AlanR Posted November 4 #1 Posted November 4 Hello! I am a beginner and want to get involved in this hobby. When I was young my brother and I built a couple ships. I am interested in ship kits rated by skill level. I know it's best to start simple and work upwards. BUT, I have my eye on Chris Craft speed boat models. I love the sleek lines and wood finish. But if this is too advanced I'd like recommendations. I am also looking to put together a hobby desk, nothing fancy as I don't have a lot of room. But the point is I am serious about the hobby, need to fill my time with something productive. Good to be here, TIA! Harvey Golden, Olli Sukunimisson, mtaylor and 12 others 15 Quote
Baker Posted November 4 #2 Posted November 4 mtaylor, Ryland Craze and Keith Black 3 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
GrandpaPhil Posted November 4 #3 Posted November 4 Welcome! Ryland Craze, Keith Black and mtaylor 3 Quote Building: 1:200 Russian Battleship Oryol (Orel card kit) 1:64 HMS Revenge (Victory Models plans) 1:64 Cat Esther (17th Century Dutch Merchant Ships)
Keith Black Posted November 4 #4 Posted November 4 Alan, welcome to MSW. Glad to have you aboard. Take advantage of MSW's search engine and search "Chris Craft", you should get a fair idea of what's involved to tackle that project and if your current skills would meet with moderate success. A lot of folks start with the Lowell Grand Banks Dory which comes with tools. Most have found that the tools provided are not sufficient but by searching Dory build logs you'll discover what other tools you'll need to purchase. Ryland Craze, grsjax and mtaylor 3 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
Dan Poirier Posted November 4 #5 Posted November 4 Welcome! I also think the Chris Craft speed boats look amazing. I haven't built any, though. mtaylor, Ryland Craze and Keith Black 3 Quote Current projects: HM Armed Cutter Sherbourne, NRG's 18th-Century Merchantman Half-Hull Planking Kit Completed projects: Lowell Grand Banks Dory, Norwegian Sailing Pram, Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack
gsdpic Posted November 4 #6 Posted November 4 Welcome. The typical response to a beginner is to point to the three kit beginner set from Model Shipways. The Dory referenced above is one of them. As for Chris Craft (or other mahogany speed boats), the main kit supplier is Dumas. They have two lines....one simpler, very small scale line of boats that are about a foot long and are generally less than 100 bucks. Then they also have the same boats in larger scale, much more complex and much more expensive kits that are intended for RC though can be built as static models. I built their large triple cockpit barrel back many years ago as a static model. Bluejacket (MSW sponsor) also has a couple of mahogany speed boat kits, as does Mack products/Legend boats, though without the Chris Craft name, though the latter sells some of the Dumas Chris Craft kits also. Many of the mahogany speed boat kits are intended for RC operation so you might find more info and build logs and such on forums intended for RC boats. For these types of boats, the finishing (stain, paint, varnish) is much more important than for typical ship models, so it would be helpful if you have some experience in that area as well. At least you don't have to deal with any rigging. Paul Le Wol, Keith Black, mtaylor and 2 others 5 Quote - Gary Current Build: Artesania Latina Sopwith Camel Completed Builds: Blue Jacket America 1/48th Annapolis Wherry
palmerit Posted November 4 #7 Posted November 4 (edited) If you're talking wooden model ships, I highly recommend the Vanguard Models. They're well-built with very clear instructions and lots of build logs here. I just started this hobby myself. The first model I bought was the Vanguard Sherbourne - still working on it. I also bought the Vanguard Duchess of Kingston to start on. But I got cold feet since it was a pretty expensive model and I wasn't sure about my skills. So I bought the Model Shipways Shipwright Series (I've finished the Dory, still have the Pram and Smack to do). To be honest, if I really first started on the Dory, I don't know if I'd still be in the hobby. The engineering of it is a bit fiddly, the basswood is not the greatest, the instructions are not always as clear as they could be (they were clearer after having done one model, and after reading a bunch of build logs). I appreciated it after having started the Sherbourne - and could see that it was giving me a different set of skills, including how to work with a model that doesn't fit together like a Vanguard model does. I've since started the NRG Half Hull because I wanted some more planking experience before starting on the Duchess. I'll work on the Model Shipways Pram and Smack before I start the Duchess. Take their "Novice", "Amateur", etc. ratings seriously. Before taking a lot of time reading the posts here, I probably would have picked a model "in the middle" and have been way over my head. The Sherbourne is a "Novice" model but still really challenging. The Vanguard models are more expensive than others, but you get what you pay for in terms of their engineering, their quality, and their instructions. Unless you're a skilled wood worker, don't underestimate how challenging wooden model ships are and how long they take to build. It's easy to see why lots of people here steer new folks away from trying to take on really challenging builds. There's a lot of different skills involved and even simple models take a long time to put together right. You'll get a lot of recommendations wrt what you need, what you don't need. I started small but quickly bought way more stuff than I ever thought I'd buy, and certainly more than I really need. I don't have a hobby desk, I just use a large, long fold-up table in my younger son's bedroom (which I'll need to pack up when he comes back for winter break from college). I did buy some Dewalt TSTAK modular toolkit pieces to store things in (I have a bunch for my "real" tools in the cellar). I think an airbrush is worth it, but lots of people paint with brushes only. Buy blades for your knives (hobby, scalpel, x-acto, whatever) in packs of 100 so you can change them often. I bought a cheap set of files to then get frustrated and buy a more expensive set. If you're in your 40s or older, definitely consider something like an Optivisor. I also ended up splurging recently on the https://ultimation.ca package (sander, repeater, slicer); I know it's (expensive) overkill, definitely not something most people need, but the slicer makes beautiful (tiny, precise) cuts and especially if you are not doing the work in a dedicated shop, having a small desktop (non-powered) sander works great, at least for small things. Edited November 5 by palmerit mtaylor, EspenT, Keith Black and 1 other 4 Quote Current Builds: Sherbourne 1763 (Vanguard Models), Norwegian Pram (Model Shipways), Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack (Model Shipways) In the Queue: Ranger 1864 (Vanguard Models), Endeavour (Occre), Duchess of Kingston (Vanguard Models) Completed Builds: Lowell Grand Banks Dory (Model Shipways), 18th-Century Merchantman Half-Hull Planking Kit (NRG)
ccoyle Posted November 4 #8 Posted November 4 Welcome aboard! mtaylor, Ryland Craze and Keith Black 3 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix, DS Børøysund
SiriusVoyager Posted November 5 #9 Posted November 5 Welcome to MSW! Ryland Craze, mtaylor and Keith Black 3 Quote - Eric Current build: Sultan Arab Dhow Finished: Norwegian Sailing Pram, Lowell Grand Banks Dory, Muscongus bay lobster smack, OcCre Palamos, San Francisco Cross Section
kurtvd19 Posted November 5 #10 Posted November 5 4 hours ago, palmerit said: If you're in your 40s or older, definitely consider something like an Optivisor. I definitely back up this recommendation highly and further suggest you skip the plastic lens versions & get glass lenses - a bit more $ but later when you really need them you will be glad you spent the extra $. I am at the stage now that I am going to hang them next to my shop door so they are the first thing I grab and the last thing I put away. Kurt mtaylor, Ryland Craze, catopower and 3 others 6 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
palmerit Posted November 5 #11 Posted November 5 (edited) 3 hours ago, kurtvd19 said: skip the plastic lens versions & get glass lenses - a bit more $ but later when you really need them you will be glad you spent the extra $ I definitely splurged on the glass version. Definitely worth it. I also got the little add-on jewelers eyepiece thing for one eye (for further magnification) for the times I really need to get in close (not often but useful when I need it). My wife catches me walking around the house with mine pulled up still on my head. https://www.ottofrei.com is a good place to get them. I’d avoid Amazon because it’s quite likely you’ll get knockoffs sold by unscrupulous resellers. I in general never buy from an Amazon reseller unless it’s from a reputable source (e.g., ModelExpo is a reseller). Edited November 5 by palmerit mtaylor, Ryland Craze and Keith Black 3 Quote Current Builds: Sherbourne 1763 (Vanguard Models), Norwegian Pram (Model Shipways), Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack (Model Shipways) In the Queue: Ranger 1864 (Vanguard Models), Endeavour (Occre), Duchess of Kingston (Vanguard Models) Completed Builds: Lowell Grand Banks Dory (Model Shipways), 18th-Century Merchantman Half-Hull Planking Kit (NRG)
Ryland Craze Posted November 5 #12 Posted November 5 Hi Alan and welcome to Model Ship World. Keith Black and mtaylor 2 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
Wawona59 Posted November 6 #13 Posted November 6 Hi Alan, Welcome to Model Ship World. It's good to see a new ship modeler join MSW. There are a lot of good folks on this forum with lots of helpful advice. Before you embark with your build for the Chriscraft model I highly recommend that you consider building the 3 models in the Model Shipways Shipwright Series. There are a number of build logs on MSW for each of the models in the series. The instructions also give a good overview of the basic tools you will need to get started ship modeling. Resist the urge to buy every modeling gizmo you come across. Buy a basic set of tools as listed in the Shipwright Series instructions and buy the best quality you can afford. High quality hand tools will last you a lifetime. On the other hand, many of the cheap tools usually don't perform as advertised. Best wishes for your journey in this wonderful pastime. Welcome Aboard! Keith Black, Ryland Craze, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote Wawona 59 John Next Project: Gifts for friends: 18th Century Pinnace, Kayak 17, Kayak 21 Indefinite Hold for the future: 1/96 Flying Fish, Model Shipways Wish list for "Seattle Connection" builds: 1/96 Lumber Schooner Wawona, 1/32 Hydroplane Slo-Mo-Shun IV, 1/96 Arthur Foss tug, 1/64 Duwamish cedar dugout canoe, 1/96 Downeaster "St. Paul" Selected Previous Completed Builds: Revell - 1/96 Thermopylae; Revell - 1/96 Cutty Sark, Revell - 1/96 Constitution, Aurora - Whaling Bark Wanderer, Model Shipways - 1/96 Phantom, AL - 1805 Pilot Boat Swift, Midwest - Chesapeake Bay Flattie, Monitor and Merrimac, Model Trailways - Doctor's Buggy
mtaylor Posted November 7 #14 Posted November 7 Keith Black 1 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)
AlanR Posted November 9 Author #15 Posted November 9 Hello all! Thank you for all the helpful information. I totally forgot I posted here, I was posting also in Ships Of Scale. I have definitely decided to start with the Model Shipways series. I am a tool guy and plan on stocking up once I am started. I am already thinking of where to put a hobby desk and what to get/build. I’d rather buy a bench. This weekend I will purchase the first ship in the series. I’ll keep all the great ideas in mind. Ty. I’ll be back (to quote Arnold). Keith Black 1 Quote
Wawona59 Posted November 10 #16 Posted November 10 Glad to hear that you'll be starting with building the Shipwright Series. All three models, Dory, Pram and Shipjack are progressively more challenging to build. There are several build logs on MSW for each of them. You will get a lot of help from folks on MSW who have built them. I'll be following your build logs when you start one for the Dory. mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote Wawona 59 John Next Project: Gifts for friends: 18th Century Pinnace, Kayak 17, Kayak 21 Indefinite Hold for the future: 1/96 Flying Fish, Model Shipways Wish list for "Seattle Connection" builds: 1/96 Lumber Schooner Wawona, 1/32 Hydroplane Slo-Mo-Shun IV, 1/96 Arthur Foss tug, 1/64 Duwamish cedar dugout canoe, 1/96 Downeaster "St. Paul" Selected Previous Completed Builds: Revell - 1/96 Thermopylae; Revell - 1/96 Cutty Sark, Revell - 1/96 Constitution, Aurora - Whaling Bark Wanderer, Model Shipways - 1/96 Phantom, AL - 1805 Pilot Boat Swift, Midwest - Chesapeake Bay Flattie, Monitor and Merrimac, Model Trailways - Doctor's Buggy
wmherbert Posted November 10 #17 Posted November 10 I think one consideration that is not mentioned much is that any model takes a lot of time. I think it's really important to pick a ship that you really like. I would choose a more difficult model that I really liked over an easier one that didn't get me excited. Remember you have to look at this thing for months as you work on it. Keith Black, mtaylor and Knocklouder 3 Quote
Knocklouder Posted November 23 #18 Posted November 23 Bob M. Keith Black and mtaylor 2 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
palmerit Posted November 24 #19 Posted November 24 (edited) Make a copy of these instructions for "Free Dory": https://modelexpo-online.com/free-dory-promo.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqwmLrwPgSeQXL86b6R6YpMeUw_MBZ9VMjLAcP-eU_TtH8DMJMi If you complete it and send them a photo they'll give you a credit. I even got a credit for the Dory even though I bought the three-kit shipwright package. Edited November 25 by palmerit Keith Black, mtaylor and Ryland Craze 3 Quote Current Builds: Sherbourne 1763 (Vanguard Models), Norwegian Pram (Model Shipways), Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack (Model Shipways) In the Queue: Ranger 1864 (Vanguard Models), Endeavour (Occre), Duchess of Kingston (Vanguard Models) Completed Builds: Lowell Grand Banks Dory (Model Shipways), 18th-Century Merchantman Half-Hull Planking Kit (NRG)
palmerit Posted November 25 #20 Posted November 25 (edited) Consider a Vanguard Model after you do the Shipwright Series. I’m doing the Vanguard Sherbourne (it was what I started first) and will likely do one or two of the Vanguard fishing boats before starting the Vanguard Duchess I bought. (I started the Shipwright Series while doing the Sherbourne for a model to work on when waiting for paint or glue to dry and for something else to work on). While the Vanguard models are more expensive, the instructions and materials are top notch, and things really fit together. The Sherbourne will probably take me as long to finish as it’ll take me to do all three Shipwright kits, so you get a lot of model dollars out of the Vanguard kits, with less frustration and head scratching. Edited November 25 by palmerit Ryland Craze, catopower, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote Current Builds: Sherbourne 1763 (Vanguard Models), Norwegian Pram (Model Shipways), Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack (Model Shipways) In the Queue: Ranger 1864 (Vanguard Models), Endeavour (Occre), Duchess of Kingston (Vanguard Models) Completed Builds: Lowell Grand Banks Dory (Model Shipways), 18th-Century Merchantman Half-Hull Planking Kit (NRG)
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