Building a Whaleboat, Episode Six

[@georgebain986]

Tom ,I am so happy to see that your still making videos and yes you are the bob roth of ship building. THANKS SO MUCH !!!

[@shipmodelguy]

More to come very soon!

[@rayfraser1773]

This is really suiting my current project...The Launch of HMS Victory. Great to learn from a true Artist ! I’m re visiting your videos constantly. Love it Tom... keep up the good work !

[@shipmodelguy]

Glad you're enjoying the videos. When people build a complex subject like Victory or Charles W. Morgan, very often, by the time they reach the point of building the boats, they are so saturated with the project that those subjects get shortchanged. It is particularly annoying to me when I look at otherwise nicely executed models of whale ships and see "whaleboats" that look like they just got them off a model of Titanic. These smaller aspects of model building, whether boats, anchors or windlass deserve to be treated as complete models in their own right. If you're taking this deep dive into small craft to heart, then I count that as one in the "win column". Thanks, Ray. T

[@arielabrahamson1895]

Following your wonderful teaching videos from Nahariya, Israel. Keep them coming. I'm about to start building a New England Catboat -- just now identifying the parts and reviewing the plans.

[@shipmodelguy]

Hi Ariel, Glad you're still hanging in there with the videos. Keep my posted on the catboat.

[@davidmerritt1114]

Thank you for putting these videos out here. I am learning so much.

[@shipmodelguy]

Glad you're getting something out of them. I have to admit, I am not by nature, on who comes naturally to video or editing. But, when I get one done, there is a sense of accomplishment and a great deal of gratification when I see the response they get. Thanks. Tom

[@frankdoyle3716]

Wow! Fantastic!

[@shipmodelguy]

Glad you like it!

[@OlhaBatchvarov]

Nice Video!

[@shipmodelguy]

Thanks, Olha. I've been watching your videos, too. Nicely done! Tom

[@OlhaBatchvarov]

@@shipmodelguy Hi, Tom! Can we get in touch via: en.shipphotographer.com

[@mariathis4148]

Dear Mr Tom, greetings from Ukraine ! Many thanks,

[@shipmodelguy]

Hi Maria, Thanks for writing. Hope you subscribed and hit the notification bell. There's more content on the way. Tom

[@shipmodelguy]

A Public Comment to My Son: Austin, Re: Your Pro Tip during the live chat, I knew I could count on you to illuminate the subtle, but crucial points of a situation. The Old Man

[@wit2008]

Happy to be of service!

[@shipmodelguy]

@@wit2008 My Boy!!!

[@DrTheRich]

@@wit2008 The mini documentary you made is amazing!

[@wit2008]

Matthijs de Rijk Thanks! My wife did a fantastic job with the edit.

[@boats1993]

Hello Tom, I repeatedly watch and enjoy every technique, photo and explanation in your sessions. It taught me a lot about using simple tools properly. Do you taper the false keel in the whaleboat? Also, do the outer planks overlap as in clinker style? On a carved hull, do you smooth the interior so there are no obvious plank lines before installing the frames? I embrace your comment on using materials that fit the situation. Many of my colleagues can't see the forest for the trees. Thank you for all the effort you put into making the videos. Stay safe and well, Bob

[@shipmodelguy]

Hi Bob, To answer your question about the interior surface: In the case of the whaleboat, about 80% of the interior hull surface is covered, either by the ceiling planks or various other details in the boat. So, there is little point to having planking line on the inside. It is important to get the interior surface smooth to the point that there are no major lumps or divots. This will be the surface that directly contacts, and thus supports the frames. So, you want as much contact as possible between those two surfaces. Hope this helps, Tom

[@boats1993]

@@shipmodelguy Thank you for clarifying that. I'm about to start the interiors on the 5 upright whale boats on the Morgan and your explanation provided me with the confidence to move forward.

[@arielabrahamson1895]

Looking forward to episode seven -- I'm addicted. I have a request: when you get to making the "lion's tongue" please tell us the function of this detail. I asked via email docents at various museums there in New England and I've gotten many opinions. I know that Yankee Boat builder Craftsmen would not have a traditional shape for this detail without a good reason.

[@shipmodelguy]

I do address this in the upcoming Episode 7. This is my theory and I don't know for certain, but it makes sense to me. Of course it would 'cause I came up with it. Hang in there, my friend!

[@bobdalia5079]

Tom, in this episode I noticed you used a clamp shaped like a hoop for holding your whaleboat. Looks like it comes in very handy when working on small boats. Where did you get it from. Can't find anything like it online and didn't see it in your 10 pounds of shop in a 5 pound room video.

[@shipmodelguy]

Sadly, I don't believe they're available any more. I've had these for about 30 years and don't remember where I got them. I know it was mail order and certainly in the days before online shopping was a thing. I've looked for them from time to time, but have had no luck.

[@guilhermeferreira4479]

Love your Work Tom.do you have plans for that boat?

[@shipmodelguy]

The full set of plans are available through Mystic Seaport. I believe you can order them on line. A smaller version of the plans are also printed in Willits D. Ansel's Book, "The Whaleboat, A study of Design, Construction and Use from 1850 to 1970-also through Mystic Seaport.

[@michaelellison1727]

Great videos! It’s a Master Class on building - thank you! Question: in this video it looked like you use white glue for the planks (as opposed to CA). Is that correct? What glue do you use on the frames?

[@shipmodelguy]

Glad you're enjoying the videos. To answer your question, I used CA glue for just about all you saw, frames too.

[@raafatnia]

Dear Tom, first of all thank you so much for all of your videos👌👍 I learned so much from you. Here I have a question: What glue do you suggest for the blanks? I always use wood glue, but I see some model makers uses super glue. I think super glue will not last for a long time! What do you mean?

[@shipmodelguy]

Omid, Glad you're enjoying the videos. As far as adhesives go, I use a few different kinds. For the planking on my whaleboat models, I almost always use some kind of super glue. As with all the glues you might use in building a model, this one its pluses and minuses. The biggest plus and minus for super glue is the quick setting time. Plus because you don't have to wait long to move on to the next step in your process. The minus is that you'd better make sure the piece is exactly where you want it because you probably will not have time to adjust it. As to the issue of strength and longevity: CA Glues (Super Glue, Zap-A-Gap) have good holding strength but lack sheer strength and they are not fussy about bonding to paint or shellac. I have been using CA glues for forty years (actually, a bit more, but who's counting) and I haven't had ANY issues with a glue joint failure. So, for those that say it doesn't have a good life span, I would ask under what condition have they witnessed this. There are many things that contribute to a the effectiveness of a product or technique and it is seldom as simple as, "Oh yeah, that stuff doesn't last long, so don't use it". The best advise I could give is to use the product that suits YOUR needs best that has the least downside associated with it. Thanks for watching, Tom

[@raafatnia]

@@shipmodelguy Thank you for your full explanation. I'm honoured to get your useful answer 💐

[@claeswikberg8958]

i totally agree, its plastic, on the MODEL of a wooden boat, alot of time, the texture of the wood it to coarse for scale

[@shipmodelguy]

Hi Claes, Take a look at my response to Robert Craig. At least we know there are three of us who feel the same way.

[@shipmodelguy]

Thought I'd share this with a few people. It's an unlisted video on my website.

[@robertcraig5741]

Well Tom, another job well done! Why do ship model "purists" make such a big deal about materials? The RR guys have been using styrene for decades and nobody raises an eyebrow, but if we do there is a lynch mob. Keep them coming.

[@shipmodelguy]

Hey Bob, I must admit to having trepidation to bringing this subject into the mix, but I'm glad I did and that you, Claes (see the comment below yours) and other feel the same. So far, no one is hanging out on my front step with a rope.

[@shipmodelguy]

Thought I'd share this with you. It was my father's day present from Austin and Monique, this year. It should probably be titled, "Birth of a Ship Model Geek" tjlauria.com/about-the-artist/

[@claeswikberg8958]

@@shipmodelguy thats such a nice thing to do, to make a video like that. good kids, and sharing knowlage is the only way forward.

[@shipmodelguy]

@@claeswikberg8958 They are, indeed very good kids. And, I'm lucky to have them.

[@RobertHerzog-u5u]

Have you done a blog on lettering your models?

[@shipmodelguy]

I've never done a video on lettering. But, here's the short answer on how I do it. I use two methods, and both have nothing to do with being able to meticulously hand-letter-which, for me, is a skill I have never possessed. The most common method is with the help of the computer. Depending on the situation, I use either Word or Photoshop. The other is dry letter transfers-the kind favored by model railroad guys. On my model of Alice S. Wentowrth, you can see examples of both. The name at the bow was laid out and printed on the computer, while the name and home port on the transom was done with dry letter transfer. Hope this helps and thanks for watching.

[@RobertHerzog-u5u]

@@shipmodelguy Thanks. I have done dry transfer, but I haven't done the computer You do splendid work

[@jeancolapierrearmande3326]

What brand of goggles do you use Tom? I’d like to have those.

[@shipmodelguy]

Optivisor Ginocular magnifiers. You can get different strength lenses.

[@jeancolapierrearmande3326]

Tom Lauria Thanks Tom! I’ll search the internet for them.

[@DrTheRich]

Yes yes yes!

[@shipmodelguy]

Hey Matthijs, Got any updates on your virtual workbench. I don't think I've seen any for quite a while. Here's a little something that might be of interest to you. It's a Video father's day card put together by my son and daughter in law. It's only on my website. It's not part of my public YoutTube channel. tjlauria.com/about-the-artist/ T.

[@DrTheRich]

@@shipmodelguy Wow, it's a mini documentary about you! very lovely! thanks for sharing this!

[@OwnerPlt]

Could you give the plans link?

[@shipmodelguy]

There is no link that I know of. The plans are available from Mystic Seaport. They are also included in Willits Ansel's book, "The Whaleboat, A Study of Design, Construction and Use from 1850 to 2014". This is also available from Mystic Seaport's website.

[@OwnerPlt]

@@shipmodelguy I want to say that, couldn’t find that internet site mistic sea…. If possible from your browser do copy +paste here that link how you opening as easy. Respectfully…

[@shipmodelguy]

@@OwnerPlt Here's a link to their collections of ships' plans: research.mysticseaport.org/plans/?post_type=mystic_collections Here is a link to Amazon where you can buy the book: www.amazon.com/Whaleboat-Study-Design-Construction-Use/dp/093951138X