Donald Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Hi folks, I was bitten by the bug recently when I bought the book "Sailing in Glass", on ebay. My first attempt is rudimentary as I couldn't wait for materials online to come before getting busy.I had to use a huge drill bit and the bowsprit looks like a telephone pole whereas a fence pole would be more proportionally accurate. Plenty of rookie mistakes, I had to clip the top of the mast as it was too tall, or I put too much "sea" in it. Plenty of smears inside the bottle to clean etc. It was a good learning project.My second attempt I have almost completed. This schooner also presented plenty of rookie problems. The mast hinge came up out of hole once in the bottle already. I was able to slide a sliver of wood with glue on it under the mast and prop it up but it was a pain. I also tried to simulate rough seas with only limited success. At any rate, I'm glad to find your site as I desperately need advice. Thanks for adding me in! Spanky John Zuch, Bernard Kelly, Landlubber Mike and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSiemens Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Welcome. You have a couple great first ships. Sure some rookie stuff but honestly mine didnt look that good until I built four or five. Your doing great. Ask anything, the more questions the better. If you want especially personalized help start a build log and post photos as you go. Then we can chime in and help with questions on the next steps. Donald, Bernard Kelly and Chasseur 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JesseLee Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Welcome Spanky! Jesse Donald and Bernard Kelly 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB773 Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Welcome aboard, Spanky! I like your ships. They have character. Bernard Kelly and Donald 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgorSky Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Welcome aboard, Spanky! Bernard Kelly and Donald 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onni Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Nice little ship Spanky.Good to have you aboard.I also started with the book 'Sailing in Glass' many years ago. Donald and Bernard Kelly 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Fox III Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Greetings Spanky, To be totally honest, my first 3 ship in bottle models went straight into the trash bin, so your's aren't at all bad for first models! Once you have decent materials and a little experience, absolutely the best teacher IMHO, you'll really be hooked. Anchor's A Weigh! John Fox III Chasseur, IgorSky, Donald and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exwafoo Posted March 17, 2018 Report Share Posted March 17, 2018 My first one, started in about 2002, is still is not in the bottle. Its been in, shipwrecked, out again, repaired, modified, dropped, masts broken, more repairs and modifications, still undergoing a refit, but will be in the bottle soon because there isn't much wood left under the paint. All a learning curve as you develop your own techniques. Welcome Alan Donald and Bernard Kelly 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donald Posted March 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 Thanks everybody, I swear it's like reading a good book. Couldn't put them down until I was done. Of course not getting anything productive done at home but... I see in some of your pics a mat that has measurements on it etc. Wondering what are some of the better online model making supply stores? I also wonder if you have a good source for old bottles and what might be the dimensions most prefer? I think I need to slow my race a bit, absorb some of your pics and posts, get the proper materials and get busy, ...slowly. Thank you again folks! Spanky IOAN, IgorSky, Onni and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSiemens Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 You can get most things at stores like hobby lobby and Michaels. Hobby town will have the green mats. They are nice but not really needed its more a preference. I used a tv table in a closet for a while and did just fine. As far as materials. Bass wood is a good place to start. I also like bamboo for masts, yards and bowsprits. Just get skewers from the grocery store. I like fly tying thread for rigging. It doesn't stetch so the mast rake stays where you want it. I use paper for sails. Nothing special printer paper works fine. As far as bottles do two things, look every where, thrift stores, antique shops, grocery stores, hobby stores. Just keep an eye out. Second tell people you build ships in bottles. You don't even have to tell them your looking for bottles. Just say you build and theyll send tons of bottles your way. It's a funny phenomenon but it works out. IgorSky, Donald and JesseLee 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donald Posted March 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 Thanks for the info., much appreciated. Wondering if you would mind me using your Bermuda Sloop plans, build log, instructions etc. as my next project. Really nice build I think I can gain quite a bit of knowledge from, but I want to be sure this is acceptable. Spanky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSiemens Posted March 18, 2018 Report Share Posted March 18, 2018 Go for it. I made that build log specifically for beginners to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donald Posted March 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2018 So I started on the sloop but was not happy with my results. I shaped her wrong initially so she is pointed at the bow, and waaay to small at the stern. I did however have a light bulb go off in terms of construction. Rather than do another sloop before the Chiefs log is finished, I started a Galleon, pirate ship type that I am going to start a log on shortly here. JesseLee, IgorSky, John Zuch and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSiemens Posted March 24, 2018 Report Share Posted March 24, 2018 Wow. That looks great! I better get move on so you can finish. Yeah the same principles apply to any scratch build. You got the process down. From here you can build anything. Let me know if I can improve my instructions any. Chasseur 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donald Posted March 24, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2018 Thanks, instructions were awesome. Don't hurry for me. It'll be waiting in the wings. Chasseur 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landlubber Mike Posted April 17, 2018 Report Share Posted April 17, 2018 Really nicely done! Love your first two models too! Donald 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.