Balclutha75 Posted June 1, 2020 Share #1 Posted June 1, 2020 Greetings from Colorado, USA I am a new member, a retired software nerd, who has always been fascinated by model ships. So at age 70 I’ve finally decided to try my hand at building one. Having recently binged on “The Vikings” and “The Last Kingdom” I chose the Amati Drakkar as my first attempt. I've read some excellent builds logs here with a mixture of inspiration and intimidation. But I’ll give it my best shot. I purchased a nice workbench from amazon and a few initial tools (although I'll no doubt need more), so I'm set up. With luck the kit will arrive this week from Ages of Sail. Currently FedEx has sent it on a long journey across the country. My screen name is because of a 1974-75 job I had working for the San Francisco Maritime Museum as a rigger aboard the square-rigged ship Balclutha, then docked at Pier 39. We did lots of maintenance, including lowering the yards to the deck for restorative work. I still have some of the tools I acquired or made including my serving board for wrapping tarred marline around standing rigging. I learned to splice wire rope, among other arcane tasks that I have since forgotten. Here's a photo, the rope rug is one I made from instructions in Ashley's book. It was a great job with a fantastic crew, and lots of Guinness downed at the old Eagle Cafe across the street. Most likely I’ll be asking some rank beginner questions here as I get into this, though most are probably already answered with a bit of searching. Thanks. JpR62, oneslim, Haliburton and 9 others 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjay Posted June 1, 2020 Share #2 Posted June 1, 2020 👍 mtaylor and JeffT 2 Quote Mark Phoenix, AZ Current builds; Previous builds, in rough order of execution; Shipjack, Peterbrough Canoe, Flying Fish, Half Moon, Britannia racing sloop, Whale boat, Bluenose, Picket boat, Viking longboat, Atlantic, Fair American, Mary Taylor, half hull Enterprise, Hacchoro, HMS Fly, Khufu Solar Boat. On the shelf; Royal Barge, Jefferson Davis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted June 1, 2020 Share #3 Posted June 1, 2020 39 minutes ago, Balclutha75 said: Here's a photo Welcome aboard! Fascinating picture, too. JeffT and mtaylor 2 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Bf 109E-7/trop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce d Posted June 1, 2020 Share #4 Posted June 1, 2020 Welcome from the UK, looking forward to seeing the Drakkar. Bruce JeffT 1 Quote 🌻 STAY SAFE A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin current builds: HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nirvana Posted June 1, 2020 Share #5 Posted June 1, 2020 , greetings from WA. Here's a link to the museum in Norway regarding Viking ship. mtaylor and JeffT 2 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...
JeffT Posted June 1, 2020 Share #6 Posted June 1, 2020 Hello and welcome to MSW 🙂 mtaylor 1 Quote Jeff In progress: Medway Longboat 1742 - Syren Ship Model Company -1/2" scale USS Constitution - Model Shipways - Scale 1:76 HMS Granado - CAF Model - 1:48 HMS Sphinx - Vanguard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted June 1, 2020 Share #7 Posted June 1, 2020 Hello and a warm welcome to MSW from 'Down Under'. John mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted June 2, 2020 Share #8 Posted June 2, 2020 Welcome to MSW. I think your tools you showed will be a tad too large for a model. allanyed 1 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...
Balclutha75 Posted June 2, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted June 2, 2020 Thanks much guys, very nice to be welcomed aboard. 54 minutes ago, mtaylor said: I think your tools you showed will be a tad too large for a model I was expecting solid, accurate, and honest advice here, and I'm gettin' it! 😆 10 hours ago, Nirvana said: Here's a link to the museum in Norway regarding Viking ship. Thanks for that link, I had a similar one to the museum, but yours is better. That 3D view was fun to play with. I also found a couple basic books on Viking ships that get nice reviews. I've ordered one and will probably get the second, both to learn about the history of these craft, and to get visuals to help in build decisions.. Excited about the new hobby! Thanks again. - Nelson mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanyed Posted June 2, 2020 Share #10 Posted June 2, 2020 Welcome to MSW. Yes, you will not want for help here, so never hesitate to ask any questions at all. Allan mtaylor 1 Quote PLEASE take 30 SECONDS and sign up for the epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series. Click on http://trafalgar.tv There is no cost other than the 30 seconds of your time. THANK YOU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaPhil Posted June 3, 2020 Share #11 Posted June 3, 2020 Welcome! mtaylor 1 Quote Building: 1:64 HMS Revenge (Victory Models plans) 1:64 Cat Esther (17th Century Dutch Merchant Ships) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
genocon Posted June 3, 2020 Share #12 Posted June 3, 2020 Welcome from one newbie to another. mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingDavid Posted June 3, 2020 Share #13 Posted June 3, 2020 Welcome to MSW ... good luck with your first build, i am sure you are going to enjoy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balclutha75 Posted June 4, 2020 Author Share #14 Posted June 4, 2020 Thanks again guys. The package with my kit arrived today. The journey begins. mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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