Search found 77 matches

by HighPlainsDrifter
Tue Jul 17, 2012 8:08 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Epoxy trim before varnishing?
Replies: 2
Views: 1354

Re: Epoxy trim before varnishing?

Yes, I do just that.

Jamestown Supply has a nice article on the benefits of epoxy before varnish

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... est+System
by HighPlainsDrifter
Sun Jul 08, 2012 9:48 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Cutting scuppers into a scarf joint ?
Replies: 1
Views: 1160

Cutting scuppers into a scarf joint ?

What are the opinions on cutting scuppers into scarf joints?

My scarf tapers were cut at an angle of 1:8 and I did not want to weaken this joint by removing ¼” of material with a scupper cut.
by HighPlainsDrifter
Tue Jun 19, 2012 10:18 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Sanding inside bow and stern
Replies: 2
Views: 1225

Re: Sanding inside bow and stern

I fashion sanding blocks for difficult areas from closed cell foam. I use self stick 3M Gold sandpaper on my blocks. The paper lasts and cuts material fast (bit spendy but worth it). If you don't have the self stick paper, then make your own with spray on adhesive. Use your scrapers before you pick ...
by HighPlainsDrifter
Sun Jun 17, 2012 8:01 pm
Forum: Project Directories
Topic: 15' 0" Prospector Ranger
Replies: 127
Views: 284034

Re: 15' 0" Prospector Ranger

It was a good Father's Day boat building weekend. The inside of the Ranger has the glass and has a second (and last) coat. I am looking forward to wood work rather than epoxy work. Epoxy stresses me out. There is no room for error and no time for a beer break :) I tended to follow Ted Moore's book o...
by HighPlainsDrifter
Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:52 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: bowline hole
Replies: 9
Views: 4933

Re: bowline hole

I'm going to put them on my Prospector. They're machined from 3/4" bronze rod with a 3/8" hole and a lip which will sit on the outer hull (they look like little 'topless' top hats)' One will be epoxied in from each side at each end, so I need four in all. I epoxied small cedar blocks whic...
by HighPlainsDrifter
Fri May 25, 2012 8:56 pm
Forum: Project Directories
Topic: 15' 0" Prospector Ranger
Replies: 127
Views: 284034

Re: 15' 0" Prospector Ranger

Yesterday was a "watershed moment" for me and the Ranger. I released her from the molds and I finally could step back and look at her lines. I am pleased with what I see. I sanded the exterior glassing job before taking the canoe off. Getting a good feather job on my bias strips (up to 4 l...
by HighPlainsDrifter
Fri May 25, 2012 8:27 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: so far so good
Replies: 12
Views: 6903

Re: so far so good

I wish I could visualize this "towel roll out" that you guys are talking about. Are you laying paper towels on top of the wet resin/glass and then rolling? Does the towel lift off the hull w/o leaving scraps behind? A picture or link to this technique would sure be helpful (to me)
by HighPlainsDrifter
Wed May 16, 2012 9:56 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Building a canoe outside?
Replies: 6
Views: 2482

Re: Building a canoe outside?

I like that idea of having rollers on the strong back. If I could I would take all my sanding work outside. I am currently sanding my exterior epoxy. I am doing it using sanding blocks rather than turning on the RO sander. If anyone has a cure for shop dust, post it
by HighPlainsDrifter
Wed May 09, 2012 9:21 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Bow Measurment
Replies: 2
Views: 1187

Re: Bow Measurment

Off-hand........ NO. Stem material is usually 3/4" thick. If your material is 1", then you are only fat by 1/4". If you have not bent the stem material, then run it through a surface planer to get to specs. I would not use the 1" material if you don't modify the stem molds. That ...
by HighPlainsDrifter
Mon May 07, 2012 9:43 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Fiberglass fleck
Replies: 0
Views: 9737

Fiberglass fleck

I just finished my "fiberglass weekend" and thought things went pretty good. I worked alone and my wife did the mixing (an occasional bit of squeegee work). I use Systems III Silver Tip laminating resin with slow hardner and 6 oz glass. I ordered my glass with the resin from Systems III. S...
by HighPlainsDrifter
Wed May 02, 2012 9:34 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: seat design
Replies: 4
Views: 2382

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 s...
by HighPlainsDrifter
Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:29 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: outside stem thickness
Replies: 5
Views: 2894

Re: outside stem thickness

I am not a fan of the brass band on the stem. I like the look of wood. I guess I have to ask what the brass band actually protects against. All of my scrapes come from the unseen rock and a brass band would have been useless to protect. If you wet foot, I can't see the need for armor plate on the st...
by HighPlainsDrifter
Sat Apr 14, 2012 8:45 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: tips on trimming plank ends
Replies: 14
Views: 8037

Re: tips on trimming plank ends

I have been watching this post and figured that you went with the belt sander. That tool in my hands can be dangerous (to the canoe). I have one additional "fine-tuning" trick. Basically I did as you did and added one more step to clean up my work: 1) trim with fine tooth saw 2) spoke shav...
by HighPlainsDrifter
Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:37 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Blotchy Hull Advice
Replies: 5
Views: 2028

Re: Blotchy Hull Advice

I see a pattern that looks like waves and to me it looks like a sanding problem. Enlarge the picture, lean back from the computer screen (best for my eyes) and look at the first 6 dark planks, left side, and just under the light colored planks. The wave looks like it crosses the grain of the planks ...
by HighPlainsDrifter
Tue Apr 10, 2012 10:10 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: gluing pegs into stems
Replies: 3
Views: 1424

Re: gluing pegs into stems

I have used and will use epoxy to peg the holes.