SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

Need advice for wood models for elderly father

7867 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    May 2017
Need advice for wood models for elderly father
Posted by kreott on Sunday, May 21, 2017 10:45 AM

Hi everyone.  My father is a life-long woodmaking hobbyist, doing furniture, miniatures, and wooden boats, as well as intarsia, which he did for some time.

Well, now he's 86, has low vision, and doesn't have the greatest fine motor skills anymore. But he's bored and has asked me to find him a wooden boat kit.  I know from one he did a few years back - no rigging! Or at least any minimal rigging could be ignored.  He doesn't need this project to be perfect, it is just something he enjoys doing.

I've looked at a few kits, but the descriptions online are vague and sometimes incomplete. From what I have read, I think he should get something that is planks on bulkhead, but not everything gives that level of detail about the kit. He also needs all the parts to be well cut out (excluding planking).  Here are a few I'm considering. They are under $250 and about 18-24".

Billing Boats 604 HMS Renown
Billing Boats Windjammer Hoga Harbor Tug
Billing Boats Windjammer Monterey Fishing
Amati New Bedford Whaleboat
Amati Chinese Pirate Junk
Mantua HMS Victory Launch

Before I give my dad some of these options, does anyone have opinions on any of these kits? He wants a project that will last awhile, that he can work on a couple hours a day. Any I should avoid, due to quality or difficulty?  Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Karyn

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, May 22, 2017 9:59 AM

I think all those are plank on frame, which are major projects.  How about a solid wood hull model.  They can be built with much less work, but still look almost as nice as a well built planked model.  Model Shipways still has some old solid hull ships in their line.  Model Expo is the main dealer for that line.  Even a solid hull kit is still a major project.

Now, I am talking about a real scale model, not the solid hull kits some companies offer for kids. In the ads it is hard to see whether a given kit is planked hull or solid- you have to read the details of the ad.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Monday, May 22, 2017 12:06 PM

Model expo does have a sale going on until midnight tonight (5/21).

http://www.modelexpo-online.com/

 

50% AND MORE OFF OUR MOST POPULAR KITS 
Model Airways wood & metal WWI airplanes  
Model Shipways historic ship model kits 
Guns of History Civil War Cannon  
         Specialty modeling tools         
  • Member since
    May 2017
Posted by kreott on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 8:02 AM

Don - thanks for your help. I really don't know how to tell which models might be solid hull. The websites I'm lookingn at, such as Modellers Central, and there's another one I can't remember, really don't give that kind of information. I may have to try and call the manufacturers.  Thank you.

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Friday, June 2, 2017 7:49 AM

Karyb ;

 Tha Harbor Tug and the H.M.S. Victory launch should do the trick . I built the launch while in the hospital years ago . Fine kit and no rigging !  T.B.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, June 2, 2017 9:08 AM

kreott

Don - thanks for your help. I really don't know how to tell which models might be solid hull. The websites I'm lookingn at, such as Modellers Central, and there's another one I can't remember, really don't give that kind of information. I may have to try and call the manufacturers.  Thank you.

 

I believe that Model Expo does give that information on the kits they sell, on their web page.  Don't remember the URL offhand, but google Model Exp.  The other firm that sells a mix of planked and solid hull kits is Bluejacket, and I believe they also show that info.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.