What would the forum suggest a model to start out (again)

H

hondapilot

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Sep 1, 2018
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Hi everyone,
Looking to get back to the hobby again after a long time. I built a solid hull model, 3 masts etc do not remember the name of the model. But is was fun and relaxing. Alas the model succumbed to a car accident - all rigging broken. This way back in the '70s.

I am pretty handing with tools and l always like working with my hands.
I see level one and two models on a website but question the $400 to $500 price tags at this early stage.

What does the group suggest?

Thanks,

Steve
Salem WI
 
Hello Steve ,welcome in the forum,I would suggest something with good instructions like a Model Shipways or a MarisStella kit.
 
Hi Steve... I would suggest a kit + a practicum... or a kit that comes with a practicum. There are some great ones out there for getting started.
For example the LauckStreet Bluenose practicum based on the Model Shipways kit. Just as an example... there are many, many others both available for free as well as for purchase. Take your time and do some research. I would definitely not suggest you go drop $400 - 500 on a kit as many of them are not so good or have plans/instructions with very poor English translations. There are also some free instruction videos out on You Tube you can look for. There are many different ways to build a given model so it is easy to get frustrated. Would not suggest starting out with a double-plank on bulkhead 3 masted frigate. :) Enjoy!!!! You will find lots of help here.
 
I'd have to go with Model Shipways as well. they have fantastic builds and very good instructions for your first Plank on bulkhead ship. The ships hull design will dictate how difficult the planking job will be and that is the hard part IMO. Straight cutting style Hulls like those on clipper ships are easier then then Blunt Pushing type hulls like those on Spanish Galleons. two examples off the top of my head would be The Cutty Sark Straight cutting type Bow and the Golden Hind Blunt Pushing style bow. My first ship was the San Mateo (Blunt bow) bending the Planking around the Bow was a serious task and I made a lot of mistakes broke planks and a host of other issues. took a lot of sanding and filling to get it to look ok. My second ship was the Thermopylae ship a (cutting Bow) The Thermopylae was a breeze to plank and came out near perfect required very little sanding. I would personally go with a cutting clipper style Bow for my first Plank on bulkhead ship you will learn planking and be able to progress to harder planking jobs from there. As a recommendation for reading I'd have a look at these books https://www.amazon.com/Planking-Tec...preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch
https://www.amazon.com/Ship-Modelin..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=F2QBF4M2D10M4RCV6PGH
 
Hallo and welcome to the forum.
Take a look also at the Jotika / Caldercraft model kits from the "Nelson´s Navy" series.
This is the manufacturer, where I learned very much. The smaller models are definitely in your price range,
the quality of wood and fittings are very good and very good instructions and drawings.

Take a look here:
http://www.jotika-ltd.com/Pages/1024768/Nelson_Front.htm
a good overview you can find here from this seller (but there are a lot of others you can also take a look)
http://www.shipwrightshop.com/shop/contents/en-uk/d9_Nelsons-Navy
 
Build what you are interested in. Don't worry about so called degree of difficulty etc. If you are interested and truly invested in the subject, nothing is beyond your abilities. You are far more likely to research and complete a model of a vessel you have an interest in rather than one you buy merely based on so called skill level.

Cheers

Chris
 
vossy said:
Build what you are interested in. Don't worry about so called degree of difficulty etc. If you are interested and truly invested in the subject, nothing is beyond your abilities. You are far more likely to research and complete a model of a vessel you have an interest in rather than one you buy merely based on so called skill level.

Cheers

Chris
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I'm onboard with this line of thought, However frustration has ended many a modelers career. no one is saying choose based solely on skill level obviously one would want some interest in a vessel he or she builds. I'm sure there is a ship in a easier to build form factor that nearly all modelers would say "I like that" There are a ton of kits being made. For me if someone dropped off a ship with no name I never seen before, I'd be happy to build it, its why I'm in this hobby, to build ships, any ships, all ships, every ship. I have many friends who got into this hobby with me who became frustrated and just flat lost Interest, all of them started with a ship that was above there skill level.

I started with one above my skill level to be honest, but I had prior skill in building Planes so I was able to muddle through it. I did become frustrated as well, but I don't give up, I never have, I never will, its not in my nature. when I wrapped up that build it was so bad I had to paint it. looking at that model I was not happy and swore to never build another one. The cost of the ship was to expensive for me to turn out something I wasn't Proud of and wanted to hide. Then the funniest thing happened My wife's uncle had a ship kit he was throwing out he acquired the kit in an estate sale and wasn't interested in it he knew I was building planes so he offered it to my wife for me. that ship was the Thermoplylae I didn't like the design but it was a free ship so I was gonna try and build it. That ship came out amazingly well for a novice builder I was so Proud I bought another ship I'm now on ship #19 10 years later and My desire is to build every wood ship on the planet. so you see had I not gotten that easy ship to build I wouldn't be here today talking to you, I'd still be building planes Only. Please don't take this as a dig towards you that's not my aim, this is all just my Opinion and Observation over the time I have been building things.
 
epicdoom said:
I'm onboard with this line of thought, However frustration has ended many a modelers career. no one is saying choose based solely on skill level obviously one would want some interest in a vessel he or she builds. I'm sure there is a ship in a easier to build form factor that nearly all modelers would say "I like that" There are a ton of kits being made. For me if someone dropped off a ship with no name I never seen before, I'd be happy to build it, its why I'm in this hobby, to build ships, any ships, all ships, every ship. I have many friends who got into this hobby with me who became frustrated and just flat lost Interest, all of them started with a ship that was above there skill level.

I started with one above my skill level to be honest, but I had prior skill in building Planes so I was able to muddle through it. I did become frustrated as well, but I don't give up, I never have, I never will, its not in my nature. when I wrapped up that build it was so bad I had to paint it. looking at that model I was not happy and swore to never build another one. The cost of the ship was to expensive for me to turn out something I wasn't Proud of and wanted to hide. Then the funniest thing happened My wife's uncle had a ship kit he was throwing out he acquired the kit in an estate sale and wasn't interested in it he knew I was building planes so he offered it to my wife for me. that ship was the Thermoplylae I didn't like the design but it was a free ship so I was gonna try and build it. That ship came out amazingly well for a novice builder I was so Proud I bought another ship I'm now on ship #19 10 years later and My desire is to build every wood ship on the planet. so you see had I not gotten that easy ship to build I wouldn't be here today talking to you, I'd still be building planes Only. Please don't take this as a dig towards you that's not my aim, this is all just my Opinion and Observation over the time I have been building things.
Click to expand...
Here's a flip, I'm a pilot and I hate building planes ... Build one with my son .. took two years in 1/48 scale.
 
wesmaine said:
Here's a flip, I'm a pilot and I hate building planes ... Build one with my son .. took two years in 1/48 scale.
Click to expand...
LOL I love planes always have especially WWII planes I build a lot of those for RC flight all the way down to 1/72 scale that a 6" wingspan for most Warbirds I build those and fly them on 2 channels inside my house on bad weather days Those are made from a Very lite weight foam called Durabatics they have a small 5-7mm motor and a hand wound actuator coil for rudder control. I've made a couple down to the 4" WS range with home build Brushless motors as well. I have a few planes in 6' WS, but I rarely fly those anymore, not many places to fly around me for larger scale stuff.
 
G'day Steve from the land Downunder.
Welcome to SOS and to our family.
hondapilot said:
I am pretty handing with tools and l always like working with my hands.
I see level one and two models on a website but question the $400 to $500 price tags at this early stage.
Click to expand...
Everyone has given you great advice. The only advice that I think you should follow is to buy a kit that has plywood bulkheads and has two layers of planking for the hull. This is called POB (plank on bulkhead). Do not buy a kit that has only 1 planks for the hull. They are too difficult to do as a novus. Also don't buy a kit that says POF (plank on frame) against these are too difficult as well. Put it this way, I've been doing ships for 30+ years and I have never done one before. There are many reasons for that, but it's not until now that I would like to do a POF kit.
After I finish my Royal Caroline, I would like to do one.
I would suggest, if you are good with your hands and tools, a higher end Chinese kit might be the go.
These kits have a lot of very handy extras that American, and European kits donot have.
The Rattlesnake by ZHL at about $360
Could be the go.
http://www.woodmodelboatbuilder.com...ducts_id=236&zenid=ssa1aqer7s1ms23tps8a8c9tf0
Even though the instructions are in Chinese, you probably could use Google translate to get the English version, or maybe Max might have a transmission for you.
20180904_023438.jpg
As you can see the information are in photos, so often you don't need to read, just follow it by each step.
I, personally would int buy a Chinese kit in the future because of the quality, the extras that you don't get in others etc..
It's never an easy choice to make when you are new, but sometimes it is worth to pay a bit more and get a lot better kit.
Happychoosing
Greg
 
I do know that Bob at Laukstreet Shipyard https://www.lauckstreetshipyard.com/ sells kits, practicums and also adds support.
Same with Dave at dlumberyard https://www.dlumberyard.com/ as well. As several stated, Model Expo https://modelexpo-online.com/ if you go to one of THEIR kits, they have PDF downloadable instructions (not plans) that you can view freely to see what the instructions are like. For instance, you can download the instructions for the USS Constitution https://modelexpo-online.com/assets/images/documents/MS2040-Constitution-Instructions.pdf as to read to see what all is involved, but this is only half the story.
This is my own opinion: usually smaller ships are harder to build. The larger ones have more rel-estate if you will and offers more room and larger parts. Usually larger ships also offer more details which can also lengthen the time to build. If you want to stay away from rigging, then you have the option of building the Chaperon from Model Shipways https://modelexpo-online.com/model-shipways-chaperon-sternwheel1-48-scale
You can see that the selection is quite vast. I also support the other thoughts and opinions here as well that have been "previously" stated.
 
G'day Donnie
I havta try to look at Dave's and Bob's sites. It will be interesting to see what they are doing.
Havagooday mate
Greg
 
FOR A POF FIRST BUILD< TRY THE CAUSTIC BY THE LUMBERYARD< u tube instructions not to dificult check out my LOG ON MSB GO TO FORUMS SCROLL DOWN TO CAUSTIC. Don
 
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