Looking for an Intermediate Level POF Kit

Zzyzx01

Zzyzx01

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Whilst working on my current project (Polaris by Occre), I'm thinking ahead as to what my next challenge might look like. I'd like to try a POF (plank on frame) kit that is of an Intermediate skill level and modestly priced. My goal is continue to develop my skill sets with an acceptable outcome. So I am humbly asking for some suggestions from my fellow S.o.S'ers.
Many thanks in advance for your help.
Kind Regards,
...henry
 
Hi, Henry

From my perspective experience, I don't see the POF kit for the intermediate skill level. I treat a POF as an advanced build or assembly. Assembly of this kind suggests an advanced knowledge of ship construction. Knowing how all parts make a ship will greatly help to understand how all the parts will be aligned and put together.

This is only how I envision, others might have other options, but if you know your skill and feel capable of trying, I suggest you look into: Port Jackson Schooner 1803 - Scale 1:36 It is a Partial POF kit. It has some actual framing work (in the middle of the ship. It is a very nice model, though.

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Here is the link:

https://drydockmodelsandparts.com/c...roducts/port-jackson-schooner-1803-scale-1-48

Good luck!
 
First you have to make a decision. Do want to exactly replicate a known framing practice such as that used by the British Admiralty or are you willing to accept a more stylistic appearance. Framing the hull to Admiralty standards IS advanced ship modeling. On the other hand there are easier framing styles that will produce handsome models. Also, very little is known about detailed framing practices for vessels not built in the dockyards of various European naval powers.

IMHO, the Harold Hahn method is the easiest method for building a POF model. This involves laminating standardized shapes for two layer frames, sawing the frames from the laminated shapes, and assembling them upside down in a jig. Hahn has written several books on the topic and explains his method in Volume I of the Nautical Research Guild’s Shop Notes.

I believe that Dave Stevens who posts on this forum, used to sell Hahn style framing kits for several of Hahn’s models, along with the necessary drawings. Look him up.

Roger,
 
I can recommend Hayling Hoy from Modelship Dockyard. It was my first POF and it turned out well. It's available in cherry or pear and looks as impressive not rigged as rigged. Also, there's David Antschrel's awesome book on the matter. I used the book to augment and customize my model. The Chinese model is available at Zoltan's site https://drydockmodelsandparts.com/ and David's book (which might have been a potential source for the model?) is https://seawatchbooks.com/products/...ly-framed-building-project-by-david-antscherl.

The model instructions were mostly 3D renderings but I was able to contact someone at Modelship Dockyard who was responsive and helpful; great customer service. And make sure to look around at Seawatch Books: awesome books!

Here's my first POF, Hayling Hoy, in cherry with Danish oil finish. Some bashing on the details from the book included. Sorry for photo-bombing your post, I hate it when people do it to my build logs. It includes everything you need to rig it if you want to go there.
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Glenn
 
Jimsky said:
Hi, Henry

From my perspective experience, I don't see the POF kit for the intermediate skill level. I treat a POF as an advanced build or assembly. Assembly of this kind suggests an advanced knowledge of ship construction. Knowing how all parts make a ship will greatly help to understand how all the parts will be aligned and put together.

This is only how I envision, others might have other options, but if you know your skill and feel capable of trying, I suggest you look into: Port Jackson Schooner 1803 - Scale 1:36 It is a Partial POF kit. It has some actual framing work (in the middle of the ship. It is a very nice model, though.

View attachment 485282

View attachment 485283

Here is the link:

https://drydockmodelsandparts.com/c...roducts/port-jackson-schooner-1803-scale-1-48

Good luck!
Click to expand...
A wise and a good point too that of yours, Jimsky
 
IMHO, the Harold Hahn method is the easiest method for building a POF model. This involves laminating standardized shapes for two layer frames, sawing the frames from the laminated shapes, and assembling them upside down in a jig. Hahn has written several books on the topic and explains his method in Volume I of the Nautical Research Guild’s Shop Notes.

I believe that Dave Stevens who posts on this forum, used to sell Hahn style framing kits for several of Hahn’s models, along with the necessary drawings. Look him up.

here i am,

From my perspective experience, I don't see the POF kit for the intermediate skill level. I treat a POF as an advanced build or assembly.

you right there is a learning curve when building POF hulls, they are quite different from build bulkhead hulls.

Whilst working on my current project (Polaris by Occre), I'm thinking ahead as to what my next challenge might look like. I'd like to try a POF (plank on frame) kit that is of an Intermediate skill level and modestly priced. My goal is continue to develop my skill sets with an acceptable outcome. So I am humbly asking for some suggestions from my fellow S.o.S'ers.
Many thanks in advance for your help.
Kind Regards,
...henry

i suggest you don't worry about historical accuracy at this point. focus on how to do it first and developed your skills. Then move on to bigger and more advanced models.
As Roger suggest start with an easy Hahn model like the Hannah you can get it with all the frames per laser cut or build up the frames from blanks. to build up the frames from blanks you will need a bandsaw or scroll saw and a disk sander to cut out and shape the frames. if this is your first POF build i would suggest starting with pre cut frame parts this will at least give you better odds of building the hull correctly.
There are a few build logs here using the Hahn method
 
looking back at all the ships ive built, my very first ships were schooners. ive developed many skills that now allow me to tackle advanced scratch builds i would never have thought id be able to tackle. along with experiance, you will soon find your tool box has grown with jigs n special adapted n better tools for specific jobs.

its a hobby so take your time. if you dont feel up to something, or dont understand something, step away n think it through or post the questions here. most solutions come in dreams or in the forums. your problems arent new, we all had our moments.
 
paul ron said:
looking back at all the ships ive built, my very first ships were schooners. ive developed many skills that now allow me to tackle advanced scratch builds i would never have thought id be able to tackle. along with experiance, you will soon find your tool box has grown with jigs n special adapted n better tools for specific jobs.

its a hobby so take your time. if you dont feel up to something, or dont understand something, step away n think it through or post the questions here. most solutions come in dreams or in the forums. your problems arent new, we all had our moments.
Click to expand...

that is very true solutions and new ideas actually come in dreams. I will build and rebuilt things in my head before i even start.

anyhow do not fall into the pit of trying a project that is complex start slow and small and refine your skills and knowledge as you go. Building POF can quickly go from fun to frustration.
 
An often overlooked difficulty of POF model building is the difficulty of aligning the sawn frames to produce a fair hull. In fact, this is a problem with all building methods as most ship and boat surfaces are curved. Precise alignment requires access to a flat “datum.” The genius of Hahn’s scheme is that frames are inserted into a notched jig with the tops butting against a flat surface. The sheer is cut later.

Roger
 
Harold had a degree in engineering so his method of building in a jig actually changed this hobby and a number of kits these days uses a version of his building in a jig system.
 
I have had success and plan to try more upside-right jigs as well. ANCRE, for example, often shows jigs that follow the ships lines with notches or marks and a second level carefully adjusted to the lines drawings with screws and washers.

But I think Henry might have been inquiring about a kit. I think there are intermediate level POF kits. Many of the POF kits give you MDF jigs with extensive instructions. Alert from Trident Models actually uses an upside-right version of Harold Hahn's basic setup.

In building Alert, I realized I had never appreciated the downsides of the Hahn method until I tried to cut that sucker out of the jig. Not for the faint of heart after the investment to get to the point of cutting it out. Definitely leave the scratch builds of moderate complexity to experienced advanced builders with the right tools (and a little extra talent), otherwise it turns out like an over-complicated high school shop project and you will probably ruin your love of the hobby. Of course there are exceptions to every rule @dockattner
 
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