Bead and Cove Vs. Tongue and Grove

Welcome to the new Bear Mountain Builders Forum - an interactive internet service we provide to encourage communication between canoe and kayak builders
Post Reply
jdixon
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:20 am

Bead and Cove Vs. Tongue and Grove

Post by jdixon »

im finally geting to the stage where i can start to get my cedar strips.

Robbins Timber, my probable supplier, offer cedar strips with either a 'bead and cove' edge or a 'tongue and grove' edge. (follow the link below if you are not sure of the difference)

http://www.robbins.co.uk/Pdf%20Files/pl ... ulking.pdf

my question is would 'tongue and grove' be better that 'bead and cove' for canoe building?

thanks for any replies


james
User avatar
Woodchuck
Posts: 140
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:56 am
Location: Garden City, MI

Post by Woodchuck »

NO... Bead and cove has gained popularity because it can "roll" and still maintain full contact at the joint. It is this feature that allows keeping the curves over the length of the canoe. Tonque and grove is two dimensioal only and is best used for flooring or planter boxes. In a stripper, the wood is just a filler. The strength comes from the two layers of fiberglass. If you were to look at it in cross-section, it would approximate an I beam where one layer is in compression and the other in tension witth the wood being a filler. Hopes this helps...
CYA, Joe
Joe "Woodchuck" Gledhill
Garden City, MI
User avatar
Jim Dodd
Posts: 1359
Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:08 pm
Location: Iowa

Post by Jim Dodd »

I don't know how your prices convert to U.S. dollars, but here in the States, cutting and bead and coving your own strips can save you a lot!
Another option would be to buy square edged strips and do the bead and cove yourself!
Just food for thought!
Jim
Keep your paddle wet and your seat dry!
jdixon
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:20 am

Post by jdixon »

i know that it would probably be cheaper in the long run to cut them my self, but i have no eqipiment with which to do it and would have to hire out a local woodworking shop.
if i buy the strips premilled, then i can complete the canoe with borrowed tools

thanks for your thoughts
Post Reply