Tools and other jazz for Ship Modeling

by Josh Tyler Lee Vest
(Wasilla, Alaska)

hi my name is josh, i am 13 years old and intrested in this hobby. i have yet to even start on my first model but i have acouple questions... my first is what would i use to cut out all of my parts with? and where would i buy the strips of wood for planking? i live in wasilla,Alaska and theres not many stores for that type of stuff? what would be the best overall glue for it? wht would be easy things to make with a pocket knife, i have become pretty good at carving things. and for the hull, i saw a video where a guy glued cuts of 2by4s together and cut and sanded them into the shape of the boat. then cut his framing from that? would that be the easiest way? I still am not really sure how to do the planking, ive been reading 3 or 4 books from the library and i still dont understand how to do it?
thanks it would help bunches!!

SMH RespondsThe 50 years of modeling experience betwen you and me has taught me one thing for certain about planking model ships " there are no easy ways if you want a quality result from your efforts. You will have to take the time to learn to measure, cut and shape your planks and the different methods that work for you."

Here are three books I have found more than useful:

~Ship Modeling Simplified, Frank Mastini
~Plank-on-Frame Models and Scale Masting by Harold Underhill
~Scale Masting and Rigging by Harold A. Underhill.

These three books are considered bibles of ship model construction and used by serious modelers everywhere. You'll find all three at Amazon

My hands down favorite wooden ship modeling resource is "Wooden Ship Modeling For Dummies", a website run by Hubert Sicard. This is
my secret stash for modeling "Chalk Talk" that every serious ship modeler
should have access to at their fingertips.

Instead of buying your first model, I'd recommend you make your fiat $50 invstment in Sicard's site. For instance, it addresses your first questions regarding tools and adhesives totally and in pictures, plus it gives you instructiuon regarding jigs, that alone is worth the $50.

I don't get a benefit one way or the other, but you will find "Wooden Ship Modelling for Dummies" paysfor itself.



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Mar 24, 2012
 other stuff... NEW
by: Anonymous

a file or files, sandpaper, little mixing cups, black and tan thread, and some paper/tissue for sails [ I found using plain white paper, crumpled/uncrumpled, then cut to fit the plastic 'molds' of sails in the kitbox, wetted in water, left to dry over night with a thin coat of watered-down elmer's glue 'painted' over the sails as they dry (just water down the white glue a lot 'til it's a cloudy-white liquid and use a big soft brush to apply as a 'stifening agent'...)made the best sails - you can even color them with colored pencils or glue little gold-foil seals made from hersey's kisses for your 'Mainsail' designs, coats-of-arms - there's some beautiful photos of sails on the internet you could just get some great ideas for your sails even... I spent weeks looking at sdails .... have fun!
Mar 24, 2012
 a matter of scale... NEW
by: Anonymous

that's 1/300 scale, not 1/200 - sorry...
Mar 24, 2012
 Captain Kidd NEW
by: Anonymous

As a sailor and someone who is finishing up his first PLASTIC model sailing shipship, The Captain Kidd in 1/200 scale by lindberg [A.K.A. the 'Wappen Von Hamburg'...] I too have taken up an interest in Wooden Sailing ship models. I suggest a 'go' at The Captain Kidd - it's cheap compared to getting all involved in the wood right off, and it will get your skill set going, in plastic, - painting details, learning something about the rigging, finding a space for your ongoing project , before you get into 'the wood'? These ship models take time - all the cannon, the sails, the rigging - you're gonna wanna check out a few books and get some sail motifs, snippers, brushes, think about the colors of your ship, chains, anchors - get a small vise, a #1 X-acto knife, a few good brushes, a palette, some paints - acrylic and enamel model paints and thinner, clamps, tape, rubber bands, white glue and plastic glue, maybe some epoxy- and some 'starter' ship kits, I think. Don't forget NEWSPAPER! And check out the model ship builders in Indonesia and 'down under'. Also, Mr. Raul Guzman is also out there on the net and he too makes some incredible ships. Then there's the gentlemen who make tiny cannon that shoot tiny lead balls - don't let your mom find out what you're doing ... like that?

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