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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