Topic: My new kit...Not overly impressed! (Read 14089 times)

U-33 · « **on:** June 01, 2015, 02:36:45 pm »

As some of you may know, I ordered myself a Forest Classics paddler 'kit'...it's just arrived.

To say I'm not overly impressed is an understatement...I have a pile of that stuff called 'wood', some brass wire, and a couple of sheets of styrene. Oh, and a drawing and a few fittings.
Nothing is marked out on anything, it's a case of measuring from the plan, marking it out on the wood and/or styrene, then cutting it out.

I forsee this going up into the attic for a long time....

vnkiwi · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2015, 03:02:29 pm »

Geez Rich,
That's nothing like what I had in the similar kit I built 35 years ago.
Had very similar box art and similar name, maybe it was from a different company.
Mine even had injection moulded parts for the paddlewheels, which where feathering as well.
Went together vey well. I changed my bow shape to a clipper style, rather than the vertical, otherwise as per the kit.
Was even same size as yours.
cheers

Calimero · « **Reply #2 on:** June 01, 2015, 03:41:13 pm »

Welcome to the 19th century !

At that point they had better actually sell a couple of DXF files and a PDF file with instructions. And off you go to the local fablab or have a company laser-cut/machine everything for you.

U-33 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2015, 03:46:00 pm »

VNK...my PBM paddler was a completely different animal, as far as I can remember it came pre cut, with a decent set of paddles...not just a sheet of styrene. Oh well...I can use it for parts, I guess...

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2015, 03:52:18 pm »

Looks like an excellent introduction to scratchbuilding....

U-33 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 01, 2015, 03:54:25 pm »

Quote from: Colin Bishop on June 01, 2015, 03:52:18 pm

Looks like an excellent introduction to scratchbuilding....

Looks like sending the plan of to Andy at MBD and asking him nicely if he could do me a CNC kit. In styrene....

Neil · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2015, 04:14:37 pm »

I didn't notice any fish glue or melting pot in it either..........are you supposed to supply your own,

inertia · « **Reply #7 on:** June 01, 2015, 04:22:04 pm »

You young'ns these days don't know what proper modelling is! If the glue doesn't come ready-squeezed then you're onto the Editor of The Times.
I once remember a wonderful argument I was involved in with John Rudd (Balsacraft supremo) and his balsa-mill foreman, Chris. John was, according to Chris, being unreasonably pernickety about having some part or other cut very accurately for inclusion in a kit. I'd egged him on about Mr Modeller (or "Joe Mudguts", as John used to call his average customer) not being able to get it right and it throwing out the whole structure if it wasn't. Even though things were getting very heated and John was coming on hot and heavy with the "I'm The Boss and you'll do it my way!" bit Chris stood his ground, venturing his opinion that "all a b****y kit should be is a block of £&*^^%$ balsa and an instruction to "Carve to shape". I guess if Michaelangelo could do it.........

If this is a 'Hobbies' kit then they always did come in a very basic form; Hobbies wanted to sell you one of their treadle-powered fretsaws to go with it. Chris would have approved.
DM

hollowhornbear · « **Reply #8 on:** June 01, 2015, 04:49:17 pm »

If it's this one?
http://www.forest-classics.co.uk/paddle_steamer.htm
Then looks like Rich needs to go to specsavers, as it certainly appears to be just as listed.

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #9 on:** June 01, 2015, 05:11:10 pm »

Price is a bit of a giveaway too.

U-33 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 01, 2015, 05:25:23 pm »

Kev, you are spot on mate, I expected a bundle of timber and plastic, that's not a problem...but I did think ( hope) that the parts to be cut out would be outlined on the material.

Not to worry though, boys...I'll have a study of the drawings tonight, and then get them down to Andy and Debbie at Models By Design, and ask him to to cut them out in styrene for me, same as he did with the MotorFlote.

I can use the motor and all the fittings in the box for the build up, and the timber will go into my "use it for something sometime" box.

Not a total loss....I'm in no rush, there's enough on the slipway to keep me occupied for months.

TomHugill · « **Reply #11 on:** June 01, 2015, 05:32:29 pm »

I would be pretty miffed too rich....

inertia · « **Reply #12 on:** June 01, 2015, 06:00:08 pm »

That said, the word "parts" doesn't actually appear in the list of contents. Caveat emptor, m'duck - it's not apparently what the small print says - but what it doesn't say. You'll look more carefully next time, I reckon.
DM

TomHugill · « **Reply #13 on:** June 01, 2015, 06:23:42 pm »

I would think using the word kit would strongly imply some degree of parts to be assembled rather than just the very raw materials....

U-33 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 01, 2015, 06:34:40 pm »

I guess it's all down to me for not reading the advert correctly, or asking questions before I paid for it. But, as DM quite rightly says...'caveat emptor'....

inertia · « **Reply #15 on:** June 01, 2015, 06:39:47 pm »

Quote from: TomHugill on June 01, 2015, 06:23:42 pm

I would think using the word kit would strongly imply some degree of parts to be assembled rather than just the very raw materials....

So would a lot of people, Tom. That's why it's always best to check first that you're going to get what you expect for your money.

Mr 'Uggett is noted for his 20:20 hindsight.....................

DM

(Sorry, Rich, but I'd hit the Send key just before the "Another reply" thing popped up).

U-33 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 01, 2015, 07:07:30 pm »

Ah yes...the infamous hindsight. Visions of bolting horses, stable doors, and gallons of spilt milk are springing to mind....

Brian60 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 01, 2015, 07:34:47 pm »

As Colin said, time to take on the mantle of a 'real' modeller and do some scratchbuilding and not an assembler of a kit

RantandRave · « **Reply #18 on:** June 01, 2015, 07:46:38 pm »

The Lesro Sun 21 tug kit is/was like that a beautiful hull and just a bunch of wood bits.

.. and the Precedent Perkasa boat kit!

nemesis · « **Reply #19 on:** June 01, 2015, 08:17:14 pm »

It can be an expensive way to buy firewood, once bitten etc etc. Nemesis

U-33 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 01, 2015, 08:28:25 pm »

Quote from: Brian56 on June 01, 2015, 07:34:47 pm

As Colin said, time to take on the mantle of a 'real' modeller and do some scratchbuilding and not an assembler of a kit

I'm no scratchbuilder...

Quote from: nemesis on June 01, 2015, 08:17:14 pm

It can be an expensive way to buy firewood, once bitten etc etc. Nemesis

It's a good thing it wasn't an expensive mistake...my language would have been considerably stronger.

Danny · « **Reply #21 on:** June 01, 2015, 10:36:28 pm »

Waddya want Rich... instructions?

1. Remove wood from box
2. Form box into boat shape
3. Use wood as fuel for boat sacrifice pyre

For added realism, purchase our longboat version.

tsenecal · « **Reply #22 on:** June 02, 2015, 12:06:54 am »

reminds me of a Dumas USS Crocket i built 20 years ago. a single step in the instructions to build the "Boston Whaler" support boat read something like this:

glue 3 pieces of 1/4" x 1 1/2" x 4" balsa together. sand to shape.

Unsinkable 2 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 02, 2015, 07:00:46 am »

At least you got some drawings, I saw no mention of those on the list

The kit I'm building at the moment included the key to the garage door and use of all my tools...... Ha ha

I must admit that if I bought that 'kit' I'd be disappointed to! U2

U-33 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 02, 2015, 07:58:24 am »

Every cloud has a wooden lining...I've found a use for all that wood. It'll make a good load for lighter to carry....

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Author Topic: My new kit...Not overly impressed! (Read 14089 times)

inertia

inertia

inertia