Ship Modeling from Scratch: Tips and Techniques for Building Without Kits (Paperback)

by Edwin Leaf (Author) "Deciding to attempt your first scratchbuilt ship is both thrilling and daunting..." (more)
Key Phrases: keel assembly, aligning jig, bearding line, Step One, Step Two, Step Four (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Ships in Scale magazine called our best-selling manual for the first-time kit-builder, Ship Modeling Simplified, a "Bible for the novice modeler." Model Ship Builder said "the only problem with this book is that it should have come out years ago." Now comes the next logical step, a book on building ship models without kits, form Edwin Leaf, past president and resident guru of the prestigious Philadephia Ship Model Society. Following the proven format of Ship Modeling Simplified, here is the first complete, step-by-step course in building model ships from scratch--everything from schooners and clipper ships to modern ocean-going freighters and steel warships. This book covers in detail everything the first-time scratch-builder needs to know: choosing the right subject, building from plans, drawing scaled plans from photographs, and buying tools and materials. It also covers building half models, planked hulls, lapstrake hulls, plank-on-frame, plank-on-bulkhead, lift models, modern ships, ancient ships, masting and rigging, sails and flags. Sources and an illustrated glossary are included.

From the Back Cover

Building a model from a kit is an excellent way to develop your modeling skills. But once you've mastered the basics, where do you go? If you're looking for a challenge, you move on to scratchbuilding. And that can be imposing: With a kit, you worked with someone else's plans, materials, and building instructions. Scratchbuilding makes you master of your own fate. You do the research, choose the subject, the scale, the material. The choices are limited only by your enthusiasm.

Edwin B. Leaf scratchbuilt his first model--a Baltimore clipper--nearly fifty years ago, and he's been refining and building on his skills ever since. In Ship Modeling from Scratch he lays out the principles--from concept to construction to display--on which scratchbuilding is based. In clear, concise language complemented by detailed illustrations he tells how to interpret existing drawings or create your own, what materials to choose, what tools to buy, and what techniques to use to build everything from plank-on-frame, plank-on-bulkhead, or modern steel hulls to creating sharp and properly scaled details--paint to portholes.

Building a model from scratch is a singular pursuit that requires patience, confidence, and ingenuity. With Ship Modeling from Scratch open on your workbench, you have your own private tutor guiding you through the troublespots.

Ship Modeling from Scratch expands the horizon of any kit builder looking for a challenge, including

• choosing the right subject
• finding and interpreting historical material
• building from plans
• drawing scaled plans from photographs
• buying tools and materials
• building everything from half models to plank-on-frame or plank-on-bulkhead versions of traditional sailing craft to modern steel cargo ships
• painting and displaying your model

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; 1 edition (October 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070368171
• ISBN-13: 978-0070368170
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #135,401 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A necessary book for the model ship builder, March 24, 2006

By	William A. Hensler (Holt, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased this book several years past. This Amazon.com reviewer is an avid ship modeler. I use this book nearly constantly. I give this book five stars.

Now, this book was written in 1993. So, there are no web sites for reference nor is there a more recent write up. If a person is interested in making a scratch built ship they should surf onto the steelnavy.com web site. Steel Navy is known as one of the best web references for ship building. Museum quality ships from the world have pictures on that page. If you want American warship plans then surf to "Maryland Silver". They have nearly all of the ship plans of the modern Navy. Furthermore, they have plans for most of the pre-1880 (modern Navy) ships. Last, a fair source of ship plans is Ebay. One vendor on Ebay sells quite warships and Great Lakes vessels. If you are making a modern ship and need fittings the web sites to check out are H&R Products, Blue Jacket Ship Models, and The Scale Shipyard. All three web locations have lots of fittings for ships.

Now, back to this book.

This book covers all necessary steps for a ship modeler. The first chapter is on getting correct plans. If your plans are off then what is the point? The second chapter covers making the keel, ribs (frames), and then planking the ship. The rest of the chapters follow in logical progression. The chapters vary from rigging your model if you have a sailing ship to building a superstructure for a modern ship. Note, there are two complete sets of plans in the back of the book. One for a sailing ship and another for a simple cargo steamer. I didn't build either because this modeler makes battleships.

Speaking of battleships, the book gives quite a bit of information on constructing a South Carolina class battleship. The South Carolina class is semi-famous in model circles. The first ship of the class, BB-27, the USS Michigan, has extensive model construction articles written about it in this book. Now, the chapter on Cage Mast Construction is about the only major book that has been published that covers this topic. Cage Masts were found on every battleship made in the USA from about 1910 to 1920. Cage Masts are seen on many of the battleships, like the USS Tennessee, at Pearl Harbor. So, it's very good that a major book tells how to make a cage mast. Note, the chapter on Cage Mast construction will advise a builder to make a jig for the mast. Furthermore, it's advisable that no cage mast be made that is smaller than 1/144th scale.

The book also gives advise on the cutting of wood, plastics, and metal. Furthermore, there is suggestions by the author on what type of wood cutting machines to buy, such as a table saw, and what sort of finishing tool to purchase. The hobby of ship modelling is a lot easier if you have a Demel tool.

The book had lots of little helpful items. It give basic instructions for making a deadeye. Port holes, very necessary for a making a convincing ship, are covered in this book. If you don't want to follow the advise you can get fair portholes from either H & R Products or Blue Jacket.

The only thing that isn't really covered in this book is making a boat radio controlled. You'll have to get another book if you wish to RC your beloved museum quality ship.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have. This book should be studies by any body who wishes to make their first scratch built model. Note, there are no large scale commercial models of Great Lakes steamers or Pre-WWII battleships. So, if you want to build a nice model battleship of the USS Florida you'll have to get the plans from Maryland Silver, the fitting from H & R Products, and read this book to learn the knowledge necessary for making that model.

Best wishes, fellow ship builder, on reading this book. You'll enjoy your purchase. I look forward to hearing about your question on steelnavy.com .

This book is worth all five stars.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Scratch ship modeling, June 22, 2008

By	G. Seaton "keepin' on" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ship Modeling from Scratch: Tips and Techniques for Building Without Kits
A very good supplemental book for building a model ship from scratch. It has detailed suggestions that aren't found in many other books or articles. Edw. Leaf knows his stuff and covers all major topics in modeling w/o a kit. He does provide "tips and techniques" as the subtitle says, just not quite enough to start scratch building w/o several other sources that go into more depth in important topics/skills.

2.0 out of 5 stars Too Basic!, March 25, 2009

By	Hugo Valenzuela (Viña del Mar, Chile) - See all my reviews

This is a nice book FOR BEGINERS. If you're a mid-experienced model builder, this book has nothing new for you.