Help a newbie please

[George LedoParticipant @georgeledo59128]

Hi, all,

I'm finally getting around to building a solid hull model of the Bluenose (which I bought maybe fifteen years ago), but am getting hung up on how to level it correctly to draw the waterline and drill the holes for the masts. The instructions just tell you to do it.

I figure I can estimate the fore-aft line by what's on the plans and get it fairly close. I also figure I can make up a temporary cradle and use a torpedo level to get it set up correctly side-to-side.

The model came with a very small base and two very small wooden support posts, all of which are pre-drilled, but nothing on how get them set up correctly. Am I overthinking this, or are there instructions available somewhere? I built a ton of plastic models when I was a kid and have a nice workshop in my garage, but I've never tackled a wooden model ship.

Thanks very much.

[George LedoParticipant @georgeledo59128]

[Kev.WParticipant @kev-w]

I know this may sound too easy, but I would have thought that it would be meant to display on a 'level keel', so if you set the hull on the supplied base & posts, it would be in the correct plane to mark the waterline.

As it's all pre drilled, does it not just 'fit' together? I'm probably wide of the mark, but it's worth a try.

Some pic's may also help.

 

Edited By Kip Woods on 23/06/2018 21:10:55

Edited By Kip Woods on 23/06/2018 21:12:17

[George LedoParticipant @georgeledo59128]

Hi, Kip,

Thanks for the reply. It wasn't all pre-drilled — just the wood base and the two posts. You still have to figure out where to drill thru the keel. And yeah, a level keel would have been easy.

But I think I solved it. Part of it, anyway. I marked the fore and aft points where the water line meets the keel (from the plans), then placed the hull upside down on two blocks and leveled it per the water line. Then I ran a "block with a pencil" all the way around.

I figure next I'll make a temporary cradle so I can level it right-side-up and side-to-side so I can drill for the masts.

Depending on how it all goes, I may post progress photos later on.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

George. Welcome to the forum. The time to post pictures is NOW…before you start drilling, in case anyone has any other ideas …

Just a thought.|

Ashley

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