I have done a few post's already but decided to post an introduction.
I have been building wood model ships for over 50 years. I would consider myself
doing average builds with an average skill level. I like Dutch 17th century
ships and have built several. I am working on the Batavia now.
I have been working on it for about 10 years, and yes I am a slow worker.
Also about 5 years ago I hade a brain tumor removed successfully, however
the right side of my body was paralyzed completely. And of coarse I am right handed.
I wont go in to detail how devastating that was mentally or the months I spent as an
inpatient before I could even be released. As the doctors predicted the feeling and
use of my body started to very slowly return. But the hand is a very complicated appendage
to control and even after 5 years I have very limited use of it. Mostly motor control and strength issues.
Well about a year ago I thought I would try to get back to the Batavia. It did not go well.
I was planking the hull at the time and getting ready to start the decking. I found I had to
make holding fixtures for everything because I only had my left hand to work with and that was hard since
it was not my favored hand. It was a struggle but I made it.
I could not make some ship parts like ladders and turn styles because of the complexity in
cutting and assembly. My left hand was just not steady enough and I gave up.
After a long talk with myself and fiddling around I started to draw patterns to assemble them.
I knew AutoCAD and Solid works and used this. Then I thought what if I could print them.
Long story short I bought a very inexpensive 3D printer and...
This may be sacrilegious to the purist but I don't care.
Now I have come to the standing rigging. At this point I started and quit five or six times.
Each time walking away to never return. But I did.
I found I have to find a way to hold something with a device or contraption so I could work with my one
stable hand. I was stumped at first but...
Now I am on to tying knots for the rat lines. Big problem here because I can not use tweezers very well.
Not stead with the right hand and not well coordinated for intricate work with the left. After many tries
practicing, tying half hitches' on a dowel in a vice I got it. I have to make one movement then fix the line
with thread glue then make the next bend around and hold it with thread glue then finish.
Other very helpful tools are the mini drill and sander because they are light and small. Easy to handle.
I am sure with the helpful ideas I receive here and a little perseverance and a little ingenuity I will finish.
And I continue on.
I have been building wood model ships for over 50 years. I would consider myself
doing average builds with an average skill level. I like Dutch 17th century
ships and have built several. I am working on the Batavia now.
I have been working on it for about 10 years, and yes I am a slow worker.
Also about 5 years ago I hade a brain tumor removed successfully, however
the right side of my body was paralyzed completely. And of coarse I am right handed.
I wont go in to detail how devastating that was mentally or the months I spent as an
inpatient before I could even be released. As the doctors predicted the feeling and
use of my body started to very slowly return. But the hand is a very complicated appendage
to control and even after 5 years I have very limited use of it. Mostly motor control and strength issues.
Well about a year ago I thought I would try to get back to the Batavia. It did not go well.
I was planking the hull at the time and getting ready to start the decking. I found I had to
make holding fixtures for everything because I only had my left hand to work with and that was hard since
it was not my favored hand. It was a struggle but I made it.
I could not make some ship parts like ladders and turn styles because of the complexity in
cutting and assembly. My left hand was just not steady enough and I gave up.
After a long talk with myself and fiddling around I started to draw patterns to assemble them.
I knew AutoCAD and Solid works and used this. Then I thought what if I could print them.
Long story short I bought a very inexpensive 3D printer and...
This may be sacrilegious to the purist but I don't care.
Now I have come to the standing rigging. At this point I started and quit five or six times.
Each time walking away to never return. But I did.
I found I have to find a way to hold something with a device or contraption so I could work with my one
stable hand. I was stumped at first but...
Now I am on to tying knots for the rat lines. Big problem here because I can not use tweezers very well.
Not stead with the right hand and not well coordinated for intricate work with the left. After many tries
practicing, tying half hitches' on a dowel in a vice I got it. I have to make one movement then fix the line
with thread glue then make the next bend around and hold it with thread glue then finish.
Other very helpful tools are the mini drill and sander because they are light and small. Easy to handle.
I am sure with the helpful ideas I receive here and a little perseverance and a little ingenuity I will finish.
And I continue on.
