New Member PA Ship Builder

[PA Ship Builder]

Hi! To all.  I've been fully retired for a year now, and plan to start my first planked ship model.  I did complete a solid hull Endeavour sail boat kit #CON80417 in 2000.  Turned out okay but was a challenge since I've only built model cars of all scales my whole life.  I have several questions, which I hope this is the proper place to address them.  If not please advise.  Here they go.

1.  Which of the following kits I've squired away over the year should I build first.  Suggested kits not listed are welcome.  : Mamoli America MM4; Model Shipways (MS) HMS Bounty Launch MS1850; Lifeboat MS0108; MS 18th Century Longboat MS1457; MS Pinnace MS1458; MS Phantom MS2027; Artesana Latina (AL) Swift Boat Pilot #22110; AL Mare Nostrum Fishing Trawler #20100;MS Bluenose MS1447; Corel Sloop SM43W; AL Scottish Maid AL2032 AL Clara May #20405; Gretel MV33.  I did searched the build logs, but came away a bit confused since I don't have any ship building skills and want to finish what I start.

2.  My model shop will be in a second floor bedroom, so I need recommendations on a paint /dust booth vented outside.  Will the Ningbo Haosheng HS-E420DCK sold by Model Expo work?  Other suggestions are welcomed.

 

Thanks for listening.

Tony from York PA

[Jim Lad]

Hello Tony, and a warm welcome to MSW from 'Down Under'.

 

I'm sure some of our kit builders will be on line soon to help you make a decision about your first kit build.

 

John

[Jaager]

I have no recommendations for your choice of kit.  From the ones that you have chosen to collect, none appear to be all that difficult.  No liners or large frigates, so you are not trying to learn on a subject that would tax anyone, experience or not.  I commend you for that bit of wisdom.

 

Were you venturing into scratch,  first, for milling, irrespective of dust collection equipment, you would want to do it in an out building.  The same for shaping with a belt or drum sander, they throw too much dust for a living area.   Ideal, for me for the big guns, a hole on the wall with a clothes dryer or cooking hood outside fixture - but more insulation.   Attach that to a hose venting a Rigid 14 gal. shop vac in a sound baffle box ( it is not all that loud, compared to older model shop vacs, but being able to hear music while it is on is nice ).  a quality RIF remote ON/OFF switch.  Intermediate - something like a Dust Deputy cyclone trap - easier to dump and saves having to clear the vac filter so often.  

 

For in the house,  a smaller size portable canister vacuum - the kind that is easier to clean stairs with - bagless is good.   For a spray booth,  I do not see why a large corrugated  cardboard box - you can strengthen it by PVA gluing more layers of cardboard onto it  A furnace filter at the back and a hose connection for the canister vac hose.  LED strips are light weight and generate relatively little heat = inside the box.

 

 

[ccoyle]

Over the years, a goodly number of new members have cut their teeth on the AL Swift kit. More recently, the MS longboat kit has been very popular. You'll find numerous examples of both kits in the gallery and build log sections.

[Duanelaker]

Welcome to the site!  Congratulations on finishing a boat!  My first boat was blue jackets Grand Banks dory which I found easy to finish and a good intro.   Pilot phantom is a solid hull, but some have planked it.  Reading through the logs the pinnace and long boat are not too easy when it comes to planking.  I am doing a half hull sold by the NRG in hopes to learn planking without putting a kit in jeopardy.

 

i have the same paint booth pretty much and depending on what you are spraying it works well...I open a window and put the hose outside. But I only spray acrylics so it’s not that bad anyways on the small scale I do it on.

 

best of luck!

[mtaylor]

Hi Tony,

Welcome to MSW. I moved your topic to the "New Member" area.  So far, you've got some great answers to your questions.   

 

I'd suggest picking one of the kits from your stash that interests you the most.   Then start a build log in the kit area.  It'll be the best way to get help.  Also, pick one that has one mast for starters.  I had no ship building skills to speak of and my first kit was the Scottish Maid.  My biggest issue was the rigging so I should have went with one mast. 

[GrandpaPhil]

Welcome!

 

I would say that any of those would be great starter kits.  The most important thing to ensure finishing, is to stick through the build.  Even if something goes wrong, fix it as best you can and keep going.  Learn from it for the next one (I’ve done that a LOT).

[JeffT]

Hello Tony. Welcome to MSW 

[PA Ship Builder]

Thanks to all for your encouraging comments and suggestions.  You've made me feel very welcome, and I look forward to learning from your ship modelling experiences.  I will post build logs of whatever kit I start in the future.  I'm in the process of remodeling a spare bedroom into my office / hobby shop. 

Thanks again, and have a good week and New Year.

 

Tony Shanko