New Model Shipuilders

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

I have lost count of the number of times that new ship model builders have said to me “I would really like to build models like you. but I really don’t have the skill!”

That is perfectly true of all new starters, like it or not, they do not have the skill.     If they are all that keen, they will simply make a start, and the skill improves with each new model.   

The next statement is “I do not have the necessary tools to make a model, and they are very expensive anyway!”    But at the same time, they will go and purchase an expensive kit rather than start with a simple design that can be found in various books on the subject.

You do not need many expensive tools to start wit.   For many years, when I was ay sea, these were all the tools I needed as I could carry them easily, and they were inexpensive.

 

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Quite right Bob. Nice set of well patinated tools!

There have been various threads in the past regarding what tools you need or should have. For what you build the tools you have are all you need. I will not re-ignite the ‘what you should have’ discussion.

Skill of course is another matter and needs both practice and the wherewithal to achieve a good result. Sometimes, people just can’t seem to be able to differentiate between good, bad and indifferent.

Ashley

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

I once sailed with an Eastern European Storekeeper in the early eighties.  He spent all his evenings in his cabin carving caricatures, such as Disney characters and, a favourite, was Ebb and Flo of newspaper cartoon fame.

The wood was always scrap salvaged from “Home Depot”, i.e. the Bosun’s workshop, and his tools were all made from old hack saw blades.  They were ground into various shapes and sharpened and then wrapped with twine for a handle.  His carvings were beautiful and I was always amazed at the tools he used.

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Ashley, that is very true about widespread inability to tell good from bad.    When I sent models to auction, quite often very mediocre models sold for astonishing prices, whilst my better work was often a flop.    With the tools pictured above< I have built some quite large models, sawing the frames out by hand and fitting them to the keel and planking them.    This is a medium sized plank on frame, built by myself years ago.  The illustration os from the first booklet I ever wrote in 1982.    I am not trying to sell it, as it sold out many years ago, although there are the odd ones to be found on Ebay for ridiculously high prices

 

 

 

 

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

The small one in the ice sold for more that £600 at auction in London.   It was not very detailed, the deck being covered in snow and ice.    The second one was a flop. going for just over £100.  

 

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