Bill Hime

Wow, FINALLY!!! It's here! I chose the Pride of Baltimore as my side build while building the USF Confederacy. I'm waiting to see if the Confed might be marked down during the holiday shopping season. So I ordered the Pride so I can dig in and get the doors of the C.W. Hime Shipyard open for business.
 
Today's the day! This is a Model Shipways kit. I ordered it through ebay from a wholesale hobby outlet. As advertised, everything remains in it's original packaging. It even had an enclosed invoice dated 1999. 
Tonight the Admiral and I are taking inventory of the kit. I'm also paying close attention to the integrity of the wood since this kit has been sitting since 1999.
I'm already planning on replacing the Basswood planking/decking with Boxwood. as of now, I do not plan on painting the Pride except for her mast where black is noted.
I have built cabinets of the highest grade. I have done historical restoration in libraries, manor homes and more. But I do not kid myself for a moment, this is a very different endeavor. Here, among all of you, I find myself once again an apprentice.
 
I look forward to the challenge and most of all learning, adding to my skill set, and perusing what has beckoned me my entire life, building tall ships.
I welcome all of you to pick up a chisel, choose your favorite mortise and set a peg!
 
 
Warm Regards,
 
Bill Hime
 
 

Augie,
 
You are a gracious and honorable man. Thank you for your character and example. I am so very happy you are back :)
 
 
With Great Admiration,
 
Bill

Great to see you started Bill, and lucky that there are only front row seats here. I look forward to enjoying the ride with you.

Wow, FINALLY!!! It's here! I chose the Pride of Baltimore as my side build while building the USF Confederacy. I'm waiting to see if the Confed might be marked down during the holiday shopping season. So I ordered the Pride so I can dig in and get the doors of the C.W. Hime Shipyard open for business.
 
Today's the day! This is a Model Shipways kit. I ordered it through ebay from a wholesale hobby outlet. As advertised, everything remains in it's original packaging. It even had an enclosed invoice dated 1999. 
Tonight the Admiral and I are taking inventory of the kit. I'm also paying close attention to the integrity of the wood since this kit has been sitting since 1999.
I'm already planning on replacing the Basswood planking/decking with Boxwood. as of now, I do not plan on painting the Pride except for her mast where black is noted.
I have built cabinets of the highest grade. I have done historical restoration in libraries, manor homes and more. But I do not kid myself for a moment, this is a very different endeavor. Here, among all of you, I find myself once again an apprentice.
 
I look forward to the challenge and most of all learning, adding to my skill set, and perusing what has beckoned me my entire life, building tall ships.
I welcome all of you to pick up a chisel, choose your favorite mortise and set a peg!
 
 
Warm Regards,
 
Bill Hime
 
 

Let's go!  And Bon Voyage.

Ahoy Bill
 
Looking forward to your progress

Hi Bill, am loving the flow and prose of your posts and I shall  be looking out for your log !
 
Quick question, could you perhaps put a mention in this post when you begin it.. that way we can be in at the start, I feel this may be one not to be missed both from the work and the writing.
 
It is a simple pleasure to read this log..
 
Eamonn
 
From a long line of Boat owners, Master Mariners & Marine Engineers.. sailors all, yet could hardly hammer a nail, and I've inherited the ability, alas

Walter,
 
So well said. We are cut much from the same stone I think . Thank you
 
Warm Regards,
 
Bill

Bill,
I too, come from a long line of artisans.  Farmers, carpenters, block layers, stone quarymen, all had the passion to build something.  Any of them were likely multiskilled and loved working with their hands.  My dad was a farmer, which by description required many types of working skills, and he was as at home planning and doing the seasonal crop as he was in carpentry, concrete work, and woodworking.  I don't think that he ever met a job that he couldn't feel confident that he could accomplish well. 
 
I grew up with a similar variety of skills and understanding.  This is where I believe you are.  I feel the same way about the many cabinetry and buildings as I do about the variety of models that I have produced over the years. 
 
My dad used to say,"It is not so important for you to have everything in mind regarding what you need to know to accomplish a job as it is to know where to find out what you need to know, even though it has been forgotten for awhile."  If you can find it to refresh your memory, it can be as it once was. Useful and ready to use. 
 
I watch in awe of some of the mastery of ship construction knowledge that I have seen in this and our former site.  I am capable as a carpenter, and a former SEA BEE in the Navy and have worked with shipwrights.  Still I find new aspects of how to do things.  I think you are right to assess your own experience and skill sets as to know where to begin.  I am a scratch builder.  I don't know when or where I learned how to do this, but I know I can do much as long as I can envision an outcome.  GO FOR IT!  Just keep reading and studying what others have done, and it can become a part of your knowledge and skills.  I totally enjoy this hobby, and really appreciate that I am not on a deadline.  A lot of times I may set it aside for a few days or months while I decide how I want to progress. 
 
The wood is patient.
 
Sincerely, Walter Biles

Boyd,  
Thank you so much for your kind words!
 
JPett,
I started drawing pictures of tall ships when I was in the 4th-5th grade. I think my interest was sparked by my teacher reading Moby Dick to us everyday in class. She would turn the lights down, it was quiet time, and she would read. Later that same year, I saw the movie Moby Dick with Gregory Peck in black and white.
I grew up in a family of artisans. One grandfather a wood carver. The other a carpenter in the winter and a lumberjack in the summer. My father, a true genius. Not well suited for the world around him. He was a master mechanic, machinist and carpenter. He scratch-built HO gauge brass steam locomotives that belonged in museums.
 
I've never built a piece of furniture or cabinet, house or barn that I didn't develop a relationship with. I feel like I'm finally home. This is that piece that was missing. I was always meant to build ships, whether the scale be 1:1 or 1:64, this brings peace to my heart.
And now I have a wonderful wife and many new friends to share this journey with...!
 
Warm Regards,
 
Bill

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 

Ahoy Mates
 
Popeye: Thx
 
Jason: I wise man told me if you want to win the war, pick your battles. I may have recently forgot this.
 
Pat. The sheave was not as hard as I thought either. I still need to make one more though.
 
Augie: Your  turn
 
Sam: Nice to see you again THX for the compliment
 
Ben: U2
 
Bill: Thank you very much. Your comments meant a lot. Good luck on your build.
 
Martin. I still need to do the other side. Due to my wales being wrong it is slightly off in height and I may need to delete the trim that should run directly above it. All my attempts to include it looked awful so far.
 
Sport: Thx, Yours looks great too and has inspired my work.
 
Back to the build
 
Well I must say that finishing my gunports has really tested my resolve. Well it still is. I am redoing the starboard side for the fifth time. Finding the motivation has been difficult but I am not a quitter. Just someone who knows when to take a break.
 
In typical JPett fashion I painted the gunwales and wales three times. If it helps it was not hard to do. Just let the paint you want to remove completely dry for a few days before sanding it off. Best to put the model somewhere that you can not see it too. I am very happy with my choices. I spent a considerable amount of time experimenting with paints to achieve this look. The gunwales are Windsor and Newton water based Oil, (Yellow ochre) Thinned 75% and around three coats. I painted the bare wood then sealed it with WOP after painting. I wanted to stain the wood with the paint. The wales are Windsor and Newton Acrylic (Mars Black). Originally sealed first with the WOP then painted with enamel, this took around four days. I did not like the contrast however. That and screwing up the step in my wales meant I needed to paint anyways.
 
As for the Step, painting this side without having completed the other, which BTW is "out of order and bad practice" needed to be done. It was a low point in the build when I felt I had to sand off this step which I spent so many hours on. Seeing that I could still produce a kit I would be satisfied with, with all the mistakes I have made so far was important. Call it a test before proceeding with the other side.
I need to keep things in perspective here. Had I not been satisfied the picture posted there would have been a completely different model shown. One with some of the first planks I ever laid ripped out. In all honesty I feel that, that redo is above my skill level and may have resulted in my permanently damaging this kit.
 
I will continue to pay for this as without this 'lip" the anchor guard may also have to be either just painted on or removed. Suggestions welcome
 
 And some of you were wondering

Augie,
 
You are a gracious and honorable man. Thank you for your character and example. I am so very happy you are back :)
 
 
With Great Admiration,
 
Bill

Augie,
 
You are a gracious and honorable man. Thank you for your character and example. I am so very happy you are back :)
 
 
With Great Admiration,
 
Bill

Goodmorning everyone!
 
Update;
 
This USF Confederacy build log will been put in ordinary status until January. I've started what was suppose to be my "side build" the "Baltimore Clipper/ Pride of Baltimore" while waiting to see what kind of ME discounts and Santa might be thinking.
 
So the C.W. Hime Shipyard has opened. Please come join me on my build log, "Pride of Baltimore, Model Shipways 1:64 scale by Bill Hime".
 
 
Warm Regards,
 
Bill

Augie,
 
You are a gracious and honorable man. Thank you for your character and example. I am so very happy you are back :)
 
 
With Great Admiration,
 
Bill

Augie,
 
You are a gracious and honorable man. Thank you for your character and example. I am so very happy you are back :)
 
 
With Great Admiration,
 
Bill

I would like to apologize to the members of MSW for my somewhat abrupt behavior over the last day or so.  In addition, I apologize to Chuck for any difficulties this may have caused.  He and I have been in contact, via PM and I hope at some point he sees fit to return to MSW administration.
 
We are, in fact, of the same mind.  This site exists for the purpose of model shipbuilding discussion while, at the same time, leaving room for a certain degree of so-called off topic comments essential to establishing personal relationships.  Others may agree or not depending on their own outlook.  But in my opinion we have long been tolerant of one another in order to have a vibrant, harmonious site.  Somehow, lines were drawn and we became divided.
 
This is not why we came here.
 
I intend to return to 'active duty', welcoming any and all commentary to my logs with the proviso that we keep things somewhat more focused than in the past.  I thank all those who intervened positively during this episode and hope that those who chose to leave will return to MSW.

Jim sander.
 

 
Status at end of today's work.
 

 

 

 
Last are two photos of??? The game is to ID each semi complete project.
 

 
And
 

I decided to do major clean up and change setup of work area to support ship building.
 

Hey JPett,
 
Actually the Admiral thought it was a good idea . Since she also cooks for a living, she's interested in how it turns out and wants to do several test runs at different temperatures.
We will definitely be doing this soon. I will do a detailed post of the process and outline the variable approaches regarding temperatures, duration, wood and outcome. I think we will also use some larger blocks of wood to cut down to show penetration.
Should be fun !
 
Warm Regards,
 
Bill

Nice job so far.
 
Just a thought, you might want to hold off on attaching the stern post until after you're completed the planking. It will make it easier to fit overlong planks and trim them neatly afterwards, rather then trying to wedge them in.
 
Andy

Thank you, Rich and Larry (aka class clown ).
 
Larry: I squared the 3/8" stock to 21/64"; added the top sheet on my flattest surface, and glued both side sheets on (one flipped horizontally in Photoshop to make a mirror image).  As the top of the bowsprit is completely flat, i then used the scroll saw to rough out the bottom angles, and then did the side tapering.  The side tapering is much less than the bottom, so angle errors are not too great- also, most of my shaping at this time is concentrated on the proximal end of the bowsprit.  I used a glue stick for ease of pattern removal later on..
 
Bob

Holes for the cleats and chocks were also drilled while the patterns are still in place...