BuckyBoo

Just a short update as I've been busy with other things lately: I've been struggling with gluing on the bulkheads so they're straight and square with the keel - any advice about this would be appreciated! -BB

Got it! Thank you!

Hi everyone! Finally started the Bluenose kit that was dug out of storage and given to me by a friend of mine! Didn't really get up to a whole lot yet, mostly figuring out what I should be doing, and trying to get the keel straightened out. Here's what's in the kit: Fortunately, it came with the fittings box too! I did inventory and I'm not sure it actually has all the pieces listed on the inventory sheet... But I'll double check, and do some research to see if there's any good substitutions I can make when I get to that point. It also came with a length of fabric for the sails, and the sails drawings. Closer image of the fittings box: The deadeyes and blocks are all plastic, and I don't like them very much - but upon thinking about it, I decided I will be using them for this build because this is the first one I've ever done, after all. Better to use the cheap-looking ones I got for free, than to potentially ruin pretty ones I spent money on, I think! I'll consider getting better looking fittings for my next build The blueprints, which I've taped to my wall for easy access: So far all I've got to report is that I've straightened out a couple pieces by wetting them, then weighing them down and clamping them to a table. And, I carefully cut out and sanded these itty bitty bits that go on the mast: I figured I might as well get some of the more tedious things out of the way while I wait for things to be pressed into shape. (I might re-do a couple of them though, since their shapes aren't very consistent) I want to try to take this build really slow and careful, since I'm so new to to the craft, and just woodcraft in general. I'm sure I'll make loads of mistakes, but I'm excited to learn a lot in the process. Lastly, I noticed that a couple of the bulkheads are a bit broken like this : I was able to fit it to the keel, but the sharp ends of the breaks looked like they were gonna break off if I wasn't careful. Should I do something about this? And if so, what would be the best course of action? On that note, any and all advice is greatly appreciated! If you made it this far, thanks so much for reading! I'll try to update at least weekly - BB

Thanks for the tips! I'll look into scale rope and better blocks and deadeyes - especially the latter, since my kit comes with kind of ugly plastic ones haha. And thanks so much for the book rec! I'll definitely be checking that out

Thanks!

Thank you!

Thank you! I hope one day I'll be able to say the same! And I'm sure they will be

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks so much! I'm looking forward to learning from everyone here

Thank you!

Thanks!

I'll be sure to do that, thank you!

Thanks!

Thanks!! And yeah, so I've seen I'm so glad!

Hello everyone! I'm so glad I found this lovely resource! I've been interested in ships for years now, but really only read some books here and there or watched a documentary or two. Despite it being what I'd consider a long-term interest, I still feel very new to the topic! I'm very excited to learn a lot from the veterans here :D I came to this site specifically because an old kit happened upon me just last month (A Billing Boats Bluenose, NR452 - seemingly barely begun and abandoned for at least a decade in storage). A friend of mine found it, knew of my interest in ships, and sent it along to me. I've never built a model ship in my life, and despite a bit of handy crafty experience, I definitely have a lot to learn! I'm going to try starting the kit this weekend! I've already done inventory, and started research (lots of reading build logs posted here). I'm excited! Wish me luck! And thanks again, everyone, for being here and maintaining such a great resource for new builders