I landed this kit back early last winter. I've had a lot of things pop up keeping me away from my projects but was able to get started yesterday. It's something that is on my "to do" list. Starting at the very basic level here but we'll see what happens. I really need at least 6 ongoing projects to fit whatever mood I wake up in that day...this should put me back up to at least 5   kit is basswood,  

 

 

 

 

 

And here's your shop in a few years, Aaron!

 

Got to see how Newfies do it.

Cool model!!

 

From the time I was young, I built plastic models. Airplanes, rockets, ships, cars and everything in between. Then I got hooked on sailing ships! Would have loved to have built the wooden version of the USS Constitution. Hands shake a little too much now.

8 hours ago, HARO50 said:

And here's your shop in a few years, Aaron!

 

Got to see how Newfies do it.

 

 

 

 

I could only hope,..that'sbeautiful. Even raw and unfinished  

More to come later on next week...I've gotta go keep the lights on for a few days. 

 

 

 

I've got a few issues,...my stern knee and transom have some misalignment. I used wood glue instead of white so I'm going with it. While I was experimenting with weights to put on the bottom of the boat one of my blocks fell over and broke the stem out...glued back and ended up using a hammer for a weight. Frames are in the build board with just a spot of to keep glue on the end to keep them stable. I also started adding the bevel to the garboard plank. I'll wrap my sandpaper around a popsicle stick or file for the final edge. 

 

Despite the issues it's a fun build. I'm going to get the Dory book and get at least one more after this to work on, Thanks for following. -Aaron

 

 

 

 

On 5/23/2024 at 6:18 PM, aaronc said:

I'll wrap my sandpaper around a popsicle stick or file for the final edge. 

Pick up a pack of finger nail boards at one of the Dollar Stores. Work pretty well for small projects. I even keep a few of the metal files on hand as well. With a bit of searching, some are "diamond" files.

 

BTW, great project Aaron. I'm way behind on my reading, but following along when I can.

HI @aaronc The Lowell is still building these boats in Amesbury MA. The shop was established in 1793 and is still operating, The shop also makes repairs on a number of other boats including older vessels. A great place to visit if you ever get the chance. I've been a centurion member for several years. Today it is a great teaching museum that has many High School students learning boatbuilding and navigation. Many students continue to volunteer their time after going to college. They have many events including rowing competitions along the river.

Edited May 29, 20241 yr by Al B

9 hours ago, Al B said:

HI @aaronc The Lowell is still building these boats in Amesbury MA. The shop was established in 1793 and is still operating, The shop also makes repairs on a number of other boats including older vessels. A great place to visit if you ever get the chance. I've been a centurion member for several years. Today it is a great teaching museum that has many High School students learning boatbuilding and navigation. Many students continue to volunteer their time after going to college. They have many events including rowing competitions along the river.

 

 

Al,..you hit it right. When I was thinking of which one to start on I ran into their site doing some reading and that sealed the deal for me. They are doing some great things there. 

 

 

Lowell's Boat Shop (lowellsboatshop.org)

Been a bit delayed in progress. Had a little lightning strike a few weeks back and was busy lining out repairs here around the house. No real damage but it takes up time meeting with the contractors.

So my wife adopted a stray cat not long ago...I have no problem with that but she then turned into 4 more cats   long story short they had some time in my shop unsupervised and did some chewing on my Dory. Finally had time this evening to begin repairs. I'll fill in and sand out seams next week and we'll hopefully be back on track. Good news is I did score a Dory book for fathers day,...it's a keeper 

 

BTW the lightning strike holes are 24 and 30 inches deep respectively. 

 

 

 

 

 

Not sure if the plank repair will hold,..may have to reinforce that a little somehow hidden best I can on the inside of the boat...We'll see what happens. 

 

 

 

WOW Aaron...those lightning strikes were a bit close for comfort. Glad the damage wasn't any worse than it was.

 

Well cats will be cats.Never heard of one trying to sink a ship though but I don't get out much.

 

Nice recovery and repair job though.

Edited June 21, 20241 yr by Grandpadave52

Cats are not allowed on aircraft carriers 

 

 

A little repair update...I'm still gonna piddle with some sort of patch for the plank...I don't think the joint will hold for any length of time when mounted to the frame. 

 

 

 

Nice job on the repair Aaron. I would agree a patch would improve the strength. I assume this is Balsa wood? Hobby Lobby used to carry various size and thickness pieces if you need material.

4 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Nice job on the repair Aaron. I would agree a patch would improve the strength. I assume this is Balsa wood? Hobby Lobby used to carry various size and thickness pieces if you need material.

 

 

Thanks for the heads-up...I'm gonna try to get it out of my "extra" that the laser cuts come in. There is actually a lot of stock there. I do plan to pick up some more though for some larger scrap builds pieces. Thanks-Aaron

Just a side story:
Many years ago, back when I was just a woodworking beginner, I got a tour of a local shop that did restoration work on Chris Craft vintage boats.  There was one small old Craftsman table saw, and maybe a drill press.  But the work was incredible. They said most of the people working there were former patternmakers. 

 

Given some of the machine companies around town, I'm pretty sure there were a fair number of them here.  One of my friends had been a patternmaker for many years until the company was sold to a Japanese firm and one of his final jobs was to go thru the pattern inventory and toss what could be.  Until he retired, he did some contract pattern work and custom furniture work.  One of his final jobs was an "auger" for a food processing company.  It was about 6' in diameter and 12' long.  Each half was a spiral going in opposite directions and there was a cross piece in the middle.  Rotating one way it would draw the contents into the middle, and the other draw them out to the ends.  And there was a hollow down the middle so heat or cooling liquid could be pumped thru without getting in the food.  There was one pattern and there would be two castings and they needed to mesh.  And true to the work of patternmaking, the dimensions needed to be adjusted so that as the metal went from liquid to solid state, the shrinkage, dependent upon the particular metal being used, would be accounted for.

 

Oops, sorry for the tangent.

 

I went with some strips of basswood, filled in spaces in between and then sanded smooth for repair on the plank. Stern knee bevel filed,..then finished with sandpaper..and we're glued to the frame. Thats it for today....may look into the oars later tonight.