The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

Sluggo, I've made enough mistakes on this boat I almost fear giving advice. But I think what I did was right.....I did the plugs first then sanded things down to where I wanted them. I got to thinking about it and dont see it being an issue either way really.....but you will have to go back and cle...

I've finished a couple of paddles but not with varnish. I used a mixture of tung oil, paint thinner and urethane. I coated the paddles then put them down on a bench, sitting on a couple of small pieces of wood to minimize contact. I didn't pay any attention to details on that aspect. After 4 thin co...

hi, My outer stems are two strips of walnut sandwiching a strip of yellow cedar. I'm trying to decide on what color of plug to use to insert into the temporary screw holes created during the gluing process. I could buy a cutter and make some walnut plugs to make the very outside. Or I could use some...

I finished stripping the canoe yesterday. As for how I did the last two strips (see here ), I fit them individually. The last strip was not bent at all, I just shaped a curve on one side using my apron plane. It wasn't too difficult. The worst strip was the 2nd to last one. It didn't bend so well an...

Yesterday I actually set up to work as one of your suggestions. With space for 2 more strips, I placed a sheet of plywood on top of the hull and from the bottom (under the hull) I traced out the outline of the 3rd to last strip. I then put the plywood on the bench and stapled a strip to the ply to m...

are there any tips on fitting the last strip? Somehow I managed to miss the part in canoecraft about pre-gluing/bending the last couple of strips together prior to filling in the bottom of the hull. Just thought I'd check on this before I head out to the garage to work on it.

cheers

Yes, I did a test with my hot glue. It comes off fine from what I could tell. What I mean is that I don't know how much work it is to remove a bunch of hot glue dots compared to removing staples compared to using clamps.....

So far I think the hot glue works very well. I haven't tried removing any glue yet though. Using clamps and things for stapleless seems like a bit of a hassle to me but it's probably okay once a person is used to it. I'm not sure why more people don't go the hot glue route. It's fast, it holds the w...

I followed the shear, I just thought that it would be easier that way. http://www.dryfly.ca/gallery2/d/4396-1/almost-at-bilge.jpg Maybe tonight or tomorrow I'll try to get a better picture of the accent strip from the side. it's tough because I can't back away from the canoe very much. More pics in ...

I think I held on to the board as I walked around but can't quite remember. There's wasn't any kickback though. If there was, the board buddies wouldn't be doing their job. I'm not a tablesaw guru so I was never super comfortable with pushing wood with a push stick when ripping strips. I think I wou...

Hey John, I pushed my lumber through the blade until there was maybe 18" inches left (roughly speaking, I can't quite remember). See the pictures below and click on my links at the bottom for more pictures. http://www.dryfly.ca/gallery2/d/4546-2/push.JPG http://www.dryfly.ca/gallery2/d/4549-2/p...

another thing to consider Bill is that you can use multiple methods for the build. As you strip the hull you can start putting in strips stapleless, trying out different methods: hot glue, straps, tape, etc.

Bryan, in the picture of the fitting is the fitting actually sitting upside down?

May I ask why you are using two pieces when one piece of 60 in 6 oz should cover it in one piece? I was thinking about using some very inexpensive but strong 4oz (actually 3.2oz) cloth: Style 1678 from http://www.thayercraft.com/Style%201678.htm Actually I was speaking to a client of your yours abo...

thanks Ron, I'm not sure what I'm going to do about the epoxy. I'll be ready in a couple of weeks but we're heading for the deep freeze of winter. I can get my garage to maybe 15C, and of course I can warm up the epoxy as well. I've fiberglassed in these conditions before and it was okay. The dual l...