I started the strong back last week like I said in my post, but haven't had the time to do anything else with it. I also need to get loan of a router before starting again. But I will explain what I've done so far, It may have been a waste of time and money, but that will be figured out later on.
Nick's book tell's you to use plywood to build the strong back with, and that was what I planned. Figured 3/4" would be plenty strong for that, but could probably be done with 1/2'". Then you need 1/2" plywood for the forums. Now... through all my reading, I came across a couple that said MDF worked better for the fourms, because when sanding down to the line, and final shaping, it doesn't chip as bad as plywood, and leaves a better edge! Makes sence in my world! Plywood can be very ruff, and chip away, so I decided to use MDF (dispite the extra dust). Now... Heres where I may lie in fault! I can't remember if I also read that MDF was also used in the Strong back?!? Weeks before buying the wood, that was in my mind, and while buying the wood. But when I started to cut... thats when the thought came back! But I already had a couple strips done, so decided to contuine and see how it goes. I could get the 1/2" MDF when I was shopping, so I have to return and get that, so if I need to get plywood for the strong back, I can get it then.
The process to building the back isn't that hard when you really size it up. I was a little turned of , on the idea of building one first, sence it can be done with 2x4's (no building required). But after talking to a few guys who have built there own boats (with and without strongbacks) they talked me into building it.
I don't own a table saw, so the process to cutting perfect strips with a skill saw seemed a little unrealistic, but my Father inlaw loaned me an fancy guide riggy, and attaches to the plate on the saw, and gives very percise cutting lines. Must better then the basic rip guides that come with the saws (he also loaned me the saw! and a bunch of other tools that will come up in this build). It made the cutting easy, only near the ends went a little off , due to the guide running past the end of the MDF and having to free and the last little bit. The finsihed Back will be longer then whats needed, so I figure the worse ends can be left on the ends of either side, then trimed off, for a more even finish. When the strips are staggered there are only 2 - 8 foot lenghs that will be in the centre of the strong back, so I pick the two best of that.
So heres the pics of the very small start to my boat.
Nick's book tell's you to use plywood to build the strong back with, and that was what I planned. Figured 3/4" would be plenty strong for that, but could probably be done with 1/2'". Then you need 1/2" plywood for the forums. Now... through all my reading, I came across a couple that said MDF worked better for the fourms, because when sanding down to the line, and final shaping, it doesn't chip as bad as plywood, and leaves a better edge! Makes sence in my world! Plywood can be very ruff, and chip away, so I decided to use MDF (dispite the extra dust). Now... Heres where I may lie in fault! I can't remember if I also read that MDF was also used in the Strong back?!? Weeks before buying the wood, that was in my mind, and while buying the wood. But when I started to cut... thats when the thought came back! But I already had a couple strips done, so decided to contuine and see how it goes. I could get the 1/2" MDF when I was shopping, so I have to return and get that, so if I need to get plywood for the strong back, I can get it then.
The process to building the back isn't that hard when you really size it up. I was a little turned of , on the idea of building one first, sence it can be done with 2x4's (no building required). But after talking to a few guys who have built there own boats (with and without strongbacks) they talked me into building it.
I don't own a table saw, so the process to cutting perfect strips with a skill saw seemed a little unrealistic, but my Father inlaw loaned me an fancy guide riggy, and attaches to the plate on the saw, and gives very percise cutting lines. Must better then the basic rip guides that come with the saws (he also loaned me the saw! and a bunch of other tools that will come up in this build). It made the cutting easy, only near the ends went a little off , due to the guide running past the end of the MDF and having to free and the last little bit. The finsihed Back will be longer then whats needed, so I figure the worse ends can be left on the ends of either side, then trimed off, for a more even finish. When the strips are staggered there are only 2 - 8 foot lenghs that will be in the centre of the strong back, so I pick the two best of that.
So heres the pics of the very small start to my boat.
Fancy cutting rig I refered to.
Getting ready to cut.
Some of the finished strips. Note the lovely MDF dust! That stuff gets everywhere...
Finished stips, and some of the cedar I bought in behind. I have mostly 6 foot lenghts of cedar cause it was all I could get. But the plan I have in mind, will use mostly shorter strips for the deck, so I wont have to make quit as many joins. There still will be along mind you, cause the pine I'm getting for the bottom is only 8 foot lenghts. I have a bit of 8 foot cedar that I will join as well to place in with the cedar on the hull, so there is some what of a blend of wood, and there will be pine on the deck as well.
Forgot to mention, the MDF for the strong back is 3/4" and does flex a fair bit as is, but I think this would happen with plywood as well. I'm going to guess once the box beam is build, it will stiffen up quit a bit.
Forgot to mention, the MDF for the strong back is 3/4" and does flex a fair bit as is, but I think this would happen with plywood as well. I'm going to guess once the box beam is build, it will stiffen up quit a bit.