Model Making

[smidsy]

Hey Guys,
I am an ex man arts teacher and dad was a brit trained fitter/turner & tool maker so I have been on the tools all my life - I was using Oxy/LPG and angle grinders when I was ten.
I live in a duplex, the other side of which has a new born with another on the way - so the reality is that table saws, routers and the like are out.
(And fair enough, people don't rent a duplex expecting there to be extremely loud tools next door.)

I am thinking of getting in to model making, I made the airfix and the like kits when I was a kid.
I'm not sure if I want to build the plastic kits (but do them properly not just slap them together like I did as a kid) or wooden models, maybe mechanical models, but I need complexity, not something I can throw together in a day.
I have looked on google, although google is flawed as the results are based on fees paid - google isn't a search engine it's glorified classifieds ads site.
I am hoping that there is people on here who are in to model making who can point me toward some websites.
Thanks in advance
Smidsy

[Chief Tiff]

Model sailing ships!

Here is the Black Pearl; 3 years so far of intermittent work but probably a good month at least if I was doing it as a 9-5 job.

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Every plank hand fitted, every knot hand tied (you can see the two pairs of bent-nosed tweezers I use). As an example of the complexity each gun consists of the barrel, the carriage, two axles, four wheels and three eyes. There are four more eyes at the gun port and a fifth set into the deck behind gun. Each gun is correctly lashed into position, not glued down; just tying the knots took on average 30 minutes per gun...

Something like this should keep you occupied!

[LanceC]

Wow Chief, that's really impressive!

[rwbuild]

:2tsup: x 10

[nine fingers]

Smidsy , I never bought plans for my models, so with your past arts and your ability to use various equipment , draw your own plans.
Limited machinery required , a small band saw (10 inch), a dremel and hand tools. Some of the model I made took weeks to months.
Not doing fine work now as age has taken its toll. Happy to help in anyway I can. John. a couple of photos.

[woodhutt]

Like Chief Tiff and nine fingers have shown in their posts, model making of that type is really woodworking in miniature and uses many of the same skills.
I've been toying with the idea of a ship model for some time.:)
Pete

[Wongo]

Forget about little micky mouse plastic models. Build something meaningful like a timber mode ship. (Chief Tiff, vey impressive BTW). I built a couple of them 20 years ago before I took on woodwork. 500 hours over 9 months each. The HMS Bounty was myself, and the HMS Endeavour was my FIL's retirement present. If you want a challenge then try the Victory.

Good luck.

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[Wongo]

HobbyCo used to sell wooden boat model kits, but I am not sure if they still do. I will check out the one in Sydney QVB for you when I go to town on Wednesday.

[Wongo]

Ah, from memory this brand called Amati has the best model kits. Now it is all coming back. :U

[Chief Tiff]

Wongo; they’re magnificent!

When I was a schoolboy living in Hull most lunchtimes I used to visit the maritime museum and pour over the old scale models, these were mainly whalers but there were some historic ships as well like the Fram. Always wanted to try my hand at them; just took me 30-odd years to start!

[wood spirit]

Made my only wooden ship model because I couldn't sleep out of a tea chest and dowel mostly -Generally between 11:00 and the far early mornings(when living in a share house). Small polystyrene models from scratch - or modified make close to zero noise as well. All depends upon the scale and volume of things mostly.:U

[woodhutt]

Wongo; they’re magnificent!

When I was a schoolboy living in Hull most lunchtimes I used to visit the maritime museum and pour over the old scale models, these were mainly whalers but there were some historic ships as well like the Fram. Always wanted to try my hand at them; just took me 30-odd years to start!

Same with me CT. I was born and raised near Sunderland and the City Museum had a fine collection of beautifully detailed model ships - all built on the Wear and made by the yards design office model makers. I think the models have been moved now to a dedicated Maritime Museum nearby.
(Just think. Being paid to go to work and build models! Why didn't I choose that career path?:U)
Pete

[crowie]

G'Day Smidsy,

We've had some brilliant model makers on the forum both in toymaking and model making sections....

The skill and craftsmanship of them is simply amazing, but most of all they are willing to help, guide & assist anyone who want's to have a go.

I started with simple wooden playable toys and the encouragement of these very same folk have started making scratch built toys with as much detail as practical.

Sir, just dive in, have a go and enjoy the journey AND PLEASE, lots of "Work In Progress photos & build notes if you can.

Cheers, crowie

PS - Beautiful model ship Ian
And of course, John, your models are as always gorgeous!

[Wongo]

Not much at HobbyCo. May have to shop online.

[Desertrat]

Hi I recently started making model trucks and earth moving equipment
I find it really rewarding and best part you don't need a lot of space
Hear is some of my projects , still working on the excavator
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[Desertrat]

Wow Chief That looks amazing

[AlexS]

Smidsy, my daughter has just started on this. Not sure where it came from, but if you google the name in the photo you can probably find out.

Edit. Just did, they have some amazing model kits.

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[Chief Tiff]

Gents;

I was recently gifted this tool; it is a brand-new plank bender for model ships. I could have seriously done with this when planking up The Pearl rather than using the technique of "superglue-each-plank-being-held-down-with-fingertips-then-subsequently-gently-cut-off-glued-fingertip-with-a-scalpel-afterwards-ouch".

If anyone is about to commence making a wooden model ship it's yours for the postage. it'll fit into the small Aus Post satchel but you'll have to wait until I'm home again in a couple of weeks.

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