What sandpaper do I need?
Author: admin
I found no reference to Sandpaper in your terrific FAQ. I am curious as to what grades of paper I will need. Regular or wet/dry sandpaper? I purchased a set of the fine files, but no sandpaper yet. Thank you! Jeff in San Diego Read the rest of this entry »
What power tools do I need?
Author: admin
The only power tool that you need is a good source of light! However, there are other tools that you might find useful, depending on what you’re doing! Read the rest of this entry »
What tools do I need to get started?
Author: admin
In most all of the recent Model Shipways kits, the instruction book lists those tools that are needed for the particular model. However, this list has almost become boiler plate in the instruction books I prepared. Here’s a composite of my list: Read the rest of this entry »
Problems with resin kits
Author: admin
Reports of problems with some of the resin kits. Read the rest of this entry »
Working with resin kits
Author: admin
I have a number of questions about working with resin kits: Read the rest of this entry »
What is a Practicum? what are available?
Author: admin
Could any one please explain just what the heck a practicum is. How do they work? How much do they cost? What does one get? Are they any good? Read the rest of this entry »
What experience have other modelers had with the European kits?
Author: admin
I bought a 1:48 model of the U.S.S. Charles W. Morgan (three-masted Whaler) about 8 years ago for $180. I’ve been working on it off and on over that time (with multi-year breaks of ’off’ time). Lately I’ve been ’on’ and progress has been pretty steady. Read the rest of this entry »
What’s the difference between Beginner, intermediate, or advanced Model Kits?
Author: admin
This is a good question and difficult to answer. As a designer for Model Shipways, I do not always agree with the final category which appears in the catalog. There is naturally an effort to categorize a model at intermediate or beginner level - more sales! The recent Pride of Baltimore II kit was desired as a beginners kit, I felt it an advanced kit, so we wound up compromising at intermediate level. Here are some of my thoughts as a designer and model builder: Read the rest of this entry »
What’s the difference between “bread-and-butter”, plank-on-bulkhead, and plank-on-frame construction?
Author: admin
In bread-and-butter (← "B&B"), successive "slices" (sawn out of planks) of the hull (either parallel to the keel or to the waterline) are stacked and then carved to final shape, using templates. The individual planks are frequently "hollowed" so that the resulting hull is only a thick shell of wood — this make the hull lighter, and helps prevent cracking which might result from a solid hull. Read the rest of this entry »
What is a good beginner’s model kit to start with?
Author: admin
The following Ship Model Kits are often recommended: Read the rest of this entry »