cdogg

I think we all can agree that it all depends on what glue you use. I've never tried water based stain, I might give it a go now. Any suggestions on brand? Thanks!

The seal will mess up the glue for sure.  On my first build I put on a few layers on semi gloss poly and a couple days later did some touch ups, next day the CA glue had turned into the transparent mushroom like thing I had scrape off with a 11 blade.

As for the stain, I have used oil based Minwax and let it dry for at least a day, glued ok, then sealed.  Maybe it is the minwax oil but the glue (Slow drying CA and Titebond wood glue) have been ok with stained wood.  Thin, super fast CA may have some issues.

Also, stray glue tends to really stick out when stain is applied so I always stain--> glue--> seal.

Hope this helps!

I hear you with the gel stain, I use it only on dowels now (works very well) and touch ups.  Had a hell of time with some Varathane Early American gel stain, looked more like Ebony by the time it dried.

Boats looking good!

I'd buy it, there a is ton of info on this build here on MSW.  I do not know how they rate the difficulty levels though.

Jacques, probably best to start a build,log and repost the questions. I have this kit as well, I can get you some answers to the questions there. Also, it will be easier for other members to see your questions. This a nice kit to start with.

Well, slowly getting back to the shipyard.  At the point just before planking the deck, which I hope to get to tomorrow.  Here is where I am at now.

I always stain the wood parts before using glue, this helps eliminate the glue spots. Also after they dry you are fine to bend them. However sanding will bring out the stain and lighten it closer to the original wood. Hope this helps, these are things I learned by trial and error after 4 builds.

Looking great Shawn. Love the Midwest kits! Can't wait to see more.

Wow, those look great! I am definitely going to try this, thanks!

Great start Chief, I'm a big fan of the Midwest Kits. I am looking forward to watching this build.

Thanks Shawn! Funny I didn't notice the Samson post broke off when I tied the front sail, haha. Just glued it back on.

Well finished her during the Vikings game on Sunday, finally got some pictures up.  It was fun, took me about 50-60 hours, now onto the next boat! Thanks to all that followed this build!  Sorry the pics aren't great, need a better camera!

Thanks Sailor, that sounds like a plan.  Do you have any pics I could see of your decal work?  

The thing that bugs me about the card part is it has the mahogany is painted in with the paint, which we all know will not match the real mahogany on the ship.  I would have to cut out the prepainted wood sections and it would probably go.

Hi Patrick, that looks like a great kit to start out with.  

Don't know much about Jokita kits.  Over here in the US the most popular and easiest to find kits are Midwest Products, Model Shipways, and Latina I have noticed.  So, that is why none of the Americans on this site probably have not built the kit.  

If I am correct, Calderdraft and Jokita are UK based? I checked them out and the HMS Mars and the HM Supply look cool, maybe I will have to get one!

Cruising the internet, I found a Constructo kit based on a 19th century shipbuilding shop kit, more like a diorama.  Anyone ever seen a build of this out there, maybe on MSW 1.0? I asked Constructo if they still made it and they said no, thinking outside of the US there might be some for sale?  Or else this maybe would be a fun scratch kit.

OLD COMPUTER PARTS - I have found many of great things inside old computers before throwing them away at work.  Plastic cooling vents, fans, wiring, various thin metal pieces that can be molding into some great ships parts.

I think they may have made the third one a sealer non paint.  I have noticed this with kit suggestions.  Like, it will be black, red, and floquil glaze.  The only color I would guess for the Red Dragon would be green.

I always thought frame building gave the builder more options to explore the inside of the boat like interior designs. Bulkheads tend to take up the space for that.

Just got another email from Mamoli, apparently the parts all used to be handmade but know since they are laser cut that part was causing problems for them to manufacture.  I must say I am impressed with their support, just want to let everyone know.

I just grabbed the Mamoli Golden Hind kit last week, and it has a major issue that may be of great concern for some builders.

The decorative silk screened mahogany is no longer produced by Mamoli.  According to Alessandro at Mamoli, they were having too many issues with the paint staying in the mahogany so they replaced the parts with card stock.  They started doing this with the kit about 4 years ago.  So, if your kit is older than 2009, you may get the silk screened parts but they may look like they are damaged I am guessing.

You can imagine my shock when I pulled the cardboard sheet out of the box, the one part I really wanted to see!!!

I was told I could either use the cardstock cut out or take 0.5mm mahogany strips to paint them myself.  I suppose with some practice it could work.

Just a heads up.  The kit looks pretty good otherwise, although the instructions are not very friendly and might scare off a first time builder.  This will be my spring 2014 project.

Anyone else on MSW have this kit?

I'll take the midwest prices over those! The Cat boat looks cool.

Awesome!

Ugh, started the rigging last night and my lack of boat knowledge struck!  I wired the blocks with the loops parallel with the block holes for the rigging, everything crosses each other, especially at the top of the mast.  Lesson learned, I have to redo the blocks tonight and have another go at it. 

I think Cornwall model Boats website might have them or similar for sale. I know they have 1:64 swivel guns.

Hello Dmitriy--

I found the bulkhead issue right away, I have probably spent 4 hours so far getting them in shape, even the drawings were off in the manual.  I widened the space between the deck guides to the bulkheads and they helped a little.  

I haven't gotten around to checking out the chain plates but thanks for the heads up.  I noticed the metal castings for the transom look a little rough, any suggestion on how I should start from scratch?

Thanks!!