Advice from the wooden boat builders please.

[Guest]

Right! There's a couple of you on here who have now made my brutally ravaged brain think that one of these is a good idea (you know who you are!) My question is, just how difficult are they for a first timer whose knowledge of wood is "you can't make engine's out of it, so it must be rubbish". The missus dad has a Billing boat he's never started (think its Bluenose or something) & he's said I can have it if I think I can make a decent job of it. Am I just going to stuff it right up?

Ta,

Gav.

[spanner570]

Hi Gav, the Bluenose kit is a two masted schooner, around 50cm long. It's rated as advanced beginner. (There are a few on ebay right now)

It's plank on frame construction. I built a wooden kit, not this one, many moons ago. Being used to working with timber I found it not too bad, but as you freely admit to being an engine man, the box contents might at first glance appear daunting, but the one I did was reasonably straight forward.

You build some nice plastic models so you obviously have the modelling skills, so I say give it a go. It will be new territory for you and could be the start a new passion!

Be warned, as with most sailing ships, the rope standing and running rigging will drive you up the wall.......But the finished model will look great.

Cheers,

Ron

[Guest]

As Ron said the rigging is the most painfull on the soul.

The boat bit is quite easy, I don't consider myself any expert on the task but i've managed a couple of wooden models in the past and recently a completely scratch build 44inch long jobbie, they all look ok and i didn't pull any hair out.

With your modeling skills Gav, i shouldn't see it being a problem .... just think of the wood as a soft, light metal

[Guest]

Cheers fella's. I'll give it a whirl. What's the worst that can happen? Splinters?

[Ian M]

If you want to have a butchers at the instructions http://www.billingboats.com/instructions/BB576%20Bluenose_Instruction.pdf

Its a good looker and not to complicated. Just take your time and You'll do fine.

Ian M

[Guest]

Might have just changed my mind Ian! They aren't the most helpful instructions are they?

Sent using my fat thumbs and Tapatalk

[Guest]

Patience is the secret, there's nothing all that difficult on these kits but it does pay to get things right as you go along

I know it sounds obvious but it's really difficult to undo glued wood joints :lala:

[spanner570]

Gav, no offence meant to our friends who have made plank on rib hull kits and posted on this thread, but the hull shape on this model looks far from easy and uncomplicated. There are very tight 'bends', these will have to be pre-bent. Also, planking a hull out, full size or otherwise, is not easy by any means and this is the most important part, or the whole model could be in twist and impossible to straighten......

I'm not trying to put a damper on things as I'm sure you could do it, it's just best to know what you can expect to come up against with kits with this type of hull.

You do have an ace in as much as you are an accomplished modeller and are used to using your hands, but doing small, detailed timber work is not to be taken on lightly.

Having said all the doom and gloom, I had the pleasure of helping to build a 30ft. clinker boat a while ago, and the buzz you get when it's finished takes some beating.

The same will apply to this model, so I say go for it, just make sure you have plenty of small clamps ready!!!!!

Cheers,

Ron

[Guest]

Yes Gav I have for the last month or so seen Billings & another type can not remember the name.

Just got to have a go at these. This Bluenose is just a beautiful looking craft. Think I may start to get my feet under the table, get some confidence that I can do it, with an easier model.

The instruction do not worry me. Some of the plastic models are pretty horrible & in accurate in their instructions.

Saw the Cutty Sark before the fire she really is another fantastic looking craft amazing that something built for commerce can have been produced with such exciting & artistic lines.

Often wonder if stuff we are all building will be seen in the same light ?

Laurie

[Guest]

Bugger me, what have I done? It came in the post this morning and it's a bit daunting. It's definately done nothing other than sit in the garage for a fair few years due to the musty smell of the box! If this goes well, I'll be surprised. The instructions certainly rely on you having a fairly good knowledge of what you're doing.

[Ian M]

Well the only thing left to do is Sit and look at the drawings and the parts and get a feel for what is what and where it goes.

Have you got all the glue and what not's sorted?.

If you are only building it to display, its already a lot easier. UHU wood glue will be fine, white pva wood workers glue is also OK but takes longer to set up.

I would recommend that you get hold of some mini set squares, or some thing that is 100% at 90deg angle to hold the frames at 90deg while the glue dries. For the Keel which I think is built up from several parts, a few heavy weights to hole it flat and true while they are glued up.

If you haven't guessed it yet, getting everything square and straight is very important when building a wooden hull.

A box of pins to hold the planks down when you start the planking is also a good idea. Get the finest ones you can, easier to push in and won't split the wood as easily.

If the wood is very old and dry, it can be a bit brittle so watch out for that...

Ian M

[Guest]

Suppose it's time to stop being a girl and crack on. Expect a few cries for help on this one!