Framed

So not much tangible regarding physical construction of the boat in the last week.  Schedules, work, kids, rain (nearly our annual average in the last few days), and other items have prevented forward progress.

We have spent some time working out several different mundane details that are hard to explain, but let me try.

The decision on HOW we are going to build the boat was the first part of what we needed to figure out.  I know what you're thinking, "Josh, didn't you know how you wanted to build the boat before you bought the stuff and started building the boat?"  Yes.  Well no.  Well kinda.  There are several ways to build these boats:

- On a strongback
- Free Form
- Stitch and glue
- Probably other ways

We are building free form.  But not the entirely traditional way.  So we have to start by building frames (or ribs) to exacting dimensions.  We have plans that show these dimensions.  These frames have different angles, dimensions, bevels, etc.  We decided earlier in the week that instead of cutting all of our expensive Port Orford Cedar, we would get some cheap wood and mock up the frames we were going to use to build the boat.  We started with 2x4 framing lumber.  This didn't work.  At all.  We couldn't get the dimensions on the bevels correct.  We figured the problem was that we needed to use wood that was the same dimension as the wood we would use to build the final frames.  So Gary picked up a bunch of 1x4x8 pine from Lowes or Home Depot and we started building the frames.

After some time on the lofting table, we have been able to get several frames built, all with the correct taper and side, bottom bevels.  Quite an accomplishment.  In my book at least. 

Frames made so far:

Notice we have 3 frames out of 1x4 pine, another out of 2x4 framing lumber.  Each of these has the proper side and bottom bevels trimmed in, along with the proper taper on the vertical rib itself.

So the plan is to mock up a few more frames, which should give us frame numbers 1, 3, 5, 8, 10.  Once these frames are fabricated out of the cheap pine, we will proceed with building all 10 permanent frames, along with the transom panel out of the P.O. Cedar.  The decision to only build the 5 mock up frames noted above, will make more sense as we assemble.

The final milestone hit this week was the fabrication of a scarfing jig.  This will be put to use next week as the scarfing of 4x8 sheets of plywood starts.  So scarfing may be a new term, it is basically taking the top ply's off two sheets of plywood (in a 12:1 ratio) and then laying them up at these joints, applying epoxy and sandwiching them together to create a big sheet of plywood.  Soon, I will have 2 sheets of 1/4" plywood in the garage about 23'-3" long, and 2 sheets of 1/2" plywood 15'-6" long.  Stay tuned...