Thursday, January 30, 2014

Dynel, Cleats, and Building Jig

Since last update I applied dynel fabric to the leading edge and bottom of the rudder and centerboard.  Dynel is reputed to have very good abrasion resistance, and I put several layers on the parts that will drag first when the water gets thin.  Shown here is the front corner of the centerboard.


I also cut, planed, and routed some stock for cleats to reinforce the joints where plywood pieces meet in the boat.  These are just plain pine boards from Menards.  I've got 80' prepared.  There are some knots in this #2 lumber, but I will just cut around those and work with the clear wood.  Yellow cedar is recommended, but not to be found around here.  I will precoat these pieces with three coats of epoxy on the sides that will not be glued to other pieces.


Then I got started assembling the building jig.  I set up the legs and started gathering pieces, 


And held them in place with some clamps, 


And spent quite a bit of time shimming and checking for level both lengthwise and crosswise.


Then I screwed the bottom to the legs, and screwed in cleats to hold the sides to the bottom.  It stiffened up very nicely and now feels sturdy.


And ended the night by placing the first boat part on the jig - the hull bottom.  I think the shop is going to start feeling pretty small soon...


5 comments:

  1. Why do two of lateral supports only go halfway across the jig box?

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    Replies
    1. George - those two are there to support the plywood on the outside of the centerboard slot - you can see them through the slot in the last photo. Since the other side does not have the slot, it is stiff enough to not need those supports.

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    2. Oh - I see how that works now - thanks.
      I'm just at the jig build and find a big lack of info on it in the plans and instructions unless you are building the kit so I'm looking at other builders' jigs. They don't all have those supports. Also don't see any reference in the plans or instructions so this is good info to me. I notice that those two supports are notched a bit below the side of the jig?
      Thanks - George

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    3. BTW - your website is full of details which I will refer to during my build probably. You have done a very nice job on the blog and, most of all, on the boat itself. Kudos.
      George C.

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    4. George - the notches are there so that when the centerboard case gets inserted in the slot it can protrude a bit (1/4" or so). It then gets trimmed flush later on when you turn the hull over.

      I'm glad you're enjoying the blog, I hope you find lots of useful things here. I do have a few more entries to make from the final stages when I was just building and not blogging. I hope to get those done sometime...

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