glbarlow

So caved to the demand and moved from MDF to ply...? My Speedy will have white stuff anyway, historical issues aside no copper for me. Sure wish I had boxwood though

I appreciate the effort but I’m not comfortable sitting my models on a stand, I need to have them mounted and fixed, so from my standpoint it isn’t needed. But that’s just me. 

I have two Midwest kits on hand and my own plan for working with her. We’ve built lots of magnet block works, STEM Towers and all kinds of art projects. My post was looking for kits, I have found those, so thanks and appreciation for those kit suggestions. 

Oh, almost forgot, I had these arrive this week, resin casting samples for me to build the prototype model, which will be the next main VM release (after the 2 little fishing boats, which I should be able to complete over the next three weeks - but then have to wait for other things related to them, due to lockdowns..). cannot wait to continue with the kit development these castings belong to, though..

I ordered a few sheets, it is very expensive, and I got lucky with the thickness of the sheets this time. MDF will however, always be used for false keel and bulkheads, as I prefer it, as a modeller myself. Plus I do not have to worry about slot sizes..

It's only the stern frames in birch ply and not a wholesale replacement of the MDF core.

I checked several of the sites listed but didn’t have much luck finding milled strips for ship building, specialty in millimeter sizes. This three is from 2013, anyone have more current suppliers for model grade exotic strip wood?

Thanks 4 all support and comments. 
 
Yes, once you try box it will be difficult to go back to walnut. Just working with this Wood is a pleasure. 

I have two Midwest kits on hand and my own plan for working with her. We’ve built lots of magnet block works, STEM Towers and all kinds of art projects. My post was looking for kits, I have found those, so thanks and appreciation for those kit suggestions. 

Good. I have no interest in sails and wouldn't want to absorb the extra cost. Making them an add-on option is good call.
 
Those planking lines don't look very beginerish...

I have two Midwest kits on hand and my own plan for working with her. We’ve built lots of magnet block works, STEM Towers and all kinds of art projects. My post was looking for kits, I have found those, so thanks and appreciation for those kit suggestions. 

But first a frigate please
 

It's so nice to realise that we inspired some to start building with their kids   Hopefully there would be more!
Will try to share all my observations, maybe it would be useful. Of course, everything is different, and I only have one child to compare.
The modelling sessions were around 20-30 min at the age of 6. There was no expectation of a quick result, but more of "I want to do the same thing my dad is doing", plus a natural interest in doing something crafty. Each finished phase was treated as a semi-finished thing you can play with. I remember same when I was a kid - finished model was as exciting as an unfinished one, so do not stress too much about it. It is unlikely to be finished unless you can do it many times per week.
Expect some deviations from the plan, this is normal and increases the interest. For example, my daughter likes to build things from small scrap pieces left over from my build, by gluing them together and to a piece of paper.
The starting skills are non-existing, every technique needs to be explained with some practice and help.  How to hold a file? Sanding? Gluing? Cutting? Every single operation is new, account for that when planning a build. Prepare every session, so you have parts at hand, tools ready, etc.  
Each method and skill is introduced the following way: show it first, explain how it works. Let the kid practice on some scrap, first holding hand, then letting go and allow to make some mistakes. Do not start with safety precautions, introduce them gently where necessary. Dremel is quite kid friendly,  by the way (if you do not use cutoff wheels and such).
One of the hardest skills is keeping a consistent angle / plane when using a tool, as well as consistent pressure. Steady hand when using a file, for example. Still struggle with that a little bit, so do not have a very high demands on filing quality.
Sanding is tedious, plus a pressure level is different. Split the time evenly, so kid feels that the contributions is fair. But just because of skill and pressure, your sanding would do 70% of the job. The other person holds a vacuum hose, which also counts as help.
Let the child help, find some "busywork" in a delicate situations. For example, some of the planks in our kit are a very thin and delicate veneer, which breaks easily. I was doing any edge shaping, but she was helping to fit, hold the light, etc etc.
Safety-wise - perfect time to introduce dust protection and safety glasses, no problem with that if you both use it. Dust protection is mostly decorative, all the masks and respirators are way too big for a child face, but it's still a good habit. I used a vacuum to really catch small particles when sanding.
 
Plastic or wood? Plastic models involve CA glue or cement, both are harder and more risky to use by a child. Also parts are smaller. Wood - larger parts, safer tools (file, sandpaper, PVA glue). Some machine tools are also fine - with some help and introduction, she learned how to use Dremel (nylon brush to clean the glue squeeze-out, sanding drump, drill), disk sander (low power, so it would stop even if you stick finger into it) and even a bandsaw (of course, all supervised). At the same time, I would not dare introducing table saw or a mill, that one is too risky. 
 
Planking is actually doable by a kid if planks are pre-shaped (laser cut). Assembling the hull (bulkheads and so on) - doable as well. The rest is up to you, probably a lot of details needs to be skipped.
But even if you will end up with just a planked hull - it is already something that is nearly finished. Add a mast and few sails - imagination runs wild!
Do not forget that it's all for the process - positive reinforcement, highfives and a good mood is the most important technique in the whole exercise. It helps to be a big goofy, make stupid mistakes and let a child correct you and help you - it makes them very very proud  
Hope you will have many enjoyable sessions with your granddaughter, that she will remember for a long time afterwards. Does not matter if she will end up with a finished model. 

Alot of fitting, filing and sanding... innerwalls, and gunports finally done! This will never be perfect, just need to work untill u think its good enough for your build. Next step is to do some black airbrushing and then I plan to start with the copper.

Lady Nelson is a basic cutter, but the principals and steps are the same as a more advance model, just less of it.  There is also ample opportunity to kit bash it and build a better model than what comes with the kit. it’s very doable and a good start provided you’re willing to take the time and do the research on how to build models. 
 
However, I’d recommend Vanguard Models cutter Alert.  It’s a bit simpler than Speedy, the big difference is clear detailed instructions, much better materials, and good plans.  Better all around than Lady Nelson, but more cost though.  I think the price difference is worth it for the instructions alone. 
 
I learned the most on my 2nd model by punching the Bob Hunt practicum and the AVS, Reed Virginia Schooner, but I’m not sure that’s available or if Hunt is still in business. 
 
It’s about what your style. Personally I’d be bored by a simple open boat and more likely to abandon that than spending the time learning new skills and having something to display when I’m done.  

It’ll be very exciting to see the Bristol; I’m looking forward to seeing the updates on that when they come out.
 

Bristol is most definitely going to happen, the decoration has already been sorted, plus the ordnance. 

But first a frigate please
 

Agreed! After my third small/medium development (not counting the two small fishing boats), I cannot tell you how much I want to start doing larger kits. So with 5 kits available, these should help with the larger kit development and material costs.
No day job today, am off sick - but no symptoms for the Corona virus, I think I am just a little run down...

Hi again SpyGlass
 
I've now got to my PC and found the set I bought a couple of years ago, from Eternal Tools - here. To be honest, I don't use all the files in the set, and could probably have done just as well with one of the sets of 6.
 
Eternal also sell in the US and Europe. The following video gives a really good review of Vallorbe files, and might help answer some of the questions you and others have about the use of the different file types.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Derek
 

But first a frigate please
 

I’m no professional model painter but decided I was tired of Cochrane being gray. So here he is on the deck of my current project, a Chris design from long ago. 
 

But first a frigate please
 

But first a frigate please
 

But first a frigate please