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GiddyGibberish

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Dec 16, 2024
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Ahoy and well met! That’s a little corny… Nice to meet you! I’m excited to be starting a new hobby. It’s a weird train of thought that led me to ordering my first kit today (Occre Polaris). It started with literal trains (well, technically digital trains) and ended with an obsession to try and build a wooden RC paddle steamboat with a working steam engine.

I have some ancient experience with plastic models of all types (planes, ships, automobiles, Japanese robots, etc.) and a bit of RC’ing experience. I built a line following robot using all wood parts (juxtaposition!) but that only required very basic woodworking skills. The wheels were the hardest part and they weren’t that hard… so, I’m expecting a long journey from here to there. ;)

I’ve been lurking for a few days to make sure I wanted to take a stab at this and reading a lot of your posts and watching over half of the official Polaris build videos I was sure so I pulled the trigger. I already have tons of questions (tools, tools, tools!?!) so I’m looking forward to our upcoming conversations and I hope to be able to contribute someday.
 
Welcome to SoS! Looking forward to watching your progress as I am also considering Polaris as a possible next project.
 
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GiddyGibberish said:
It’s a weird train of thought that led me to ordering my first kit today (Occre Polaris).
Click to expand...

Welcome GG
Many beginners would recommend you find a better choice for a first endeavor at wooden ship model building. I wish these kits had been around when I started into the hobby, it would have saved a lot of grief. Consider saving the Polaris for later and get a high quality kit or two for beginners such as the Model Shipways series designed by David Antscherl.


You will not regret it.
Allan
 
AllanKP69 said:
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Welcome GG
Many beginners would recommend you find a better choice for a first endeavor at wooden ship model building. I wish these kits had been around when I started into the hobby, it would have saved a lot of grief. Consider saving the Polaris for later and get a high quality kit or two for beginners such as the Model Shipways series designed by David Antscherl.


You will not regret it.
Allan
Click to expand...
Thanks for the welcome and the feedback, Allan! Just a heads up, but I'm an obsessive researcher so I did check into that series. I actually looked into 4 options before settling on the Polaris. It was a few posts by Darivs (or should I type Darius?) that made me choose Polaris even though it does seem to require some more advanced skills.

One of the things he wrote that really stood out was to pick a ship you like. Of the options I researched I liked the look of Polaris and Erycina. Erycina looked like a bit of a step beyond Polaris to my untrained eye, while the Shipways series seemed a small step below. I was worried I would get bored with the first couple of models and want to jump straight to the 3rd one.

Multiple users commented on the quality of the Occre directions and videos as well, and that was a big factor in my decision. After downloading instructions for both and then watching the videos, I really felt like I had the chops to build Polaris as long as I was patient during planking, which seems like it will be the most challenging part to learn to do well. I didn't see anything so far that made me worried except the number of different little files and sanding blocks they used. I ordered the basic tool kit but it doesn't seem to include stuff like that. I'm not sure what else I'm missing, like glues and paints, etc. I was going to post in the beginner area to ask about what else I'm missing. What I will find most frustrating is getting to a step and needing some special glue or tool or tape that I have to order and wait to be delivered. :-)
 
welcome aboard our merry little group. There are a LOT of YouTube videos on ship building (as I am sure you are aware) and you'll find your preferences as you go along your build, such as glues/adhesives. I prefer CA but also use epoxy and PVA wood glues as the situation presents itself. You can always try a method on scraps before comitting to the actual build. So a warning: (remembering the line "We're gonna need a bigger boat") - your tool collection is about to grow. Your materials supplies are about to grow. And books.... If you have explored this site and forums, you will find Build Logs that folks here post along their build progress and they can be a big help along the journey. Again, welcome! And Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
 
The Occre site lists the Polaris as one of their beginner kits. Even though it may not be as easy or the instructions as thorough as the Model Expo kits for beginners, I believe with your previous experience that you will do fine with your choice. :)
 
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