Billings Boat Mary Ann

[Guest]

Hi Andy

Thanks hope you enjoy the thread, its my first time at doing a build log so any comments welcome

steve

[Guest]

ok now i have started laying the planks i have found that some of the frames are slightly narrower than others and miss shaping the planks and im finding that i have to put fillers in behind them and also that the frames shape cuts away to much so that i have to twist the plank to get the bottom of it to lay against the frame otherwise it looks like its clinkered, i can see i am going to be using alot of filler in places to give the hull an even look.

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so far the stern is not giving me too many problems in the same way as the forward end, but having said that it is getting to the stage where i expect to get some.

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all in all tho i think that it is coming on well and taking shape.

cheers

steve

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[Guest]

now on another note, i have been thinking about installing working lights for this and was wondering if anybody could help me with info on what i would need for this ?.All i want really is a set up that i can just switch on and off during the evenings apart from the obvious ie rechargeable batteries and a switch i dont have any idea of which components would suit me best.

cheers

steve

[Guest]

now on another note, i have been thinking about installing working lights for this and was wondering if anybody could help me with info on what i would need for this ?.All i want really is a set up that i can just switch on and off during the evenings apart from the obvious ie rechargeable batteries and a switch i dont have any idea of which components would suit me best.cheers

steve

If you do not get answers on that one on the forum Steve let me know. My eldest son is a qualified electrician & looks after switch stuff at our power station. He is always tinkering with his MG rewiring motor bics etc. so knows all about low volt installations. Be careful on this one as low volt is more fire worthy than 240 stuff if not installed correctly. Sure he will help.

Laurie

[Guest]

now on another note, i have been thinking about installing working lights for this and was wondering if anybody could help me with info on what i would need for this ?.All i want really is a set up that i can just switch on and off during the evenings apart from the obvious ie rechargeable batteries and a switch i dont have any idea of which components would suit me best.cheers

steve

Hi Steve, i just spent around £40 on the stuff i need to put all the lights on the Happy Hunter around 50 in total. You wont need so many though. Let me know what you want to do and ill look at it for you.

Cheers

Andy

[Guest]

hi gents

many thanks for the offers, iv'e been looking round at some sites and was thinking of having the 4 nav lights and three deck lights as working lights. there are a couple of masthead lights in the kit that i could use i imagine as the underside of the lamp is open so im assuming that a 3mm light would be ok as i am thinking that the 3mm is the length of the bulb. Sorry if this all sounds a bit obvious but never done anything like this before so dont want to be getting things that wont work.

cheers

steve

[Guest]

well thats the hull planked been a pain in the bum at times but i think it's turned out ok, had to use a bit of filler here and there and then sanded the hull down not too smooth as i want the planking to show through after painting just like a real one does.

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i will also be adding one or two things that are not in the kit but are on the original ships, but that will have to wait til i return home as im away to aberdeen on moday for work

cheers

steve

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[Guest]

I think Steve you have tricked me into having a go at this. Been also watching John's article with his Billings & think this is all more than stirring my interest.

If you have time could you describe in broad terms the difference in the sets Gillows to Plastic models & difference in constructing.

Can almost see another stack of models type Gillows.

Laurie

[Guest]

Coming along nicely Steve. Cheers Derek

[Guest]

If you have time could you describe in broad terms the difference in the sets Gillows to Plastic models & difference in constructing.

Laurie

hi Laurie

thats done a wooooosh over my head lol, sorry but dont know what you mean by Gillows ?

steve

[Guest]

Coming along nicely Steve. Cheers Derek

thanks derek just a bit more filling and sanding then she will be ready for a coat of paint, but that will have to wait another 4/5 weeks now til i get home

cheers

steve

[tr1ckey66]

Hi Steve

Good progress with the hull. What type of filler do you use, Does it have to be wood filler?

I can see that planking is something of a technique to master. Do you know of anyway to treat the planks so that they bend more naturally to the shape you want, steaming them perhaps? I'm completely new to this and would be grateful of any tips anywhere! I'm also going to try and catch up with a few other wooden ship builds as I'm really interested.

Keep up the great work!

Paul

[spanner570]

Tell you what, this and the other boat kits on here has certainly got me a'thinking about getting something along the same lines!

They certainly make up into lovely models.

Who knows, as a retired thick old joiner, I might just stand a chance of completing one.....Now where's my chain saw?

Ron

[Ian M]

In my surfing around looking into my little project for the future, I found this place, Action Electronics if its electronic and for a boat, they will sort you out.

Ian M

[Guest]

hi Lauriethats done a wooooosh over my head lol, sorry but dont know what you mean by Gillows ?

steve

Aplogies STeve. Been looking at another site at the same time in which a Gillows model is being constructed.

For Gillows read Billings.

Laurie