Ship Modelers

Archive for the ‘Ship Modeling Tips’ Category

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 »

The following Ship Model Kits are often recommended: Read the rest of this entry »

First of all, "Patience is that attribute required to do something you DON’T WANT TO DO!"

…if you don’t want to build a model, no one will (or CAN) force you to. Read the rest of this entry »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Reports of problems with some of the resin kits. Read the rest of this entry »

I have a number of questions about working with resin kits: Read the rest of this entry »

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 »