Model Shipbuilding

I'm writing this article to bring the hobby of building model ships to your consideration for a family activity. The simple techniques outlined in this and attached articles on this subject are sufficient to introduce you and your son or daughter to wooden model ship building.

Wooden model ships are the product of many challenges and victories among a few failures while building. The hobby is an opportunity for parent and child to work together in overcoming the challenges resulting in a beautiful model that will decorate your home and be a conversation piece for many years to come.

Imagine a beautifully crafted Baltimore Clipper you've built together displayed on your mantle and the pride you'll have as your friends comment on its detail and fine craftsmanship.

Select Your Model

The first step to entering into this great hobby is to select a kit that appeals to you. In selecting your kit, choose a model that catches your eye while keeping in mind your limits as a first time builder. You must also keep in mind the limitations of the other family members enjoying this hobby with you.

Questions you must consider include:

1. What kind of ship are you attracted to?
2. How much money do you want to spend?
3. How much experience do you have with ship building and woodworking.
4. How much display space do you have?
5. How much time can you spend each day working on the ship?

To familiarize you with some ship terminology, the following provides some information about the best known types of sailing vessels developed through the centuries.

Types of sailing ships that might tweek your interests:

Schooners, first used by the Dutch in the 16th or 17th century, are sailing vessels with fore-and-aft sails on two or more masts. These sail boats were further developed in North America about the time of the Revolutionary War.

Clippers, fast sailing ships from the 19th century, contain multiple masts and square rigging.

Frigates are warships of many sizes and shapes across many eras.

Sloops have a single mast and both front (fore) and back (aft) rigging.

Cutters have a single mast with both fore and aft rigging with two or more head sails.

Dhows have a single mast with a triangular sail on a long spar mounted at an angle on the mast, and running in a fore-and-aft direction.

Dinghys although sometimes referred to as smaller boats carried by larger boats, can also be small racing yachts from 3 to 18 feet in length.

Think simple for your first ship. A simple and attractive model is best for your first ship. The model should have instances of everything found in model ships including plank on bulkhead structure, required construction of deck fixtures (capstans, ladders, pin rails, pumps,winches, etc), gunports, and some rigging.

One good kit for your first model is the Baltimore Clipper II, a sailing vessel that was so fast, it became a favorite of privateers, slavers and others wanting rapid transportation on the sea. This great ship was most used during the period from 1805 until 1815

Set Up Your Shop

Second, you need to set up your shop or work area. It is recommended that you set up a work area where you can work on your model ship each day for some time; leaving it partially assembled until you complete it.

An area that is approximately 4 feet by 6 feet is sufficient to set up the area where you will build your ship. If you feel that shipbuilding will be a long term hobby, you should plan to build a "U" shaped workbench with a 4ft by 6 ft surface making it easy to assemble with all your needed tools and fittings within easy reach.

You'll need the following tools:

• Hobby Knives
• A set of needle files
• A few small C-clamps
• Wooden clothespins
• #16 and #33 rubber bands
• A small carving tool set including gouges and chisels
• A sharpening stone for keeping tools sharp
• A set of miniature drill bits #60 - #80
• 1/16", 3/32", and 1/8" drill bits
• A pin vise
• A Tack Hammer
• Tweezers
• Small fine-pointed scissors
• Miniature pliers (needle nose, and flat)
• A small Bench Vise
• Soldering Iron, solder and flux
• Sewing thread (black and tan for seizing)
• Beeswax
• Wire cutters
• #100 and #220 garnet or aluminum oxide sandpaper
• A fine point paint brush
• A 1/4" flat square paint brush
• A 1/2" flat square paint brush
  

Once you have purchased your kit and set up your work area, you can begin building your first ship. The first step in building your model is to open the box and inventory all the materials. 

Building the Ship

Assembling the ship involves building the hull, assembling the masts and rigging and completing the finishing touches.

Plank on bulkhead hull assembly involves the assembly of the keel, bulkheads, transom framing and planking. Planks are single strips of wood which form the outside surface of the hull. They are glued lengthwise over the bulkheads to form the outside hull surface.

Once the hull is built, you'll learn the skill of planking or covering the hull assembly. Planking is one of the more challenging areas of model ship building and is an opportunity for parents and children to work together in learning the things necessary to do good work.

Once the ship is planked, you'll move on to finishing and rigging your model. A number of good books are written regarding these disciplines:

Ship Modeling Simplified
Model Shipwright Magazine
American Ship Models and How to Build Them
Model Ship Builder's Assistant
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