Sunday 18 January 2009

Toroa progress

No Photos today though I had one of our chickens come in to the workshop today, she jumped up and investigated my handy work (which she seemed very impressed by) after which she jumped down again and went on her way in search of insects.

I have now finished gluing all the internal framework and kiato supports with all the associated fiddly bits of timber which are intended to reinforce the connections to the hull. My next step depends on a source of plywood which I am currently demolishing from an old hospital utility shed nearby.

All my timber is sourced from recycled native wood from my ever growing collection. I sometimes wish I was as good at collecting money as I am at collecting wood. Perhaps I will build my next proa out of money! On the subject of money this rebuild has just passed the $150.00 threshold and is rising slowly with every tube of glue I finish. I'm working myself up to the purchase of 20 meters of 8oz glass cloth which I'm dreading, (both the process and the spend).

I dry fit all the components including drilling all screw holes & pre-fit screws, after which I sand the mating surfaces and then apply the adhesive. I use square drive screws to hold the components and clamp where possible. Once the adhesive is cured I remove the screws and drill out the hole with a 6 - 8mm drill. I then cut a length of 6 or 8 mm doweling which I coat with glue and drive it in to the hole. This forms a tree nail which reinforces the joint with tremendous shear strength. I prefer this method to leaving screws in the wood. Metal and wood are never very comfortable together, they seem to irritate each other. The added bonus is that the screw hole is filled with wood and this sands and fairs perfectly with the rest of the wood work, no filler needed.

More soon.

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Toroa by Harmen Hielkema & Mike Toy.

Header Photo: Toroa at Rawene by Julie Holton.

This blog is dedicated to the memory of my father Roelof Hielkema who instilled in me the willingness to learn.
These pages are intended to inform and add to the growing body of knowledge concerning the Canoe Culture of the Pacific, past, present & future, from the Tupuna, the Ancestors of the Pacific cultures to the people of the world.

These pages contain Images and text relating to our two proas, Toroa & Takapu, some history relating to our experiments & experiences.

The dissertation that I posted on this blog in April 2008 "Takapu The Proa" was written by me in 1997 in response to an assignment that I was set whilst studying for my design degree. The dissertation covers many issues that a proa enthusiast may benefit from reading about.

Waka define culture as culture defines waka

Waka reflect the individuality and uniqueness of a society which in turn is governed by the geography, geology, topography, climate, location, resources, isolation, origin, flora, fauna, flotsam, jetsam, etc.

Waka are our link to the past, they have shaped our present and define our future.

Waka are the vessels of knowledge, physical and mental development, freedom of bondage to the land, key to our inquisitiveness, expressions of our ingenuity and courage, our love of shape and form, the seat of our power.

Waka are the source of our material culture, from which all processes are derived.

Waka are who and what we are.