Bluenose by Benjamin S - POB - from Model Shipways plans

[Benjamin S]

Hello all, and welcome to what will be a scratch build POB of the Model Shipways Bluenose in 1:64 scale, joining the ranks of builds here on MSW.

 

After taking a break to focus on finishing high school, I’m excited to get back into this and use the shipyard again. As a Canadian, I’ve always been a big fan of the Bluenose, and I’m really looking forward to building her for the first time. This is also the first time I’ve purchased plans from Model Shipways, and I’m excited to skip the printing process—this will definitely speed things up. Thankfully there are build logs here chock full of helpful info for one building Bluenose, especially a beautiful scratch build done by Hamilton which l will certainly be referencing often.

 

My goal with this build is not so much historical accuracy as it is to introduce myself to posting on MSW as well as using proper materials (where my budget allows), which should improve both the quality and speed of building this vessel. I’ve been planking hulls with coffee stirrers for far too long, haha! I’ll no doubt have a lot of questions along the way, and I’d really appreciate any guidance or constructive criticism as I figure this out.

 

At the moment, I’m waiting for the plans to arrive, but once they do, I’ll kick off the build and get started.

 

Best Regards,

Benjamin

Edited March 25 by ccoyle
corrected log title

[Benjamin S]

Hello again, everyone! The plans have arrived!

 

I have a question for all of you. I know many of you have ordered from Model Expo before, but I’m starting to question their shipping methods.

 

When I first ordered the plans a couple of weeks ago, they arrived, but they were missing the first three pages. I reached out to Model Expo, and they were good about it and said they would send free replacements (which they did).

 

However, my issue is with the packaging of the replacement plans. The original package was sent in a sturdy cardboard tube and the plans were rolled neatly (like so)

But the replacement plans arrived like this:

It seems they were just tossed into a box. While I know it’s not a huge deal, there are now creases, including a large one going down the middle. It’s not the biggest issue for me personally, but it’s more about the principle—when I needed a replacement for an order they messed up, I feel like they should have used better/normal packaging, right?

Am I being unreasonable, or does this seem like a valid concern?

[Benjamin S]

Anyway... l think the first order of business is to transfer the plans to some paper l can use as templates for the keel and bulkheads. l have heard of a few methods used...carbon/graphite paper and photocopying being the most common. l do have access to a photocopier but l have heard they can distort images (tho l do not know if that applies to all printers). So i'm thinking of going with carbon paper tho l would have to buy some as l am out at the moment.  Let me know if there are any other methods you think l should consider using.

 

Thanks,

Benjmain

[hamilton]

The second photo shows the way the plans came for me when I ordered them, so this is not atypical. I did not find this an issue when making the bulkheads, since I always made sure to take tracings from the plans of each of the parts I needed to manufacture - specifically the keel pieces and bulkheads. If you invest in some carbon paper, tracing paper and card paper you can make multiple templates of each part - for my own part I know I made the keel pieces three times and the bulkheads at least twice (some three)....if you trace them off the plans, you just focus on one area of the plans at a time and ensure that they are not too awkward to work around those folds....fortunately, they're not hard folds so with a bit of weight on them they should be fine to use....

 

Good luck with the build - I'll follow with interest

hamilton

[Benjamin S]

Hello Hamilton, glad to hear i'm not alone with the awkwardly packaged goods lol. I'm a big fan of your Bluenose and l'd love to have you along for the ride. 

 

Benjamin 

[GGibson]

7 hours ago, Benjamin S said:

...my issue is with the packaging of the replacement plans. The original package was sent in a sturdy cardboard tube and the plans were rolled neatly (like so)...

 

But the replacement plans arrived like this...

 

It seems they were just tossed into a box.

 

Am I being unreasonable, or does this seem like a valid concern?

 

Hello, Benjamin.  Sorry to hear of your packaging issues with Model Shipways!  That would definitely be disconcerting to receive the plans folded like that.  The issue has to be with the staff person that prepared your shipment.  I don't think that is their normal process.

 

More than a year ago, I purchased the Model Shipways USS Constitution for a future build, as they were offering a special discount on purchases that I could not pass up.  Fast forward to just a few weeks ago when, in preparation for that build as soon as I am done with the current one, I ordered another set of USS Constitution plans from Model Shipways in order to have an extra original set (granted I purchased these extra plans rather than having them send a free copy).  But, to your point about shipping. they sent me the plans rolled and in a hard tube, rather than folded multiple times to fit in a box. Why they would not have done that with any plans like that is upsetting.  Perhaps contact them again and express your concerns?  I've always been impressed with how Marc Mosko (company president) handles customer service.

 

And, best wishes on your Bluenose!  It was a beautiful ship to build!

[hamilton]

Thanks Benjamin - there were definitely a few hiccups in the build - let me know if you hit any snags and I might be able to provide some useful advice

hamilton

[Benjamin S]

So, not much going on right now. I went ahead and got some tracing and graphite paper, and I’ve started sketching everything out. My plan so far is to tape everything down with painter's tape to ensure there’s no movement while I trace.

When working on the keel, I also plan to mark the rabbet, bearding line, etc.

 

i've only done a couple of them now, but i'm hoping to finish tracing by the end of today.

 

Benjamin

[Benjamin S]

I have a question for all of you. I was taking a look at my 3/32" plywood and realized it’s pretty warped both lengthwise and widthwise.

This got me thinking: what if, instead of flattening it out after I cut out the bulkheads and keel, I cut the plywood into 5" strips first (like so),

and straighten it out now before everything has been cut out? I think it might save me some time later on.

Let me know if you think this is a good idea.

 

Thanks,
Benjamin

[Benjamin S]

Ok, so I looked up a few different ways to straighten plywood, and one method I found was to wet the "inside" of the curve (in my last post that would be the right side), then apply some weight while it dries. So, that's what I did.

Afterward, I left it to dry overnight, and when I checked it the next morning, the curve had significantly lessened (this was the better of the two). l will straighten the keel out again using a jig when it's time to add the bulkheads.

 

 

The paper also came with several tracing tools, which I tested in different sizes.

Ultimately, I ended up using the second smallest one. I've only done piece 2 of the keel so far (the bulkhead you see was a test run), and it turned out pretty easy since there were lots of straight lines. I just used a ruler for most of it, and it went pretty well.

 

Technically, I also worked on piece 1 of the keel, but I only realized after I finished tracing that I had the graphite paper upside down haha. . The first of many mistakes l will make here. But lesson learned, l will be sure to triple check l have the right side facing down from now on lol.

 

Benjamin

[Dr PR]

Murphy is always standing by to give us another leaning experience!