Renovating an old wooden sports boat, am I mad?
Discussion
Perec said:
maser_spyder said:
Stuff
Can you confirm that boat building will not interfere with your toboggan development scheme?
Might manage a couple of weeks, but can't do the season.This boat (and another couple of projects) is my escapism for the first quarter of next year, I gotta keep busy or I'll go crazy!
That said, I have launched a range of winter items this year, so that could be a good excuse to spend some time out there!
Perec said:
maser_spyder said:
Perec said:
Oh so you normally spend the ski season in the snow, as opposed to here?
Yup. 
I'm pretty quiet for the first quarter, so relatively easy to get stuck in to my old projects again. Toboggans, Frogeye, Moke, and now boat...
I have a superb new workshop now, loads of space, loads of tools and equipment, totally set up for a big project like this.
I should keep a spend diary, I've already bought plans and tools, would guess that's £500 already, oops!
OneDs said:
Budget Creep!!!
I also need to get a router table & bandsaw before I start my project but that's probably way further off than this winter, out of interest what did you go for? Don't want to spend loads but do want something that will provide reliability & portability.
I'm not too fussed on the router table, so got a cheap one with a motor/router built in (1/4 and 1/2" collets). If it's good and I use it, I'll invest in a better one. I've already got a 1/4" cheapy router, a 1/2" cheapy and a good 1/2" one as well, so between four routers, it should be enough. £125 delivered.I also need to get a router table & bandsaw before I start my project but that's probably way further off than this winter, out of interest what did you go for? Don't want to spend loads but do want something that will provide reliability & portability.
Bandsaw, I went for a Metabo BAS 260, floor standing with 260mm jaws. Again, not the best in the world at £200, but if it's good and I really use it, I'll get rid and buy a better one.
Just about to press the button on a Bosch Professional jigsaw and planer. The Bosch jigsaw gets a superb review everywhere, it's absolutely brilliant apparently. I've already got a 36V Bosch Pro drill, which has been flawless in four years, so happy to invest in more of the same.
The only thing I might need that I don't have is a dust extractor. I've got a basic one like a workshop hoover, but the hose is only about a metre long so I'd need something a bit better than that.
I've already got compressors and air tools (DA sanders, etc.) in the workshop.
I'll wait for some bits to arrive next week and upload some pics!
bluesatin said:
Maser
Which plan did you buy?
This one. I'm now thinking it was perhaps a little ambitious.... But, in for a penny, and all that. Will get started on the frames as soon as my new jigsaw turns up. Luckily I had a stack of MDF left over from a shop fit that's the perfect size, so will recycle it for this.Which plan did you buy?
I've studied the plans today, the bits I couldn't work out I've pondered on, and I think I've nailed it. It's difficult, but not impossible. It's a lot more vague than I was expecting though, I guess the idea is to give you the basic frame and hull, and you work out the rest yourself. I thought my hand would be held a bit more if I'm honest. It's literally a copy of some hand drawn plans, with hand written scribbles in pencil. I'll get some pics when I've sorted the workshop properly!
OneDs said:
When I first opened my plans I thought is was a foreign language. Takes a bit of time to sink in, they really are a work of art. The planning phase of the build is going to take a few months on it's own. It really is a fully fledged project, deciding when and how you are going to build individual components and how rigidly you're going stick to the design and instructions.
For example, I'd like to use some proper joinery, like tenons, dovetails, tongue & groove etc.. rather than solely rely on the butt, scarph & epoxy methods described on things like the thwarts, seats and centreboard case, this means that the construction and timing of these elements needs to be considered before the first mould is placed on the strong back, I'm also considered stretching the plans by a ft and this is major exercise in a-level maths I thought I'd never use again.
Mine are not a work of art. A least, not art as I know it!For example, I'd like to use some proper joinery, like tenons, dovetails, tongue & groove etc.. rather than solely rely on the butt, scarph & epoxy methods described on things like the thwarts, seats and centreboard case, this means that the construction and timing of these elements needs to be considered before the first mould is placed on the strong back, I'm also considered stretching the plans by a ft and this is major exercise in a-level maths I thought I'd never use again.
Edited by OneDs on Tuesday 29th October 16:51
Planning, I don't work like that.
I'll be getting started on the basics within a week, if nothing else but to do the boring stuff and get it out of the way. I'll be building exactly to the plans (such as they are), so that'll make it a bit easier (ha!).As for joinery, well, maybe on the next one (double ha!). This one I'll keep simple, well within my skill set (triple ha!) and try not to complicate things.
I'm lucky in that there's an exceptional build diary on one of these online, which will take a fair amount of the guess work out of it. There's a long way to go....
Simpo Two said:
It looks lovely; I'd like to tackle something like this but don't have the space or expertise.
One thing - this isn't California so what do you do when it rains?
I have plenty of space. And I fitted some new doors once, does that count?One thing - this isn't California so what do you do when it rains?
Um, if it rains, well, I guess you get wet? (Dammit.)
My first cock-up!
Ordered a Bosch jigsaw because it was a very good deal. Arrived today, perfect. Thought it was an odd shaped plug. Looked closer. 110V.
So, my bargain jigsaw has just cost me another £50 on a transformer, never mind.
Getting some MDF tomorrow, have got carbon paper, plans, band saw, jig saw, routers, just need to clear up the workshop a bit and I'm ready to go.
Going to start with templates for the frames on MDF. If I mess it up, no harm done. If not, it'll save ages when I come to make them from the proper timber because I can just cut around the outline with the band saw, and trim it with a pattern bit on the table router using the MDF template piece.
Off to buy a sanding station next, and possibly another dust extractor or two, I'm not sanding MDF without some really good dust proofing.
Ordered a Bosch jigsaw because it was a very good deal. Arrived today, perfect. Thought it was an odd shaped plug. Looked closer. 110V.
So, my bargain jigsaw has just cost me another £50 on a transformer, never mind.
Getting some MDF tomorrow, have got carbon paper, plans, band saw, jig saw, routers, just need to clear up the workshop a bit and I'm ready to go.
Going to start with templates for the frames on MDF. If I mess it up, no harm done. If not, it'll save ages when I come to make them from the proper timber because I can just cut around the outline with the band saw, and trim it with a pattern bit on the table router using the MDF template piece.
Off to buy a sanding station next, and possibly another dust extractor or two, I'm not sanding MDF without some really good dust proofing.
hidetheelephants said:
Just an opporchancity to duplicate all your power tools and buy a yellow brick to trip over and stub your toe on.
I'm clearly in the market for tools at the moment.I went to do a ten minute job with the drill the other day, two hours away. Before I left, I picked up the drill charger, thinking it hasn't been charged for a little while, I'm gonna need it. Got there, drilled two holes, flat battery. Went to get charger, not there.... I'd left the damned thing on the workbench. So, over to B&Q for another Bosch drill.
I'm not short of tools, that's for sure.
Just finishing off another project (two-tiered kart transporter), adding some more sockets, sorting out my air lines, and I'll try to get started next week.
I'm pretty much ready to go, bar the 110v transformer I ordered a week ago and still hasn't arrived.
Pics tomorrow if I get chance!
I'm pretty much ready to go, bar the 110v transformer I ordered a week ago and still hasn't arrived.
Pics tomorrow if I get chance!
_Batty_ said:
At least with 110v you won't kill yourself
Hmm, you're more confident about that than I am right now....Workshop nearly clear, just need to sort out the rest of the new sockets so I can plug in all my fancy new woodworking tools, bolt them all to the workbench, stuff like that.
I'm not sure whether I should be laminating the plans or not? Would seem to make sense, given how much I'm expecting to use them. Anybody done this before?
Planning to use the West Systems epoxy because it comes with little pumps on the top of the bottles so you can pump out directly on to scales, much easier to mix (even small amounts).
All the rest, duly noted, ta.
Silicon bronze nails/screws are expensive in the UK.
Need to order some from the US where it's about 1/3 or 1/2 of the price here. I've found some square-head screws that look really good, much easier than slotted when you're using hundreds of them....
All the rest, duly noted, ta.
Silicon bronze nails/screws are expensive in the UK.
Need to order some from the US where it's about 1/3 or 1/2 of the price here. I've found some square-head screws that look really good, much easier than slotted when you're using hundreds of them....Thanks chaps, I just checked Wessex Resins to find they're about half a mile from where I went to school and only ten minutes from where I live, perfect.
I was going to buy the stuff online, didn't realise they were so close!
Will keep an eye on their site for the next course, that would be a useful life skill for sure.
I was going to buy the stuff online, didn't realise they were so close!
Will keep an eye on their site for the next course, that would be a useful life skill for sure.
Umm, yeah, er, doing really well.
Ok, actually, I've been busy. I sell toys, and it's Christmas next month, busy time of year for me.
Also, setting up a workshop takes AGES. I didn't realise how much time would be spent just shopping for bits and pieces.
Picked up an industrial sized dust extractor today, but will need some extra tubing. More shopping. You get the idea.
On the plus side, the workshop is clear. The new tools have been bolted down to the table and are ready to go. I just need a sheet of MDF to put over my metal table and I'll start drawing lines at last. I could do it without but it would mess up the paper plans and I want to keep them safe.
So, it's on the move, but will be properly on the move once Christmas is done and dusted!
Hoping to get some of the templates done in the next couple of weeks, then I can get the timber ordered (more shopping).
On the plus side, I'm not short of tools and equipment, and once I get started I should have everything I need!
Just remembered I need an oil tank for the space heater, it's freezing in there right now. More damned shopping!
Ok, actually, I've been busy. I sell toys, and it's Christmas next month, busy time of year for me.
Also, setting up a workshop takes AGES. I didn't realise how much time would be spent just shopping for bits and pieces.
Picked up an industrial sized dust extractor today, but will need some extra tubing. More shopping. You get the idea.
On the plus side, the workshop is clear. The new tools have been bolted down to the table and are ready to go. I just need a sheet of MDF to put over my metal table and I'll start drawing lines at last. I could do it without but it would mess up the paper plans and I want to keep them safe.
So, it's on the move, but will be properly on the move once Christmas is done and dusted!
Hoping to get some of the templates done in the next couple of weeks, then I can get the timber ordered (more shopping).
On the plus side, I'm not short of tools and equipment, and once I get started I should have everything I need!
Just remembered I need an oil tank for the space heater, it's freezing in there right now. More damned shopping!
bluesatin said:
I would add a small wood burner if you intend being in the workshop all day. Great way of getting rid of waste wood!
That's a ridiculously good idea, with just one problem....The workshop pics that I get later will show you why, I've got 5m eaves so would need a massive chimney!
And also, I've got a wooden floor, so a wood burner might not be the safest thing to have.
I could put a metal bit down though and place it on top, and if the chimney went out of the wall, that could work.
But here we are again, more shopping and still no action!
Here goes.
My work table (one of them!). 4m x 2m. Doesn't look that big in the pics, but it's huuuuuge.
My new bandsaw. New dust extractor I just picked up yesterday in the background. I want to get some more tubing for this to attach it to the table router as well as the bandsaw, and possibly the sander too.
Sander and table router.
Some new Bosch goodies. I do love Bosch power tools, they're just the best.
The reason this project has been held up, my two-decked transporter that I've just finished making today. Couple of final touches needed and it's ready to go.
The rest of my workshop has some useful bits and pieces too.
And the obligatory scrap metal corner.
I've lost a bit that I was going to use to do the tracing, once I've found that I'll get started with the drawing on to MDF, then start cutting templates....
My work table (one of them!). 4m x 2m. Doesn't look that big in the pics, but it's huuuuuge.
My new bandsaw. New dust extractor I just picked up yesterday in the background. I want to get some more tubing for this to attach it to the table router as well as the bandsaw, and possibly the sander too.
Sander and table router.
Some new Bosch goodies. I do love Bosch power tools, they're just the best.
The reason this project has been held up, my two-decked transporter that I've just finished making today. Couple of final touches needed and it's ready to go.
The rest of my workshop has some useful bits and pieces too.
And the obligatory scrap metal corner.
I've lost a bit that I was going to use to do the tracing, once I've found that I'll get started with the drawing on to MDF, then start cutting templates....
I made a start at last! Container delivery late. Workshop already tidy. Seemed like the perfect time.
That Bosch jig saw is superb, really easy to use, excellent purchase!
So, I'm tracing to MDF, cutting, and sanding to get a perfect match with the plans. These are just the formers that I'll use to draw the cut lines and router the real timber.
Hull ones done. Moving to the upper frames next. Actually a lot quicker than I thought it would be.
Epoxy, not worried, I won't be getting that far until the Spring at this rate!
That Bosch jig saw is superb, really easy to use, excellent purchase!
So, I'm tracing to MDF, cutting, and sanding to get a perfect match with the plans. These are just the formers that I'll use to draw the cut lines and router the real timber.
Hull ones done. Moving to the upper frames next. Actually a lot quicker than I thought it would be.
Epoxy, not worried, I won't be getting that far until the Spring at this rate!
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