Ahoy folks

[Shepherd]

Good day folks,

 

I am Shepherd, a somewhat nomadic cartographer working on and around the Appalachian Trail. I'm originally from New Jersey, thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2013 and have lived in my vehicle ever since then since my work has had me on the move so constantly that I haven't had any way to practice hobbies I've been interested in that really aren't very compatible with that sort of lifestyle. Recently though, my work shifted from being primarily field data collection and survey sort of work to staying inside and doing a bunch of tedious stuff with all the data that's been collected over the years. The last time I was in this sort of situation I came close to learning cedar strip boatbuilding, but wound up back on the move before I could do more than read a book on the subject. This time around, it'll be a while until I'm back on the move, enough that maybe I can pick a hobby or two and pursue those for long enough that I can then hang onto them as things with which I can busy myself in between seasons of extensive field work.

 

I've been interested in ships for an awful long time, though being interested in sailing ships (and maybe even trying sailing myself some day?) is more recent. I've come at it from literature, accidentally falling into first one and then several other historical fiction series on audiobooks while I've been on the move. It came into my mind that maybe one day it would be neat to build models of some of the ships from these books that have accompanied for thousands of miles of walking and many more miles on the road. I've read enough here already to dissuade me from jumping into such an endeavour (if only one of the ships depicted in these books bore that name, for the sake of the pun!) for my first model, and am narrowing down my choices to the point that I can commit to purchasing one as well as the necessary tools, in addition to whatever tools I learn aren't exactly necessary but would make things much more comfortable while first starting out.

 

The kits at which I've been looking most closely are either of the Bluejacket Grand Banks Dory or Swampscott Dory, or the Model Shipways 18th Century Longboat. I see there are some kits out there which have solid hulls, though I don't think I would get as much satisfaction out of building something which starts with the hull largely already formed. I see that the 18th Century Longboat and many other kits on a variety of websites can be purchased as beginner sets with tools and other materials, and that sounds like a nice way to start but I'm also concerned regarding the usefulness of those sets. I know in the long run I may figure out what I need or don't need, but I'm worried that in starting with one of these kits I may wind up with items I'll never use and may find myself wanting in other items.

 

I think my biggest question in starting out - how much faith I can have in any of the combo sets, that purchasing one of those sets will be enough to get me started? I'm trying to use the search function here for answers, but unfortunately the terms I can think of putting in to the search bar for this are not terribly pointed and haven't brought me to meaningful results. Hopefully I will learn enough before committing to a purchase that if there are any additional tools or materials I should have starting out, that I will also add those to my cart right out of the gate!

 

I'm looking forward to joining the folks here in getting my hands and my mind busy on one of the projects!

 

Cheers,

Shepherd

[ccoyle]

Welcome aboard, Shepherd! Your job description sounds very interesting.

 

Getting started in the tool department is always kind of tricky, and probably every modeler has tools in his possession that he thought he would need but never did, or tools that he once though were indispensable but now seldom uses. It's part of learning the craft, as well as developing your own particular style and methods. Starter tool kits can be problematic, because of course they're based on what someone else thought were the required tools, not what may work best for you; on the other hand, they can be a good way to get started. Personally, I started with a tool set aimed at model railroaders and got by reasonably well for my first couple of beginner kits. Much of what you need in addition to such a set can be acquired at any local craft or hardware store. Good beginner kits also include some advice on what tools and materials are needed to complete the kit.

 

Take care! 

[GrandpaPhil]

Welcome!

[mtaylor]

Welcome to MSW, Shepard.  If you'll go here: http://modelshipworldforum.com/ship-modeling-articles-and-downloads.php, the first couple of posts in the Marterials and Tools portion, the first few posts are on tools to have, advanced tools and the "important" one, IMO, "tools not to bother with".   Oh.. when you decide on what to build, start a build log as that's a tool also.

 

As for a model, start simply with either no masts or one mast.  Then build from your experience.

[Edwardkenway]

welcome, enjoy whatever you decide to build and as they say "start a log" probably the best tool you'll find!!

[Shepherd]

Thanks for the welcomes folks - as pictured I have done some logs in my day, though I suspect this'll be a whole different sort of log here (big pine blowdown blocking the Appalachian Trail up in Maine), and that for once I'll be wishing I had a smaller saw! I'm going to read up the resources on tools once I finish the 18th Century Longboat build I'm currently reading, which is very informative and also making me think that I should consider something where the parts aren't quite so tiny. I'd like to believe I have a pretty steady hand, but maybe I should choose something with larger parts which I'm a bit less worried about breaking for my first time building.

(Edit - resized the image!)

Edited April 13, 2020 by Shepherd

[Jim Lad]

Hello Shepherd, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'.

 

John

[Shepherd]

I think I am going to commit to a model tonight! Mostly because the Model Shipways site has a sale that ends tonight.  I've picked out a variety of tools based on the resources on this site, and based on some things I have seen mentioned on various build logs. As a person who enjoys data and documentation, I think I have come to the right place! I've mostly narrowed my choices down to:

 

Bluejacket Shipcrafters - Grand Banks Dory

Bluejacket Shipcrafters - Swampscott Dory

Model Shipways - Lowell Grand Banks Dory

Model Shipways - 21ft English Pinnace

Model Shipways - 18th Century Armed Longboat

Model Shipways - HMS Bounty Launch

Model Shipways - Willie Bennett

 

I think my choices are largely depended between pre-cut (stiled? is that the word I'm looking for?) planks or not, and if I want to do masts and rigging on the first kit. I just want to read a couple of the build logs for suggested beginner Caldercraft kit models to get an idea of what they may entail, before committing one way or another!

 

Cheers,

Shepherd

[ccoyle]

7 minutes ago, Shepherd said:

before committing one way or another!

Don't rush the decision -- really savor the shopping! And don't panic about the ME sale ending tonight; they have sales all the time.

[Shepherd]

Hello after a few years folks. I hope folks don't mind me bringing back an old post, but this will likely be an amusing follow-up.

 

I selected two kits for starting, the Lowell Grand Banks Dory and the Willie Bennett Skipjack. Shortly after they arrived, I learned I had to leave the trail staff housing in which I'd been staying, so I loaded up my truck having not yet even opened the box. I headed up to Maine since it looked like field work would be suspended for a while and I could try settling down, and so I wound up with a vacant lot which was most of an old farm and began taking care of that land. I ordered a shed which I built into a cabin, then started building a house. Figuring I could actually try sailing, I somehow wound up with a hundred year old 25ft sloop, the Grace, of currently unknown design and history after a prior owner found her abandoned in a boatyard and restored her. This year a friend of a friend who is a boatbuilder moved into the cabin, and just today we moved his project dory into the garage. I've still not taken anything out of the Lowell Grand Banks Dory kit box but I swear I'm going to get around to it before I give in to hanging out with too many boatbuilders and build my own full-sized one...

 

Cheers,

Garrett