Couple more milestones passed

[compass]

My Ranger build continues. After my last post I assembled and utilized some of the "Jimmy clamps" and I have to say that they work pretty well. They allow me to quickly clamp and keep moving- then I go back and tape and wedge where needed. I decided to take a break from planking up towards the keel and to plank down to the sheer line and clean up the end of the planks at the inner stems.
https://buildersforum.bearmountainboats ... iew&id=412
https://buildersforum.bearmountainboats ... iew&id=411
https://buildersforum.bearmountainboats ... iew&id=410
I was kind of dreading the trimming of the plank ends and I still have to do some final adjustments but it wasn't as daunting a task as I had imagined.
Someone on this forum said that they used a belt sander as they stood over the stems looking down to square up the sander. This is what I did but with an orbital sander.
Using a sharp chisel to trim the planks "up" to the sheer line wasn't as difficult as I expected either except for the forms getting in the way. I've only done one and left it about 1/2" proud but I think that this is good enough until after fiber-glassing?
The one picture of the stem shows a jig that I saw someone post a picture of. It helps to keep the planks against the molds with wedges and I think will
work well with the low angle planks that will be coming up soon. Thanks for reading!

[Jim Dodd]

Looks Great Compass !

Keeping the planks ON the forms has always been the challenge, going the Stapleless route.
Looks like you have it handled.

Stripping the Bilge is a challenge, but once you have the Stem forms covered, the football is the fun part.

Your on the right track ! Stay with it !

Jim

[Cruiser]

Nice job, the stems cleaned up nicely. You have more courage than I do, power tools on an edge like that always get me in trouble.

Please keep the build updates coming

Brian

[compass]

Looks Great Compass !

Keeping the planks ON the forms has always been the challenge, going the Stapleless route.
Looks like you have it handled.

Stripping the Bilge is a challenge, but once you have the Stem forms covered, the football is the fun part.

Your on the right track ! Stay with it !

Jim

Thank you Jim! But don't feel confident that I have things handled. ;) However, your comments are reassuring and appreciated! Yes, I can already tell that the turns at the bilge will be challenging.

[compass]

Nice job, the stems cleaned up nicely. You have more courage than I do, power tools on an edge like that always get me in trouble.

Please keep the build updates coming

Brian

Thank you Brian. I was hesitant to use the power sander on the plank ends but even more reluctant to get any closer by hand. I think the key is looking down from the top of the stem. Looking from the sides I couldn't seem to see a square edge.
The stems aren't perfect but I am thrilled to have them somewhat close to the correct profile and the clean lines really are encouraging.

[Patricks Dad]

I use the beltsander to "cut" the strips flush with the inner stem. As you say, looking down from above makes it much easier. I usually put a strip of metal about 2'long under the belt so I can be sure it is square as I trim. Took some guts the first time but once I got the hang of it, it was easy.

[compass]

I use the beltsander to "cut" the strips flush with the inner stem. As you say, looking down from above makes it much easier. I usually put a strip of metal about 2'long under the belt so I can be sure it is square as I trim. Took some guts the first time but once I got the hang of it, it was easy.

Yes, I thought it was you Randy who gave me the idea- thank you! Now that I've tried it I can't imagine there's a better way to do it!