Hoping to Up My Game

[bowwild]

I accumulated three kits over the past few weeks I intend to build; Andrea Gail 1/30, Amati Xebec 1/48, and just this week Syren's Cheerful off the classifieds here. I am going to build them in that order.
Today I ordered the hand-turned disc sander from Ultimation. I would have gotten the the Brynes variable, but it is not available at this time. I have a collection of full-sized wood shop tools including belt/disc sander and WEN Oscillating sander. I wanted more quiet, less dust, and more control which I expect the Ultimation to provide.

I also called Brynes and ordered their table saw with a few accessories. I doubt I'll be using the saw until the Cheerful is on the table as the first two are full kits.

I've been studying these tools and others for months trying to decide what and when to pull the trigger. I feared the Byrnes saw could run into some snags given what they are going through, although I have good to reason they will be as solid as ever shortly. I wanted to get the Thickness Sander, but it isn't available at this time either. Again, I don't need it yet.

I'm thinking I might want a Milling machine with the Proxxon 70 probably more in my $ wheelhouse but for a bit more than double the Sherline and Little Machine Shop mills receive better reviews.

Finally, my son cut down a good size Bartlett Pear tree a week ago. I have a degree in forestry, but don't know much about this wood, just hoping it might be a more affordable version of Swiss Pear? It is free so I will cut some logs, mill them into planks of varying widths, but probable 1-2" thick and stack them in the upper floor of my shop which gets too hot to stand for about 4-5 months of the year. Maybe it will be suitable for replacement or supplemental wood for scratch efforts.

Lot's planned now let's get it squeezed into entertaining 4 grand children in our pool and the daily cleaning required (even with a robot), landscape replacement, mowing...well the routine stuff so many of us deal with. Oh, and I'm an avid tree squirrel hunter and archer so I have to tend to those activities as well.

I learn a lot on this forum. Most of the time I'm encouraged and motivated, while from time to time I'm thinking I'm a couple decades late for getting serious about serious ship models at age 71.

I built this Harvey from a Kit in 1994 when I lived in Missouri. Took me 185 hours. I look at it now and see all kinds of mistakes I made, especially with rigging. The bow sprit has been replaced when it fell off a shelf. It is not to scale as I scratch built one that is too bulky. The ship's boat on the back I built completely from scratch and it too is a bit to large for proper scale. I even sewed the sales with my wife's machine. However, as I look at this ship which was only my 2nd build, I think I can do more.

 

[Corsair]

For a first build, that looks great and you are doing the right thing. It is a learning experience.
As far as your questions about comparing the Bartlett pear wood to the swiss pear, I would drop a line to @Dave Stevens (Lumberyard) to ask your questions. His knowledge on lumber is impresive and lumber for model shipbuilding is a focus for him.
(Sorry Dave, I keep finding things for you to do. But I don't know of anyone else in the forums with your knowledge. )

 

[KAYA61]

Look great and I agree with the master Corsair... master @Dave Stevens (Lumberyard) is really very experienced in this matter.

 

[Rebus]

Welcome aboard! Look forward to seeing your further builds!

 

[Kiwi]

Gee I think your Harvey from 1994 is a beautiful looking vessel. As you say the bowsprit looks a fraction incongruous, but otherwise I wouldn't fault her. I'd be proud to have her on display

 

[Dillan2515]

I accumulated three kits over the past few weeks I intend to build; Andrea Gail 1/30, Amati Xebec 1/48, and just this week Syren's Cheerful off the classifieds here. I am going to build them in that order.
Today I ordered the hand-turned disc sander from Ultimation. I would have gotten the the Brynes variable, but it is not available at this time. I have a collection of full-sized wood shop tools including belt/disc sander and WEN Oscillating sander. I wanted more quiet, less dust, and more control which I expect the Ultimation to provide.

I also called Brynes and ordered their table saw with a few accessories. I doubt I'll be using the saw until the Cheerful is on the table as the first two are full kits.

I've been studying these tools and others for months trying to decide what and when to pull the trigger. I feared the Byrnes saw could run into some snags given what they are going through, although I have good to reason they will be as solid as ever shortly. I wanted to get the Thickness Sander, but it isn't available at this time either. Again, I don't need it yet.

I'm thinking I might want a Milling machine with the Proxxon 70 probably more in my $ wheelhouse but for a bit more than double the Sherline and Little Machine Shop mills receive better reviews.

Finally, my son cut down a good size Bartlett Pear tree a week ago. I have a degree in forestry, but don't know much about this wood, just hoping it might be a more affordable version of Swiss Pear? It is free so I will cut some logs, mill them into planks of varying widths, but probable 1-2" thick and stack them in the upper floor of my shop which gets too hot to stand for about 4-5 months of the year. Maybe it will be suitable for replacement or supplemental wood for scratch efforts.

Lot's planned now let's get it squeezed into entertaining 4 grand children in our pool and the daily cleaning required (even with a robot), landscape replacement, mowing...well the routine stuff so many of us deal with. Oh, and I'm an avid tree squirrel hunter and archer so I have to tend to those activities as well.

I learn a lot on this forum. Most of the time I'm encouraged and motivated, while from time to time I'm thinking I'm a couple decades late for getting serious about serious ship models at age 71.

I built this Harvey from a Kit in 1994 when I lived in Missouri. Took me 185 hours. I look at it now and see all kinds of mistakes I made, especially with rigging. The bow sprit has been replaced when it fell off a shelf. It is not to scale as I scratch built one that is too bulky. The ship's boat on the back I built completely from scratch and it too is a bit to large for proper scale. I even sewed the sales with my wife's machine. However, as I look at this ship which was only my 2nd build, I think I can do more.

I’ve been following this thread and totally relate to wanting to “up your game.” One thing that really helped me improve my attention to detail (especially with rigging and painting) was practicing with smaller, low-risk hobbies to build focus. Surprisingly, trying out online games with a strategy element helped too. I found useful information on this page — it offers no-deposit bonuses, so I could test things without spending anything. Gave me a break from the bench while still keeping my mind sharp. Balance is key!

Great!