Tools of the Trade

• Most often you won't know you need a tool until you reach that point in construction, but here are a few necessities that can make your building a lot easier. A pair of tweezers and a head-mounted magnifier is essential for working with small pieces such as railings or detail. Keep sharp hobby knives available and a drill bit for boring holes in masts and other connecting parts. Fretsaws and chisels will also be important for your planking steps. You will want a nice collection of vices and clamps to keep your model together while glues dry. The final tip for tools is sandpaper; you'll never know when you will need to either roughen the texture of an area or strip bad finish.
  
  

Colors and Varnishes

• On the topic of finishes, use polyurethane varnishes to give a realistic look to your hull and rigging. Brushed on varnishes are preferable to sprayed on ones. You lose much of your spray to the air and varnishes naturally remove brush lines in the finish. It is important to keep a color that matches the original wood used in construction of the vessel. Try not to use light colors unless you are dealing with a soft-wood vessel, which should be understandably rare.
  
  

Slow and Steady

• The key to model ship building is patience. Realistic and well-constructed models can take months and even years to complete. Always allow your varnishes and glues to dry before adding additional coats or details. While your adhesives dry, you can work on your riggings, masts or sails that will later be attached to the hull. Never try to rush a piece or fall into the trap of "just one more rope". When you get tired, set the model down. You will cause more damage through exhaustion than you will progress by forcing yourself to work when you're not rested. It is inevitable that pieces will stick together when they shouldn't and ropes will fall into hard to reach places, never lose your temper when working with a frail model and remember to take plenty of breaks when building.