Lowell Grand Banks Dory by Grateful409 - Model Shipways - 1:24

[Grateful409]

Hello I am very new to wooden model ships and am so grateful to have found this forum.  I am working on the Model shipways Lowell Grand Banks Dory.  I have run into my first problem and hope someone who has built the same kit can help.  The instructions have a template that the two frame sides are to be lined up on and glued.  Which is no problem but the crosspiece that is also supposed to have the frame tips glued to does not line up in the template.  The notch placement is 1/32 inch too wide on all crosspieces     I am wondering if I should spread the frames to fit or if I should trim the crosspiece.  Thank you in advance

[palmerit]

First thing on these Model Shipways models (at least the Shipwright series ones), don't assume that the paper plans in the instruction book are 1:1 with the pieces. Often they're not. These models were developed a long time ago and I bet that photocopies were made of photocopies and the 1:1 correspondence may be lost. Sometimes they're right. Often they're not. I never checked them myself, but I read it enough times in other build logs that I don't trust the plans. Usually, you'd want to follow the plans. Not with these model kits. You'd think you should follow the plans. Not in with these.

 

In these "older style" ship model kits, the pieces often don't fit together in ways described or illustrated (in contrast to more modern models by Vanguard Models).

 

I certainly would not trim the cross piece, but just fiddle with the frames so that there they come together at the bottom they're parallel to each other (overlapping of course) and so that they can be glued into the side notches of the cross piece.

Edited November 22 by palmerit

[Grateful409]

Wow that is so helpful.  Thank you most appreciative

 

[Grateful409]

This is the progress I made today.  I realized straight away how important it was to glue the frames up with precision.  So I purchased a piece of foamcore and glued the template provided in the instructions.  I took Palmerit’s suggestion and lined the top end of the frames with the notches in the crosspiece and the template.  That was extremely helpful and I feel I am on the right track.  

[Ryland Craze]

Good job on the first four frames, but frame 5 looks to be off.  It could be the photography, but if not, you should debond the joints and reglue them.  You could soak the joints with 91% isopropyl alcohol.

[Grateful409]

Thank you.  Good observation.  Done