Preparation for first strip fitting

Jigs made to assist with fitment of the strips.  I will be attaching the strips to the forms with hot glue.  The forms have been masked for easy removal later.  I changed things slightly and elected to cut the bow form and make an inner stem that will become part of the boat.

The jigs are 3mm ply 70mm x 70mm with slot for a strip. (Thanks for your help Eldest child.)

Bow inner stem fitted.

The strips were spread out to find the best grain pattern.  This board is very boring and im glad it is for the hull.  In the end I have gone for  'Nick Shade' book match.

Strips sorted ready to go on the boat.

I did some tests with the router on one of the strips that will not be on the hull. The 1/4" bead and cove router bits are too big and a 3/16" bit has now been ordered.

Forms locked in place.

The central spacers were modified and Wedges cut.  End forms were screwed to the strongback to stop them moving when the wedges are inserted. Once all prepared the wedges were inserted to lock it all in place.

 

The forms were then masked in prep for hot glue attachment of the strips. The whole thing was flipped over so that the hull could be stripped.

Once flipped the level was checked with a laser level.  Some forms required further alignment.

Strip cutting.

So obtained a nice piece of western red cedar 6100x50x200.
This was cut into strips 5x16x6100.  Thanks to Phil for assistance with the sheer length of these things.

These strips have been kept in the same order that they existed in the board to allow for book matching

Here you can see all of the strips (66 of them) stacked in their original orientation in the board.

Strips were numbered with assistance from my eldest

Getting back to it.

There has been a big break in proceedings.  Heat had effected the paper on the forms and this required re gluing with spray glue.

Forms 9 and 11 were a little tight when sliding over the strongback.  A quick tidy up with the jigsaw saw this fixed.

Forms 9 and 10 were cut to insert coaming recess.

Once all the forms were spaced correctly it became apparent that the strongback was 1.25 inches short.  Pieces were cut from scrap to rectify this.  These were glued on and will dry while I am away fighting fires in East Gippsland.

Glue dried and job screwed length now matches spacers and forms.  Thanks Mr Pythagoras.