I started building Civil war ships out of Balsa when I was 10. You'd probably say they were crude, but I was doing the best I could with the packing balsa my Dad brought home from work, and a few sheets of the stuff I bought with birthday money. My plans were pictures in books. My tools were a Boy Scout knife, a hand drill, and sand paper. I later got an old file. Never could touch Dad's tools till after he was dead.

There was a book in the library about solid models but mine rarely got above the water line.

There was a lot of plastic in there right through college so I learned what they have to teach about rigging.

I also tried a few ancient ships in college, bending balsa around frames but never getting below the water line. I was still working with diagrams and pictures from books. I never dreamed that people drew plans or thought to slot bulk heads and keel pieces. I suppose that stuff was pretty crude too.

I stumbled across Model Shipways maybe eight years ago. B
In a fit of enthusiasm I bought books,some models, was either intimidated or disappointed in turn. Model Shipways two part keels? The really warped keel on the Ranger by Corel (what the books suggested never fixed that).

Have some decent carving tools, small files, but most of the power tools around here are full sized. The scroll saw from Sears is from the 70s and there are no more blades for it. Had a Jewlers Saw until I dropped it on the carpet. The cheap steel shank broke, the steel was full of air bubbles! Now its just the coping saw.

I have a plank bender, an Amati Keel Klamper, and a Fair a Frame that I broke all to peices when I stepped on it during assembly.

I still like Balsa but have worked with basswood. That plywood they use in the kits has bad centers much of the time. I can laninate better out of balsa and bass.

I guess you'd call me a beginner.

 

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Hi Roger. Welcome Aboard!
Browse around the Forum, and if you have any questions or need any help, just post it here in the Scuttlebutt (open in a blank window)
Andy

 

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Roger,
On warped keels one trick you can do, provided the warp isn't too bad is this. First clamp it to the Amati keel clamper, with the clamps as far apart as possible. This will help in straightening the keel out some. Set in your bulkheads perpendicular to that portion of the keel. Make sure that are are perfectly verticle in relation to the keel as well. Now place in spacers in between the bulkheads, port and starboard. With any luck the length of the spacers on both sides, at a particular station, should be the same. Don't glue the spacers in until all have been fitted. Make sure you mark where the spacers are supposed to go. Carefully remove from the keel clamper and check the keel. Make any adjustments as necessary. After you are satisfied, leave the spacers in place, and glue them on by putting glue around the joint where they meet the bulkhead. An irrigation syringe (available at drug stores) is perfect for this. I normally work from midships outwards.

 

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