Chikpeas Posted March 4 Share #1 Posted March 4 Goodmorning, evening, afternoon ! Someone from Reddit actually suggested me to join this website and I am BLOWN away by the amount of members and dedicated ship builders! I am very new to the hobby, and I can’t tell you how much I love and enjoy these projects. Seeing so many people in this hobby makes me so excited to share projects with and read! I really need a helping hand. Or five. 😅 I am a digital artist, but I found this ancient USS Constitution model kit by Revel in the basement. It was my dads, so I wanted to give it a try. I’m taking a brief break from rigging until I learn more tricks to do it because they don’t tell you much with these instructions, but I’ll share with you what I accomplished! (Yeah one of the sails is upside-down, they cut it wrong in the kit so I have to come up with a solution.) Currently working on the OCCRE Polaris build, I have another OCCRE beginner project to experiment tips and tricks given by experienced members, and then when I’m confident enough—— The OCCRE Terror. One of my favorite historical ships. I am so in love with learning wood working, I have never done anything that requires any skill before 🤣 The OCCRE company is my hero. I’d like to get to know and befriend some model builders, so PLEASE don’t be afraid to chat! I’m interested in seeing your builds and projects, and any tips or advice you have to offer!! Hope you all have a lovely day, can’t wait to get involved here!!! Thank you! KevinR, GrandpaPhil, Thukydides and 7 others 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JacquesCousteau Posted March 4 Share #2 Posted March 4 Welcome! mtaylor, Chikpeas and Keith Black 3 Quote Kits: Model Shipways Dory (1:24) - Finished NRG Half-Hull Planking Kit (1:48) - In-progress Midwest Maine Peapod (1:14) - In-progress Scratch Builds: Xochimilco Trajinera (1:32) - Finished Lake Chapala Canoa de Rancho (1:32) - In-progress Juana y José Cross Section (1:32) - Finished Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaPhil Posted March 4 Share #3 Posted March 4 Welcome! mtaylor, Keith Black and Chikpeas 3 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...
Knocklouder Posted March 4 Share #4 Posted March 4 (edited) Good luck on your journey! Tremendous amount of info here at MSW, and an even greater amount of help, just ask you'll see . Edited March 4 by Knocklouder Guessing typos lol Chikpeas, mtaylor and Keith Black 3 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, Viking Ship Drakkar-1:50 non Ship Build: 1972 Ford Sport Custom Truck Current Build: King of the Mississippi-Artesania Latina-1:80 On Hold: HMS Pegasus: Amati Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted March 4 Share #5 Posted March 4 Welcome aboard! Chikpeas, Keith Black and mtaylor 2 1 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, Salmson 2, Speeljacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chikpeas Posted March 4 Author Share #6 Posted March 4 28 minutes ago, Knocklouder said: Good luck on your journey! Tremendous amount of info here at MSW, and an even greater amount of help, just ask you'll see . Those emojis are fantastic, thank you so much! I’ll definitely be bombing the place with questions 😀 mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Black Posted March 4 Share #7 Posted March 4 CP, welcome to MSW. It looks like your current build is coming along nicely. Glad to have you aboard. Chikpeas and mtaylor 2 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...
CPDDET Posted March 5 Share #8 Posted March 5 Welcome. Seems your build is coming along nicely. 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...
mtaylor Posted March 5 Share #9 Posted March 5 Keith Black and Chikpeas 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...
rmccook Posted March 8 Share #10 Posted March 8 Welcome! I've just finished the first book of instructions (the hull part) for my Polaris and am stalling work on the mast and rigging. It's a fun kit! I've found OcCre's manual extremely clear and easy to use, but the YouTube series they have for each step has been INCREDIBLY useful. Sometimes you just need a different angle, or watching someone do some tricky little thing that you just can't show in even the most detailed instruction or clear photo. I've also noticed that the videos slightly deviate from the manual, but always in ways that get it done. My biggest piece of advice (as someone barely ahead of you) is that you should not be afraid to make mistakes, because you will make a lot of them, but almost all of them can be fixed with some sanding. AND, I've discovered, most of the mistakes I really worried about ending up being completely inconsequential because they were covered up. I did not take shaping the bulwarks in the bow very seriously and ended up really worrying about it, but by the time the two layers of planking were on, sanded and stained, you'd have no idea something was amiss. It certainly is uneven in its shape in a way that would matter tremendously if it was a real boat trying to sail anywhere, but to the naked eye it can't be seen and it sits levelly in the stand. Same with the bow—really stressed over how the planks were coming together at the front, how it would all feet with the front section of keel, etc. and sanding, a small amount of wood-filler, and stain made my mistakes barely perceptible and now mostly covered by the anchors. Good luck! Chikpeas, mtaylor, Keith Black and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chikpeas Posted March 9 Author Share #11 Posted March 9 5 hours ago, rmccook said: Welcome! I've just finished the first book of instructions (the hull part) for my Polaris and am stalling work on the mast and rigging. It's a fun kit! I've found OcCre's manual extremely clear and easy to use, but the YouTube series they have for each step has been INCREDIBLY useful. Sometimes you just need a different angle, or watching someone do some tricky little thing that you just can't show in even the most detailed instruction or clear photo. I've also noticed that the videos slightly deviate from the manual, but always in ways that get it done. My biggest piece of advice (as someone barely ahead of you) is that you should not be afraid to make mistakes, because you will make a lot of them, but almost all of them can be fixed with some sanding. AND, I've discovered, most of the mistakes I really worried about ending up being completely inconsequential because they were covered up. I did not take shaping the bulwarks in the bow very seriously and ended up really worrying about it, but by the time the two layers of planking were on, sanded and stained, you'd have no idea something was amiss. It certainly is uneven in its shape in a way that would matter tremendously if it was a real boat trying to sail anywhere, but to the naked eye it can't be seen and it sits levelly in the stand. Same with the bow—really stressed over how the planks were coming together at the front, how it would all feet with the front section of keel, etc. and sanding, a small amount of wood-filler, and stain made my mistakes barely perceptible and now mostly covered by the anchors. Good luck! Oh man thanks for sharing!! I actually broke a lot of things so far 😑😂 The bulwark for example— broke in half. Not willing to talk about that, BUT, I fixed it and honestly you really can’t tell. LOL!!! That little weird glue spot- I had no idea wood was so forgiving. I’ll also give you a dollar if you can find the plank that split in half. glad you said that because I’m having a fit at how these planks aren’t fitting properly. Being an artist I keep telling myself if anything is Too off I’ll slap clay on it, model, and paint it to match 😂 What build are you going to next!!! mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmccook Posted March 9 Share #12 Posted March 9 (edited) 2 hours ago, Chikpeas said: Oh man thanks for sharing!! I actually broke a lot of things so far 😑😂 The bulwark for example— broke in half. Not willing to talk about that, BUT, I fixed it and honestly you really can’t tell. LOL!!! That little weird glue spot- I had no idea wood was so forgiving. I’ll also give you a dollar if you can find the plank that split in half. glad you said that because I’m having a fit at how these planks aren’t fitting properly. Being an artist I keep telling myself if anything is Too off I’ll slap clay on it, model, and paint it to match 😂 What build are you going to next!!! Mine broke too… the good news is it glues easily… I worried it looked terrible and spent time sanding, etc and only later discovered it’s covered up on the outside and painted and partially obscured on the inside. Same thing with the planking - a second layer is going to go on, so it’s important for it to hold together and be smooth. But, aesthetically, it’s not super important if there are errors. You can slice and splice in planks, as long as it’s sturdy and the correct shape. Now, if you’re like me and you break planks on the second layer, where they are much thinner and delicate, or don’t make clean cuts, which leaves it looking ragged, it’s more of a problem. I had to peel off a number of garbage looking outer layer planks and fit in new ones, particularly on the bow as I tried to fit the keel piece on… it definitely wound up looking a bit patched and I thought I had ruined it… but some obsessive sanding and varnish REALLY goes a long way. I probably won’t post a picture of THAT after seeing the gorgeous work some people do around here, but it looks acceptable to the naked eye, that is not inspecting it too carefully, which most eyes won’t since this model is probably going to live above my desk or workbench. It all *mostly* was okay, but most importantly, now I know what’s important to pay attention to on my next model (don’t ask me about the next one yet, I’ve got to get through the rigging). The other thing I’ve read (here on MSW) is that OcCre has very good customer service and if you do irreparably break/lose something they will be very helpful in replacing. And when it comes to things like planks, copper wires, thread, little eyelet hardware, they seem to have packed a significant number of extras. Even when I had to discard planks I really botched I had plenty to spare and now that I’m down with the hull and deck, I probably have enough leftovers to do another half side of a hull, if I needed to. Edited March 9 by rmccook Chikpeas and mtaylor 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chikpeas Posted March 9 Author Share #13 Posted March 9 17 minutes ago, rmccook said: Mine broke too… the good news is it glues easily… I worried it looked terrible and spent time sanding, etc and only later discovered it’s covered up on the outside and painted and partially obscured on the inside. Same thing with the planking - a second layer is going to go on, so it’s important for it to hold together and be smooth. But, aesthetically, it’s not super important if there are errors. You can slice and splice in planks, as long as it’s sturdy and the correct shape. Now, if you’re like me and you break planks on the second layer, where they are much thinner and delicate, or don’t make clean cuts, which leaves it looking ragged, it’s more of a problem. I had to peel off a number of garbage looking outer layer planks and fit in new ones, particularly on the bow as I tried to fit the keel piece on… it definitely wound up looking a bit patched and I thought I had ruined it… but some obsessive sanding and varnish REALLY goes a long way. I probably won’t post a picture of THAT after seeing the gorgeous work some people do around here, but it looks acceptable to the naked eye, that is not inspecting it too carefully, which most eyes won’t since this model is probably going to live above my desk or workbench. It all *mostly* was okay, but most importantly, now I know what’s important to pay attention to on my next model (don’t ask me about the next one yet, I’ve got to get through the rigging). The other thing I’ve read (here on MSW) is that OcCre has very good customer service and if you do irreparably break/lose something they will be very helpful in replacing. And when it comes to things like planks, copper wires, thread, little eyelet hardware, they seem to have packed a significant number of extras. Even when I had to discard planks I really botched I had plenty to spare and now that I’m down with the hull and deck, I probably have enough leftovers to do another half side of a hull, if I needed to. LOL you broke it too, that made me laugh, I’m glad to see I’m not the only one. But- Hey that’s coming along really well though!!!! 😄 Here I’ll show my hot mess and shame, I can’t figure out How they wrapped the planks around the bow… it’s impossible. Maybe this will give you a bit more confidence on yours 😆 BEHOLD the Occre eyesore 🫣 gonna patch this together like a jigsaw puzzle I guess 🤣 I’ll take your hint at sanding this puppy like a madwoman. Keep me updated on the masts and rigging! mtaylor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louie da fly Posted March 9 Share #14 Posted March 9 Hi Chickpeas, and welcome to MSW! Regarding planking, many kit manufacturers' instructions are incorrect- the planking method they advise is more about what's convenient for them than how it was done in the real world. I'd recommend you have a good look at the planking tutorials here - I don't regard myself as a planking expert - far from it - but I'm gradually improving, model by model, by following the instructions here. Don't get too upset if you make mistakes - we all do. But take heart from the fact that your second model will be better than your first, and your third better still, and so on and so on. I'd also recommend you start a build log for your model - put it in the section named Kit build logs for subjects built from 1801 - 1850 - you'll find instructions on how to do that here - And I'd also recommend you have a look at the other build logs for Occre's Polaris - I think there are quite a few of them - to get ideas and tips on how others have overcome problems you may face in your own modelling. And welcome to the ranks of ship modellers! Steven Keith Black, Knocklouder, Chikpeas and 2 others 5 Quote It's not really a ship model unless you've bled on it. CURRENT BUILDS Venetian merchant Ship from Basilica of San Marco Golden City - Ballarat paddlewheeler FINISHED 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 https://modelshipworld.com/topic/36379-mistydeefer-by-louie-da-fly-finished-restoration-decor-yacht/#comment-1040663 Mistydeefer - restoration of decor model yacht Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmccook Posted March 9 Share #15 Posted March 9 10 hours ago, Chikpeas said: LOL you broke it too, that made me laugh, I’m glad to see I’m not the only one. But- Hey that’s coming along really well though!!!! 😄 Here I’ll show my hot mess and shame, I can’t figure out How they wrapped the planks around the bow… it’s impossible. Maybe this will give you a bit more confidence on yours 😆 BEHOLD the Occre eyesore 🫣 gonna patch this together like a jigsaw puzzle I guess 🤣 I’ll take your hint at sanding this puppy like a madwoman. Keep me updated on the masts and rigging! The bow is tricky and that’s the one area they don’t show very clearly in either the manual or the YouTube videos. And it’s crucial, because if you read ahead, the keel has a bow piece that has to fit in perfectly in that notch and sit flush with the hull. It was the hardest part so far, but sanding, cutting, swearing, regluing, more sanding, more swearing, walking away for a week, etc finally got it in. I’d say Just keep it as neat as possible at the front so it’s all uniform if you do have to make any alterations to make the piece fit. Chikpeas, Keith Black and mtaylor 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chikpeas Posted March 10 Author Share #16 Posted March 10 14 hours ago, rmccook said: The bow is tricky and that’s the one area they don’t show very clearly in either the manual or the YouTube videos. And it’s crucial, because if you read ahead, the keel has a bow piece that has to fit in perfectly in that notch and sit flush with the hull. It was the hardest part so far, but sanding, cutting, swearing, regluing, more sanding, more swearing, walking away for a week, etc finally got it in. I’d say Just keep it as neat as possible at the front so it’s all uniform if you do have to make any alterations to make the piece fit. Thank you for the heads up! I complete agree, it is bloody awful, they really just skipped the entire bow and said “eh the pieces are magically supposed to fit there.” so what I did is pack on a bunch of pieces so I can carve the wood into what it’s Supposed to look like instead of worrying about the first layer of planks looking gorgeous 🤷♀️🤦🏼♀️ I’m going to try and Actually do the planking more realistically to what is on the forums for the second layer. Hopefully it works! I actually plan on painting the Polaris too, I just don’t like the wood finish look. rmccook, Keith Black, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted March 10 Share #17 Posted March 10 Welcome from a fellow newbie. Keith Black, mtaylor and Chikpeas 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldDan Posted March 17 Share #18 Posted March 17 Welcome! Good to see your Constitution build as I've been working on the same kit. You've done a fine job. mtaylor, Chikpeas and Keith Black 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.