I have often built my own models when there was no commercial version available. The research phase, gathering data and deciding what to build, is often the longest. But once I have plans for the ship in question the process speeds up. First I make the basic hull. I prefer scrap hardwood for that, but often also use balsa wood.
These are all the tools i usually need
I then use the small saw to cut out a simple block of wood with a small allowance for trimming as i shape the hull. I once made a series of about 40 Casablanca class escort carriers. I bought some pre-cut pieces of wood for that, and used the files to shape the hull. A poor job on hull shape is, in my opinion, a guaranteed way to ruin a model. I have discarded many hulls of balsa because the wood is so soft a fingernail can make a dent in it. You might notice that the files are in 4 shapes; flat round, half-round, and elliptical. I’ve found that using these shapes is sufficient to form the curved surfaces at the bow and stern of any models i want to make. Filing the curved surfaces in hardwood takes some time. I usually use the saw to cut off a very rough shape for the bow and stern. For most cases I make four straight cuts. 2 forward and 2aft. Then I make 2 more forward at a slight angle to allow for flare on the bow. In the case of a cutaway stern I have often made one more cut with the saw before using the files to make a smooth clean shape.
Most ships have island structures above the main deck. On hardwood hulls I make shallow cuts to separate those sections and remove the unwanted part with a knife. I then smooth the deck with a flat file and use the round file to shape the connections between the islands and the main deck / Here is a hardwood hull at the start of that process
Next time I’ll discuss building the superstructure, funnels, and masts
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Wetherhorn 