HIGH HOPES, WILD MEN AND THE DEVIL’S JAW - Willem Barentsz Kolderstok 1:50

Dean62 said:
Heinrich, those modern tools don't align with the craftsmen who built the ships we strive to duplicate! ;)
Why should we use tools they didn't have? Of course they didn't have giant wood bending tools either! Therefore to be a purist, you must light a tiny candle used for Birthday cakes and then wet your planks and carefully bend over the open flame! ROTF
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You are absolutely right, Dean! That is exactly how it was done! ThumbsupIt's actually a most interesting topic all by itself. Imagine building a model while remaining true to the exact working methods of all those years ago! (I will miss my plank bender though! :))
 
Heinrich said:
You are absolutely right, Dean! That is exactly how it was done! ThumbsupIt's actually a most interesting topic all by itself. Imagine building a model while remaining true to the exact working methods of all those years ago! (I will miss my plank bender though! :))
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I think what has happened in the model building community, is that due to the smaller scale, errors are multiplied (as Johan mentioned) and therefore modelers are striving for more precision, and at the same time moving towards perfection and away from realism. This is of course my opinion to a degree.
I know it is great to see a perfectly milled or turned part, a perfectly straight cut, etc., but that was not possible then. I think there is a happy balance. Even carving is slowly being replaced by CNC now, and we have to embrace this as a time saver, and a blessing for those who can't carve. And even plastic or resin printed parts, however they have to be painted, so its a compromise.
So I am still willing to take longer and use basic tools that don't create a perfect outcome, but a very presentable outcome. I am in no way against power tools or modern tools, I use them sparingly on models and mostly on full scale wood working. I can't use my router table on model trim! ROTF
So I think a good wood worker can do impressive work without the aid of modern equipment, if they are willing to take the extra time and effort. I also understand some need a helping hand or just prefer the perfection you can achieve with power tools. So embrace what you have to work with, and I see you make the best of it all the time. ;)
 
Now what is most interesting and somewhat ironical, the first example of modernization in shipbuilding is attributed to a namesake of mine - a certain gentleman with the name of Cornelis Cornelissen from the Dutch town of Uitgeest.

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Cornelis Cornelissen

Cornelissen was a Dutch windmill owner from Uitgeest who invented the wind-powered sawmill, which made the conversion of log timber into planks 30 times faster than before.

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His wind-powered sawmill was called "Juffertje" (young lady) which contributed greatly to the Dutch becoming a naval power to be reckoned with.
 
Heinrich said:
I LOVE That, Dean! I can proudly say that the WB is built according to the MAMS ordinance!

So, we have Dean as founding member and yours truly as secretary. Who else is joining?
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I guess I might inadvertently be a member of MAMS by default. My heating plank-bender is the only tool I have at the moment that requires electric power. Then again, I'm only on my second model now and I can't vouch for my loyalty to MAMS when the going gets tough and I succumb to the wonder of modern technology Redface
 
Nomad said:
I guess I might inadvertently be a member of MAMS by default. My heating plank-bender is the only tool I have at the moment that requires electric power. Then again, I'm only on my second model now and I can't vouch for my loyalty to MAMS when the going gets tough and I succumb to the wonder of modern technology Redface
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Hi Mark. I am afraid none of us are members of MAMS if we build any laser cut or CNC kits. We will have to revert to sawing out the bulkheads and frame components by hand to qualify for MAMS - and that is just the beginning! ROTF

I think I will just use my membership when it suits me! ROTF
 
Dean62 said:
It’s all tongue in cheek, however people want to get the job done is ok with me. ;)
But I personally don’t use many power tools on model ships. And there is a certain part of me that ponders spending $5,000 or more on power tools to build a $800 kit! ROTF
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I agree Dean. I have two issues with the expensive power tools - firstly, the price, but more importantly, I have no place where I can set them up and where they can remain. That's the same reason I cannot consider any of the bigger models.
 
Heinrich said:
So, we have Dean as founding member and yours truly as secretary. Who else is joining?
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There is no way I will join this club! I don't want to struggle while building models the old way. I had enough time in the past to use fretsaw and hand plane. I have to use them only because I couldn't afford the electric ones. Why torture yourself? It is not just about the precision you can get by using the power tools. It is the convenience, speed along with quality.
Let me guess, how many of us have a rotary tool? A simple one, expencive\cheap doesn't matter. I would say 9 out of 10, and something tells me that I could be right. Wait...but this is a power tool, so why not use the handled drill ;) Something like this? BTW, it is more expensive than my rotary tool. :p

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...same logic can be applied to 3D printing. Why use the convenience of modern technology? Get a piece of plastic (BTW, does plastic\polymer used by the shipwright?) and carve using the knife\file, oh...almost forgot, why use a computer program (CAD) and draw? Blueprints are the way to go....like the old shipwrights!

I am in no way part of this club, sorry guys! :D
 
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