Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Jimbocars on October 02, 2016, 04:07:04 pm

Title: Hello from a newbie
Post by: Jimbocars on October 02, 2016, 04:07:04 pm
     Hello
My name is Jim and I  live in Scotland (but please don't hold that against me ) haha,  many..... many ..... many years ago I used to build plastic model kits,  but as i found other things like girls, alcohol, parties then,  work, mortgage, kids  it all fell by the wayside.

However, now my kids are all up and away,I started dabbling again with models. however the plastic kits I found a bit boring, so I thought I would have a look for something other than plastic,  and found loads of beautiful wooden boats,  so bought one.  I have never built with wood before but why not !!  I bought the Billings Boats  Norden 603.  it looked not way to difficult and I might be able to end up with something that looks OK.
I must say I loved it ! I am by no manner a good model builder and looking at some of the photos on here you guys are amazing !!  I am more your hobby type builder :) (http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/file://localhost/Users/jimhenshaw/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_image002.gif)  anyway I loved building the Norden 603 and even though I haven't painted it in its traditional colours I think it's really nice.  ( not by any manner or means perfect ) but it was fun.

I found the hardest part of building the Norden was the planking :(  I am obviously not very good at that (yet)  so I splashed out and bought the Coral Victory 1805 which is a cross section of the victory,  my thought process was the planking should be a lot easier ( I hope ) as you don't have to battle with hem to bend them into shape.   Any thoughts on this ? have I made a big mistake ?  haha
I will give it a go and see where it ends up!!  I will probably get kicked off the forum for being a pest asking questions haha.
 
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie
Post by: ballastanksian on October 02, 2016, 05:38:01 pm
Welcome to the forum Jim.

I can only recommend the topics and articles written by fellow members, many of whom show how they do their techniques,and also, look in the masterclass and ask a few questions as well to clarify and help understand what we are all on about:O) As you will have found out, wood is by no means an evil sanity breaker, but it is different to plastic and in some ways much easier. I always thought plastic was easier because it is a standard quality of material. How wrong I was as different manufacturers make theirs differently, and so like plastic, choosing your timber is important. Cheapnasty timber at best requires more preparation and at worst wastes your precious time when the bit you spent time carving/cutting them splits or is just too soft and collapses. Its the same with ply. Cheap ply breaks easily and is terribly splintery.

have a look on the forum and never be afraid to ask questions. Look at what Norman asked on his Springer topics and how generous in time and effort our fellow members were in helping.
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie
Post by: Jimbocars on October 02, 2016, 06:44:09 pm
Hi BALLASTANKSIAN
Thank you,  I have been looking at a few posts and must say it amazes me on the quality of peoples work !! you can also see from the responses members are always ready to help.   I am no way at the level of these builders !!  Maybe level 1 and a bit haha. here is a photo of my first attempt.  Haven't gone with he standard colours or even fittings, it fits in better with the house haha after all if its not colour coordinated she aint gonna let it in !! ( photo was taken in our caravan where I do my building )
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie
Post by: grendel on October 02, 2016, 07:46:35 pm
looks pretty good to me, I hope my build looks as good. mine is my first attempt at just about everything, as I have just re-started modelling after a 30 year break. I took the difficult way of starting, by drawing up my own plans, and building from scratch in wood, I have had to learn steaming for the stringers and ribs, and the planks too will need it. (see my Broad Ambition thread in the leisure craft section)
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie
Post by: Jimbocars on October 02, 2016, 08:04:34 pm
Ooooft Grendel, I'm impressed !!  I don't think I could tackle anything like that !!   can't wait to see how you get on !  have you taken any photos of the build ?
I was going to try and do that but kept forgetting haha !!   If you have any photos would love to follow your build.  Like you have been away for a very long time !  and thought at 59 it would be too late to start over, but lived building this boat and looking forward to the next one which arrived on Saturday !


Cheers
Jim
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie
Post by: grendel on October 03, 2016, 02:47:19 am
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,55508.0.html
pictures are here
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie
Post by: Jimbocars on October 03, 2016, 09:00:27 pm
WoW !! that looks amazing !!  you are a proper modeller haha !! can't wait to see the finished item !!   afraid I'm not anywhere near that level !! haha  and I think the wife would kick me out the van if I started band sawing lumps of wood haha.  As I said looks bril keep going !!

Title: Re: Hello from a newbie
Post by: ballastanksian on October 03, 2016, 09:38:43 pm
That is a top job Jimbo. The hull looks nice and smothly prepared and painted, and the fittings and rigging look very crisp.

If that's your first attempt then roll on your next ones. Before long you will give Stan and Joe a run for their money:O)
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie
Post by: Jimbocars on October 04, 2016, 03:23:13 pm
Why thank you Ballastanksian :)  pleased with that :)  I'm afraid I don't have the skills tools or space to carry out some of the work these guys do !! I'm really impressed with the level of detail and quality of these builds.   

I will stick to my kits at the moment :)   
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie
Post by: ballastanksian on October 04, 2016, 08:29:52 pm
Go for it. I have said numerous times that your hobby is what you get out of it. You can't enjoy doing anything if you are coerced into doing it, that sounds like work!

Title: Re: Hello from a newbie
Post by: grendel on October 04, 2016, 09:00:15 pm
Jimbo, I only have basic tools and the kitchen table, plus the will to have a go, and I am prepared to make mistakes and redo parts as needed, I am managing to do 1 little bit per day, maybe half an hour, bending up 1 new rib, and fixing one into position, the tools I dont have - I make, my steamer for bending wood started out as a steam cleaner, and when that broke was replaced with a wallpaper steamer, and a length of waste pipe.
Title: Re: Hello from a newbie
Post by: Jimbocars on October 04, 2016, 09:18:14 pm
ballastanksian, your right !!  I throughly enjoyed building the Norden and I am so looking forward to the next challenge,  Grendel I take my hat off to you !!  if that was my kitchen table my wife would murder me !! haha looking forward to seeing the finished ship !! its a beautiful craft !!


I am really happy I joined this form as its so nice looking at all the other builders and reading some of the mistakes challenges  or even changes they are making is fantastic!  and you pick up so many ideas along the way !! and of course you guys for even taking time to comment and respond !!