Bill Hime

As a carpenter of the purest blood, I will avoid to the best of my ability to lay paint over wood. My goal too, is to use woods that natural color will celebrate the design without sacrificing the pedigree of the lumber used. Perhaps a thinned wash with the represented pigment...just my thoughts Warm Regards, Bill

Good morning everyone! Welcome to the C.W. Hime Shipyard Sjors, No the kits are not ordered yet, but very very soon! We invested a bit of cash in the materials to but together the shipyard this week. And yes, Sateash setup a nice corner for the popcorn machine! I have quite a few hobby tools I'm going to dig out today and start organizing and make a list of things I know I'm going to need yet specific to shipbuilding gjdale, Thank you for the warm welcome! There will definitely be a lot of pics and details of every step. I think that is the only way to get good input in this first and very challenging build. Augie, Thank you, the work space sure is more than I expected to have to start with, no excuses there, lol! I sure do have a lot to live up to following your footsteps and the detailing of your build log. Thank you for being a huge inspiration to me! Mobbsie, Thank you, and bring on the banter! I love the comradely that I've seen displayed here at MSW I also said I was doing a side build. I've elected to do the "Pride of Baltimore 2", by Model Shipways, 1:64 scale. A very sleek and beautiful ship with a neat history as well. Any thoughts on this choice are more than welcome. I will start a build log for the "PofB2" when I actually receive the kit. So here's my immediate question, where is the best place to order these kits from? Does it make a difference being in the U.S.? What kind of time should I expect to wait for them to arrive? Also, best place to order lumber, i.e.. boxwood, limewood, ebony, etc...? Once again, thank you to everyone! Sateash and I are so excited to take this journey with all of you! Warm Regards, Bill

Kits not here yet. But many things to research and creating a list of things I want to incorporate in this build. We're having a couple of pints of beer tonight to celebrate the opening! Warm Regards! Bill

Robert, What a beautiful example of what can be done! I'm new to this site and this particular hobby. What a pleasure to follow and learn. Thank you, Bill

I'd be more than happy to buy it from you. PM me if you are interested, I have plenty of ideas for uses in my upcoming builds. Thanks! Bill

This is the opening day of C.W. Hime Shipyard! As previously discussed, the Admiral completely re-arranged our living room to put the shipyard front and center. I know the dust issues, having been a cabinetmaker and modelrailroader. I'm confident we can handle it with dust control methods and some more involved sanding taken place in the garage. Most importantly, I'm ecstatic to share this journey and part of my heart with my wife, Sateash and all the new friends we develop here at MSW 2.0! So as promised, I'm going to attempt to load the before and after pics of the living room become shipyard:

Oh, good! I was wanting to incorporate ebony as the black portion of the hull possibly. Didn't want to use it if it was frowned upon by the modeling community. Bill

Ah paint, hmm.. You know one has a good life when he has time to contemplate paint. I have no choice now but to look further into this ! Augie, in the beginning of this build log you mentioned there would be no ebony used in this build. That prompted me to do some searching on the situation surrounding ebony. I see that there are issues of over harvest and/or wasteful harvesting practices. I also see that there are some who are trying to improve this situation. What are your concerns or thoughts on this? I know this is more suitable for the "woods" area, but I was more interested in your take on this for your build. Bill

Keeping the lantern's burning in the shipyard until your return Bill

I really like the color. Has an old world opaque and denseness to it without being sloppy and thick. Many colonial and pre-colonial colors were chosen because they were repeatable and durable. Bill

Mike, you got me thinking. I think a laminent cutter set in a small bench top router table would be perfect. plenty of power to cut fine details in hardwood. The chuck would be much smaller as well. I will probably make my own table that attaches to the front of my workbench for flexability Bill

Chris, I have just seen your post. Thank you for your thoughtful imput. I think there are many reasons people lose interest. And I would think that everyone of us that has pursued an endeavor outside our daily responsibilites has from time to time, succumb to this disappointment. Some more than others. I think your point is a valid one that everyone should consider. .. Sometimes one just needs to clear life out of the way and pursue what fuels their heart and fore go the excuses...That's what I've done Warm Regards, Bill

Hi Nigel! Thank you for the warm welcome! And thank you for a great post! For me, once I start walking through the build, I see it as if I too were 1/64th scale. My imagination can see every mortise and tendon. I can smell the aroma of wood being worked. I can feel my thickened hands wrapped around every tree nail as I set them with my beech wood mallet. My chisels, they are sharp and cut true, a relationship with the wood that rings like Mozart through the shipyard. Each day is like a first date. Time stands still until suddenly the night is over. I walk through her one last time. Lantern held high, my eyes trace her lines as the shadows frame her beauty. My chest grows tight, I am in love. Each day I spend with her she grows in her splendor. She is a princess of the best stock. Each plank and beam hand picked for her approval. Every man that looks upon her, if he's worth his salt, can't help but feel as I do. Nothing is rushed, I simply don't want it to end. Someday she will leave my shipyard. All that I can do is make sure every detail has been given it's proper time, so she is prepared to survive an uncertain world... Passion is Patience...and I am a carpenter at any scale Bill Hime

Brian C. I do hear you. With that said, we do not all have the same "baseline". We all have different life experiences and influences that bring each of us to the point we are at as of today. I have been very blessed to have been surrounded by artisans and tradesmen my whole life. I have had woodworking tools in my hands since I was 8 yrs old. I have been modeling in some fashion from the same age and up to now. Not every bodies "first boat" experience is going to be the same. Nor are they all going to be content and ultimately fulfilled with picking something that doesn't test their personal baseline. I must say that the first thing I questioned after reading your last post was; "Why did you throw it in the fire..what a waste! I would have put it on the shelf and admired it as my first. I would continue to reflect back upon it with each new model appreciating how much my "baseline" has grown...But that's me, we're just different. No better than one another, just different Best wishes to you! Bill Hime

Brian C. I've always done well going with what drives me. I respect your advice, thank you for the imput May your decks always face the sun! Bill

Great suggestions JPett! A little bit of everything! Definitely on my list to consider! Thank you Bill

I can't wait to get a look inside that box ! lol, it's kind of like watching someone open Birthday gifts!

Hi Jason! I understand what you're are saying. I think for me, taking on two builds simultaneously will give me the best of both worlds. I am most comfortable when challenged at the best of my current abilities. That's how I learn and grow. I've never been one to measure myself or others by limitations, but rather potential. The difficulty of any endeavor has never been a deciding factor for me. I look to the endeavor to feed me and fill my heart. That is what brings me peace I will definitely start a build log very soon, even before the kit arrives. I will share every detail, even my research and thought process. Finishing the new work space this week. The "C.W. Hime Shipyard" should be open for business by the end of this coming weekend!

Andy, Thank you. I understand the points you make. I will definitely take a look at the Caldercraft models and the Lady Nelson, assuming her namesake! Casey S, I do like the idea of doing both. Especially because I wanted to get into some rigging work as well this winter. The one thing I loved most about model railroading was that you could work on so many different aspects as you choose, while waiting for materials or taking a break from some of the more tedious task. To this point have not had the room to do the size of layout that would satisfy my needs. John, I completely agree about scale! I'm very detail oriented. My whole goal is to create as much scale detail as possible, and in time to push the limits of the craft. That's what satisfies me So here's my conclusion: I'm going to do the Confederacy as my first. At the same time, I'm going to find another, smaller project that is different enough to be a nice change up for the duration of the main build. The above imput all helped me come to this conclusion. Thank you, Andy, Casey S, and John ! Bill

My names Bill Hime. These are three kits I've narrowed my choice to: 1) Sirene, French Frigate by Corel 1:75 scale 2) La Gloire, French Frigate by Mamoli 1:90 scale 3) Usf Confederacy, Admiralty Model 1778, 1:64 scale NOTE: This is the one that is really calling to me. I don't know anything about these companies or these models. Any imput would be greatly appreciated Thanks, Bill Hime

What a pleasure to follow! This will be my first build. Just waiting on the mail! Will be watching closely !

Glad I was able to get into this build early on. I'm doing the USf Confederacy first, then the Niagara, then the HMS Surprize. At least that's the plan for the foreseeable future! Being originally from Ohio, The US Brig Niagara has a special place in local history, even now living in Wisconsin . Look forward to following along! Bill Hime

JPett, I just joined MSW a day or two ago. Your log is the first that I have read and I have not missed a word. What a great log! I look forward to continuing to follow your journey with this build. The mistakes are far more important than the successes, especially when sharing with others. Thank for your candidness and persistence. Much can be learned from both May your decks always face the sun...Bill Hime