Lowell Grand Banks Dory by Cajun_Pirogue - Model Shipways - Scale 1:24 - Small - First ship build

[Cajun_Pirogue]

Well this is my first ever attempt at building a wooden model of any kind. I was not planning on posting my first trial ship, but did not see this particular ship listed and thought this may be a good ship/boat for beginners like me. Any advice, questions, or comments are appreciated. Thanks.

A few pieces have already been removed due to starting before this post. They include the three bottom planks, but also an all-in-one bottom as a backup. Which I thought was helpful for a beginner. 

Edited February 23, 2020 by Cajun_Pirogue
Misspelling

[ccoyle]

Outstanding! There's a lot to be learned about working with wood, even in a small project. Really looking forward to seeing how this one turns out -- there's a niche to be filled in the kit market, brought about when Midwest Products decided to drop their line of small boats.

[Duanelaker]

I’ll be interested in following this log, you don’t happen to see any for this boat because it’s a new kit that just came to market.  Very cool!

[BobG]

These dory boats are wonderful. Enjoy the build!

 

Bob

[Cajun_Pirogue]

23 hours ago, Duanelaker said:

I’ll be interested in following this log, you don’t happen to see any for this boat because it’s a new kit that just came to market.  Very cool!

Yeah I figured it might be a new kit because after looking for beginner kits for a couple days, that one suddenly popped up. Plus the manual talks about the next ship in the series(Norwegian Sailing Pram) which doesn’t seem to be out yet. 
 

I’m taking my time with this and trying to learn the techniques and about the history of these boats. Please feel free to offer any tips or advice as I go along. Definitely appreciate any input from the years of experience here. 

[Cajun_Pirogue]

Here is the bottom with bracing, transom and stem attached. I curved the bottom per directions by wetting underside of bottom and using two scrap pieces under bow and stern with a weight in the middle. Had to do this a 2nd time because bottom lost its curve maybe from removing too soon? I will probably leave with weight until ready for frames.

Transom close-up:

Transom side shot with first couple frames in background:

[FriedClams]

I look forward to following your progress on this dory.  I love these small rugged little boats and the history behind them. 
 

It looks like a terrific kit and I wish you much success in your first build.

 

Gary

[Duanelaker]

I have done two dorys so far, blue jacket and mid west.  Both had build boards (blue jacket was built up side down If I remember correctly), both had you put the planks on before removing from the build board as the curve would disappear with out something holding it.  Interesting that this kit would have you do differently.

[PA Ship Builder]

I guess this is where to post my comments.  New to Model Ship World.

 

Wow!  What timing.  I was considering purchasing and building this kit as my first plank build.  Looking forward to following your build log.  Looks good.

I'm proceeding on my office - hobby room.  Should be ready in March.  Can't wait to start on this kit.  Model Expo has the kit with tools/paints, etc. on sale this week for about $36 with free shipping for orders over $75.  Others should check it out.

 

Looking to your next post.

 

Tony

[Cajun_Pirogue]

3 hours ago, PA Ship Builder said:

I guess this is where to post my comments.  New to Model Ship World.

 

Wow!  What timing.  I was considering purchasing and building this kit as my first plank build.  Looking forward to following your build log.  Looks good.

I'm proceeding on my office - hobby room.  Should be ready in March.  Can't wait to start on this kit.  Model Expo has the kit with tools/paints, etc. on sale this week for about $36 with free shipping for orders over $75.  Others should check it out.

 

Looking to your next post.

 

Tony

Yeah I was excited to get into ship building, but wanted to start with something small and not too expensive, so when I mess up it won’t be a huge loss.

This boat seems like the perfect starter kit . Hopefully it’ll come out well and motivate me to progress from here. 

[Cajun_Pirogue]

Ok the bottom is done for now, so moving on to the framing. There are five frames to assemble for the inside ribs of the boat. The manual has these picture layouts for each frame assembly which makes it pretty easy to line everything up properly. They also provide the build board inserts (larger top piece) to make sure the two frame pieces are space properly. Also provided is a small spacer (small square piece under right frame piece) to set the height to overlap the other frame side. I thought these tools were very helpful. 

Below are all five frames inserted into the build board. Looks like everything else will be assembled upside down for now. I did have trouble getting the frames to sit tight enough into the build board to sand them three at a time per instructions. I wet the wood around the inserts, but they were still a bit loose, so I used some tape to help hold them. Seemed to work well. There is supposed to be a slight bevel towards the bow and stern to maintain the curved bottom. I’m hoping this will be correct and may have to tweak once I add the bottom.

[dvm27]

I've seen the construction of this lovely model under development by David Antscherl. You've made an excellent choice for a first wooden model. Hats of to Model Shipways for having a Master Modeler design an entry level kit!

Edited February 25, 2020 by dvm27

[Cajun_Pirogue]

Looks like I finally got the bevel on the frames just right to maintain the slight curve in the hull. Test fit, tweaked, and bottom glued onto the frames. 

Planking the sides up next....

[PA Ship Builder]

Looking good.  Thanks for the detailed build notes.  Keep up the good work.  Looking forward to your next post.

 

A special thanks to all MSW members for their past kind words and suggestions.

 

Tony

 

 

[Cajun_Pirogue]

Ok sorry for the slow progress, but had a busy week and weekend. Had to touch up glue on a couple of the frames as they did not adhere properly to the bottom. I was able to use a #1 brush to sneak some glue between two frames and bottom, so everything is secure now.

 

Finally started the garboard planks. I sanded a slight bevel along the upper edge of the plank so the next plank will hopefully sit flush atop this garboard. The kit actually had a line marked along the garboard showing how far to bevel along the edge. Which I found really helpful to get an idea of how this is supposed to look. 
Next I soaked the plank in warm water for 5 minutes per instructions and then shaped and clamped the garboard along the frame. 

While drying I decided to leave it sit in front of an old work light and figured the heat may help it keep shape:

After letting everything dry the board seemed to have shaped well:

Lastly, I sanded the interior of the board lightly, just to knock down the grain, applied glue to the frames and clamped the board in place to set:
I’m taking my time with this to learn as I go and hopefully things will end up well with my first build. 

[PA Ship Builder]

Cajun - Thanks for the post and build notes.  The first plank board looks good.  Appears you got the shape just right.  All your build posts will definitely be referenced during my build.  Keep up the good work.

Tony  

[Baker]

Small nice model.
great work on your first build.

 

Greetings,

patrick

[Cajun_Pirogue]

Ok it’s been a while. Sorry again for the long delay. Here are more progress photos. Has a few issues that didn’t quite come out as good as I hoped, but good learning experience. 

[dvm27]

Very nice, clean build Cajun. You’re going to have a lovely first model to display soon.

[Cajun_Pirogue]

Ran into a problem of what appears to be missing pieces? Manual says gunwale is 1/16 strip supplied with the kit, but the only 1/16 strip included was 3” in length.
 

After looking several times I decided to manufacture my own from scrap wood from the kit. I used a square as a straight edge and ran the exact-o blade along it to make gunwale strips. 

they seem to work ok. One side has been glued down...

[Cajun_Pirogue]

Attached the other gunwale. Will just need to touch up with a little sanding.

[druxey]

Looking very nice, CP.

[PA Ship Builder]

Cajun - great build logs.  Thanks for the insights.  Looking forward to your next log posting.  Can't wait to start mine.

Tony

[FriedClams]

Great work Cajun.  You're building a beautiful first model of a fine historic craft.

 

Gary

[Don_Holewinski]

On 2/23/2020 at 10:01 PM, Cajun_Pirogue said:

Here is the bottom with bracing, transom and stem attached. I curved the bottom per directions by wetting underside of bottom and using two scrap pieces under bow and stern with a weight in the middle. Had to do this a 2nd time because bottom lost its curve maybe from removing too soon? I will probably leave with weight until ready for frames.

Transom close-up:

Transom side shot with first couple frames in background:

 

[Chuck W.]

I’m looking forward to your build as I received my kit last night...will be my first build. I did purchase the 18th century armed longboat which I started. Rethought that build and shelving it until I have some experience under my belt. 

[druxey]

Good move and idea, Chuck! You'll learn a lot from this kit.

[yvesvidal]

How timely.... I was considering purchasing that kit. I will be following your progress with a lot of interests.

 

Yves

[grsjax]

Looking good.  What a great starter kit.  Looking forward to seeing Model Shipways new series develop.

[Keithbrad80]

I just bought two of these ships, I’m going to try and build them both before Christmas... ill be using your build as a guide! Looking very good.