Well, there it is, the finished Gull nestled right into a thick blanket... It ain't the prettiest thing, but it tells me exactly what
I want to know - how she'll go together and how the lines sweep...
Thoughts from a newbie model maker to potential newbie model makers (and anyone who intends to build a boat for that matter...)
* Do it! Dynamite is right... Build a model first. When I think back to the hassles getting started building boats... If only I'd built models first, I could have saved so much time and money. And that's true to this day.
* Buy the following book and plans:
-
http://www.instantboats.com/books.htm -
http://www.instantboats.com/modeling.htm -
http://www.instantboats.com/boats.html* You don't need to buy a whole shop full of tools. Most of the equipment is probably right at hand (keep in mind that I built my model out of thin cardboard):
- books for weight
- paper clips
- parchment paper and plastic wrap
- flashlights
- small clamps or clothes pins
- wire cutters
- white out
- scotch tape
- razor knife/razor blades
- scissors
- eraser
- sharp pencil (also a pen)
- tweezers
- ruler
- glue (I used CA, Elmers, hotmelt, and 5 minute epoxy)
- emery board
- magnifying glass
- pins
- calculator
* The only things that I found that were really helpful that most folks might not have are:
o a
quality architect's scale rule... Alvin makes a good one for about $10. This is a must have.
o digital caliper (they range in price from $10 to $60 if you shop around... I'd buy as large as possible, and make sure that it handles both metric and SAE units)
o plastic "T" square... about a buck
o hobby paint
o small model-maker's plane... around $15 for 3 set
Obviously, this series of posts isn't supposed to replace Dynamite's books... I've skipped over a bunch of stuff Dynamite covers in detail. (I'm always amazed at folks who won't spend a few bucks for books and plans, but will spend hours or even days trying to fix the mess that almost always befalls the unprepared. I've reached the point where my time, finances, and blood pressure are all too valuable to wander into a project like building a boat without being loaded for bear.)
A last word of advice is that you build your model(s) to your own wants and needs... I build basically to the point of the hull. That is, I want a completed hull and frames built to a specific scale. That's about it. All I'm looking for is real-world build details and kinks, and a way to look at the sheer and deadrise. That's it for me. Dynamite on the other hand has raised his model making to an art form worthy of museums, and no doubt you can too, if that's what you want. All you need to do is get started.
Hope this series helps...
Alan
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
