Lift Half Model Making Class with Roger Allen
January 25, 2025 @ 10:00AM — January 26, 2025 @ 3:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) Add to Calendar
Buffalo Maritime Center: 90 Arthur St Buffalo, NY 14207 Get Directions
Lift Half Model Making Class with Roger Allen
Developed by boatbuilders, half models are actually a design tool. They capture the lovely shape and the “lines of form” of a boat, in scale. Making half models is one of the most satisfying projects that can be undertaken with some basic woodworking tools and next to no shop space.
While there are several types of half models, the most common is the “lift” half model that students make in this class. The process requires that flat boards are cut to specific curves provided by the boat builder’s plans and carefully glued up into a solid block. Using a bandsaw, spoke shaves, spoon gouges, block planes and some other hand tools the block is then shaped and smoothed until the beautifulcurves of the desired boat can be seen and felt.
Half models were often highly decorated showing details of the rigs, rudders, masts, tillers, rubrails and other parts of the finished boat. The methods used to complete those elements of the model are discussed at the end of the class.
This two day, Saturday and Sunday class, is a great introduction to woodworking and boatbuilding because participants work with handtools and with a rudimentary set of actual boat plans. All tools and materials are provided. No prior experience with tools or boat plans is required.