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[Severn]

Ok bob what model would you recommend starting with?

[Shipmate60]

I only ever give 1 answer to this question.
Any model you really want to build.
To make a good job of of you must have a desire to build it.
As you are looking for a model for "building experience" do not expect it to be museum quality.
If I was in your position I would build the lifeboat you have.
BUT
Expect to take your time, get lots of advice (from here) and build it.
Any model is just a lot of little parts put together as a whole.
With time and effort I am sure you can make an acceptable model.
But the best feeling is - I MADE THAT.


Bob

[IanPal]

If you have been into model railways do you have a fair amount of tools already?


I also went from model railways to this boat building lark, and started off with a Slipway Vliestroom, very very nice model.
I'm now onto my second but have also acquired a few submarines, these are a total different ball game altogether, that's why   I bought another service craft, just to cut my teeth on first before diving into the subs (excuse the pun).


Back to the tools, the main thing I have found is patience and take your time,  read the instruction books and plans a few times before cutting/filling/glueing anything.


Ian

[IanPal]

I agree with Bob, give it a go, just take your time.
As he said there is no better feeling than the.... I made that, then the dreaded feeling of oh **** why has it stopped when it's half way out in the lake   

[Neil]

I agree with Bob, give it a go, just take your time.
As he said there is no better feeling than the.... I made that, then the dreaded feeling of oh **** why has it stopped when it's half way out in the lake  [size=78%] [/size]

I would agree if it were a Metcalf Mouldings lifeboat kit, .....but the brass work ( all etched and in very thin gauge brass) is very very suceptable to melting if the utmost care isn't taken when either soft or silver soldering, and if someone has no or little experience with that medium........then disaster can strike very quickly and horribly......and as 75% of the fittings kit on these models IS  brass that needs to be soldered for rigidity......that's an awful lot of mess to be "learning about".....all in favour of learning by mistakes...........but not at the cost of these models............

and some will say.........ahh yes but you can glue the brass......................well yes, you can but I have seen those glued together along side those soldered..........and glue, especially cyano.....tends to come apart rather more quickly than soldered joints especially with a little rough handling down the lake..................and then you have a very mediocre and tired looking model very quickly.

[radiojoe]

My cordless Dremel is my favourite tool it dose a multitude of tasks, if you do decide to build a more simple boat first, just take your time and look around till you find something that suits you, most modellers have build a lot of boats each one harder than the last, it just takes time,  try looking at www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk they have a large selection to kits to suit all skill levels plus tools, radio gear, materials, the lot,  .Joe

[inertia]

Severn
The first thing to do is to sell that kit and see what you have in the pot to spend on a more suitable one. It will go pretty quickly.
Al Khubar was mentioned and I think that would be an excellent choice (although I'm a bit biased). It's a simple build with not much complicated detail but still enough to make it interesting and a little challenging. It also sails very well.
If you have a good crawl all over the Model Slipway website you'll find Lawrie's Hints and Tips pages which are very much worth looking at. There's a suggested radio installation here http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/pdfs/Slipway%20Dutch%20Courage.pdf although I'd now suggest using Component Shop's 555 or 775 motors without gearboxes (easier to operate and much quieter). You needn't fit the working bow thruster if you don't want to.
As has been said by numerous folk there's a lot of knowledge and goodwill on this forum, but I've seen a few folk who wanted super-dooper models for little outlay on their part in time and effort being gradually ignored. I've always believed that you will only get out of a hobby as much as you are prepared to put in - and I personally wouldn't build a model for anyone else except maybe one of my grand-kids.
Good luck, whatever you decide.
Dave M

[Neil]

where are you from, by the way Severn.........it would help to know and then those near to you can recommend a good club to join.

neil.

[Shipmate60]

There you go Severn, different answers to the same question.
Slipway do a Severn but again I have heard not for the first time builder.
If you want to build another as Dave has said sell the kit and buy another that takes your fancy.
If not build yours.


Bob

[John W E]

Hi ya there Severn


By its a long time since I have seen so many replies on a topic like this so quickly - talk about rattling apple trees and knocking the apples out from the branches


All meant in good fun.


May I ask a couple of questions - when you say you gained the lifeboat kit - was it given to you or did you purchase it for yourself.  Just wondering if you are looking to come into model boats hobby or have you been given the kit and want to try building it.


with no real interest in model boats???


The reason I am asking this is something I was pondering over earlier on - because I note that you are into model railways hobby and like model railways you can also (dare I say) as BY would say - scratch build from plans.


There is a website - MyHobbiesStore which sell plans plus wood packs from a guy called Glynn Guest designs and these are a very simplified model.


Its just another thought for your goodself - or should I say another Avenue for you to explore.


If you want an example of Glynn's models - have a look in the Masterclass build under Vosper MTB. 


aye


john

[Steven.T]

I'll second Glynn Guests designs!
I came over from model railways aswell, Bought a couple of boats, but the Glynn Guest HMS Tean was my first boat Scratchbuild. Very easy to complete if you have the magazine article in front of you, I'd recommend it to any boating beginner!


Cheers,
Steven

[Severn]

Hi guys im from Newcastle the kit was given to me I do like the kits from slipway especially the Al tug boat which says it fairly easy put together for a beginner

[Severn]

I was told at local boat club the hull alone can fetch anything between £300-400 it wasn't till then I realised I have a expensive kit on me hands

[Neil]

I was told at local boat club the hull alone can fetch anything between £300-400 it wasn't till then I realised I have a expensive kit on me hands

sorry severn, but if you referring to the Severn hull............you can buy a brand new one with grp superstructure from Speedline by negotiation for just under £275 inc postage.  and that is brand new with warranty.

see here ( he's missed a nought of the hull cabin price)    http://www.speedlinemodels.com/

neil.

[radiojoe]

As I said earlier in the thread the full kit is around £1000, so if it were me I would keep the kit and build it later after I had gained some experience on cheaper easier kits.    Joe.

[Severn]

Hi Joe yeah that my plan I think I seen the potential this severn can bring if done properly.

[radiojoe]

way to go Severn, just remember the old adage ( Don't run before you can walk ) do a couple of simple builds first even a cheapie £35 kit will teach you the basics ie. how to fit and line up the shafts/ motors and fit rudders, installing the RC etc.  don't rush it enjoy the learning curve     Joe.

[Severn]

That very true did or have you done any kits from slipway?

[Martin (Admin)]

 
Model Slipway kits have a very good reputation and come with excellent comprehensive instructions.

[radiojoe]

I've not build any from Slipway my first boat was a scratch build not from any plan just a generic shape that was over 30 years ago and I still have it today though it has had a few different cabins, and over the years I've built a lot of models planes, heli's tanks etc. and like you I went though a number of years building railways, and when I retired 4 years ago and had a lot more time I started building warships and have build 3 to date and just starting the fourth HMS Coventry  Here's a pic of my first boat it's not the best looking boat but it is over 30 years old and built from scratch I was quite proud of it 

[mikearace]

Model Slipway kits have a very good reputation and come with excellent comprehensive instructions.

I think if you trawl the threads on here for Model Slipway searches you will struggle to find anything other than high praise for them.  I have built a couple over the years and the quality is as good as anyone can expect.  Also, as has been said the instructions are highly detailed and take the builder through each step with excellent diagrams and part numbering lists etc.  Finally the customer service from Jackie at MS is just ridiculously over the top.  Talk about going the extra mile..............If Carlsberg did customer service they  would call it Jackie....

[Severn]

Thank you very much its just a matter of choosing which one to go for on slipway like a kid in a sweet shop