Back to work

Finally I got myself a netbook after my last computer was fried (see earlier posts.) Hopefully this will put me back on track with working and blogging. Since I left out a lot of pictures here is an update. The centerboard is mated to frame 2 (aft) and frame 4 (forward.) I scabbed the "thickness enhancers" onto the frame 3 supports to compensate for some "measurement irregularities." My progress seems slow because I have been trying to shape and smooth the pieces as much as possible before adding them to the slowly growing structure. I think this will save me some time when it comes to fairing. Fairing is making the lines of the boat nice and smooth. This happens right before the plywood skin goes on and compensates for any cutting/building excess. Since each individual piece is much easier to work with than the structure as a whole, the earlier in the process the better. I am sure that there will be plenty to fair later anyway. Anyway, here is a look as the progress.

This is the bevel that my Dad put on the transom. His skill with a circular saw is legendary (at least to me.) Thanks Dad. In addition he bought me my newest fearsome instrument of wood destruction, the tabletop belt/disc sander.

This machine is awesome for shaping pieces of all sizes. This little table is not quite as strong as I would like, but my Dad and I pivoted the centerboard trunk on it to square up the ends. The sandpaper is 60 grit so you have to be carefull not to take too much off. Much better fine control than a hand or power saw.

This is frame 2 attached to the aft end of the centerboard trunk. I have started putting a decorative filet along the joint to keep water put and make it look good. It also uses up some of the extra epoxy I usually make. I also bought a postal scale to weigh my epoxy. I have read (and the internet is a very reliable source,) that epoxy is best mixed by weight, not volume as I was doing before. Since I don't have any destructive testing equipment I can't really evaluate the best mixing method myself.

This is the centerboard trunk with frame 2 and 4 attached. I checked the square on these multiple times but the tips of the frames are still a few 1/8ths of an inch off. This will be corrected by pulling them into alignment before I screw the sheer and chines in. As you can see my workspace is filling up as the structure is slowly added on to.

These are the "thickness enhancers" scabbed onto the sides of the frame 3 uprights. I'll have to trim them to the same size as the original pieces once the atcual frames are attached. This weekend I am hoping to get frame 3 attached to these wings and the frame 5/stem/deck beam assembly all glued up. I need a table saw to rip the long pieces of mahogany down to the right sizes for the sheers, chines, battens and keel. If anyone has a tablesaw they want to donate to my project let me know. I don't think I can rely on my parents for any more tool handouts.