Well, I’m going to take the plunge (slight pun intended). I finally got the OK from my wife to share her craft space. I’ve wanted for some time to take up model ship building - nothing more awesome than those majestic ships of the line. I plan to start with a “beginning Kit”: the Swift 1:50 scale from Artesania Latina. I’m looking for feedback - is that a good place to start or is it “too basic?” Some background: Retired, in my 70’s. I’ve done a lot of woodworking (cabinets, etc) and did a lot of carpentry work on a log home we had built. I’m no stranger to sawdust and the old, “oops, now how do I fix that?” My wife is an accomplished wood carver so I have acces to a plethora of tools. So, here we go! And yes, I’ll maintain a build log to share all my mistakes.
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sounds like you and the wife are well accomplished in woodworking.
Woodworking takes a part in ship building but the big part is knowing how the structure goes together.
Actually building a model ship from scratch is no harder than building a kit.
Before you commit to a project i suggest you take a little time and review different build logs, group builds, look at the topic ships built from plans. Maybe build a canoe.
Woodworking takes a part in ship building but the big part is knowing how the structure goes together.
Actually building a model ship from scratch is no harder than building a kit.
Before you commit to a project i suggest you take a little time and review different build logs, group builds, look at the topic ships built from plans. Maybe build a canoe.
I think you chose a nice one to start out with. The manual and plan Sheets should help you navigate your way thought. If you have not done so, please start a build log so we can follow and help you along with your project
A sincere thank you to all that responded. Your comments are encouraging. Right now I’m in “research / learn“ mode, devouring some great books on hull assembly and planking and looking through the build logs on AL Swift (what great info, guys!) But, wouldn’t you know it, I go to order the AL Swift kit and it is on back order. I‘ll get an email when it is available and I‘ll start a build log when I get it. Until then I’ll be reading, looking at those awesome build logs and taking notes. I’m also composing a birthday and Christmas list of ship building tools and things my family can get me. Patience is a virtue.
Kurt Konrath
Kurt Konrath
Please do a search for the ship in the SoS and you will see build logs of others.
This may give you an idea of what to do and where to go if you have problems or issues.
I built the swift as my second kit, and first Plank on Bulkhead (POB) kit.
Fairly easy kit with not many issues.
If you don't have one, a digital caliper is one of best tools to help identify wood for each step. Eyeballing a 3mm vs a 4mm piece is not that easy.
What great state do you live in, there are many of us all around the country and there may be someone near you who can assist if needed.
This may give you an idea of what to do and where to go if you have problems or issues.
I built the swift as my second kit, and first Plank on Bulkhead (POB) kit.
Fairly easy kit with not many issues.
If you don't have one, a digital caliper is one of best tools to help identify wood for each step. Eyeballing a 3mm vs a 4mm piece is not that easy.
What great state do you live in, there are many of us all around the country and there may be someone near you who can assist if needed.
In response to what Dave said, I might want to add (solely on my own opinion). I see it from Daves perspective as it does give the new modeler a chance to experiment and to learn. In my humble beginnings, I would have fallen flat on my face and abandoned the hobby if I only had a scratch build to start out with - let me say one more time - "I would have" as to me, I have to have a structured and a methodology to help me along.
Now that I have a few ships of the lines under the belt and even one scratch builds, I STILL am not 100% sure of myself tackling a large project. What is a large project? Le Fueron for one. I would be at a complete loss of what to do with near 30 sheets of plans and would walk away from it.
There are advantages to both and I do not want to minimize Daves suggestions. Some people are more talented than others. I did not come out of the womb knowing how to build ships.
Now that I have a few ships of the lines under the belt and even one scratch builds, I STILL am not 100% sure of myself tackling a large project. What is a large project? Le Fueron for one. I would be at a complete loss of what to do with near 30 sheets of plans and would walk away from it.
There are advantages to both and I do not want to minimize Daves suggestions. Some people are more talented than others. I did not come out of the womb knowing how to build ships.
Oh, please allow me to say another thing. The thing about the scratch building is yes, it does give you 100% control over what you are doing. AND, I will say that in regards to kits. There are some kits out there that are NOT good at all and are even more confusing to the new modeler. The bottom line is that we do have experience are here to help you navigate your way (away) from some of the bad experiences !!! 
First and foremost, if you have not done so, please start a build log so that we can see what you are doing and we can see your progress.
First and foremost, if you have not done so, please start a build log so that we can see what you are doing and we can see your progress.
Also from my side a warm welcome here on board of our forum.
Welcome aboard