Dave B

Attaching the railing parts. Went smoothly, parts fit really well.

Well, no luck so far... New price of $95 plus actual shipping cost for the set. Dave

Thanks Captain. That sounds like great advice. It was already becoming less noticeable with each coat (I have 3 coats of the black paint on there now). On the other hand I'm ready to move on to the next step. I'm just glad my taping job worked to keep paint off the other areas. I will definitely remember your suggestion for future builds though!

Thank you James! And for the likes too! Here's my latest photo of some progress after painting the wales. I can see that I didn't quite do enough "filling and sanding" that was supposed to remove any gap between the two strips and there's still a visible groove in areas. But I'm happy with it overall. I'm using the Humbrol paints recommended in the instructions and they are really easy to use, it's my first time trying that brand. Dave

Would the etching primer be from a spray can? I might try that on my Speedy. Any particular brand you recommend?

I'm lowering the price for this set of 2 books to $125 which includes shipping to USA addresses from Missouri. (Current retail price is $170) Thanks, Dave

Thanks everyone. Working on the rudder. I found getting the hinges lined up to be a little tricky. Temporarily attached for now.

I've completed the copper plates on both sides of the hull! After taking a long time to do the first side, the second side went much more quickly. I got much better at cutting the plates where needed with my Xuron cutters which sliced right through them. Definitely some tricky parts but overall I'm happy with it. I see that some people put a clear coat of some kind over the copper and I'm open to suggestions on that if anyone has any. Just have to copper the rudder parts and then on to something new! Dave

Starting on the copper plates! These little plates are really nice. They are easy to work with due to being so thin. CA glue seems to hold them really well but if needed I can pop one off and re-attach. It looks like you just add one row on top of the other with no tapering of the plates until the top is reached. With each row I get faster too. It's kind of fun actually. One thing I probably should fix is that I didn't realize until I took a closer look at the on-line manual that the plates at the bow should be bent to fit and not cut there. I didn't notice that in the paper manual. Or is it OK how I'm doing it? Dave

Keel and other parts added and I've marked out the waterline which was a bit challenging to get correct but I think I've got it (not shown in photo) Will soon be starting on the copper plates! I have been reviewing the previous build logs for tips on that process. I considered leaving them off but I think I will proceed with coppering since I've never done that before. By the way, I was able to clean the copper plates easily (from my prior post). Dave

I have an extra copy of these books due to an order mixup a couple years ago. Both volumes are in perfect condition and still sealed in the outer protective wrap as they arrived. I never opened this set, only my other set of the same books which I have read multiple times and thoroughly enjoy. I will ship them in the original box which protects them well. Asking $150 for the set which includes shipping to USA addresses. Dave

Thanks CiscoH and everyone! Here's the second layer of planking completed. I had just rubbed mineral spirits on it to catch any glue splotches which is why it appears a little shiny in the photo but that's evaporated now. Now I'm finishing the painting the inner bulwarks area. I'm using the recommended Humbrol red paint and it's taking quite a few coats. Maybe I should have used a primer first. It's my first time using this Humbrol enamel paint, which does look really nice and is easy to brush on but seems to needs multiple coats to look even on the wood. Since it's coming up soon, I do have a question about the copper plates. There is discoloration of some of them as seen in the photo below and I assume this is nothing to worry about. But I'm not sure how to make them all look the same, or at least close, and if I should do that now or after they are installed? Thanks, Dave

Beautiful work! I went back and saw where you were debating and experimenting with what type of topcoat finish to use on the hull. Did you end up using the WOP or something else?

Thanks everyone for the nice thumbs ups. Latest update: I've been working on the second layer of planking and it seems to be going well so far. Following the instructions, I use a utility knife with a nice sharp blade to make the tape after marking where to start it. Then I slide the edge back and forth on some self-adhesive 180 grit sandpaper stuck to a flat table top. I use two hands to do this in reality, not one, so that I can apply some slight downward pressure as I do that while holding it perpendicular. This makes a nice smooth transition from where I made the taper cut to the rest of the strip. Then I use the little iron method to edge bend as demonstrated in other build logs. I made a little jig to make this easy to do with one hand on the iron. Then I use my standard plank bender iron to make the bend the other way and get it to match the shape of the bow area. I've been using stick fast brand thick ca glue mostly, and medium worked just as well, as stated in the instructions. I use those little plastic micro tips to apply it. I do about 1/4 of the strip at a time. I hold it for 5-10 seconds then move to the next section. I find that I have only about 2-3 seconds to adjust it if it isn't in the exact spot I want it. (I don't have any debonder...need to get some) By the way, that foam cushion works great to allow me to apply a fair amount of pressure without damaging anything. Thanks again to all the other build log submitters, very helpful to have those to refer to as I proceed. Dave

Thanks for the likes! Added a couple photos of progress from last month showing the first layer of planking. I found the utility knive method Chris uses to be quite effective with always having a sharp blade and taking multiple light cuts and firmly holding a steel ruler to guide the cuts. It seemed to work even without soaking the planks or just very brief soaking. I'm not onto the second layer of planking and will add more of those photos soon too and be all caught up to where I'm at currently.

I have started to build my Speedy kit and so far it's been a joy to work on. I have not had any difficulties so far that I couldn't figure out from looking at other build logs or more carefully reviewing the instructions. It's my first kit from Vanguard Models and I can see why they have quickly become so popular. I'm hoping that once I complete Speedy I will have gained enough skill to finish my Niagara kit that has been at a standstill for many years. I'm sure I will have questions as I progress further. Thank you to all who have posted the previous build logs. I have read all of them! Dave Barnard

I did sell the building slip I mentioned above, had an inquiry recently so wanted to state this is sold. Thank you.

Holding for you BikerMart, thank you.

If anyone in the USA is interested, I have one of these which I'm not going to use. It is still in the original box with seal intact, unassembled. It's just been sitting here unopened. It still has the outer black plastic they used to protect it (looks like a folded up trash bag to me). I paid $64.99 in 2019 plus shipping. This is the larger of the two sizes they made. I'll sell it for $55 plus shipping, preferably UPS which is most convenient for me. (or pick up for free from Columbia MO) The box weighs a little over 17 pounds and measures 41" x 11" x 4" Dave

If anyone in the USA is interested, I have one of these which I'm not going to use. It is still in the original box with seal intact. I bought one in 2019 and it arrived with some broken parts. So I contacted Hobbyworld USA and they said they would send those parts to me. But then nothing happened over the next couple months and they weren't responding anymore to my emails. So I fixed the original one assuming I wasn't getting a replacement for the broken parts. Then out of the blue about 6 months later I received a brand new one, the whole thing without explanation. It's just been sitting here unopened. It still has the outer black plastic they used to protect it (looks like a folded up trash bag to me). Anyways, if interested it is available. I paid $64.99 at the time plus shipping. I'll sell it for $60 plus shipping, preferably UPS which is most convenient for me. (or pick up for free from Columbia MO) The box weighs a little over 17 pounds and measures 41" x 11" x 4" I will put this message in the selling area too, that's probably where it's supposed to go... Dave

Hi Frank, thanks for checking in with me! Yes, I am fine 🙂. I have not worked on the ship for a while, although I didn't realize it's been almost 6 months already until this message. I've been doing some non-ship projects but do plan to get back to this after those are completed. I am pleased with how all the parts came out cutting them on my own and it's quite satisfying to do all that work yourself I think. Here is the latest pic from where it is sitting in my woodshop, nothing glued yet but the parts fit night and snug and seem to line up straight. It was a lot of work just getting to this point, lots of sawing! Hoping to make further progress soon! Dave

Regarding the brushed on glue method, I am not building this kit but assume it would work well for any kit so I was wondering about it. Do you dilute with water? And what is a good ratio of glue to water to use? Thanks, Dave

New price of $540 now. This should bring the total including shipping via UPS to under $600 for most USA locations. Please let me know if anyone would like more photos or other information. This kit is just too big for me and I have plenty of others on the shelf so that's why I'm selling it. Thanks for looking! Dave

Amati/Vanguard Kit #1300/04 in new condition. Nothing started, everything is exactly as received when I bought this a few years ago. I have added some additional packing material to keep everything protected inside. Price is $600 plus actual shipping cost. It will ship in the original outer box which is 40" x 18" x 9" The total weight is 34 lbs.

I ordered one of these a couple months ago and it had some issues with damage during shipment. Just wanted to say that Matt took care of everything for me, excellent customer service from HobbyWorld USA!!! Dave