What's in the kit box ?
A good quality kit includes all the fittings required as well as pre-cut plywood frames and decks, various types of wood strip, rigging cord, plans and multi language instructions. Glues are not included.
What tools do I need ?
There are only a few essential tools needed. We suggest a plank bending tool, pin inserter, scalpel, stanley knife, a sanding block, and a pin vice drill. Even if you have to buy all these tools it should cost no more that £35.00
Skill Levels ?
We have put a skill level rating on every kit to help you to choose a suitable kit. It may take you six months to build a £50.00 to £80.00 kit and at the other end of the range a £450.00 to £600.00 kit may take one ot two years. Every model builder is different and what one may find easy another may find difficult, so if you are not sure please ask us about it. Remember, our expert advice is free. Each kit has a skill level rating from 1 to 6.
- Skill Level 1 - Beginner
- Skill Level 2 - Some model building experience
- Skill Level 3 - Experienced in other kinds of model building
- Skill Level 4 - Have built a period ship kit before
- Skill Level 5 - Experienced period ship builder.
- Skill Level 6 - Expert period ship builder
Choose the right kit
- Size of finished kit:
Some of the kits can be very large. Do you have the room to display the one you have chosen? This may seem like an obvious point, but it is one that many beginners fail to take into account.
- How long will it take to build?
On average a £50.00 to £100.00 kit will take up to 6 months to complete. A £100.00 to £250.00 kit up to 12 months and a £250.00 to £400.00 one up to 18 months. £400.00+ kits may take 24 or more months.
- Skill required:
Just how good are you at fine delicate work? Building a period ship model involves very delicate woodworking, working with fine threads and small parts, and most of all, requires lots of concentration and patience. We have rated each kit on a skill level range of from 1 to 6 to enable you to gauge how difficult a kit is to build. A more detailed explanation of the skill ratings is given on the Ship Kits page.
- Beginners:
Be careful to choose a kit that you feel that you will be able to complete. While you might like to build H.M.S.Victory or something similar, you need to acquire the skills necessary to build such a kit. Start with something simple and work your way up to something like the Victory for perhaps your third kit. We have found that people that have not built a period ship before do not appreciate the amount of work involved.
- Finally:
If you have made a short list of kits that you would like to build and are still not sure which is the right one for you, contact us and ask us for our free advice. We have found that it is in our own best interests to help you to choose the right kit, as you are then likely to keep coming back to us year after year ( as most of our customers do ).
What gives the new period ship modeler the most problems ?
The two areas that beginners have the most trouble with, are planking the hull and the rigging. The secret to success in hull planking is to have the patience to keep tapering the plank until it fits properly. Keep taking a little bit off each time and repeatedly offering up the plank to the hull until it fits properly. The hardest part of rigging a model is keeping the tension the same all over, and remembering to start from the center and work outwards. This is something that takes practice to perfect. We advise beginners to take account of the complexity of the rigging when choosing their first kit. Above all, remember that your second kit will usually be twice as good as your first one.
Can I get replacement parts for my kit ?
Most parts, including rigging, fittings, wood strip etc. can be replaced from stock, but a few items such as figureheads, cannons, or etched brass sheets may have to be ordered in. The only thing that may be difficult to replace is the finish planking for the hull. While we can provide the same type and size of wood it may not match the shade of the wood in your kit. This is due to the fact that no two trees are the same shade and therefore every wood shipment we receive can be a different shade.
What if I choose a kit that is too advanced for me ?
If after starting your kit you find that it is proving to be to difficult to build, then consider purchasing a simple kit that you can put together fairly quickly and get that extra experience that you need. If you find yourself in this situation then please contact us for our advice. We may be able to provide you with some building tips that will get you over your problem.
What makes a successful period ship modeler ?
The three most important things that make for a successful modeler are patience, patience, and yet more patience. Remember that this is a hobby, not another job.
