Mike the Maxx Posted April 23, 2021 Share #1 Posted April 23, 2021 Hi, My name is Michael and I am a complete newbie at building wooden ships. In the past I was a woodworker in several furniture shops and made Welsh Stick chairs and even made my own traditional joiners bench. I became enamored with hand tool woodworking and hand traditional joinery. When the time came I could no longer do this I sold off the shop and started learning antique clock restoration, which I still dabble in. Due to some injuries and illness I am no longer able to work with larger material, so I decided to combine my love of nautical history and woodworking and start building model ships. It will be good therapy and help with improving some hand dexterity and fine motor skills as well as an enjoyable way to spend some time which I seem to have a surplus of. I am a former Marine and then worked in EMS as a Paramedic eventually going to Alaska and working as a Bush Medic till a career ending injury happened there. I came back and went to finish my degree until I had to stop and take care of my dad who had Alzheimers. I then went to work for an Industrial supply company for fifteen years till they outsourced my job, but was getting to the point where I was physically unable to do so anyway and am now going on disability. I have already received my first kit. After a great conversation with Model Expo I am starting with their “Shipwright” series beginning with the Lowell Grand Banks Dory. I just about have the work space finished and am going to dive in in head first in the next few days. I have so enjoyed reading through many threads here and have already learned much, now is the time to put it into practice. I am looking forward to contributing here and maybe even making some new friends. I am sure I will have a lot of questions and it seems like folks here are more than happy to help a new builder. One caveat...as a former English Major I have a tendency to be rather wordy...so my apologies for that! 🤓 Anyway that is my introduction, I hope everyone has a great weekend, M Robp1025, BenD, mtaylor and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffT Posted April 23, 2021 Share #2 Posted April 23, 2021 Welcome to MSW Michael mtaylor, Mike the Maxx, Edwardkenway and 1 other 4 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...
Mike the Maxx Posted April 23, 2021 Author Share #3 Posted April 23, 2021 Thank you Jeff! Edwardkenway, mtaylor and Keith Black 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baker Posted April 23, 2021 Share #4 Posted April 23, 2021 Mike the Maxx, Keith Black, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote Regards, Patrick Finished : Soleil Royal Heller 1/100 Wasa Billing Boats Bounty Revell 1/110 plastic (semi scratch) Pelican / Golden Hind 1/45 scratch Current build : Mary Rose 1/50 scratch große-jacht / Yacht D'Oro 1/50 Corel Gallery : Revell Bounty Pelican/Golden hind 1/45 scratch Shore leave, non ship models build logs : ADGZ M35 funkwagen 1/72 Einhets Pkw. Kfz.2 and 4 1/72 Autoblinda AB40 1/72 122mm A-19 & 152mm ML-20 & 12.8cm Pak.44 {K8 1/2} 1/72 10.5cm Howitzer 16 on Mark. VI(e) Centurion Mk.1 conversion M29 Weasel 1/72 SAM6 1/72 T26 Finland T26 TN 1/72 Autoprotetto S37 1/72 Opel Blitz buses 1/72 Boxer and MAN trucks 1/72 Hetzer38(t) Starr 1/72 Cleaning the 1/72 military collection Si vis pacem, para bellum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryland Craze Posted April 23, 2021 Share #5 Posted April 23, 2021 Welcome to Model Ship World Michael. The Lowell Grand Banks Dory is an excellent kit for the first time wooden ship modeler. There are several build logs of this model on MSW. I hope you start a build log of your kit so that we can follow along. mtaylor, Mike the Maxx, Edwardkenway and 1 other 4 Quote Ryland Member - Hampton Roads Ship Model Society - Ship Model Society of New Jersey - Nautical Research Guild Current Build - Armed Virginia Sloop, 18th Century Longboat Completed Build - Medway Longboat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike the Maxx Posted April 23, 2021 Author Share #6 Posted April 23, 2021 Thanks, On my third read through of the instructions and also wondering if I should post a build log also....since it is my first one and also not sure which sub-forum I should use. Keith Black, Edwardkenway, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted April 23, 2021 Share #7 Posted April 23, 2021 35 minutes ago, Mike the Maxx said: not sure which sub-forum I should use. These boats were used as working boats well into the 20th century, so Kit Builds 1901-present would be appropriate. Oh, and welcome aboard! Keith Black, Ryland Craze, mtaylor and 1 other 4 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...
BenD Posted April 23, 2021 Share #8 Posted April 23, 2021 (edited) Going on disability and about to have a ton of time on your hands. This hobby is perfect given the fact that wooden ships can take hundreds of hours. It can be therapeutic... that's when things are going well. 😆 Edited April 23, 2021 by BenD mtaylor, Keith Black and Edwardkenway 3 Quote Ropes of Scale.com - Rope and cable for the scale modeler. Finished builds: HM Cutter Sherbourne - Caldercraft - 1:64 - 9th century longship - Falkonet - 1:72 Current builds: HMS Snake - Caldercraft - 1:64 - Tender Avos by BenD - Master Korabel - 1:72 - 19th Century Four-Oared Yawl by BenD - Falkonet - 1:24 scale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted April 23, 2021 Share #9 Posted April 23, 2021 Welcome to MSW, Mike from a former Marine. Quite a few of us here. I'm looking forward to your build. Keith Black, Edwardkenway and Mike the Maxx 3 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...
Mike the Maxx Posted April 23, 2021 Author Share #10 Posted April 23, 2021 49 minutes ago, ccoyle said: These boats were used as working boats well into the 20th century, so Kit Builds 1901-present would be appropriate. Oh, and welcome aboard! Oh man, thanks so much...I will go ahead and start a log there...It may turn out to be a train wreck but I think it will be a great way to learn with feedback. M Edwardkenway, ccoyle, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike the Maxx Posted April 23, 2021 Author Share #11 Posted April 23, 2021 15 minutes ago, mtaylor said: Welcome to MSW, Mike from a former Marine. Quite a few of us here. I'm looking forward to your build. Semper -Fi MOS 1371 84-88 Keith Black, mtaylor and Edwardkenway 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted April 23, 2021 Share #12 Posted April 23, 2021 Mike, welcome to MSW. What part of the Alaska were you in? My wife and I lived in Egegik for nine years. mtaylor, Edwardkenway and Mike the Maxx 3 Quote Current Builds: 1870's Sternwheeler, Lula Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted April 23, 2021 Share #13 Posted April 23, 2021 Hello Michael, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'. John Edwardkenway, mtaylor, Mike the Maxx and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike the Maxx Posted April 24, 2021 Author Share #14 Posted April 24, 2021 2 hours ago, Keith Black said: Mike, welcome to MSW. What part of the Alaska were you in? My wife and I lived in Egegik for nine years. Wow, nine years there is a good while, did ya like it? You couldn’t pay me enough to go back...these old bones are crying out for Florida! I was in Fairbanks at UAF when I first then moved to Alaska. Then a couple years later went back as a Flight Medic and lived in Anchorage...I worked out in Bethel...we covered an area roughly the size of Utah...the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta area...but we also had quarters at the airport in Anchorage. Hooper Bay was getting to the farthest parts north and Eek was about as south west as we went while in Bethel. Working out of Anchorage we had a Lear and went all over, even a flight or two over to Whitehorse in Yukon Territory...down to Juneau (hated flying in that place...always tightens the britches) and back then most head injuries and other medical certain conditions would take us down to Seattle...also we went down the Aleutians too. Edwardkenway, mtaylor and Keith Black 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike the Maxx Posted April 24, 2021 Author Share #15 Posted April 24, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, Jim Lad said: Hello Michael, and a warm welcome to the forum from 'Down Under'. John Thank you John..always wanted to visit.. I have some friends that live there and they love it... Thanks for the kind welcoming! M Edited April 24, 2021 by Mike the Maxx mtaylor and Edwardkenway 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Collingwood Posted April 24, 2021 Share #16 Posted April 24, 2021 Hi there, warm welcome from UK - you will fit in fine - just watch out for food topics - we love our food here (winky winky face) OC. Keith Black, mtaylor and Edwardkenway 3 Quote Current builds 28mm Battle of Waterloo attack on La Haye Saint Diorama. 1/700 HMS Hood Flyhawk with PE, Resin and Wood Decking. Completed works. Dragon 1/700 HMS Edinburgh type 42 batch 3 Destroyer plastic. HMS Warspite Academy 1/350 plastic kit and wem parts. HMS Trafalgar Airfix 1/350 submarine plastic. Black Pearl 1/72 Revell with pirate crew. Revell 1/48 Mosquito B IV Eduard 1/48 Spitfire IX ICM 1/48 Seafire Mk.III Special Conversion 1/48 Kinetic Sea Harrier FRS1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwardkenway Posted April 24, 2021 Share #17 Posted April 24, 2021 Have fun and Enjoy! Keith Black, Old Collingwood, Mike the Maxx and 1 other 4 Quote Current builds; Henry Ramey Upcher 1:25 Providence whaleboat- 1:25 HMS Winchelsea 1764 1:48 Completed: HM Cutter Sherbourne- 1:64- finished Triton cross section scratch- 1:60 - finished Non ship: SBD-3 Dauntless 1:48 Hasegawa -FINISHED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted April 24, 2021 Share #18 Posted April 24, 2021 16 hours ago, Mike the Maxx said: Wow, nine years there is a good while, did ya like it? What's not to like about living in a zoo? Brown bears sleeping on the porch at night, mother moose and her two calves having a walk about through the yard, fox, lynx, wolverine, wolves, coyotes, eagles, geese, ducks, salmon, huge trout, literally not a fence anywhere, open land from Bristol Bay to the Gulf of Alaska, Mother Nature trying to do you in when you've gotten stupid, Mother Nature teaching you to respect all things, absolute total silence when the only thing you can hear is your blood pumping in your ears, and a ever growing appreciation for His creation.........it was OK. Mike the Maxx, Old Collingwood and mtaylor 3 Quote Current Builds: 1870's Sternwheeler, Lula Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike the Maxx Posted April 24, 2021 Author Share #19 Posted April 24, 2021 (edited) 17 hours ago, Keith Black said: What's not to like about living in a zoo? Brown bears sleeping on the porch at night, mother moose and her two calves having a walk about through the yard, fox, lynx, wolverine, wolves, coyotes, eagles, geese, ducks, salmon, huge trout, literally not a fence anywhere, open land from Bristol Bay to the Gulf of Alaska, Mother Nature trying to do you in when you've gotten stupid, Mother Nature teaching you to respect all things, absolute total silence when the only thing you can hear is your blood pumping in your ears, and a ever growing appreciation for His creation.........it was OK. Well said...you got the better part than I. Unfortunately being a medic up there was quite depressing....out Bethel way and in the remote villages it can be heartbreaking and rough and tumble. As my training officer told me... “Out here, especially in the dark months all there is to do for some is sit and think about all the dark things in life”...add alcohol and drugs and it made for a rough job. Lots of highs and lows. So for me, Alaska was bittersweet. Sorry if I overshared, but I am a pretty straightforward kind of person....and I think I am going to like it here quite a bit. Off to Lowes for a few supplies and then to start on this kit! Cheers, M Edited April 25, 2021 by Mike the Maxx too long Edwardkenway, Old Collingwood, Keith Black and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted April 24, 2021 Share #20 Posted April 24, 2021 Mike, sorry to hear about your physical problems, I hope and pray it's not MS. I'm a successful Parris Island graduate, class of 67. We do tend to go for the gusto till the wheels come off. Alaska is living on the edge, I think anyone who lived there is a book that needs to be written. mtaylor and Mike the Maxx 2 Quote Current Builds: 1870's Sternwheeler, Lula Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: 1880s Floating Steam Donkey Pile Driver Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike the Maxx Posted April 24, 2021 Author Share #21 Posted April 24, 2021 (edited) Ooh-Rah! I still go catatonic when I see a sand flea... And thank you for your well wishes...your right about the wheels coming off...the only thing I got left that is not OEM is my hair it seems... Edited April 24, 2021 by Mike the Maxx mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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