Search found 49 matches

by DSJ
Tue Aug 21, 2012 4:58 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: splicing planks
Replies: 2
Views: 1930

Re: splicing planks

Just butt them together as you strip the hull. as long as you stagger the jonts there will be no effect on the strength of the finished canoe.
by DSJ
Mon Aug 20, 2012 10:41 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: pneumatic clamping system
Replies: 1
Views: 2108

pneumatic clamping system

I came across this clamping system for building a laminated bow while wandering around the interweb. http://americanwoodworker.com/blogs/projects/archive/2011/08/10/ws-build-a-recurve-bow.aspx It would work for stems, but what about for a staple-lesss system? Retired firehose can be had at just abou...
by DSJ
Fri May 25, 2012 11:52 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: inwale and deck material question
Replies: 8
Views: 5123

Re: inwale and deck material question

I wouldn't use white pine, but red pine or jackpine would probably work well

I've used red pine as flooring and made a paddle out of a leftover piece. it's reasonably light and very hard
by DSJ
Fri May 04, 2012 8:45 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: seat design
Replies: 4
Views: 2379

Re: seat design

Chipper You need to take a look at other canoe building books. I have a book by Gilpatrick (1993 version). Gilpatrick has a nice section on canoe seat building. He starts the section with a Maine twist on the word "ample". He does that so you will know what he means when he describes his ...
by DSJ
Sun Mar 18, 2012 7:13 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Varnish recommendation
Replies: 9
Views: 10980

Re: Varnish recommendation

I've had very good results with Home Hardware's wood shield brand of spar varnish. $21 a quart

I tried a varathane waterbourne exterior clear latex but I found that it turns cloudy when the canoe gets wet.
by DSJ
Sat Mar 03, 2012 11:28 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Any thoughts on making Seat Backrest?
Replies: 8
Views: 4829

Re: Any thoughts on making Seat Backrest?

Moonman wrote:
And DSJ, wow I love your backrest! Really nice work there. What was the final weight?

Moonman
I wasnt really worried about weight in this build and i used red oak for the trim and seats. I'd guess the seatbacks are about a pound each.
by DSJ
Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:29 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Any thoughts on making Seat Backrest?
Replies: 8
Views: 4829

Re: Any thoughts on making Seat Backrest?

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/230642_10150307888653709_688698708_9749541_7811160_n.jpg http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223165_10150284804038709_688698708_9554291_6630186_n.jpg Here's what I built. Folds flat, four bolts hold them on and it takes a few minutes to remo...
by DSJ
Sun Oct 02, 2011 4:39 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: just wondering
Replies: 14
Views: 17569

Re: just wondering

If you are going into production, you could save a lot of time by making parts for multiple canoes all at once. For example, it probably would'nt take much more time to machine gunnels and planking for two or three canoes than it would for one. It may also make sense to sub-contract some of the work...
by DSJ
Tue Sep 13, 2011 5:50 am
Forum: Choosing a Design
Topic: Cedar.canvas?
Replies: 2
Views: 13569

Cedar.canvas?

I'm thinking about buillding another canoe this winter and i am kicking around the idea of making a cedar/canvas craft.

Has anyone here ever built one and can you recommend a book or other resource on this topic?
by DSJ
Tue Aug 30, 2011 11:21 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Thinning Spar Varnish (orange peal)
Replies: 4
Views: 4196

Re: Thinning Spar Varnish (orange peal)

A couple of things. By wiping with thinner, you probably raised the grain of the wood. A light sanding would be necessary to knock the fuzz off before you varnish. The mineral spirits may have reacted with the varnish causing your problems. It sounds like you have only put on one coat so far. You ma...
by DSJ
Fri Jul 15, 2011 11:54 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Varnish
Replies: 2
Views: 1639

Re: Varnish

Helmsman is Minwax's brand of spar varnish. I've used it on some pine screen doors a few years ago with good results.

Most products will say "above waterline use only", but that's ok for a canoe bottom because your not going to leave it in the water continously.
by DSJ
Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:44 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Extra Coat of Epoxy After Sanding???
Replies: 5
Views: 2139

Re: Extra Coat of Epoxy After Sanding???

Pretty much any decent hardware store or paint store should have spar varnish.

I've had good luck with Wood Shield brand from Home Hardware. It's thier private label brand.

Stay away from the newer waterborn uv ressistant polyurethane finishes. I've found that they go cloudy when they get wet.
by DSJ
Mon Jul 04, 2011 11:57 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: New Canoe Build
Replies: 16
Views: 10036

Re: New Canoe Build

What kind of dye do you use? I'm interested in doing a project using a green dye on maple.

If your planning on paddling it leaned over, would a bit more tumblehome in the centre be beneficial?
by DSJ
Thu Jun 30, 2011 8:14 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: hole layout for caning
Replies: 4
Views: 2972

Re: hole layout for caning

I laid out the holes for this backrest by marking the spacing on a straight piece of scrap planking, then clamping it square across the frame, and finally transfering the layout to the frame with a 12" square.
Image
by DSJ
Sat Jun 11, 2011 6:26 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Getting Raka 350 into Canada
Replies: 3
Views: 1794

Re: Getting Raka 350 into Canada

I've had it shipped directly to me twice. Unfortunately, they will only ship via UPS. A few months ago I got a 3 gallon resin kit, 3 pumps and 12 yards of cloth. I paid about $60 for shipping and around $80 COD for HST and UPS' ransom (brokerage) Even though the shipping and fees were expensive, the...