There is building a model and Building a Model

Since the first Timberkit I built some 15 years ago I have always had great admiration for the design skill that Eric Williamson has. In my many meeting with Eric in the last few years I have come to know some of what he has had to accomplish to bring these seemingly simple models to us.

In the early days not only did Eric and Alison design the models, they also had to design and make some of the machines to make the parts, most notably the small wooden washers of various sizes that all the kits have. So when the word came from the UK that due to falling demand the Ballista kit may not go to the factory for production I decided to fill the gap!! My son who is a very wise 30 years merely nodded in support but I know had concerns for my mental wellbeing.

How difficult can it be I thought, how simply naïve I turned out to be. But with keen interest I set about the business of making a limited number of kits. Initially I had no production drawings for the Ballista so my solution was to take my last kit and set about carefully measuring and documenting all the parts in terms of material, size, thickness, quantity....

I began to collect reams of paper with drawings, measurements, notes, coffee stains and decided that the approach needed to be digital, oh dear, now I have as many spreadsheets as I had pieces of paper. Undeterred I soldiered on collecting a fine array of woodworking tools (which my family will tell you as they believe it, was the whole purpose behind this exercise!). I eventually reached the point where I was convinced that it was time to make sawdust and shavings!

The next installment...Sawdust and Shavings