The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

Jim: I have tapered the last 32 in. of the inside of the outwales and I think it did make it a little easier to bend, but it seems I need a lot of force to hold them to the shear line. I like your clamp jigs. I have conceptualized the same thing. Is that blue tape on the side that contacts the hull?...

I am attaching my outwales with epoxy on a Redbird. The upward curve at the bow and stern require that I bend the outwales to the point that I'm not sure the epoxy will hold them. I can push them into position, but it requires quite a bit of force. Also, it will be a challenge to design a suport sys...

Randy: That's a good idea. I didn't think of it because I was thinking I needed a stronger joint so a mortise and tenon was the only joint I considered.

Thanks for the reply.

Randy: That's

Thanks, Jim.

Jim: Thanks for your reply. I don't think it will weaken the inwale because I will be adding to it's depth with the additional piece and as you know, epoxy is stronger than the wood. I can't mortise the yoke to a 3/4 in. inner gunwale- that's too thin- 1/4 in. on top, a 1/4 in. tenon, and 1/4 in. on...

I was able to braze brass screws to threaded rod to make screws long enough for my seat supports. I wanted them to be brass and hex flathead screws and after much searching, couldn't find them in 5 in. lengths. The only question I still have is if the brazed joint is strong enough. If a 200 lb. pers...

I created a folder on Google Photos and here's the link. Please let me know if this doesn't work.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wnRFGme6Vt2cvz319

Thanks.

On my Redbird, I intend to attach the middle thwart with a mortise and tenon joint. I entend to epoxy a short block under the inner gunwale to provide a little more meat for a thicker tenon. What thickness tenon would you recommend? I go by the rule of thirds: a third of the thickness above and belo...

Jim: I spoke with my welding supply company and was informed that brazing would be an adequate fix. I have brazing rod, so I ordered all my hardware: 1-1/2 inch brass, flathead #10 X 24 bolts(these were the longes they had with hex heads), brass finish washers, brass flat washers, brass nylock nuts,...

Thanks to all for your replies. I contacted Top Notch Fasteners and the thinnest silicon-bronze bolt they carry is 1/4 in. I agree with sedges that a 1/4 in. bolt is too thick for the inner gunwale. Mine are 5/8 in. at the top and just under 7/8 in. at the bottom. Canoe Craft calls for a 3/16 in. bo...

Does anyone have a suggestion on where I could find 6 in. long, #10 brass machine screws for hanging my seats? My preiminary measurements indicate my longest bolt will be 5 in., but I don't want to cut it too close. I have tried Home Depot, Fastenal, BoltDepot, Fastenere, Hillman, Grainger, MSC, and...

Fyi, to check your calculations, I'm building a Redbird and used 71 strips. This does not include the short strips at the bow and stern that fill in the "upsweep" of the Redbird's design. Seventy one (71) does include the shorter strips used in closing the football, and I mirror imaged eve...

I am using West System epoxies, so I called them about using stains under their product. They said water based stains are ok. I stained some of my accent strips and it appears the epoxy stuck to these strips well. This was done over a year ago. This link may work better: https://photos.app.goo.gl/vr...

Brian: Good information.

Thanks.