Canoe Project 2!

[jojo]

Hopefully this will clarify the text

If you've got a bit of this missing, click the scroll wheel in the middle of the mouse, you should then be able to view the missing bit.

I meant to write two layers of 1/2" ply for the stems.

 

[jon r]

Thank you again Jojo!! I cant thank you enough for all this advice! Hope it isnt too much of a bother!

Great didgrams there! I'll go gat started on that straight away!

Many thanks!

Jon

 

[jon r]

ok, ive sawn the Gunnel ends so they join propperly. (It took ages!! )

The top sketcch shows how things look so far. When i fit the stem between the gunnels should i fill the areas laveled as 'A' with two bits of wood?

Hope you get what i mean

Thanks!

Jon

 

[jon r]

Or how about a stem and stern like the one in this picture?

http://www.qsl.net/ws8g/canstringers.jpg

That would work well and would save having to bent wood etc.

 

[jojo]

If your gunnels are 1" wide, that would make your stem about 1/4"

I would suggest you'll need stems at least as wide as the gunnels are thick. They need to have a certain amount of strengh as they are part of the structure that will keep the skin taut. If you use 2 layers of ply, you could make then a good couple of inches wide. If you use a willow branch, I would choose one which is about 1 1/4" diameter, bend it to the desired shape, it probably will take a while to dry and stay that shape,them shave them up a bit to flatten the sides so the gunnels will fit fairly well to the stems. If you make the stem longer, that means you can have higher ends to the canoe. If you put the false gunnels as well, it reinforces the end of the canoe, and add beautiful curves!

The pics are not good quality but you'll get the idea.

On this canoe, I used the same gunnels, false gunnel and laminated stems. I just like nice curves

 

[jon r]

More quality diagrams and explainations! Top man!:You_Rock_ :You_Rock_

Does the canoe in that picture have willow ribs? That looks amazing! If i could make a canoe half as good i would be dam pleased with myself! Your canoes, knives and signs all amaze me!

How far are those ribs apart?

 

[jojo]

More quality diagrams and explainations! Top man!:You_Rock_ :You_Rock_

Does the canoe in that picture have willow ribs? That looks amazing! If i could make a canoe half as good i would be dam pleased with myself! Your canoes, knives and signs all amaze me!

How far are those ribs apart?

The ribs on this canoe are steam bent oak, 3/4" wide by 1/4" thick. They are about 8" apart. For the willow ribs they need to be about 4" apart, native people used the width of their hand as the right space on theirs. Not canoes, but their skin on frame kayaks, which are closest to the one you're building in technique.

 

[jon r]

I've decided to use plywood for the stems. Ive got it all worked out but cant use the electric jigsaw untill it dries up outside otherwise it could be shocking! i'll post more pics when ive done that.

Jon

 

[jon r]

Cut the stems today from the plywood. I fitted the thwarts yesterday and ive drilled the wholes in the gunnels for the ribs to slot into. So im making good progerss.

Jon

Just another 24 hours till i can do any more!

 

[jojo]

Looks good..

Tell you what though, it would be easier for you, particularly when you start the ribs to have a couple of simple trestles to place your gunnels frame onto.
Two reasons really, it's better on your knees and back (well better for mine anyway , but also, its much easier to see that the ribs are all lining up nicely and fairly.
Also the ground might not be all that flat and you might well put quite a twist in your canoe. With two trestles, you can line up the tops and be sure to have a straight canoe!

The older I get, the higher the trestles get...

 

[jon r]

good idea but i dont have any trestles. I dont have any wood to make them either. Are trestles things you buy or just make yourself?

 

[spamel]

Do you have a second workmate? They are basically big trestles that you can clamp stuff in.

 

[jojo]

Or you could bang 4 posts in pairs into the ground and tie some cross bars to the pairs. As long the the cross bars are horizontal and parallel, that's fine. or your workmate and one pairs of posts. That's might not be welcomed on a nice lawn though

 

[spamel]

Couple of high back chairs maybe? I have my canoe stored upside down on four garden chairs, two on each side facing towards the centre. Food for thought!

 

[jojo]

4 very good, long suffering friends in pairs, holding broom sticks...

 

[spamel]

Sky hooks and ropes, or four small elephants!

 

[jon r]

Hmmm.. No suitable garden chairs, No second workmate, a lawn too nice to ruin, and no elephants. I'll have to have a think. There are some builders not far from where i work, i could ask to borrow a couple of theirs.

 

[Twoflower]

You can hire metal trestles for a few quid each from any tool hire place.
Or go along to the local builders and ask them to knock something up out of offcuts, i'm sure if you offer them tea or beer they will be obliging.

 

[jon r]

There is a builders workshop next to my house which can be rather usefull. The guys there are friendly and give me as much sandpaper and stuff as i need. Today i saked them if i could borrow a couple of trestles and they said take what you want. So ive got 2 identical trestles now. Sorted! They have also cut carious pieces of wood for me.

Ive done loads more to the canoe thismorning so i'll post pics later.

 

[jojo]

Good on you, and them. I look forward to the pics!