Dave_E Posted November 21, 2021 Share #1 Posted November 21, 2021 Hi All, Getting the new shipyard equipped. Do any of you ahve a recommendation on which "Ship Modelers Shop Notes" to start with, volume 1 or volume 2? Which book will help the newbie the most? Dave Quote Dave Current builds: Rattlesnake Completed builds: Lady Nelson On the shelf: NRG Half Hull Project, Various metal, plastic and paper models Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cleek Posted November 21, 2021 Share #2 Posted November 21, 2021 (edited) It's not an "either/or," but rather a "both/and" kind of thing. These volumes are simply collections of reprints of the "Shop Notes" section of the NRG Journal over two spans of time. (They should be due for another volume one of these days soon.) The subject matter is not highly organized in terms of distinguishing between highly sophisticated techniques and those which "will help the newbie most." (All will eventually be helpful to a newbie, but some will appeal primarily to the more experienced builder.) These books are goldmines of useful how-to-do it information, but step-by-step tutorials for newbies they are not. Each volume can be purchased for $35 from the NRG Store online. Nautical Research Guild (thenrgstore.org) Used copies in good shape cost perhaps half that on average, but, by the time you cover shipping, you might as well spring for a brand new copy in good shape. If buying Volume I used, try to get a later printing which is spiral bound. It's helpful if the book will lay flat with the covers turned all the way back, reducing the space the book will take on your bench and making for easy copying of pages if that is desired. My Volume 1, purchased many years ago, was the glued paperback binding and it sheds pages, a problem I've solved with a couple of binder clips. If cost is a limitation, used copies of both volumes are readily available on eBay and Amazon used books. See: Ship Modeler s Shop Notes 9780960345618 | eBay and Ship Modeler's Shop Notes: Edson, Merritt, Lankford, Ben, Mueller, Edward, Rubin, Norman: 9780960345618: Amazon.com: Books To answer your question directly, if you can only afford one, I'd suggest Volume II, since it is the more recent selection of Shop Notes articles. Some of the material in Volume I, while still useful, can be somewhat dated. The level of sophistication in ship modeling has increased markedly in the last couple of decades. You can then buy Volume I later, as both remain in print. If you pursue the hobby for any length of time, you will quickly discover (and apparently already have) that an adequate research library is an essential tool for the ship modeler. Beware: IMHO, most of the newbie "how to do it" books advertised as such are not worth what they ask for them. Use the forum search engine to find threads on which books to buy for a decent reference library and start by buying the classics in your area of interest which you will find identified there. It's a good idea to develop the habit of making a "budget" for building your reference library and stick to it. By committing to $25 (or more) a month, which in today's money is no more than the old "three martini lunch" plus tip, and scouring for used books on line, you will be able to painlessly buy a book a month or so. Edited November 21, 2021 by Bob Cleek RichardG, MEDDO, Jaager and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtvd19 Posted November 21, 2021 Share #3 Posted November 21, 2021 I have to agree with Bob's reasoning and his recommendation to get Vol 2. MEDDO, mtaylor, Canute and 1 other 4 Quote Kurt Van Dahm Director NAUTICAL RESEARCH GUILD www.thenrg.org SAY NO TO PIRACY. SUPPORT ORIGINAL IDEAS AND MANUFACTURERS CLUBS Nautical Research & Model Ship Society of Chicago Midwest Model Shipwrights North Shore Deadeyes The Society of Model Shipwrights Butch O'Hare - IPMS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Pellett Posted November 21, 2021 Share #4 Posted November 21, 2021 For personal reasons, I prefer Volume I. I have a complete set of Nautical Research Journals dating back to 1975 when I joined the organization. Volume II is mostly a reprint of materials already published in the Journal during this time period. Volume I includes information that was either written especially for the Shop Notes or predates the journals that I have. Roger Canute and Bob Cleek 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Hudson Posted November 21, 2021 Share #5 Posted November 21, 2021 My Ship Modeler's Shop Notes is probably the first edition as it is neither #1 or#2. It is copyright 1979. That was the year I bought it at The Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon. Sadly it is just paper back with no spiral binding. Many of the pages are coming loose. I will have too rebind it some day. Lots of interesting information. Canute 1 Quote Fall down nine times, get up ten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Pellett Posted November 21, 2021 Share #6 Posted November 21, 2021 Bill, That’s Volume 1. At that time since there was no volume 2, there was no need to label it Volume 1. Mine’s coming apart too. The spiral binding of Volume 2 works better for us. Roger Ryland Craze, mtaylor, Canute and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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