Dinghy by adivedog - FINISHED - Midwest Products - Small

[adivedog]

I had ordered what I thought would be my first build, the AL Swift, but the day after ordering it I was at Hobby Lobby looking for anything I thought I might need for the build that I didn't already have.  I noticed the Dinghy, and after reading the box decided to buy it and work on it until the Swift came. It was $25 and I had a 40% off so easy decision.

 

It was a great decision for me. Even though it is small with minimal parts, I still had to sand, shape, shim, fix mistakes, learned the instruction sheet is not always correct. I got "into" the build and away I went.

 

I wasn't going to post a build log for it, but have decided this would also be a good learning experience for the future builds.

 

I have most of it done but will just post some each day for a little while.

 

I also hope to add a few things that other first timers might be able to use.

 

I will try to add a picture to this post to see how it turns out.

 

John

 

 

 

[adivedog]

Well, that was easy enough, so will go ahead and get started with the build.

 

First was to pencil in the plank lines on the one piece bottom plank.

 

Also had to pencil in the  frame lines and cleat lines.

 

Then start putting together the frame. Thats where I ran into my first hurdle. After glueing the frame together and dry testing it i found out the frame was too wide, so had to take apart and redo. My first big learning experience. Always dry test everything before glueing. I had to take it apart and re do it

 

The knee and transom and stem were next.

[PrimoDude]

No matter the size, tis still a beauty.. I may have to check out Hobby Lobby here.

Cheers... it looks fine.

[AndrewNaylor]

A great little build you will be very happy with 

I built the steam launch and have a race coming up in September with a friend who has built the same Mid West kits good easy and fun 

Andy

[adivedog]

Woodchipper,

 

If you have a Hobby Lobby nearby, definitely should check it out, they have a lot of interesting and usable items including balsa and basswood.

They usually put a 40% off coupon in Sunday paper with their ad.

[russ]

Great start. This will make a beautiful model. Just go slow, enjoy the process, and ask questions before rather than after.

 

Russ

[adivedog]

Thanks Russ

 

Time to add some more pix

 

Adding the first plank and second plank. Didn't think to take pix of both sides.

 

[russ]

So far so good. I build models of local skiffs on a fairly regular basis and one of things that makes them so much fun is that they go together very quickly. Instant gratification.

 

Russ

[themadchemist]

I built this one last December and had a blast building it.

 

Looks like things are coming along nicely John. Nice job. I agree, there is something to learn from every build. All experience is useful.

Edited August 7, 2014 by themadchemist

[adivedog]

Thanks guys,  I opened the Swift kit yesterday so will be starting a log on it soon. 

 

My only regret with this build is that I didn't take enough pictures. Will do better in the future.

 

How do you set up the template for the bottom of posts that shows current and past builds ??

[adivedog]

I think I figured out the signature, but don't see how to add it to the end of the post.

[adivedog]

OOPS 

[themadchemist]

Good job with the signature John.

In the same place you can hypelink the Dinghy and Swift so others can click on them in your sig and be taken to your build. Its a handy way to let people find your builds.

Basically open a second window and copy the URL address from above and put it into the hype-link of the first page.

 

I wouldn't worry about number of pictures, I tend to probably over do pictures, but I like lots of pics of the clamping up for my own future reference. You'll find clamping to be one of the most interesting tasks of building and never underestimate the power of a well placed rubber band.

If you eat you veggies, I recommend saving those chunky bands they put on asparagus and broccoli, they are great for holding.

[adivedog]

Put on the last planking. Only problem was, somehow the 2nd plank slid down a little from the mark I had, but no biggie.

 

 

Then found some stain here in the garage, so stained the bottom English Oak, and the top Red Mahogany.

 

The oak was darker than I expected, but I kind of like it, has more of a used look.

 

 

The light color is from putting some ca across the seams on the bottom earlier after the garboard plank was installed. It didn't take the stain.  Also had to make a new breasthook on the front as it was broken and not symentrical when taken out of the sheet.

 

Have the riser a little high in the aft section, but everything was glued so will make do with it.

 

Almost done

 

Edited August 8, 2014 by adivedog

[russ]

Nice work. The color scheme is very interesting. A little bit of scratch building such as your breast hook is a good thing. This gives you a taste of scratch building and will show you what you can accomplish.

 

Russ

[adivedog]

Thanks Russ. I'm really glad I got this project. Amazing what all can be learned.

Edited August 8, 2014 by adivedog

[adivedog]

I made the oars with the dowel provided, thought they were a little too big for the craft and wouldn't fit in the oarlocks, so remade them with a little smaller dowel. Then coated everything with Poly.

 

 

[russ]

I usually make the oars first and then make the oar locks to fit them. That is, of course, if I know the diameter of the oars. Yours look very good. Nice work.

 

Russ

[adivedog]

I didn't consider that, was pretty much just going by the steps on the directions.

 

How do you make the oarlocks. Soldering some wire ?

[russ]

If you look through my Biloxi oyster skiff thread, I think I showed the oarlocks. They are brass strip and the post is brass wire. I drilled a hole in the strip into which the wire was hard soldered.

 

Russ

[adivedog]

I'll check it out.   Thanks

[adivedog]

Finishing up now, decided to cut off the stem and am coating with poly. Also decided not to put on the rope around the guard on the outside of the hull.

 

 

Thought I'd put a lantern on the bow so they could fish at night, or hide there treasure ?

 

 

Made the lantern hook out of a paper clip and painted black.

Edited August 9, 2014 by adivedog

[adivedog]

All done, guess the pirate, stole the fishermans boat to bury his loot.

 

[schnu]

Nice model, did the pirate come with the kit? Did you scratch build the lantern, she looks great.

[themadchemist]

Nice job John.

Its seems the most fun part of the dinghy build is making the stuff to outfit it.

 

I think you passed the "are you having fun" test

[russ]

Good job. Congratulations on a great looking model.

 

Russ

[adivedog]

Thanks everyone.  It was a fun build

 

Schnu, no found the lantern in a small fishing kit in a hobby shop, ( in doll house section ) but did make the pirate chest. And I bought the pirate on ebay.