Test Time

At last I have started messing around with some cedar. My good friend has really kicked a goal for me by providing me with all the beautiful, clear grained cedar blades that I need. He even helped me rip the 25mm blades in half yesterday and advised me on some glue to use. He also tried to set me up on his router so as to mill the cove edges, but unfortunately the cove bit that I'd ordered turned out to be the wrong thing. (I've since ordered the correct one, namely a 4.8mm "Veining" bit & will hopefully have by Tuesday). As if all that isn't enough, he's further told me to see him before I buy any timber for this boat, as he said he'll probably have something I could use laying around.
The bloke is a true gentleman.

Speaking of helpful characters, last night I went over to my brother in law's house and he generously gave me some glue to try on the build. It's a grey, waterproof adhesive/sealant (sort of like Sikaflex). Not sure of its suitability yet, so I spent today experimenting with it a bit.

Firstly, I made up a laminating jig and had a go at laminating up a pretend stem. I also utilised various types of tape, to see which ones the work sticks to & which ones it doesn't. It was bloody messy work and the strakes kept sliding out of alignment, but it's all done now. We'll see how it turns out.




Then I wanted to make up a "test panel", which is recommended in Gary's book. Using some offcuts, I made up a couple of simulated molds and some little planking strakes. I stapled the first strake and will now wait until I finalise my decision on what glue to use, before I finish it & fiberglass it all.



I then went on to scarf a couple of lengths of cedar together, to try & make a decent fairing batten.



I'm now entering a crap part of my roster at work from tomorrow, which means that I only get next Tuesday off. I plan to make as much progress as I can on that day, so that on my next spell off (the following week), I should be able to finally start planking. I'm very keen to get this boat built within the next couple of months.