First steps

Ok so everything is out of the box and checked as much as is possible with the amount of parts in the kit.

The most important thing now is to number all of the laser cut plywood parts.

What you see here are the sheets of top quality plywood, that have been accurately laser cut to the shape and dimensions needed.

Each piece has a number in the parts list and should be pencilled on each part so as to be able to keep track.

It is important to read the instructions carefully as well as some of the parts can only be used one way.

Here we see a single part that has been cut out using a craft knife.  If you look carefully at the piece not cut out on the right you will see tiny areas of the shape that have not been burned.  These are points that have not been lasered to prevent the bits just falling apart.  These are carefully cut through with a sharp craft knife and then sanded flat.

Here the part has been cut out, sanded and the glue applied.  What I like to use for this type of join is a carpenters white glue that is faster drying and tackier than the normal.  This means that the joins do not have to be clamped or held for as long as they would be if a standard white glue was used.

There is a place in this model for cyanoacrylate (Super) type glues where an immediate hold is required or a contact style adhesive where a fast dry with a little movement is needed, but where comparatively larger wooden parts are being joined, a carpenters type glue is best.  Tend to put enough on so that a small amount squeezes out so you know you have maximum coverage and strength.

Here we have put together most of the hull and half of the first deck.  It gives you an idea of how things fit together and form into a strong structure.  The paddle boat has a very shallow hull unlike so many of the normal sailing ship models you see so it will look a little wierd for a while.

Please feel free to make a comment or ask a question now we are really going.

All I have used so far is the glue, the craft knife, sandpaper and a small block to wrap the sandpaper round to give a square edge.

If you hadn't already noticed, if you click on the photos they will enlarge as much as whatever you are using will allow.