Wooden ship build?
Discussion
I'm looking for a nice wooden ship, to stick on a shelf in a side room. Now, I could probably manage a half arsed attempt at a plastic kit, but it needs to look decent and professional. Problem is, to buy a pre built, like this:
Is £1190.
Whereas I can get a wooden model and make it myself for around a hundred quid.
Are they easier than plastic kits, and having never done one before, how is the difficulty level?
Failing that, I've seen similar to the above, for about £300, similar size but a lesser quality (but still good):
If anyone knows any good and well priced supplies as to where I should be looking, that'd be great.
Is £1190.
Whereas I can get a wooden model and make it myself for around a hundred quid.
Are they easier than plastic kits, and having never done one before, how is the difficulty level?
Failing that, I've seen similar to the above, for about £300, similar size but a lesser quality (but still good):
If anyone knows any good and well priced supplies as to where I should be looking, that'd be great.
I've started building a couple of wooden ship kits. Got as far as planking the hull and decking after a few hundred hours, but got put off by the thought of the masts and rigging.
It's a whole different ball game to building a plastic kit. The ones that I've got had laser cut bulkheads and keel, but the rest was just bundles of stripwood. Even the masts were just straight dowels, which need tapering.
I've got a 3 foot HMS Victory kit tucked away for when I retire. I think it'll take a few years to build.
It's a whole different ball game to building a plastic kit. The ones that I've got had laser cut bulkheads and keel, but the rest was just bundles of stripwood. Even the masts were just straight dowels, which need tapering.
I've got a 3 foot HMS Victory kit tucked away for when I retire. I think it'll take a few years to build.
These things come up in auctions quite frequently. Here is one which is coming up for sale on Wednesday: https://www.easyliveauction.com/catalogue/lot/4aee...
The estimate is £500 but they usually go for a lot less than that. I've seen good, large ones go for £100.
The estimate is £500 but they usually go for a lot less than that. I've seen good, large ones go for £100.
clockworks said:
I've got a 3 foot HMS Victory kit tucked away for when I retire. I think it'll take a few years to build.
The Billing Boats one? My dad has been building one of those for 30 years 
He's about half-way through the rigging. I remember the bath being used to soak and bend planking when I was a teenager.troc said:
The Billing Boats one? My dad has been building one of those for 30 years He's about half-way through the rigging. I remember the bath being used to soak and bend planking when I was a teenager.
I think it's the Mantua Models kit that I've got. I just googled the Billings kit, and it's a real monster - pushing 4'6" long! He's about half-way through the rigging. I remember the bath being used to soak and bend planking when I was a teenager.I've spent many hours soaking wood in the bath tub building the other two kits. I did the same with a 2 x 1 strip of mahogany, making a dash top for an old Mini.
PhilboSE said:
These things come up in auctions quite frequently. Here is one which is coming up for sale on Wednesday: https://www.easyliveauction.com/catalogue/lot/4aee...
The estimate is £500 but they usually go for a lot less than that. I've seen good, large ones go for £100.
Sold on the day for £300.The estimate is £500 but they usually go for a lot less than that. I've seen good, large ones go for £100.
1190 GBP is very cheap for that. It was probably made in a sweat shop somewhere. To make something like
that yourself from a kit to a high standard will take many hundreds of hours.
The last model boat I built was a Dean's Marine kit that cost about 250GBP. I spent another hundred or so on running gear, that obviously
won't apply to a static model. Then the filler and glues of different types, primers, paints, abrasives, masking and replacement of
detail parts that were not up to standard took the total to well over a grand.
Decent hand made things are very expensive.
that yourself from a kit to a high standard will take many hundreds of hours.
The last model boat I built was a Dean's Marine kit that cost about 250GBP. I spent another hundred or so on running gear, that obviously
won't apply to a static model. Then the filler and glues of different types, primers, paints, abrasives, masking and replacement of
detail parts that were not up to standard took the total to well over a grand.
Decent hand made things are very expensive.
That really is quite something.
What's your build time on something like that Chris (assuming it is one of yours)?
If I had the space, and indeed the money, I'd love a dedicated room (oak paneled of course) with examples like that of all of the major ship of the line classes from around the early 1700s to mid 1800s. I'm not sure what would cost more, the room with large enough to house them all, or the models themselves- probably the latter.
Of course I'd also like similar for many of the pre-dreadnought & dreadnought classes too...
What's your build time on something like that Chris (assuming it is one of yours)?
If I had the space, and indeed the money, I'd love a dedicated room (oak paneled of course) with examples like that of all of the major ship of the line classes from around the early 1700s to mid 1800s. I'm not sure what would cost more, the room with large enough to house them all, or the models themselves- probably the latter.
Of course I'd also like similar for many of the pre-dreadnought & dreadnought classes too...
I've just taken on a wooden ship project.
Bit of a sad tale, she is HMS Endeavour by Artesia Latina and she was started by my father a number of years ago. He got this far suffering from severe Parkinson's which was a bloody good effort IMHO. Sadly he passed away in May abroad, but I managed to get this model back home. She was in a bit of a mess but I've repaired her to the stage where he stopped building.
Obviously I'd like to complete the model...I don't have any parts apart from the yards but I do have the plans and instructions and I've ordered lots of blocks etc from "The Model Dockyard" which should arrive soon so I can crack on. Obviously the fore topmast is missing but I've ordered some materials to fabricate the missing bits.
I have no idea how the hell I'm going to do all the ratlines/shrouds etc...tbh that will be pretty tedious, but even if it takes me years it will be a nice thing to do.
Interesting that the amazing model of HMS Victory above has no sails...I'm missing Endeavour's sails, but the guy at The Model Dockyard said I'm best leaving it that way as sails never scale and would ruin the model. However the ensign on Victory look great...what's it made from and can I get one anywhere?
Bit of a sad tale, she is HMS Endeavour by Artesia Latina and she was started by my father a number of years ago. He got this far suffering from severe Parkinson's which was a bloody good effort IMHO. Sadly he passed away in May abroad, but I managed to get this model back home. She was in a bit of a mess but I've repaired her to the stage where he stopped building.
Obviously I'd like to complete the model...I don't have any parts apart from the yards but I do have the plans and instructions and I've ordered lots of blocks etc from "The Model Dockyard" which should arrive soon so I can crack on. Obviously the fore topmast is missing but I've ordered some materials to fabricate the missing bits.
I have no idea how the hell I'm going to do all the ratlines/shrouds etc...tbh that will be pretty tedious, but even if it takes me years it will be a nice thing to do.
Interesting that the amazing model of HMS Victory above has no sails...I'm missing Endeavour's sails, but the guy at The Model Dockyard said I'm best leaving it that way as sails never scale and would ruin the model. However the ensign on Victory look great...what's it made from and can I get one anywhere?
That Endeavour doesn't look too bad at all!
Rigging can be quite off-putting, but if done in the correct stages, not too bad at all. the only really time consuming job is the ratlines, and making sure the shroud deadeyes are all more or less level with each other.
The flags a fine cloth with a very thin piece of aluminium inside, allowing for better manipulation for looking correct when hanging.
This is a perfect book, but I think out of print right now, so only second hand - but I used this book to design the whole kit of Endeavour 17 years ago:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Captain-Cooks-Endeavour-A...
Rigging can be quite off-putting, but if done in the correct stages, not too bad at all. the only really time consuming job is the ratlines, and making sure the shroud deadeyes are all more or less level with each other.
The flags a fine cloth with a very thin piece of aluminium inside, allowing for better manipulation for looking correct when hanging.
This is a perfect book, but I think out of print right now, so only second hand - but I used this book to design the whole kit of Endeavour 17 years ago:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Captain-Cooks-Endeavour-A...
Thanks Chris. So did you design that particular kit?
That book looks good, although I'm guessing it's more focussed on the construction details of the ship for reference or the scratch builder? As I still have the Artesia Latina plans, but they just just show "ta-dah...completed shrouds/ratlines here, here and here", is there a good book for a numpty novice to show how best to do the rigging on such a model, in terms of knots, tension, getting the deadeyes level etc?
That book looks good, although I'm guessing it's more focussed on the construction details of the ship for reference or the scratch builder? As I still have the Artesia Latina plans, but they just just show "ta-dah...completed shrouds/ratlines here, here and here", is there a good book for a numpty novice to show how best to do the rigging on such a model, in terms of knots, tension, getting the deadeyes level etc?
Hard-Drive said:
Thanks Chris. So did you design that particular kit?
That book looks good, although I'm guessing it's more focussed on the construction details of the ship for reference or the scratch builder? As I still have the Artesia Latina plans, but they just just show "ta-dah...completed shrouds/ratlines here, here and here", is there a good book for a numpty novice to show how best to do the rigging on such a model, in terms of knots, tension, getting the deadeyes level etc?
No, I didn't design the Artesania kit, that is very old!That book looks good, although I'm guessing it's more focussed on the construction details of the ship for reference or the scratch builder? As I still have the Artesia Latina plans, but they just just show "ta-dah...completed shrouds/ratlines here, here and here", is there a good book for a numpty novice to show how best to do the rigging on such a model, in terms of knots, tension, getting the deadeyes level etc?
The book is great for the rigging. When I draw the rigging plans, I usually set them out in 8 separate stages, so as not to overwhelm the modeller with too much info.
I would start with the shrouds and ratlines, while the area is clear of any other rigging, then the mast stays, then add the yards and the lifts. Then the mast back stays, and finally the yard braces. That often works for me...
I am writing a book of ship modelling right now - but haven't got to masts and rigging yet..
I too thought I wanted to build a wooden ship model (being a big fan of Patrick O'Brien and lacking the funds to purchase a full sized late 18th century frigate..)
Then I downloaded a Mantua instruction manual to have a bit of a look into how it is done.
Quickly came to the conclusion that it is a hobby best left to others... people with limitless patience and time.
Then I downloaded a Mantua instruction manual to have a bit of a look into how it is done.
Quickly came to the conclusion that it is a hobby best left to others... people with limitless patience and time.
Full sized wooden frigate being built:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoOd1w0NjWI
It is to be regretted that she is French!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoOd1w0NjWI
It is to be regretted that she is French!
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