Dan_L Posted November 6, 2022 Share #1 Posted November 6, 2022 Hi all, I'm not exactly new to MSW but have been away for a very long time so please let me just start over with a new introduction. I have done many many plastic models but a few years ago I decided I wanted to switch to wooden ship models. My first choice to start with was the schooner Phantom by Model Shipways which has a solid hull that requires carving and a LOT of sanding to shape. I quickly found out that I am terrible at carving and I made a complete mess of the hull. In extreme frustration I didn't get very far before giving up and putting that kit away in the closet. Fast forward several years and now that I am retired and have more time to spend on hobbies (especially when weather is bad) I decided that I wanted to give wood ship modeling another shot. I knew that I didn't want to try that solid hull model again so after a lot of reading and browsing model suppliers I decided that this attempt would be the 18th century armed longboat also by Model Shipways. I chose this kit because it is a little larger scale so maybe easier to work with these old fingers. Also I knew that I wanted to do a plank on frame attempt this time and the longboat seemed to have pretty favorable results by many rookies like me. I have had the kit for about 2 weeks now but before I even opened the box I did a lot more reading books, browsing forums and watching videos to hopefully give myself a better chance with this build. Well, I started on it yesterday. I was a little nervous about the first step of beveling the aft false keel to the rabbit line but it wasn't as bad I thought it would be. So the completed keel assembly is right now glued up and clamped so now I can turn the page and continue. Anyway, I just wanted to say hi again. I will go a little farther with the build before I bore any of you with a beginners build log. I'm sure I will be back asking dumb questions so please just bear with me. Thanks and happy modeling Ryland Craze, GrandpaPhil, mtaylor and 4 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldsalt1950 Posted November 6, 2022 Share #2 Posted November 6, 2022 Welcome back Dan. Ask all the questions you'd like, there are no dumb questions. Looking forward to seeing your build log. Jim Dave_E, Ryland Craze, Keith Black and 2 others 5 Quote Current Build: Fair American - Model Shipways Awaiting Parts - Rattlesnake On the Shelf - English Pinnace 18Th Century Longboat I stand firmly against piracy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaager Posted November 6, 2022 Share #3 Posted November 6, 2022 42 minutes ago, Dan_L said: I quickly found out that I am terrible at carving and I made a complete mess of the hull. Unlike plastic, it is neigh on to impossible to totally ruin a wooden ship kit. Worse comes to worst, all of the material can be replaced with the natural material from outside sources, and started over as scratch. It is better schooling too. One of the tricks with carving is to use tools that work well. For more than light removal, StewMac has a pair of small razor files that are peachy keen. For the sort of sanding that the hull needs, it is probably better to always have a wood backing on the sandpaper. Rubber cement - both surfaces coated, allowed to dry, and joined, fixes the paper to the backing and makes for easy renewal. No matter how badly the hull looks, it will still look better than any POB hull - unless the POB hull is totally filled between the molds. And if that is done, it is essentially the same as a carved hull. It is difficult to irreversibly damage a solid wood hull. If too much is removed, the loss can be replaced. If it is just a little, wood flour mixed with PVA makes a very strong layer, but it will be tougher to remove than the original wood after it sets up. For a deeper patch, scab a layer of wood veneer - Pine works. When you get the shape to match your templates, even if it is ugly, that is easy to hide. The kit may offer this suggestion, but a solid carved hull makes an excellent support for a layer of actual planking. The planking wood should be thin and of a scale appropriate species of hardwood. Being thin, the planks can be properly spilled by using a steel straight edge and a sharp knife. Since the hull is being gridled beyond its dimension, thin is best. Using an appropriate species of wood can turn a chore into a joy. The model will look better. Keith Black, Dave_E, GrandpaPhil and 6 others 9 Quote NRG member 45 years Current: HMS Centurion 1732 - 60-gun 4th rate - Navall Timber framing HMS Beagle 1831 refiit 10-gun brig with a small mizzen - Navall (ish) Timber framing The U.S. Ex. Ex. 1838-1842 Flying Fish 1838 pilot schooner - framed - ready for stern timbers Porpose II 1836 brigantine/brig - framed - ready for hawse and stern timbers Vincennes 1825 Sloop-of-War - timbers assembled, need shaping Peacock 1828 Sloop-of -War - timbers ready for assembly Sea Gull 1838 pilot schooner - timbers ready for assembly Relief 1835 ship - timbers ready for assembly Other Portsmouth 1843 Sloop-of-War - timbers ready for assembly Le Commerce de Marseilles 1788 118 cannons - framed La Renommee 1744 Frigate - framed - ready for hawse and stern timbers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanyed Posted November 6, 2022 Share #4 Posted November 6, 2022 Welcome home Dan!! Allan Ryland Craze, Dan_L, mtaylor and 2 others 5 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...
Knocklouder Posted November 6, 2022 Share #5 Posted November 6, 2022 Welcome back to the Place To Be!! mtaylor, Dave_E, Dan_L and 2 others 5 Quote Start so you can Finish !! Finished: The Santa Maria -Amati 1:65, La Pinta- Amati 1:65, La Nina -Amati 1:65 , Hannah Ship in a Bottle -1:300 The Sea of Galilee Boat-Scott Miller-1:20 ,The Mayflower Amati 1:60 non Ship Build: 1972 Ford Sport Custom Truck Current Build: Viking Ship Drakkar -Amati-1:50 On Hold: HMS Pegasus: Amati Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPDDET Posted November 6, 2022 Share #6 Posted November 6, 2022 Welcome back, Dan! Dave_E, Keith Black, Dan_L and 2 others 5 Quote Current build: NRG Half Hull Previous build: MS Bluenose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted November 6, 2022 Share #7 Posted November 6, 2022 Dan, hopefully it's a welcome back to joyful modeling. Wishing you great success with your longboat. Ryland Craze, Dan_L, Dave_E and 1 other 4 Quote Current Builds: Wood Hull Screw Frigate USS Tennessee Decorative Carrack Warship Restoration, the Amelia Completed: Early Swift 1805 Model Restoration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaPhil Posted November 6, 2022 Share #8 Posted November 6, 2022 Welcome back! Dan_L, Keith Black, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote Building: 1:64 HMS Revenge (Victory Models plans) 1:64 Cat Esther (17th Century Dutch Merchant Ships) On the building slip: 1:72 French Ironclad Magenta (original shipyard plans) On hold: 1:98 Mantua HMS Victory (kit bash), 1:96 Shipyard HMS Mercury Favorite finished builds: 1:60 Sampang Good Fortune (Amati plans), 1:200 Orel Ironclad Solferino, 1:72 Schooner Hannah (Hahn plans), 1:72 Privateer Prince de Neufchatel (Chapelle plans), Model Shipways Sultana, Heller La Reale, Encore USS Olympia Goal: Become better than I was yesterday "The hardest part is deciding to try." - me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_E Posted November 6, 2022 Share #9 Posted November 6, 2022 Hi Dan, welcome to the forum! 👍😀 Keith Black, Ryland Craze, mtaylor and 1 other 4 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...
mtaylor Posted November 6, 2022 Share #10 Posted November 6, 2022 Welcome back home, Dave. All those that wander are not lost. Ryland Craze, Dan_L and Keith Black 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...
Ryland Craze Posted November 7, 2022 Share #11 Posted November 7, 2022 Welcome back Dan. Please do a build log on your 18th century armed longboat. We would like to follow your progress during your build. Dan_L, mtaylor and Keith Black 3 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...
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