Ship Models: How to Build Them (Dover Woodworking) [Paperback]

Charles Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1986 | Series: Dover Woodworking

Complete, step-by-step instructions for building schooners, galleons, clipper ships, more. Includes scale plans for 1846 clipper ship Sea Witch. Excellent guide for both the novice and the practiced woodworker — from the first steps in selecting proper materials to final task of painting the model. Over 150 photographs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (October 1, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486251705
• ISBN-13: 978-0486251707
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #739,017 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Transportation > Ships > History
  • #33 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Woodworking > Projects

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent primer of ship modeling, May 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ship Models: How to Build Them (Dover Woodworking) (Paperback)

Charles Davis is the old grandfather of ship modeling and maritime history. Though much of his work has been since superseded by more recent research, much is still worthwhile today. "Ship Models and How to Build Them" takes the reader step by step through the process of building a classic 1/8"=1' solid hull ship model, with the 1846 clipper ship Sea Witch as the subject. Plans of Sea Witch accompany the book. The techniques may also seem outdated to the modern reader but only the most advanced artisans will not find something of value in Mr. Davis' suggestions and examples. Although the text and illustrations are specific for this clipper ship, the guidance is also intended to be useful for building models of a large variety of vessels. It is an excellent primer for this kind of ship modeling. Modern techniques and research have made the construction of a more sophisticated and historically accurate model of Sea Witch possible but it is hard to imagine anyone seriously undertaking such a project without reading through this classic.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I needed, November 29, 2010

By 

G. A. Barnier (Grand Marais, MN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ship Models: How to Build Them (Dover Woodworking) (Paperback)

The type of wooden model kit covered in this book can cost hundreds of dollars, and the plans that are included in the kits. while detailed, are not enough to do a good job. You need more help. I bought this book to get some help, but was disappointed as soon as I opened the pages. As much as I love Amazon, you can't be sure what is between the covers until you can open the book yourself. If I could have paged through this book, I would have realized right away that it wasn't what I was looking for. This is a book about a master builder. It is not really written to help a novice builder like myself. I regret the purchase.

What I have learned is that there will not be any one book that will guide a person through this hobby. "How To Build First-Rate Models From Kits" by Ben Langkford is a better purchase by far, but that single book will also not be enough. If you are relying on books for help, you will find yourself with a small library of books, each of which will be better than others to help with some aspect. So be careful what you buy.

A web site that really was better than the books is Model Ship Builders. There I found a detailed builder's log, with many photos, for the very model I am building: Model Shipways "Dapper Tom".

Some day I will appreciate Charles Davis' book - he is a craftsman - but look elsewhere for tips to help you build your model.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Just a start!, August 23, 2004

By 

pbhs "Gargantuan" (West Valley, UT USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ship Models: How to Build Them (Dover Woodworking) (Paperback)

This book is like a textbook (very small textbook) probably written by someone who knows a fair bit but has no ability to teach and explain. The book is a small paperback book with minimal illustrations that tries to cover the complete building of a model boat. If it were a map, it would be one 8.5 x 11 map of the whole United States.