Customer Reviews

Planking Techniques for Model Ship Builders

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

An interesting book covering most aspects of planking of solid, bulkhead and frame models. It really only brushes over each subject. What it really needs is a step by step example, be it photos or diagrams, as I am yet to find an author that really does it well. You purchace a book on techniques, you expect it to be step by step, with demonstrations, not generalisations.

It has good photos of wonderfully made models, but it is about planking, not showcasing a mate's work. It is a difficult subject, that could have been done so much better. Why not show differing clamps, homemade and commerical, the ways to bend the planks not a paragraph of description, demonstrate how to do the dowels, not a paragraph, that is why people buy these books, to learn.

NOT presented in a truly orderly and logical manner. Nice pictures of models done by members of a certain Club, but does not adequately teach planking from scratch. Many terms are NEVER defined and there is no rigorous process defined; like I said, it's okay, IF you already know most of this stuff and just want the author's take/recommendations on which of a bunch of ways to go. Will confuse a novice into tears (I know it did me, and I've built a couple of models already).

Mr. Dressel is obviously a very experienced builder, and there is a great deal of information in the book, but it the way it is presented makes it very difficult to absorb.

The organization of the material made for very frustrating reading. The planking techniques indicated in the title are scattered throughout the book in various sections, and are often separated by unrelated (but interesting) material.

Nautical component terminology (like "wing transom" and "fashion pieces") should be clarified (preferrably by illustration) before or at least at the same time they are used in the text.

The "how to" explanations would be much improved by diagrams, photos or drawings with step by step procedures, rather than the often vague descriptions provided.

Overall, the reader must expend a great deal of effort to glean the information from the book.

Very bad
Poor organized, picture very bad
Don't spend you many on this book

There is a certain magical quality about ships - especially the sailing vessels of yesteryear. Anyone who has visited an historic ship will (or at least they should!) marvel at almost every aspect of the vessel from the way it was built and fitted out to the way in which those on board lived and worked when at sea. That sense of awe should be reflected in any serious model ship and this book goes a long way towards helping the builder of such miniature representations produce the best possible results.

As I have mentioned elsewhere in other reviews, I am not an expert or "advanced" modeller. Nor can I lay claim to any of the other titles some devotees give themselves. My approach is to apply common sense and demand a high standard from whatever task I set myself. If the hull isn't square or I get the planking (or whatever) wrong, it has to be dismantled and I start all over again. Consequently, when compared to the models produced by those so-called experts and proudly displayed on the internet, I am happy that my own versions of the same ships compare most favourably.

In this book there are several tips which, I have to admit, I wish I had known before embarking on some of my earlier models. They would have saved much heartache. The first is; place the newly assembled keel, stem and sternpost between two pieces of glass so that this important feature dries straight and square. Yes, I hear all those who knew this trick saying "but we all know that!" Well, I for one did not and I am grateful for the tip.

Some will, therefore, consider this as a minor point - but a warped keel leads to a warped ship and I would rather get that vital aspect of the model right first time than struggle with several attempts.

Another not-so-obvious comment relates to solid hull models. Instead of constructing the keel, stem, sternpost followed by the network of frames onto which the planks are then fitted, a solid hull removes the need for such individual elements and is shaped as though all those features exist below decks but out of sight. That solid piece of wood, however, will not have the lateral lines created by planks and must, therefore, be reduced to a size slightly smaller than the finished ship so that when the planks are added they bring the vessel to her true proportions. Not quite so straightforward.

Perhaps it is because I have never worked with a solid hull that the subject never crossed my mind. Now that it has, like so much in this book, it makes sense.

Altogether, there are many more tips and ideas for the serious modeller. OK, if you already know it all - bully for you, but for those who don't, this book will teach you so much and is not likely to disappoint.

NM

Lots of [bad] pictures.

A stuffy comment about "I have never had to personally use stealers"

This guy may really be that good but the rest of us don't need to hear about it.

Final comment: I kept the book but have been thinking about throuwing it in the recycling bin. It is NOT GOOD for beginners...or much of anybody else.

This book is not useful. While the author maybe a good ship modeler, he does not know how to explain it.
It is disorganized and poorly written.

One of the best I have found so far. Not only is it good for reference but it invites you again and again to read it. Always finding something new to learn. You'll never want to let it down.

I own several other great books on ship modelling:

Ship Modeling Simplified by Frank Mastini,
The Built-Up Ship Model by Charles G. Davis,
Ship Modeling from Stem to Stern by Milton Roth,
and Historic Ship Models by Wolfram Zu Mondfeld, as well as other less comprehensive books.

I have studied all of these books at length and found Dressel's text to be the most informative on not only planking but also framing techniques.

While others who have reviewed this book seem to have gripes about it, I would challenge anyone to find a more detailed book on this discipline. The fact is that no one text exists that will provide all of the best tips and techniques, but this book gives the most detail that I have come across. I consider it a must-have for any model shipbuilder's library.

I was excited to get the book, unfortunately it is addressed to advanced modelers, and the Glossery was chinese for beginners, plus the fact he had no place for nautical explanation of his descriptions,I will add most of the jigs he referred to are not available. It could be I am at fault for ordering and possible it should have mentioned it is only for advanced modelers.