Search found 43 matches

by Stencil
Thu Nov 21, 2013 10:24 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: spruce strip canoe/kayak?
Replies: 2
Views: 5798

Re: spruce strip canoe/kayak?

Well I won't try and talk you out of using White Spruce. I am a strong advocate of using wood from the the area in which you live. I live in cedar country and I like cedar for a lot of reasons so I use it. White Spruce is not much heavier than cedar and it is stronger. Historically people built boat...
by Stencil
Mon Nov 04, 2013 4:11 pm
Forum: Boat-Building Tips & Techniques
Topic: Strip Cutting Friction and Wax
Replies: 8
Views: 23836

Re: Strip Cutting Friction and Wax

Makita 15 amp. New blade.
by Stencil
Sat Nov 02, 2013 9:52 am
Forum: Boat-Building Tips & Techniques
Topic: Strip Cutting Friction and Wax
Replies: 8
Views: 23836

Strip Cutting Friction and Wax

Just finished ripping a pile of strips. Tried a skilsaw but found it slow and hard to achieve consistancy.
Set up a 48" fence on a Dewalt portable table saw. Lots of friction until I waxed the fence and table with paste wax. Huge difference. Thin-kerf skilsaw blade. Cruisin.
by Stencil
Sun May 26, 2013 8:54 am
Forum: Boat-Building Tips & Techniques
Topic: Steam Bending Stems
Replies: 12
Views: 17020

Re: Steam Bending Stems

I have good success with boiling. Birch and ash both respond well to a good soak and then boil. Ash will bend just with soaking depending on the radius (not radical). I talking about solid full dimensional wood not just strips.
by Stencil
Thu Oct 11, 2012 8:36 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: laminating gunwales
Replies: 5
Views: 3939

Re: laminating gunwales

I laminated spruce with an outer of cherry (1/4") Worked OK and there is some upsweep on a Prospector to deal with as well. No breakage, lightweight and not ugly.
by Stencil
Sat Aug 25, 2012 7:27 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Layup schedule for kevlar canoe?
Replies: 3
Views: 2503

Re: Layup schedule for kevlar canoe?

This forum is more about wood-strip construction. You might try posting on this site.http://myccr.com/phpbbforum/viewtopic.php?f=121
by Stencil
Sat May 26, 2012 4:46 pm
Forum: Project Directories
Topic: 15' 0" Prospector Ranger
Replies: 127
Views: 284027

Re: 15' 0" Prospector Ranger

Highplains, It is looking good. I have to agree that the sanding of epoxy is a pain in the tookus. Have you got dust collection on your sander? Taping the hose of a shop vac to the dust port of the sander is a must and really helps. Oh, and you need a filter in the shop vac as well or it will just b...
by Stencil
Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:39 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Varnish sanding question
Replies: 2
Views: 1387

Re: Varnish sanding question

You can try sanding the finish. If the paper clogs right away wait. Try a finger-nail. Your nail should scratch the surface if the varnish is cured. If the finish peels it hasn't cured. To speed curing get air moving over the surface with a fan or a heater blowing air.
by Stencil
Sun Mar 18, 2012 9:42 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Varnish recommendation
Replies: 9
Views: 10986

Re: Varnish recommendation

There was a guy who did test panels with various varnishes and he found the cheap stuff outperformed the expensive stuff in terms of weathering/deterioration. I used the cheap stuff Helmsman from Canadian Tire. No problems with it. But is it still sold?
by Stencil
Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:06 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Plywood build with floor epxy paint
Replies: 1
Views: 2752

Re: Plywood build with floor epxy paint

That is a very interesting build. Didn't really work out in the end but this is how new techniques come to be. Failures are arguably just as important as successes. And you have to admire the try.
by Stencil
Fri Feb 03, 2012 9:16 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: My Paddle Making Websites
Replies: 11
Views: 6903

Re: My Paddle Making Websites

Here is a straight shaft birdsmouth constructed paddle. I cut a slot in the shaft and epoxied a blade into it.Image
P1010002 by Stencilcanoe, on Flickr
by Stencil
Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:30 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Help with webbed seats
Replies: 5
Views: 3302

Re: Help with webbed seats

I used webbing on my seats. I tried screws and cup washers and they worked OK but when it came time to re-stretch the webbing ( it bags slightly after a couple years) I used stainless steel staples. I just finished re-working a seat in another boat changing it from cane to webbing. I prefer the webb...
by Stencil
Thu Dec 15, 2011 9:09 am
Forum: Boat-Building Tips & Techniques
Topic: Stair Gauges
Replies: 0
Views: 11646

Stair Gauges

Just did some work replacing the gunnels on my stripper. Needed a gauge for layout and I thought of stair gauges which are brass fittings with a thumbscrew that attach to a framing square to aid in the layout of stair stringers. Well, they also fit a metal ruler or a thin piece of hardwood and work ...
by Stencil
Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:26 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Warped!
Replies: 4
Views: 2155

Re: Warped!

It could be the stain. There is an old woodworking axiom about whatever you do to one side of the wood you must do to the other.
by Stencil
Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:28 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Inaugural Flip
Replies: 11
Views: 4523

I've put a lot of miles on my Prospector since building it a couple years ago. It only feels twitchy when unloaded. So I agree with others that ballast and leaning down stream should help you. I am no expert but this design is one of the most stable and versatile out there. I have to say that the bo...