solution but web based, means you can only use it online, there is no need for a download or install on your computer at all. Disadvantage in my opinion, it´s very basic though, but don´t nail me on this since my experience is basically not existing. This is just my humble opinion. I tried once AutoCAD which is way to complicated for me, but in general the CAD software is not mine, I really prefer the hand drawing not C(omputer) A(ided) D(rawing). Here is the link to TinkerCAD, you also can find there a tool to do draw electrical wiring diagrams etc., you just have to register with an email. Micha

Good luck Frank, would be nice to get some updates how it works out. I tried AutoCAD but that´s not for me lol. I have Shapr3D on my iPad which is already a strange thing to use. I´m better with my hands than with the computer. Micha

Hi Bob, nice to see another viking ship coming to life , looking forward to the build Micha

Just a wee update folks, I´m still building (nope, have not given up) but I returned to work (restricted duties). Which means I´m working 0800 - 1800 and that takes it toll. My built went further by planking the other side but I didn´t take much pictures of the progress, sorry for that. To be honest, is only 4 planks but I will keep you guys entertained with some pictures later today. Thank you all for following the build and I wish that the build and the process of all will end up nicely to look at since this is my first wooden model kit. Still the Billing Boats "The Skuldelevs" in 1:20 in the shelf and the 1959 Revell Cutty Sark (plastic) is on its way. And yes, I not gave up yet as well on my scratch build but this is a bit postponed till I found a proper solution for the hull shape since designer and manufacturer are not very supportive about any kind of line drawings or shapes. Micha

Congratulations to that well done build Bob looks amazing. Micha

Hello Steven, at the moment it slows down a bit. I returned to work after 6 month of illness and I returned to restricted duties only. I might face a surgery as well. So yes, building process slowed down a bit, but I might go for the harbour scenario especially since it seems to be very hard to get viking figures in 1:25 / 1:24 scale that are not warriors but merchants. I will keep you guys updated for sure, just at the moment I don´t post much of the progress even if I should do. Will try to change my "attitude" for this. Micha

Welcome aboard to MSW Pete, I´m sure you will find all the answers you are looking for. Micha

Unfortunately that is true Simon, customer often get confused about WiFi / WLan and broadband / internet. When I then try to explain the difference I foten get told off, then I just stop talking and let them believe their false ideas. I don´t argue with customers especially not when I try to explain and they know it better than me. I just got the email this morning that I´m now able to order FTTP even if the CBT is in my front garden since almost 3 month (so even if you work for them you don´t get it faster lol). Micha

Very curious question, how often is the internet available when you are building your own model? I only had twice issues with the broadband and that was not even caused by the provider but by the electricity network (power cut). Therefore there was no broadband but also no electricity which made the house pretty dark and with torches it´s not a pleasure to build a scale model. I have to say that the broadband here is pretty reliable and that is maybe why I don´t understand the point of no internet available but when I check the reliability ratings for our broadband network (I work for the national provider) it has a stability of 99.2% which means it should be always available. I know we have corners here as well with issues, won´t sugar coat it, but there are issues because people live that remote that the line in general is not much reliable (copper and more than 6 miles away from any network point (exchange / main frame, cabinet / DSLAM) which dramatically affects the connection. That is the only big advantage of full fibre broadband - the reliability and the low loss of strength over distance. Maybe you should try to find out if there is a full fibre connection available. They often come with much higher speeds as well. Micha

Thank you for that, never checked Amazon for model kits like that. The price is quiet shocking but also in USD, have to check if it´s sold in the UK as well. Thank you for that as well Christiano, will have a look at those links. Looks like the Japanese kept a lot of secrets, as in the past as well lol Micha

That`s why I wrote that you should send some greetings to my old hometown (city). The Roar Ege kit is in 1:25 scale, the Skuldelev kit is in 1:20 scale and yes, I agree the Skuldelev 5 would be a nice kit, trying to find some plans / blueprints for it. Skuldelev 1 is also very interesting as a long distance going ship (Atlantic crossing). Micha

I know the history of the Skuldelevs, that`s why I have choosen the model kit. Unfortunately I found the 1:20 kit later than the new version called "Roar Ege". The builds differ completely in the way of being build (even if I have somewhat choosen the Skuldelev way to build the Roar Ege). I have seen the replica which was built in 1982 but decomissioned in 2007 and is now on display. In 2017 it was again rebuild as Estrid Byrding. Skuldelev 1 was rebuild in 1999 as Ottkar. Skuldelev 6 was rebuild in 1998 as Kraka Fyr and in 2010 with a name I can´t recall. Skuldelev 5 has been rebuilt in 1990 / 1991 as Helge Ask. Good luck in finding the time to build the amazing little ship. I´m always impressed what the vikings could archive with this little ships compared to some bigger ships from the other countries like England or Spain. Schöne Grüsse an meine gebürtige Heimat (Düsseldorf). Micha

Hi Johnny, thank you for this nice comment. I have to say, afterwards, since I did it the way I did I must say. I wouldn´t do it again this way. I would use the jig as I did again for sure, that idea is much better than the way BB explains it to do. The two sides build and then glue it together is not ideal. The jig I build works well but I would next time do both sides at the same time to maintain equality in the planking. I noticed slight differences in the sides right now where the lines look ok in each side, but when looking at the ship from above you see that they are not exactly mirrored. But that is the learning effect and that is why this LOG might be helpful to others, to learn by my mistakes. Again, I would always build the ship again with a hig as I did, not both sides separately, but then I would advise to plank both sides at the same time to adjust the equality of the planks on both sides. Thank you for this kind and polite words Johnny, I really appreciate that. They help me to keep my mind on it (it can be challenging as it is my first wooden build) and gives me a confidence boost. Micha