A long time ago, a simpler time, a better time, I had visions of completing a modest boat to sail on the bay whilst the warm rays of summer still shone. Today, the harsh light of reality has illuminated my folly. Yet, the build progresses and I know, sometime soon, I will sail the bay for all to see. The shed beckons, yet living here there are plenty of distractions. On a clear afternoon we drive up the crater rim and fly gliders along the ridge.
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| Surrounded by a crater rim. there are plenty of ridges to fly gliders in any wind direction |
The shed beckons. In between work, travel and other commitments, the boat progresses. After cutting the shape of my boat from plywood, I needed to process the pine lumber into thin strips, or chines, which will be glued to the plywood to add strength and rigidity.
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| Pieces of pine lumber from Bunnings need processing... |
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| I made things hard for myself, creating a custom jig for cutting... |
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| The initial results are mediocre at best... |
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| Why did I not just buy pre-cut lumber? |
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After modest success with making my own jig for cutting the pine boards I struck upon a revelation. My circular saw, bless the Japanese, came with a cutting attachment. There was no need for me to mark and cut preset sizes - I just had to attach this jig and could cut with consistency and accuracy every time!
Flush with success, I cut pieces for each end, then proceeded to attach the top and bottom chines.
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| Attaching the top chine is relatively easy |
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| Checking the screw size. Fun fact, the glue will actually hold the boat together. In a few months these screws will be columns of rust.... |
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Bending the bottom chine is the tricky part, it took all my considerable strength to get things in one place.
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| This is a two person job.... |
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Eventually, the top and bottom chines are attached, excess glue weeping in all directions.
Now, it was time to add the front and back chines. Due to a deficiency in my brain, I decided that chiseling the curved bottom chine was the best way forward....
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| Looks easy enough.. |
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Turns out, trying to chisel a piece of wood to your preconceived notions is pretty tricky....I ended up making compromises. Next time I will do cut the end pieces rather than the long chines.
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| Getting my end pieces to fit the long chines was surprisingly involved.. |
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| The stern piece was easier, but I will be doing the next three sides differently.. |
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Eventually, I got everything glued together. Gaps in my work seemed a little risky, being a boat and all. So I jammed sawdust and extra glue in areas that were lacking. Eventually, I got a full side of the boat complete.
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| Hmmm, For some reason I felt it was easier to fit the end piece and cut the long chine. Spoiler alert, cut the end piece!!! |
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| Excess glue is your friend, expect to lose at least 50% of the glue... |
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| Screws are better than clamps, but in a year or two they will be rusting... |
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| Two drills are better than one, whilst the glue is curing I can quickly pre-drill a pilot hole than insert the screw... |
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| One side of the boat down, three more to go..... |
The journey continues, and a garden overflowing with courgettes beckons. Never fear, this boat will sail!!!!
Hi Damo,
ReplyDeleteYou are becoming the accomplished carpenter. One day, you may awake and have a bright idea: I can build a house! And perhaps you shall as it is but a small step from this boat, to the shed, to a house. :-)!
Just a couple of thoughts:
- Quality table saws are dirt cheap and worth every bit of their cost.
- Have you considered using stainless steel screws? Glue is nice and all, but stainless steel screws are an additional form of insurance.
Mind you, I am guilty of over engineering.
The work on the boat so far is looking good.
Chris
LOL, I just read that post for the first time. Pro-tip, proof read anything you write under the influence! ;-p
ReplyDeleteThank for your kind words - there is a long way to go though before I am accomplished at anything, but the process is enjoyable. I like your idea on the house - it is a lovely dream, but may need to be tempered by reality. I may further elucidate these thoughts on your blog later.
I did nearly buy a table saw, and still got in trouble from Mrs Damo for 'nearly' buying it :-) You are right though, they are cheap even for a Japanese one and I think it might be a sensible future purchase...
RE: the screws, even stainless won't hold up forever. I understand that copper nails are the thing to use, but by all accounts glue is great and with proper care will last a long time. At the end of the day, this boat is made using the cheapest of plywood and is purely a learning exercise. Anything beyond that is a bonus!
Cheers,
Damo