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Introduction and First Scratch Build Suggestions

  • Thread starter Thread starter RBT
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RBT

RBT

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Greetings Folks. Yet another new builder migrating over from NRS. I have no post there, just a short intro about five months ago under the name Millie, our fang face. I decided to go the suggested Dory, Pram and Smack route to begin learning about six months ago now. I'm about a third of the way through the smack, having just finished planking and fairing it. I have also started the NRG 1850 merchant half hull planking instruction kit, to add a bit of variety and planking skills.

I'm finding I have a very keen interest in pursuing scratch building. It just checks a bunch of boxes that interest me besides simple kit building. History, wood working, tools, plans, etc. I have picked up a few shop tools and have remodeled my garage, adding AC as I'm in south Florida. I can now spend summer days out in the garage cutting, sanding and tinkering.

I'm retired so I'm pretty focused on where I want to go with this. I chose the NRG Triton cross section as my first scratch build project once the five kits are done. I have the wood now, I have the plans all printed out, A4, two sets. I have hours upon hours of reading build logs to begin to learn the many many faces of scratch building and the Triton in particular. I have a good library in house. I thought I was all set to begin when the time came before all the Triton build logs as well as countless other resources there simply vanished.

So I'm wandering over here with crumpled hat in hand seeking acceptance and advice. I did find Uwek's Triton build log and I'm looking through it in detail now.

May I ask if there are other cross section scratch builds here on SOS that I should consider as well for a first scratch attempt? I see the Alert appears to be favored for a first time full build, but I'm hopeful of starting out with a cross section build.

Thanks for any thoughts. I'm look forward to learning, making new friends and hopeful contributing something to the community over time, rather than just the present one way street.

Cheers,
Bob aka RBT
 
Welcome aboard from Connecticut! I have not done scratch building (I doubt I have the ability or patience). I did go through the same do 3 easy ships first, I then did the Model expo Constitution cross section, which I really really enjoyed and learned a lot.

Good luck with whatever you do! I am looking forward to seeing your build log.

Rob
 
Welcome to the SoS forums !
What part of So Florida?
There is a club on the west coast down around Naples or Venice i believe.
There is also a club that meets in St. Petersburg.
I'm in Homosassa which is a bit north of Tampa on the West coast.
 
May I ask if there are other cross section scratch builds here on SOS that I should consider as well for a first scratch attempt? I see the Alert appears to be favored for a first time full build, but I'm hopeful of starting out with a cross section build.

Bomb vessel cross section - scale 3/8 or 1:32

This will be what I call a prototype build, the difference between a prototype build and any other build is this one is done as a "how to build the model" and does not focus on refined finishing, the concern here is does it go together as planned and different way to offer the model as a kit...
shipsofscale.com

Bomb Vessel Granado 1742 - Cross Section - 1:32 Scale - Scratch Build by DocBlake [COMPLETED BUILD]

This is my log for my scratch build of a cross section of the bomb vessel HMS Granado. The plans were drawn by Jeff Staudt and were based on Peter Goodwin's AOTS book, which I plan to use as a reference. The section is from the center of the ship and includes 3 gun ports on each side, and a...
shipsofscale.com


ModelShipBuilder

Home of the MSB Journal, and a community for model ship, model boat and nautical diorama model builders.
modelshipbuilder.com modelshipbuilder.com
 
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Thank you all for the welcomes and for the cross section suggestions. Plenty to look at there. There is a lot to learn and it looks like the learning will never end. I'm hopeful my plan of the three learning kits followed by both the planking and rigging instruction kits will put me in a place to make a somewhat intelligent decision on a first scratch build attempt. Will continue with a few more kits I have in house now but I believe my pleasure lies in learning to scratch build in tandem with the kits. Lofting, at this point, is a complete mystery.

I've spend time reading through Uwek's Triton build log and it looks like it there is enough there to provide a path should the decision be to stick with the Triton cross section is chosen. It is an excellent build log and would be a great inspiration to attempt. On the topic of build logs on SOS. I probably would not put up a build log for the three beginners kits, but is it "PC" to put one up for the half hull planking and rigging instruction kits from Brand X? Would be beneficial to be able to make inquiries during the "tight spots".

I am a member of the Naples NRG Chapter of six months now. GREAT group of guys. A few retired surgeons, experienced builders and very knowledgeable sailors. They have really been very helpful and encouraging. In fact one of the better builders suggested I put up this post; ask about cross section scratch builds and see where it goes. So here I am. I'm a 40 year veteran fly tyer so I'm use to working in close. Nothing compares to the rigging I see coming though. Thanks again all!
 
RBT said:
I'm finding I have a very keen interest in pursuing scratch building.
Click to expand...
Scratching........ welcome to heaven and Hell. There are a couple high quality kits available that are worth considering if you change your mind, but there are thousands of potential projects if you follow your dream of scratch building. Whatever your era and nationality of interest, research as much as you can to be sure there are adequate drawings and scantling sources IF accuracy is a priority for you.
Allan
 
Bob - An easy way into scratch building is to use the relatively new papercard / chipboard reinforced cardstock method developed by Ab Hoving in his books like "The Ships of Abel Tasman," "17th Century Dutch Ships Models in Paper," and "Dutch Merchant Ships." I'm on my second scratch build using this method and it's really helped me with scratch building the Dutch vessels I love, but it can be used for just about any model. I am now on my 5th scratch build overall and I find scratch building to give you more creative options, more freedom to "do you," and (for me) a different sense of accomplishment than just another kit. I found the easiest way to get into scratch building is to "re-do" a wooden build that has a strongback using the plans from a kit but your own wood stock. I did this with the Midwest Maine Lobster Smack and the Midwest Sea Bright Dory. I re-used the strongback from the first two builds and wood from my own shop. Scratch building also teaches you to be more thoughtful in your selection of building materials and to use better wood than the cheap basswood most kit builders call planking material. DM me if you are interested in the Ab Hoving method of building, I'm becoming quite the evangelist for paper cardstock modeling now. Here's a page from "17th Century Dutch Ship Models in Paper," discussing his Witsen's Pinas (my next build), which also has an excellent introduction to the Hoving scratch-building method - published by SeaWatch Books. The basic building blocks are inexpensive (chip board, cardboard book ends, 110 lb. paper cardstock, polystyrene foam sheets) and the tools are minimal (craft knife, whalebone creasing tool for perfect edges, adhesives), but it really opened up a new world of scratch-building for me.

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