rmccook Posted October 6, 2023 Share #1 Posted October 6, 2023 (edited) Hiya, I'm a new member and I'm very interested in what I've seen here so far! I'm new to models—at least as an adult. I did not particularly enjoy them as a kid, but as I've grown up I've developed a real interest in woodworking, art (painting and drawing) and doing crafty things in general. What I used to find tedious and frustrating is now calming and relaxing. Besides those interests, I'm a fan of Aubrey/Maturin—again, as a kid I found them tedious and frustrating and now I love it. I also love sailing real boats (and, unlike the other things, I have since I was a kid.) Last year, in the middle of a re-read of a Aubrery/Maturin book, I was googling some obscure sail reference and was searching for photos or diagrams of the HMS Surprise and thought to search for models as well... a few days later, my Instagram feed started showing me ads for Occre models—creepy, but highly accurate! Amused/bemused by the accuracy of the algorithm in knowing what I was interested in, I showed one ad to my wife and when my birthday rolled around, she and my kids proudly presented me with the Occre Polaris. And, as disturbed as I am at Instagram for leading me to the models, I've absolutely loved working on it. I started in January, took a break for the warm months and am back at it. I've completed the hull and am starting work on the deck and am vaguely dreading the rigging. I'm considering a log, but there's nothing particularly extraordinary about my build and I haven't documented it well thus far... but I will say that I'm finding the Occre Polaris a perfect thing to start with. It's much more challenging than any plastic model, but there is nothing that isn't doable, nothing that can't be done with tools that a reasonably well-equipped home handyman/hobbyist wouldn't have mostly on hand anyway, the instructions are clear and there is a YouTube series demonstrating everything. I think one day I would like to build a small craft of my own—and while it's a lot more pricey and requires more space, I think some of the plans I'm looking at for that are actually less complex than the model plans I currently have. I'll wait until I finish this model before I say if I'll do another, but I'm thoroughly enjoying this one. I've made a few errors, most of which I stressed over before discovering that they really didn't matter as they were easily patched or covered up in later steps. I've got quite a bit of work left to do, and I don't want to jinx myself, as I could always not finish it, but I do think the end is in sight (as in, it is very likely that the model will be finished). With that caveat, as a beginner still in the process, I would say a helpful piece of advice is to just keep plowing ahead—at least on a simple-ish model like Polaris, most mistakes seem pretty solvable by some sanding and paint. Oh, and I suppose an understanding that, while perfection is desired, it's okay if you don't get it all perfect on your first model. I, for example, botched the bow—I did not nail the sanding and shaping of the reinforcements under the hull that give the front of the boat the right shape. I got it pretty well—if it was a real boat, it would cut through the water, but when I applied the planking, the shape was off enough that it made the planking uneven and the gap for the keel piece at the front was ragged and very un-seaworthy. And since it wasn't a perfect fit at the front, the false keel didn't meet up with the sternpost perfectly at the back. But after some thought—and some impulsive stabs as well—I got it to fit pretty well... I pulled up some of the second layer of planking and patched in new pieces... It is definitely noticeable if you look at it closely, but sanding and varnish covered a lot of the sin. And, the other option was to not finish. I've found all your models inspiring and your tips and suggestions for tools and supplies helpful. Edited October 6, 2023 by rmccook JeffT, ccoyle, AJohnson and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPDDET Posted October 6, 2023 Share #2 Posted October 6, 2023 Welcome to the forum! Keith Black, JeffT, AJohnson and 1 other 4 Quote Current build: NRG Half Hull Previous build: MS Bluenose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkeater Posted October 6, 2023 Share #3 Posted October 6, 2023 Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you've got a good start. Rich Keith Black, mtaylor, AJohnson and 1 other 4 Quote Completed scratch build: The armed brig "Badger" 1777 Current scratch build: The 36 gun frigate "Unite" 1796 Completed kits: Mamoli "Alert", Caldercraft "Sherbourne" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted October 6, 2023 Share #4 Posted October 6, 2023 Welcome aboard! AJohnson, Keith Black, JeffT 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...
JeffT Posted October 6, 2023 Share #5 Posted October 6, 2023 Welcome to MSW mtaylor and Keith Black 2 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...
Knocklouder Posted October 6, 2023 Share #6 Posted October 6, 2023 mtaylor, Keith Black and AJohnson 3 Quote Start so you can Finish !! Finished: The Sea of Galilee Boat-Scott Miller-1:20 , Amati } Hannah Ship in a Bottle:Santa Maria : LA Pinta : La Nana : The Mayflower : Viking Ship Drakkar The King Of the Mississippi Artesania Latina 1:80 Current Build: Royal Yacht, Duchess of Kingston-Vanguard Models Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Lad Posted October 6, 2023 Share #7 Posted October 6, 2023 Hello, and a warm welcome to MSW from 'Down Under'. John Keith Black, AJohnson and mtaylor 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted October 6, 2023 Share #8 Posted October 6, 2023 AJohnson and Keith Black 2 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...
tmj Posted October 6, 2023 Share #9 Posted October 6, 2023 Howdy! Welcome aboard! AJohnson, mtaylor and Keith Black 3 Quote "The journey of a thousand miles is only the beginning of a thousand journeys!" Current Build; 1776 Gunboat Philadelphia, Navy-Board Style, Scratch Build 1:24 Scale On the Drawing Board; 1777 Continental Frigate 'Hancock', Scratch Build, Admiralty/Pseudo Hahn Style, "In work, active in CAD design stage!" In dry dock; Scratch Build of USS Constitution... on hold until further notice, if any. Constructro 'Cutty Sark' ... Hull completed, awaiting historically accurate modifications to the deck, deck houses, etc., "Gathering Dust!" Corel HMS Victory Cross Section kit "BASH"... being neglected! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted October 6, 2023 Share #10 Posted October 6, 2023 Welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard. AJohnson and mtaylor 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...
AJohnson Posted October 6, 2023 Share #11 Posted October 6, 2023 Welcome to MSW! Keith Black and mtaylor 2 Quote Andrew Current builds:- HM Gun-brig Sparkler - Vanguard (1/64) , HMAV Bounty - Caldercraft (1/64) Completed (Kits):- Vanguard Models (1/64) :- HM Cutter Trial , Nisha - Brixham trawler Caldercraft (1/64) :- HMS Orestes(Mars), HM Cutter Sherbourne Paper Shipwright (1/250) :- TSS Earnslaw, Puffer Starlight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanyed Posted October 7, 2023 Share #12 Posted October 7, 2023 Hi R Welcome to MSW Allan Keith Black and mtaylor 2 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...
Baker Posted October 7, 2023 Share #13 Posted October 7, 2023 mtaylor and Keith Black 2 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...
bruce d Posted October 7, 2023 Share #14 Posted October 7, 2023 Welcome to MSW from the UK. Keith Black and mtaylor 2 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...
AON Posted October 7, 2023 Share #15 Posted October 7, 2023 Welcome aboard. You'll not find a better forum or helpful group of people than here at the MSW. I sent you a PM (private message). mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote Alan O'Neill "only dead fish go with the flow" Ongoing Build (31 Dec 2013) - HMS BELLEROPHON (1786), POF scratch build, scale 1:64, 74 gun 3rd rate Man of War, Arrogant Class Member of the Model Shipwrights of Niagara, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada (2016), and the Nautical Research Guild (since 2014) Associate member of the Nautical Research and Model Ship Society (2021) Offshore member of The Society of Model Shipwrights (2021) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Collier Posted October 7, 2023 Share #16 Posted October 7, 2023 Hello, where are you from? mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmccook Posted September 18 Author Share #17 Posted September 18 (edited) Oh, it must be model building season! I don't know about you guys—I love my model, but somewhere around March, I suddenly stop finding it so fun and then somewhere around now, all of a sudden I notice it and I start spending every night toying with it. It happened last year too—got the model in January, toyed with it until March, set it aside, and came back to it about Oct 1. I was wondering when I would be seized with interest again (I knew I'd come back to it), and I cleaned up my workshop a few weeks ago, moved all the summer projects and tools out of the way, stowed the garden stuff, etc. and have been eyeing the half-completed model, thinking about what needs to be done. I stopped last spring just before starting the rigging, which seemed a natural stopping point, but I wasn't intending to stop for six months, and then the other night, not sure why, I sat down and started in on it again, promptly glued my fingers together, realized that six months ago I put some cleats on the wrong side of a mast—like I never left. Anyway, we're off again! Next step, of course, was to start posting here and begin browsing kit listings and imagining what I should do next before I finish what I've already started. Hope you all had a good summer! Edited September 18 by rmccook JacquesCousteau, Ryland Craze, Knocklouder and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie da fly Posted September 18 Share #18 Posted September 18 (edited) Hi and welcome to MSW. First, don't worry about mistakes. We all make them - the experienced builders just make more interesting ones! And wood is a very forgiving medium. Second, if you haven't already started one, begin a build log. First we get to see your model under way, second you can get help and advice and ask questions about any problems you might encounter. Best wishes, Steven [Edit] I just noticed your original post was almost a year ago - I must have missed it. But on searching MSW I don't see a build log, so I think my advice above still applies. Start one - it's a good group we have here, and very helpful. Steven Edited September 18 by Louie da fly Keith Black, Knocklouder, JacquesCousteau and 1 other 4 Quote It's not really a ship model unless you've bled on it. CURRENT BUILDS Golden City - Ballarat paddlewheeler La Lomellina - Theoretical Reconstruction of a Genoese carrack sunk in 1516 FINISHED Venetian merchant Ship from Basilica of San Marco Australian couta boat RMS Titanic HMVS Cerberus 11th century Byzantine dromon Winchelsea Nef - Late 13th century Mediaeval ship Henry Grace a Dieu - Rebuild of 1:200 model I started in 1967 Mistydeefer - restoration of decor model yacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPDDET Posted September 19 Share #19 Posted September 19 Welcome back! You're not the first to "leave things for awhile" and surely not the last. Mistakes are learning events. Dave mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote Current build: NRG Half Hull Previous build: MS Bluenose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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