Dan_L Posted February 13, 2017 Share #1 Posted February 13, 2017 Hi everyone. I've been lurking and reading old threads for a while and thought it was time to register and say hello. My name is Dan, I'm 58 and live in the Dallas, TX area. I've built several kinds of plastic models at various stages in my life but always wanted to try making a wooden model ship. I recently found out that a coworker is a model ship builder and after talking to him and seeing his work it brought the urge back and I decided to finally give it a shot. My first thought was to dive into the deep end with a complicated build like the Constitution, but common sense prevailed and my first attempt will be the solid hull model Phantom that I got from Model Expo. I haven't actually started the build yet, I've been reading a lot about the hobby in general and the Phantom in particular. I think I'm about ready to start work now so I've got the model kit, a starter tool kit, a printed copy of Chuck Passaro's practicum and my working area kind of organized so I am going to start on the hull shaping today. I'm not that confident with my carving ability so my dremmel will probably be used a lot and hopefully I won't have to use filler to fix to many mistakes. I'm sure I'll have some stupid rookie questions so please bare with me and wish me luck. Dan mtaylor, EJ_L, Seventynet and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anja Posted February 13, 2017 Share #2 Posted February 13, 2017 (edited) Hello Dan and welcome aboard. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or an advanced builder, this is a great place to learn and share tips and techniques. When you're ready, feel free to start a buildlog. If needed, you'll find plenty of advise, help and encouragement from everyone. And remember, the only stupid questions are the ones that you don't ask. I wish you smooth sailing with our gallant crew. Regards, Anja Edited February 13, 2017 by Anja mtaylor, django56, geoff and 3 others 6 Quote Those we loved but lost are no longer where they were, but are always where we are. In the gallery: Albatros 1840 - Constructo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulises Victoria Posted February 13, 2017 Share #3 Posted February 13, 2017 Hello Dan. We all started with the first kit. There are several horror stories about starting with an advanced kit as a first project. ( I have my own) so your change in direction from the Connie to the Phantom is a wise move. It will tell you if you have what it takes to tackle the Constitution or Victory in the future. My best wishes in your project. Don't be afraid or shy to ask questions. Anja, edmay, mtaylor and 5 others 8 Quote There aren't but two options: do it FAST, or do it RIGHT. Current Project Build Log: Soleil Royal in 1/72. Kit by Artesania Latina. Last finished projects: Royal Ship Vasa 1628; French Vessel Royal Louis 1780. 1/90 Scale by Mamoli. 120 Cannons Future projects already in my stash: Panart: San Felipe 1/75; OcCre: Santísima Trinidad 1/90; Wish List: 1/64 Amati Victory, HMS Enterprise in 1/48 by CAF models. So much to build, so little time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
django56 Posted February 13, 2017 Share #4 Posted February 13, 2017 hello dan welcome in this nice forum and remember they say there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers Anja, mtaylor, geoff and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJ_L Posted February 13, 2017 Share #5 Posted February 13, 2017 Welcome to MSW Dan! Great choice to go with the Phantom. That model will give you opportunity to learn many of the basic skills and set you up well to move onto bigger and more complicated builds. Best of luck to you on your first wooden ship build. I look forward to seeing your work! geoff, Anja, mtaylor and 2 others 5 Quote "A Smooth Sea NEVER made a Skilled Sailor" - John George Hermanson -E.J. Current Builds - Royal Louis - Mamoli Royal Caroline - Panart Completed - Wood - Le Soleil Royal - Sergal - Build Log & Gallery La Couronne - Corel - Build Log & Gallery Rattlesnake - Model Shipways, HMS Bounty - Constructo Plastic - USS Constitution - Revel (twice), Cutty Sark. Unfinished - Plastic - HMS Victory - Heller, Sea Witch. Member : Nautical Research Guild Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted February 13, 2017 Share #6 Posted February 13, 2017 Hi Dan, Nirvana, geoff, zoly99sask and 1 other 4 Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
husky1943 Posted February 13, 2017 Share #7 Posted February 13, 2017 Howdy Dan L, Welcome to a wonderful website and welcome back to the hobby. It is a very friendly, supportive, smart and TALENTED crowd around here. Ciao for now Rob geoff, mtaylor, Nirvana and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_L Posted February 13, 2017 Author Share #8 Posted February 13, 2017 Thanks for the warm welcome. Well, it didn't take long to run into my first snag on my first build. I had read that the supplied templates didn't match the plans for the ship and that is true for my Phantom kit also. I'm just going to get some tracing paper and make another set of templates to the exact size of the plans. Even with the templates being off though I can tell that there is going to be a LOT of carving on my hull. The stern isn't too bad but the bow is way off and I'm not looking forward to that much of a challenge right from the start. EJ_L, Nirvana and mtaylor 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJ_L Posted February 14, 2017 Share #9 Posted February 14, 2017 Dan, You really should start up a build log under the model ship kits section here. It helps to keep all the logs in the same place and you will get better answers to your questions in there. When you get it going we will follow. There is a post at the very top of the page that gives instructions for setting up your log. While you are here though I will say that that Dremel and a bottle of wood filler will become your friends along with lots of sand paper. The effort is worth the pain though so hang in there and push through. One of our members, Elijah, is almost done with his Phantom. He had similar problems when he started his too, so you might want to take a look at his log and see what he did or even just ask him as he has recent first hand experience with it. His log is here. geoff, mtaylor, Nirvana and 1 other 4 Quote "A Smooth Sea NEVER made a Skilled Sailor" - John George Hermanson -E.J. Current Builds - Royal Louis - Mamoli Royal Caroline - Panart Completed - Wood - Le Soleil Royal - Sergal - Build Log & Gallery La Couronne - Corel - Build Log & Gallery Rattlesnake - Model Shipways, HMS Bounty - Constructo Plastic - USS Constitution - Revel (twice), Cutty Sark. Unfinished - Plastic - HMS Victory - Heller, Sea Witch. Member : Nautical Research Guild Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff Posted February 14, 2017 Share #10 Posted February 14, 2017 welcome to MSW Dan. All the best with your Phantom. Geoff mtaylor, EJ_L and Nirvana 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer2000 Posted February 14, 2017 Share #11 Posted February 14, 2017 Welcome Dan I look forward to reading your build log on the Phantom as it was something I considered doing myself. Good luck! Nirvana, EJ_L, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted February 14, 2017 Share #12 Posted February 14, 2017 Hello Dan, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'. John EJ_L, mtaylor, geoff and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nirvana Posted February 15, 2017 Share #13 Posted February 15, 2017 A Warm to you, Dan! geoff, mtaylor and EJ_L 3 Quote Please, visit our Facebook page! Respectfully Per aka Dr. Per@Therapy for Shipaholics Finished: T37, BB Marie Jeanne - located on a shelf in Sweden, 18th Century Longboat, Winchelsea Capstan Current: America by Constructo, Solö Ruff, USS Syren by MS, Bluenose by MS Viking funeral: Harley almost a Harvey Nautical Research Guild Member - 'Taint a hobby if you gotta hurry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_L Posted February 15, 2017 Author Share #14 Posted February 15, 2017 Thanks guys mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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