shaping stems
shaping stems
Hello, I'm new to canoe building a Ranger 15'. In need of ideas to shape stems. already ruined first set of stem stock. Used spoke shave and chisel. Any info helpful, Thanks
- Glen Smith
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- Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 9:08 am
- Location: Baie-St-Paul, Quebec, Canada
Re: shaping stems
I use 2 tools for stem shaping. A spokeshave and a sanding stick which is just a hardwood stick with 60 grit sandpaper gued on.
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- Posts: 196
- Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:00 pm
Re: shaping stems
Very similar to Glen here, except I used a good wood rasp as I didn't have a nice sanding stick like that. A spokeshave works great as you have to do a rolling bevel, and it is easy to do that with.
-JIM-
Re: shaping stems
Thanks for info very helpful, liked the shaping stick
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Re: shaping stems
Hi Carles
I like using my spokeshave,rasp,smoothing plane,cabinet scraper and sandpaper.I have also found a small belt sander works well.
Use what works well at different stages.Sometimes you will want to take lots off whereas at others a bit of finesse is required.
cheers
Alick
I like using my spokeshave,rasp,smoothing plane,cabinet scraper and sandpaper.I have also found a small belt sander works well.
Use what works well at different stages.Sometimes you will want to take lots off whereas at others a bit of finesse is required.
cheers
Alick
Re: shaping stems
I used a spokeshave and a small handplane to shape the stems on my 17' kayak. I carefully followed the instructions in Ted's book "KayakCraft" about shaping the stem, especially about not trying to shape too much of the stem at one time (3 or 4 strips worth worked for me). Shaping tool needs to be very sharp! Spokeshaves work well when they are very sharp and fine-tuned. Most spokeshaves right out of the box don't usually work too well. Their soles usually need to be flattened and the blade sharpened. I also slightly round the two corners of the blade to prevent it from digging in to the workpiece.
Lie-nielsen's website has a short video about how to set the depth of a spokeshave so it works properly.
Lie-nielsen's website has a short video about how to set the depth of a spokeshave so it works properly.
Re: shaping stems
After making a few paddles in which the efficiency and control of the rasp has been demonstrated, I have come to believe that for a newby or someone not having a history of working with hand tools, the easiest way would be the wood rasp and then the sanding stick. I have used all the above mentioned methods, which can all work fine, but the wood rasp can remove a lot of wood but in an easily controlled way. Not too big or heavy, can easily change angles for the bevel angle required, and its cheap as well. After getting close to your lines, take out the sanding stick.
On the other hand, if you have a good sharp spokeshave and know how to use it, then I would go that route and then use the sanding stick.
Moonman.
On the other hand, if you have a good sharp spokeshave and know how to use it, then I would go that route and then use the sanding stick.
Moonman.
Re: shaping stems
I made a mistake when bending & laminating my stems, in that I failed to glue them up with the grain orientation consistent between layers. So I had grain sloping in opposite directions in alternating layers. This made shaping the stems with any kind of plane (I used both spokeshave & low-angle block plane) kind of interesting, as every second layer would cut smooth, while every other second layer would tear out. That would have been a good occasion to switch to the rasp, I suppose.
Ahh well, live and learn.
Ahh well, live and learn.
Re: shaping stems
I used a Japanese "Shinto Saw Rasp" for shaping the stems. It takes off a lot of wood really quickly