I don`t like…..?

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27 August 2009 at 07:55 #22847
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Making model boats is great fun!……….Or is it?

At certain parts of the build, boredom creeps in, and progress slows down to a crawl or even a halt!

Tell us, what part of the build, has this effect of you!………….and then what about the juicy bits?

For me, I hate marking out the formers and cutting them out!……..My GE model had 54 formers to cut out before I could get something glued!!

You could say, building a boat is like a “Sweet and Sour”……..lots of Sweet moments and then lots of Sour areas.

Sour areas for me, and there`s plenty of `em!…. is Fibre glassing the inside of a hull full of cross beams!….even painting the waterline is a stressful time….if you want it ..”dead on”!

Bob
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27 August 2009 at 07:55 #3402
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
27 August 2009 at 12:39 #22849
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Quite right Bob, you always seem to get stuck on something you hadn’t anticipated. I always find it’s best to finish a session when things have gone right rather than start something else and lie awake trying to work out how to do it.

I suppose that when it comes to kits it’s the period between opening the box and floating the completed model…

Colin
27 August 2009 at 15:59 #22850
neil hp
Participant
@neilhp
At the moment Bob….every damn bit of the build.

Normally I enjoy all aspects, but with the boat I am building at present( not the little calmac ferry) I have lost all interest and it’s a drudge to go into the workshop.

In fact I am so fed up with it, i have just had some plans scaled down and am going to make a couple of minatures at 1:96 scale of a couple of old lifeboats…….They come out at abut 150mm long from stem to stern, on a tray at night to see if they will kick start my enthusiasm..

can but hope.

neil.
27 August 2009 at 18:57 #22852
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
Must say that building traditional balsa type models, eg Vic Smeed type craft, I never get fed up of.

Modern glass fibre etc, I never really find much interest in, and soon put them in the shed unfinished.

Hence today I have just ordered (from Myhobby store) this coming winters build project, plan MM524 Silver Mist by Vic. Lots of balsa to cut etc.

Cheer up Bob and Neil, your models are superb.

Tony.
27 August 2009 at 19:31 #22853
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello Tony

I recently mentioned in another thread, about how horrble, soft balsa is, to work with!….I don`t like balsa at all!……..So you have my deepest sympathy for this winters build, Tony!

Neil`s not enjoying his model building fun at the moment…..by the sound of it!

I`m still wrestling with my giant speedboat………Makiing sure all the big sweeping curves are spot on is really a difficult task and so much depends on these graceful shapes!…I shall be pleased when this part of the build is completed

At the moment, it`s pure donkeywork……….I suppose it`s some sort of fun?……the real fun comes only when it`s right!

I have a brother who calls round every week and he cringes when he see`s my model making activities……………So in his eyes, model making is not fun!….So why do WE do it?

Simply ………Horses for courses, old chap?………………….Bob
27 August 2009 at 20:36 #22854
neil hp
Participant
@neilhp
mascicism, bob……pure self hatred.lol
27 August 2009 at 20:48 #22855
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
I’ve always been happy to use balsa although I agree that the very soft stuff isn’t much use. I use it as a substructure and face it with other materials such a gummed paper strip or thin ply. It’s styrene sheet i don’t much care for although it does have its uses.

Colin
27 August 2009 at 20:54 #22856
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello Neil

It`s a funny hobby when your think about it……………………6 months of hard graft…….several hundred pounds worth of gear……..one month after completion, we`re looking around for our next ………FIX!………………..What must our wife’s really think of us?

Well and truly addicted…………….Bob the Junkie
27 August 2009 at 21:05 #22857
Paul Godfrey
Participant
@paulgodfrey14946
On a more positive note, I’m really enjoying building ‘Sir Lancelot’.

Maybe it’s because it’s only my second boat, or that it is the first with wooden decks, superstructure etc (Dutch Courage is virtually all plastic).

Perhaps it’s because I’m fitting a lot more in the way of electronics, and am spending alot of time planning the installation of these, the smoker, the speaker, the batteries etc etc, and having to work out how to access them all easily.

It could also be that I’m taking photos as I go, and sharing them on this forum site.

My first boat is a tug, this is a WW2 minesweeper, I think the next will be Graupner’s ‘Parat’ with Voith Schneider drives, so maybe variety will help prevent the dreaded boredom!!

I only do about 30 to 45 minutes per weekday, so I’m always looking forward to continuing the next day!

The amount of work left to do is daunting, so I just treat every section of the boat as a separate model, and concentrate on this rather than look too far ahead.

Paul
27 August 2009 at 22:09 #22858
The Long Build
Participant
@thelongbuild
The Start..
27 August 2009 at 22:56 #22860
Colin Miller
Participant
@colinmiller68338
the cost of all the bits and peices

Painting is my big downfall
27 August 2009 at 23:34 #22861
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
Bob/Colin

Must agree that the soft balsa is difficult. Look for the medium or hard and its fine.

Cover the finished hull in one leg of a fine denier ladies tights, paint over with water based clear varnish, when dry, sand off at deck level, to remove the excess. The weave can then be filled with paint and varnish. Flat surfaces can be covered with knitted nylon (from dance suppliers). Finish in the same way.

I think Colin recently answered a post on balsa finishing and recommended the old tissue and dope method. Please correct me if I am wrong.Gummed strip can also be used.

Whatever method is adopted, it makes very interesting model making. Vic Smeed/ Phil Smiths designs do make interesting, if not highly detailed models, and the sense of nostalgia is ever-present. The majority of these type of models not only ‘look the part’ in the water,they are good stable craft. Finally they never hurt the bank balance too hard.

Bob, will the giant speedboat be on display at the end of season show at the Bury Club?

Tony.
28 August 2009 at 00:08 #22862
neil hp
Participant
@neilhp
What must our wife’s really think of us?

bob,

my misses regularly threatens to have me sectioned and committed…….the only reason she doesn’t, is that the rest of my family are already there,lol.

mind you, she’s probably right,,,,,,,,,who else in their right mind would be up at this time of night, watching BID TV on the box and posting on here………yep, dead right…i do need commiting.

Edited By neil howard-pritchard on 28/08/2009 00:12:42
28 August 2009 at 06:41 #22863
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Paul G……………..On your second boat?………..No wonder you`re full of enthusiasm, you`re still on your Honeymoon!

I`ve always said that the Newbies seem to have the most fun?

Tony H……..The model is nowhere finished, but I may put it on show as “Work in Progress”………. and listen to your comments, suggestions and delerious laughter!

Neil…….My wife hates motor boats….So I`m on a loser, straightaway………..I`m getting a few funny looks lately……….She seems to think, I`m having fun!

Bob
28 August 2009 at 07:02 #22864
Rick Devonshire
Participant
@rickdevonshire
When I was in my ‘teens’ I used to build models at a non-stop pace however over time I have slowed down as other things have had to take priority. I now seem to see model building as a process of problem solving and like to think through each step in advance as I work out the best way to move forward.

I like traditional model construction materials, ply, strip wood etc and don’t care for fibreglass and other plastics. Like many of us I have a number of scrap boxes which provide a rich source of bits and pieces.

Yes there are certain parts of the process that I find tedious, paricularly making good if I discover am out with some of my dimensions, but circumventing the problem can eventually be rewarding.

Looking at the prices charged for many kits these days, ‘money saving modelling’ can be very satisfying!

Rick Devonshire.
28 August 2009 at 09:01 #22867
Tony Hadley
Participant
@tonyhadley
Rick,

In defence of kits, the model maker, who is scratch building, must take in to account either making a costly journey to the nearest model shop, or paying p&p for any material required. The local model shops have all disappeared. This can make kits good value for money.

Its a matter of personal choice.

Tony.
28 August 2009 at 09:37 #22868
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Good point Tony if you are starting more or less from scratch (sic!). Those of us who have been at the game for 30-40 years have probably accumulated more material than you will find in the average model shop – I don’t suppose I will ever use up all my stocks!

Colin
29 August 2009 at 06:55 #22882
Rick Devonshire
Participant
@rickdevonshire
Yes, I am speaking from the point of one who has been model making for a number of years and have managed to accumulate quite a quantity of materials as a result. In fact I found I had all the materials I needed for my current project tucked away in the garage.

Rick.
29 August 2009 at 08:27 #22883
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
That`s right, Chaps

When you can make genuine use of old surplus stock……………..That`s what I call a sweet moment!…………….Especially something quite expensive!

Don`t suppose I would have started Slo Mo Shun if I hadn`t got this plie of surplus liteply!

Bob
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