Admiralty Model

I've never seen it "in the flesh," but I've read the instruction book (which is available on Model Expo's website. It looks to me like a fine kit. I have two reservations - neither of which I'd call a deal breaker.

One - I don't care for the way the company uses the term "Admiralty model." Apparently ME intends it to refer simply to a sailing ship model with its masts and rigging omitted. The proper definition of the phrase is open to some debate, I guess. To most people, I suspect, it brings to mind those magnificent English models of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, which were characterized by having no planking below the wales so the viewer could inspect the (stylized) framework of the ship. That approach won't work on this kit; it's plank-on-bulkhead, with no genuine frames.

Two - that figurehead really bugs me. In the first place, to my eye at least, it's out of scale with the rest of the model. And it's not attached to the bow right. It looks like it's hanging perilously onto the head knee, in imminent danger of falling off. The figure ought to have a wide slot in its back and the head knee ought to be mortised into it. (For comparison, take a look at how Mr. Passaro designed the head knee and figurehead of the MS Confederacy. To my eye that one looks right.) Since I don't have the kit in front of me I can't comment on how hard that problem would be to fix; I'm inclined to think the kit might need a replacement figurehead.

Do bear in mind that this kit would be an enormous project - especially if the modeler hasnt built a p-o-b kit before. If I were doing it I'm sure it would take several years - without taking time out to build any other models. On the other hand the results could potentially be spectacular (though not as spectacular as such a model with spars and rigging would be). And ME's current 45% off sale (which I mentioned in another post a few minutes ago) would make it a reasonable investment.

Thank you for the honest opinion. I can see that a POB on that scale and complexity is probably not a good place to start. And it is not in the ME catalogue so the sale doesn't help.

I think that little table saw will in fact be a fine addition to the model room.

Uh...it is in the catalog, GM.

Go to the Model Expo website, then click on "Model Shipways kits," then on "Plank-on-Bulkhead." Scroll down; the Essex is near the right bottom corner. 

You're right - this isn't a good starter kit. And the table saw is a fine tool. Unfortunately, it appears (according to the MicroMark website) that the version with digital readout is no longer on the market.

Indeed, there she is.

 As for the digital readout saw no longer for sale.

A) Maybe there's a reason, and/ or...

B) Maybe I'm old-school (yuh think?). I like digital read outs for weighing things and measuring the temperature of things. When it comes to tool set-ups, I like to measure with a micrometer from the fence to the face of the cutting tool. Probably why I would never be a good precision craftsman. I can live without it.

In a perfect world, MicroLux brings it back around Christmas and the analog saw goes on sale.

Ya Know ;

 I still think old school is alright . I guess I should though . I am more comfortable in that zone .So You are too ? Well great , I'm in good company then .  Tanker - Builder

I go for a mix of old school and new stuff.  Some new tools are really great, others not as good as old methods.  I bought a power planer, small one intended for wood modeling work, that sure eases the strain on these arthritis-ridden hands!  But I still like occasional hand carving if it is not too extensive.  I have one of the newer models of variable speed battery Dremel, and love it.  But I still bend PE with small pliers and screwdriver.  As someone (was it Franklin?) said, moderation in all things.

A skill I've learned modeling is that better results are obtained in making multiple parts the same size, as opposed to making one part the right size.

An example would be planking for a ship. I could set the saw to the nearest 0.01 inch and produce an accurate scale 9" plank, change the set up and make something else, etc.

Or, set the saw and rip a years supply of planks that mic. by eye as accurate, and then draw from the supply for a while.

I know thats a poor explanation of the concept, but what I look for in a tool is a solid set up that produces consistent results.

I remember some years back finding one of those dinguses at a garage sale where you put a hand held power drill into a sort of drill press. I was pretty excited as I didn't own a drill press at the time. A week later it was in the garbage. I was better off holding the motor in my hands.

Ugh, that Dremel "drill press" is clearly a solution looking for a problem.  (I'm not sure it's accurate enough for 1" = 1'-0" dollhouse stuff.)

It would probably be far simplier to get a Harbor Freight drill press. (I have to admit to eyeballing the smaller DP over at Northern Frieght, a step up from HF)