Lowell Grand Banks Dory by boatsNbeers - FINISHED - Model Shipways - 1:24

[boatsNbeers]

Hello Everyone.

This is my first build log so please forgive me for possible poor picture quality or misplaced text. Bad alignment, etc. I will do my best to make sure things are in the right place. This is my attempt at building the Model Shipways Lowell Grand Banks Dory. I think attempt is the best description since I am not pleased with how it turned out. I did enjoy building it though and did complete the model. I have quite a few pictures that may help other to not make the same mistakes that I did. What follows is my journey through the build process.

 

My build log starts off with the bulkhead frames being prepped for planking. This picture is the port side showing the frames being sanded transom to stem.

Edited February 20, 2023 by boatsNbeers

[boatsNbeers]

Next is the stem prepped for planking. It looks centered except towards the bottom at the base. I think it will be okay since the planks don’t go all the way to the bottom. 

The next picture is the transom being prepped for planking. It looks like I have the transom centered to the bottom of the boat. Well see when the planking starts.

[boatsNbeers]

First Garboard plank being shaped. Port side view. I used binder clamps to tighten the rubber bands which gave uniform pressure to the side of the dory and then clamps with paper for the transom and stem.

[boatsNbeers]

Bottom view showing the garboard plank being shaped and the Garboard plank after shaping.

[boatsNbeers]

Starboard Garboard plank being shaped. I didn’t need to use the clamps on the rubber band this time. I found rubber bands that provided the required tension to keep the garboard plank in place.

[boatsNbeers]

Bottom view showing the starboard Garboard plank in the gluing process. The Ports side Garboard plank has already been glued in place.

[boatsNbeers]

Starboard view of Garboard planks after sanding the bottom edges down.

[boatsNbeers]

Bottom view of both Garboard planks after sanding the bottom of the Dory.

[boatsNbeers]

Transom view of both Garboard planks sanded . I looks like I have a little rise on on the left side in this picture. A little more sanding to be done. I think the garboard planks are even, I think?. We’ll see when the broad planks go on

[boatsNbeers]

Port side of Broad plank being shaped. Looks to be quite a bit of overhang at the stem. Will need to double check before gluing.

[boatsNbeers]

Starboard Broad plank being glued. The Port side Broad plank has already been glued. I use green gorilla painting tape at both ends of the dory so I didn’t dent the wood.

[boatsNbeers]

Port side Sheer plank being bent. Looks to be a lot of over hang at the stem. I also have to confess that as I was shaping the Board planks I managed to snap 3 of the frames. Work stopped and I glued the frames back together. My hope is that everything still lines up okay. The frames seem to be the right height. But the dory is still upside down at this stage. Lesson here - Basswood is fragile. Be gentle.

[boatsNbeers]

I made the mistake of cutting the Sheer plank only to discover that it was not too short. OOPS !!! Now I have to ask for a replacement part or try to make another Sheer plank. Another lesson learned. Test fit, test fit and test fit again.

[boatsNbeers]

Tried to create a new Sheer plank from scratch. The wood plank I found at my local hardware store was too thick so I had to sand it down to the correct thickness. Fairly easy with basswood. The challenge was getting uniform thickness. Anyway I was able to create a new Sheer plank to use.

[boatsNbeers]

New Sheer Plank glued in place. Didn’t come out to good. Back to the drawing board. I used some 99% alcohol to get the glue to loosen up and removed my scratch built Sheer plank. Luckily Model Shipways has a policy that allows you to get replacement parts. When I first made my mistake I requested a new Sheer plank. They sent me a new plank and I was back in business. I was happy to get the new sheer plank glued in place and the build continued.

[boatsNbeers]

This pic shows the cleats being added. This view also shows the Sheer planks glued in place . Looks good so far.

[boatsNbeers]

The false stem has been glued on and shaped to align with the planks. Note: The false stem was created using some scrap wood from the kit.

[boatsNbeers]

Starboard and Port view of False Stem sanded down

[boatsNbeers]

Top view with cleats cut down. Also notice the frames came out okay. Hard to tell which ones were broken. I think the glue job came out okay.

[boatsNbeers]

I finally got some time to continue the build of the Dory. This is the first coat of paint on the inside.

The view is from the top looking down.

Edited March 2, 2023 by boatsNbeers

[boatsNbeers]

Continued progress. The seat risers have now been glued in place. This is another top view.

 

[boatsNbeers]

Cap rail glued in-lace and painted. The dory has also had its second coat of paint. You’ll notice a slight dip in the cap rail towards the stern. This is because I broke the cap rail trying to get the bend right. Another OOPS !!! Tried to fix with some wood filler but it’s still noticeable. I chalk this up to lesson learned and what NOT to do. :).

[boatsNbeers]

These pics are of my attempt to make oars. They give you 5 oars for which I am very glad they did. I broke one so I was down to four. The oars are harder than they look. Getting the right shape is challenging. I had 2 things working against me. Soft wood and sandpaper grit. I think I used too heavy a grit to shape the wood and took off too much material at one time. The shaping of the paddle portion went well. Getting the oar to be perfectly round not so well. They look okay at first and then you look close at them you see that they are not completely round. Another lesson learned. The other challenge was getting the handles round. The trick here is cutting the handle so it is square and then very gently round the corners until it gets round. On my last oar I got a round handle. Now I know how to do the handles. The secret to doing oars in lots of patience, some 180 or 200 grit sandpaper and a gentle touch. It's easy to take off material and impossible to put it back on. I have a much better feel for creating oars now.

[boatsNbeers]

I finished up the oars by using wood conditioner to seal the oars. I then applied some clear satin finish top them to give a lacquered look. Once they were dry the leathering was added. I used brown packing paper for the leathering and matched it against the plans. I think the leathering came out okay. This is my first time ever making oars. I like how they look, especially from 3 feet away, lol. Next up will be building and finishing the base.

Edited March 2, 2023 by boatsNbeers

[boatsNbeers]

Had some time over the weekend to update the build log. This is my finished base. I rounded the edges of the base and the cradles. Sanded it with  320 sand paper and then 400 grit to give it a smooth finish. I then used an espresso poly stain. The name plate was made from scrap wood. I stained the name plate with a Pecan poly stain. The lettering was created on my computer and printed on my ink jet printer. I then sealed the name plated with a clear stain finish. Really like how it turned out.

 

Anyone have any comments on the base? 

[druxey]

Yes, one comment: the plate should also include the maker's name! You are too modest.

[boatsNbeers]

5 minutes ago, druxey said:

Yes, one comment: the plate should also include the maker's name! You are too modest.

Thank you for the complement.

[Bryan Woods]

On 3/2/2023 at 2:08 PM, boatsNbeers said:

I finished up the oars by using wood conditioner to seal the oars. I then applied some clear satin finish top them to give a lacquered look. Once they were dry the leathering was added. I used brown packing paper for the leathering and matched it against the plans. I think the leathering came out okay. This is my first time ever making oars. I like how they look, especially from 3 feet away, lol. Next up will be building and finishing the base.

 

Your oars look great! Put them beside mine and you’ll feel better. I wish I knew to use the wood conditioner and satin finish. 

[boatsNbeers]

5 minutes ago, Bryan Woods said:

On 3/2/2023 at 12:08 PM, boatsNbeers said:

I finished up the oars by using wood conditioner to seal the oars. I then applied some clear satin finish top them to give a lacquered look. Once they were dry the leathering was added. I used brown packing paper for the leathering and matched it against the plans. I think the leathering came out okay. This is my first time ever making oars. I like how they look, especially from 3 feet away, lol. Next up will be building and finishing the base.

 

Your oars look great! Put them beside mine and you’ll feel better. I wish I knew to use the wood conditioner and satin finish. 

Hi Bryan. The wood conditioner and satin finish are from Model Expo. I used the wood conditioner to seal the oars so the satin finish wouldn't build up. After the wood conditioner I used some 320 sandpaper to smooth them and then used the satin finish to give it a varnished look without the shine. Attached is a picture of the 2 bottles.

[Bryan Woods]

34 minutes ago, boatsNbeers said:

Hi Bryan. The wood conditioner and satin finish are from Model Expo. I used the wood conditioner to seal the oars so the satin finish wouldn't build up. After the wood conditioner I used some 320 sandpaper to smooth them and then used the satin finish to give it a varnished look without the shine. Attached is a picture of the 2 bottles.

They were in my kit too. The directions didn’t mention them so I thought they were for the other builds. I’ve started on the Norwegian sailing Pram so I’m going to use them on it. More minds more info. Thanks 
 

Bryan