Hello all and already looking for help

[Signode388]

My name is Iliya, 24 years old and from Sofia, Bulgaria.

I've always been captivated by sailing ships, yachts and the sea, even though my knowledge in the matter and experience is limited.

 

I've been playing around the idea of trying to build my own ship model since I was 14, but due to numerous excuses like lack of funds, time, work space, or guts to finish it I have't found the need to actually start.

 

However, now due to a bad time of my life recovering from big motorcycle accident I found myself both with enough funds, time and desire to try and build my first ship model 10 years after I initially had the idea.

 

My woodworking experience is borderline zero, however I consider my self pretty skillful with my hands and able to learn fast.

 

After reading the kit selection PDF found on the website, I decided to go for the Phantom 1:96 by Model Shipways, as I saw that it was recommended and there was something called Practicum by Chuck Passaro for this model.

So here are my first questions.

 

1. Where can I find this practicum, as the link in the PDF no longer works.

 

2. What some of you who have experience with this or other models, deem like absolutely necessary tools for this particular ship? I am waiting for the delivery of the kit and want to meanwhile order anything that I don't have in my house but I will need.

 

Regards,

Iliya

[Ryland Craze]

IIiya,

 

Welcome to Model Ship World.  I have attached a copy of the Phantom Practicum by Chuck Passaro.  This looks like a very nice model.

 

Good luck on your build.

Phantom-Practicum-Complete.pdf

[barkeater]

Absolute necessary tools: Small saw and mitre box, scalpel or hobby knife, flexible ruler with metric and inches, micro files of various shapes, different clamps including the ones attached to your hands, sand paper and not for you but for me 5x magnification glasses. You can build any kit with just these tools. My advise is not to go overboard. Just get the minimum and add when you see something that you really need. Otherwise you wind up with a drawer of tools that just gather dust.

[Shotlocker]

Again, welcome to MSW.

I would definitely add needle-nose tweezers and perhaps a set of micro drills to that list. Also, look at the topic

on modeling tools on this site; lots of good information there but, as barkeater suggested, get tools that you

know you're going to use often.

 

[ccoyle]

Hello and welcome. Have a read through the pdf sent to you earlier. Chuck will mention all the tools you'll need to complete the model.

 

Cheers!

[Signode388]

Thank you all for the input!

Yes that was my idea. The minimum amount of tools I will need at first.

 

I will read through the PDF tomorrow and prepare to get started.

 

 

[Jim Lad]

Hello Iliya, and a warm welcome to the forum.

 

John

[pirozzi]

Welcome aboard mate! 

Vince P.  

[Chuck Seiler]

Phantom is a good starter.  It includes a number of 'disciplines' one needs to learn as they progress in the hobby.  Unfortunately it does not appear to include hull planking, but all the others will keep you busy and will provide a learning experience.  A couple thoughts:

 

    As suggested, keep the tools simple at first and get what you need when you need it.

 

    You can never have too many clamps.

 

    Make sure to have both medium and fine grit sand paper.  I have never needed course, but others may differ.

 

    Magnification!  Definitely....and lighting.

 

    Alcohol is your friend (rubbing, not drinking).  Don't be afraid to unglue parts that don't look right.

 

   Enjoy the build.  Ask questions.

[ikkypaul]

Iliya - Welcome to this ship modelling world.  Some excellent advice above - from folk who in some cases  - like me - have learned from experience.      I think my most used tool is the pair of fine tweezers - especially useful in tight corners and in handling the rigging.  As I have progressed I often made up another tool for either poking or pulling lines to work on them.  The advice to get a tool when you really need it if very sound.  All the best.

Paul

[mtaylor]

[Jim Rogers]

Welcome aboard. Lighting and magnification is highly important. Sharp blades and tweezers are a must.

[pontiachedmark]

Gidday from the Land Downunder Iliya.

Search through the build logs for the Phantom. Regarding tools, again the build logs will show tools that are used frequently. I mostly use hand tools. I do have a rotary tool, Dremel or equivalent. Magnification and good lighting are important to me. I try to think about a tool before I buy. I have been guilty of buying tools that I think are designed more for looks than practicality. I hope I haven't confused you.                                                                                                                                                          All the best with your build.                                                                                                                                                                Mark.

[JeffT]

Welcome to MSW 

[GrandpaPhil]

Welcome aboard!  The Phantom is an excellent starter kit.

 

I too, had borderline zero woodworking skills when I started in the hobby.  You’ll pick them up as you go.

[mtaylor]

Ah, the downside (if there is one to this hobby), becoming a toolholic.   I started simply also  Now I have one room filled with goodies....  be afraid, be very afraid as it is contagious. I must be doing better though as I haven't bought any new tools in a couple of years.

[Richard Griffith]

welcome aboard,  Iliya~!

Good advice above.  Yes buy tools only as you REALLY need them.   Of course all of my wants are all of my needs............Duff

[spars]

Welcome! Sorry about your bike accident and injury. If you go to the Model Shipways site there is data there. Chuck has a number of models thru MS. Search youtube both with his name and the name of your vessel. Smaret move to buy MS because they will replace parts you damage and have helpful information on starter tools. 

[Signode388]

Thank you all for warm welcome.

Yes, I am planning to start a build log because I believe it also helps your patience and perseverance when you have people watching. I am still waiting for the kit and I am a bit worried as it is international shipment with no tracking number and mail services around here are quite slow.

 

Anyway for tools I took a mitre box and small saw, drill bits 0.4 - 1, #1 Scalpel from AL, several clamps, I have many tweezers lying around the house.

 

A question about sandpaper though. What size do you mean by course, medium, fine? Also do you sand using just a sheet of sandpaper or you have some specialised tool i.e. rubber pad or some wooden handle?

 

Also are the mini files all the same size just different form, or there is also difference in the size of the metal grains? I couldn't find a lot of information about this and sellers don't state anything about the size.

 

Regards,

Iliya

[mtaylor]

I can't speak for others, but I never use just sandpaper and fingers.  I use sanding blocks from a beauty supply house, or rubber cement some to a piece of scrap wood wherein the shape I need to sand is roughly carved/sanded on the scrap wood before gluing on the paper.

 

My rule of thumb is the roughest I go is 100 grit, medium is around 200-300, fine is 400 and over.   But then, I don't keep a lot of different sizes as stock.

 

Size of mini files... length?  Width?  Number of teeth per inch?    Depends on the manufacturer really.   Usually they tell you how long it is overall and maybe some generic fine, medium, etc. for the teeth.  There are some that usually come from China that so miss shaped that they're unusable (looked like the metal was still too soft when they cut the teeth and were bent and distorted) even if the picture looked nice.   I bought to sets on Ebay and ended up just tossing them in the trash as it was too much money to send them back.

[barkeater]

On mini files, The hobby shops near me sell two types, a fine tooth and a coarser or larger tooth. The finer will take off wood slowly and give it a smoother surface. The larger toothed is when you want to take off a lot of wood. Be careful with these larger tooth files. Go lightly until you get used to them and the particular type of wood you are using them on. They can take off wood quick and also can splinter  an edge or pull off small pieces along the edge. I have: round, flat, semi round and flat, triangular and square and I use them all. I don' bother with a handle as I feel I can get better control of the file by holding it in my fingers. I use fine tooth a lot more than the coarse. Those are fine tooth in my picture above.