Tools and Jigs 1

SCARF JOINT JIG.

In order to cut Scarf joints accurately, I made up a jig to hold planks of up to 230mm wide by 22mm thick. This was used to join the long lengths required for the Keelson and the Stringers.

The jig consists of a framework which holds the work at the correct angle for a Scarf joint - giving the required 10x the thickness of the timber for the length of the joint. On top of this is a sliding platform which slides along the length of the jig - for the length of the joint - onto which the router fits and slides from side to side.

Once it is set up it is just a matter of sliding the router from side to side whilst moving along the length of the joint. In order not to put strain on the router the depth is varied in increments.

Gluing of Second Layer Finally Started.

It's been a while, but I have been busy mostly with backfilling of all the screw holes and gaps over the stringers on the first layer. Once this was complete the panels for the second layer were all cut and fitted dry.

When the time came to start gluing the second layer, I battled for a few days to get the balance scale to work properly and have now opted for a small digital scale instead which is far more acurate. The investment so far is to great to risk a mistake with the mix ratios and thus mess up the whole project.

Setting up the Keelson

Currently things are progressing slowly, but progressing they are. I have been filling all the screw holes on the first layer and then sanding, which at the moment is a problem because of the noise factor. The hull seems to act as an amplifier and I am sure they can hear me on the other side of Scarborough. Good competition though for the drummers up on the hill.

In the meantime I will continue with the story.

Once the frames were set up it was time to lay the Keelson, which turned out to be quite a challenge due to the length, especially when it came to glueing the 3 layers together. Thanks to Theo for his help in making this a bit more manageable with both of us mixing glue in tandem. I even had to make additional clamps out of some rectangular tubing to get the job done.

The full length pieces were first made up with 3 pieces timber glued together with Scarfs. These were then layed in position over the frames to mark and cut the shape. Once this was done the first layer was fixed to the frames with the subsequent layers beeing glued in place over that.

Frame Set Up

It's been a while since I last posted, but there is nothing visually changing at the moment. The first layer of the skin has been completed - glued to stringers etc. Second layer starts going on this weekend.

In the meantime here are a few pics of the next stage once I had the roof and Building Stocks set up. Spending quite a bit of time making sure the stocks were perfectly level and alligned, made the task of setting up and alligning the frames that much easier. This is something I have learnt as the project progresses - the more time you spend getting it right, the easier the next stage becomes.

The Continuing Story

While the skin is going on nothing much is changing visually, so I will continue with the story from where I left off with the post on the 2nd of January.

Once the frames, stern and stem were complete it was time to move outside and start setting it all up. The first step was to set up the building stocks and put some sort of roof over. This entailed laying concrete foundations for the legs in order to get the stocks perfectly level.

First Layer Progressing - Slow but steady.

Haven't updated for a while as I have been busy glueing the First layer in place. This is turning out to be quite a slow process, as each piece needs to be removed and then any minor adjustments made before glueing back. Weather also dictates, as when the wind is blowing too much it makes it difficult, mainly due to the dust blowing up and getting on the joints to be glued.

Thanks to Dave for the idea, and Roy for posting it on his blog, I have also now made a scale for measuring out the exact quantities of epoxy and cure.

We have a boat

WELL, almost - at least it now looks like one. The previous post may have been a bit deceiving as the picture was taken of only one side of the boat which had the first layer complete. Today I spent what must have been the most unpleasant day yet working on the boat, with the gusting winds trying to dispose of the planks before they could be attached to the stringers. However, I managed to beat the elements in the end and now have the first layer completely attached, although still not glued. That is the next step once a few minor adjustments have been made to the alignment and fit.

The pictures say it all.

Seeing it come to this, although far from finished, has to be the greatest sense of achievement I have ever felt in my entire life. Special thanks must go to my father who has taught me how to work with my hands and create this. THANKS DAD.

Picture Update

Just a few pics to show progress.

Taking Shape

Still a long way to go, but at least it is starting to look like a yacht. First layer on stern has been glued in place, but non of the other sheets have been glued yet. Once all the bottom sheets are in place and I am happy with the fit, then they will be glued before doing the sides.