Search found 45 matches

by JimND
Thu Jun 30, 2005 10:21 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Forest Products Lab Glue Test
Replies: 1
Views: 1099

Since most strip boatbuilders use one of the PVA (yellow woodworking) glues, I don't know how much good this comparison does. I don't know any strip boatbuilders who use resorcinol-formaldehyde glues. It is more common in woodworking and the manufacture of man-made lumber products, such as plywood, ...
by JimND
Thu Jun 30, 2005 10:16 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Foam brush & varnish
Replies: 12
Views: 6927

The foam brushes with the wood handles, not plastic, will work just fine, especially for tipping off the finish. There is neither shellac nor lacquer in varnish.
by JimND
Sun Jun 12, 2005 10:19 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: keel time
Replies: 6
Views: 2658

Glen's advice is very sound. If you hit something hard enough to knock the epoxy loose, a couple of screws at each end aren't going to hold the keel on either. The key is a good epoxy bond. I would scuff the hull epoxy with a coarse grit, like 80, to get a good grab. Then using unthickened epoxy, &q...
by JimND
Mon Apr 18, 2005 10:22 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Epoxy & UV Protection
Replies: 8
Views: 2832

The reason that UV inhibitors are not added to epoxy in sufficient quantities to negate the use of additional coatings which contain larger amounts of UV inhibitors, such as spar varnish, is that UV inhibitors are sacrificial in nature. As they do their job of absorbing UV rays, they are broken down...
by JimND
Sat Mar 26, 2005 11:01 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: steam bending stems
Replies: 11
Views: 6415

To add to my comments above. You didn't mention if you are building a laminated or solid stem. I usually don't mess with solid outer stems because I think laminated are stronger and more stable. I normally laminate my stems from 1/8" strips. I also normally just soak them down with water about ...
by JimND
Thu Mar 24, 2005 11:43 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: steam bending stems
Replies: 11
Views: 6415

Some springback is normal, how much is hard to predict for even experienced woodworkers unless they are really into steambending and have done it for hundreds of hours. Even then, different woods are different. The best way to know if you have applied even steam and gotten the wood hot enough is tha...
by JimND
Thu Mar 24, 2005 11:28 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Shrinking the Redbird to 15' will this work out ok?
Replies: 18
Views: 6501

I think you are asking for trouble, potentially big trouble. The amount of change you are talking about is extreme by anyone's standards. The Redbird's stability would be considered tender by most novice paddlers even at it's design dimensions, shortening it by 15% and decreasing the beam by whateve...
by JimND
Thu Mar 17, 2005 10:44 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Gunnels and Decks
Replies: 5
Views: 1969

Unless your screws are very close together, like an inch or two, I doubt you will starve the full length of the joint mating surfaces. If you get one screw too tight, it will just be within the close proximty of the screw. Even then, if you have properly glued the piece, it won't be a problem. Remem...
by JimND
Wed Mar 16, 2005 10:45 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: OH MAN!! making a mess of my glass!!
Replies: 15
Views: 5159

Glen has given you sound advice, and I would add a suggestion to consider. Sanding around edges like the keep or concave areas like the bow with a ROS with a stiff OEM pad can be tricky. It is easy to sand too deep, even for experienced sanders. Since this sand-through happened on the keel where the...
by JimND
Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:18 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: gloss vs. semi-gloss
Replies: 19
Views: 6638

You can literally apply any varnish over another varnish as long as the base is clean, dry and oil and wax-free. As for the difference between interior and exterior (which includes spar or marine) varnishes, there are several differences in them. As Glen noted, the spar varnishes have UV inhibitors,...
by JimND
Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:48 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: gloss vs. semi-gloss
Replies: 19
Views: 6638

Yes, you can use gloss under semi-gloss or satin finish. That is an old woodworkers trick that I do all the time. The reasoning is simple. All flatting agents cause some cloudiness in the finish. With one coat this isn't very noticeable, but add 3 or more coats, especially heavy coats, and the wood ...
by JimND
Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:41 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Bottom protection
Replies: 8
Views: 5266

Any additional coating will add weight. You might want to ask an applicator how much this would add. I also don't know and can't comment on the friction and laminar flow characteristics of the coating. I would however suggest a lighter color than black. One aspect of graphiting a hull bottom that ha...
by JimND
Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:46 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: changing plans
Replies: 3
Views: 1538

I am always leary about changing plans, especially downsizing them since the results aren't very predictable without design software. As Glen noted, you can't really be assured of what the new hull characteristics will be. Having said that, you will be making a hull that is shorter and wider, relati...
by JimND
Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:38 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Bending Gunwales
Replies: 10
Views: 3860

Like Kent, I try to do things as simply as possible as long as I get the same results. I use a heat gun much more than I steam, simply because it is easier and faster, and it works, usually. Kent's warning about keeping the gun moving will avoid burning the wood, but I also wet my wood before heatin...
by JimND
Sat Mar 05, 2005 11:38 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: varnishing
Replies: 2
Views: 1330

I varnish just the inside of the cockpit because I use my kayak for fishing more than any other use and don't wear a spray skirt most of the time, so the cockpit is exposed to almost as much sunlight as the outer hull.