Search found 1363 matches

by Jim Dodd
Thu Oct 06, 2022 9:25 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Overnight epoxy application
Replies: 5
Views: 5878

Re: Overnight epoxy application

Temperature definitely effects cure time ! I think you have a good plan, to glass towards evening, but as Brian states, don't walk away from it ! I have a few memories of doing just that, with regrets. A thin epoxy will require more fill coats. the System Three, Clear Coat, I used required two extra...
by Jim Dodd
Wed Oct 05, 2022 10:26 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Epoxy Question and Knot Reassurance
Replies: 3
Views: 4029

Re: Epoxy Question and Knot Reassurance

Back to your question ! If you used straight epoxy, at the stems ? It will blend. If you used filler ? it will likely show. Not bad, but you can see it. Don't worry about the knots ! If you survived sanding them ! The worst is over ! Now they will just be Character ! Sorry for the late reply ! I've ...
by Jim Dodd
Wed Oct 05, 2022 10:16 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Epoxy Question and Knot Reassurance
Replies: 3
Views: 4029

Re: Epoxy Question and Knot Reassurance

All canoe builders are wonderful people ! No Doubt ! ! Every builder ends up with a different canoe than any one else ! Your first canoe will be fine ! That next one will be a lot better ! And take less time and money to build ! My acquisition of tools has grown immensely ! I now have way more clamp...
by Jim Dodd
Mon Sep 05, 2022 3:10 pm
Forum: Choosing a Design
Topic: Ranger, Huron Cruiser, or Bob's Special?
Replies: 14
Views: 73262

Re: Ranger, Huron Cruiser, or Bob's Special?

Roel1 wrote: Tue Aug 30, 2022 2:40 pm Hi all

I’m not the only one who can’t seem to get canoe building out of his system ;-)
Don't even Try !

Feed the Beast !

If my first canoe had come out Perfect ? I might not have kept building !
I'm still on the Quest to Build that Perfect Canoe !

Jim
by Jim Dodd
Fri Aug 26, 2022 10:49 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Epoxy on trim? Or straight to varnish?
Replies: 2
Views: 4396

Re: Epoxy on trim? Or straight to varnish?

The Canoe looks great ! And Congratulations on the up coming addition to the Family ! If you glued with epoxy and filler to the hull. You took the first step in prolonging the life of your canoe ! I get by after gluing the trim to the hull, and Watco with a heavy coat, left to dry several weeks. Oth...
by Jim Dodd
Thu Aug 18, 2022 8:29 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Giving up I guess.
Replies: 6
Views: 7016

Re: Giving up I guess.

I have either used or helped glass canoes with West, System Three, RAKA, and MAS. There is not that much difference between them, as far as wetting out. System Three's "Clear Coat" is probably the easiest as far as wetting fabric. It is thin, and will require several more coats to fill the...
by Jim Dodd
Thu Aug 11, 2022 8:50 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Giving up I guess.
Replies: 6
Views: 7016

Re: Giving up I guess.

WOW ! I have seen some pretty messed up canoes, in all my years of helping others, and I can tell you this, You can make it work ! It may not look like a Million bucks, but will still float when you are done ! And really ? That's what it's all about ! If you have bad spots ? Scrape the glass down to...
by Jim Dodd
Sun Jul 31, 2022 8:44 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Fairing and filling gaps
Replies: 2
Views: 4700

Re: Fairing and filling gaps

Where do you live ?

I'm here in Northwest Iowa.
I'd be glad to personally help mentor you, if not too far away.
I just finished glassing the outside of my 30 something canoe.

Jim
by Jim Dodd
Thu Jun 30, 2022 9:02 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: shoe keel
Replies: 1
Views: 3938

Re: shoe keel

I don't like keels ! If you are dragging your canoe ? Add an extra layer over the Football, and Graphite the bottom.
Keels can be a problem down the road !

Jim
by Jim Dodd
Thu Jun 30, 2022 8:59 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Graphite additive for epoxy
Replies: 3
Views: 18778

Re: Graphite additive for epoxy

I hate to graphite the bottom of my hulls.

I have done it with a few. It does lessen scratching of the hull. It will also add a little speed. My fastest hulls are graphited .
Just don't leave them out in the hot Sun.

Jim
by Jim Dodd
Thu Jun 30, 2022 8:54 am
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: 16' Prospector Modifications?
Replies: 3
Views: 18486

Re: 16' Prospector Modifications?

I agree with Randy ! I wouldn't shorten it ! The canoe I'm building now is 15' 6" and its all built with 8 ' strips. I simply butt join them on the forms with a 2" spring clamp, and a couple of scraps of wood, that are covered with tape to prevent sticking. If you bead and cove your strips...
by Jim Dodd
Sat Jun 11, 2022 8:51 am
Forum: Boat-Building Tips & Techniques
Topic: Margin of error for gaps?
Replies: 4
Views: 6161

Re: Margin of error for gaps?

Good advise Brian. Another thought on epoxy. I never mix any bigger than a 9 oz cup, at a time. I will prefill cups with resin, and then when needed, all I need do is add hardener, and mix. This does two things, saves a little time, but more important, prevents me from making mix ratio mistakes. htt...
by Jim Dodd
Fri Jun 10, 2022 8:08 am
Forum: Boat-Building Tips & Techniques
Topic: Margin of error for gaps?
Replies: 4
Views: 6161

Re: Margin of error for gaps?

Gaps or even staple holes will allow epoxy to weep away, through the hull. If in doubt ? Do a seal coat. Seal coats can help, as well as harm. ! After a seal coat if you choose ? Sand any dust specks, before laying on the cloth. These will create small voids, by lifting the cloth away from the hull....
by Jim Dodd
Mon May 23, 2022 10:48 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Douglas Fir
Replies: 5
Views: 6907

Re: Douglas Fir

Ah ! Sorting wood ! I just picked up some Freebie WRC. It will take a lot of splicing, but that is not a problem. If you are lucky to find a source for WRC, in 1X stock ? That is your best bet, as it is easy to machine into strips. Get it as long as you can, as wide as you can, and as clear as you c...
by Jim Dodd
Mon May 23, 2022 1:55 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Trying a new fiberglass weave
Replies: 5
Views: 7221

Re: Trying a new fiberglass weave

One thing, I'm sure you already discovered, was the difficulty in wetting out high thread count glass. You really have to work the resin Into the cloth ! Never try wetting two layers at a time ! For my hulls that were going to see extra abuse, I added Graphite to the last one or two fill coats, just...