Jump to content

Cast Away Build


Aimless

Recommended Posts

I don't have any pictures yet as progress is going really slow.  I only have a couple of hours a week my wife will let me work in the garage.  So far its not going very well, but I think things will lookup pretty soon.

 

So far I have everything I need and have cut out about half of the frames from the plywood.  It takes me about an hour to cut out two pieces with a jigsaw.  So it's going really slow.  Tried using a scroll saw to cut out the rectangles, but the blades keep falling off.

 

As for the planks, the good lumber yards are only open during the week business hours and I can't take off and borrow a truck to get 16' boards.  So I am limited to 12' boards from home depot.

 

I've managed to create a guide for a circular saw that will cut the scarfs, and the cuts look good.  But despite clamping strips to a table and to a longer board to keep them straight, they keep coming out crooked.  They are bendy enough to bend them mostly straight, but since they define the shape of the kayak, I'll probably keep trying to make them happen until they work out.

 

I'm kind of wishing I spent the money on the kit so I wouldn't have to cut out all these framing pieces, since my time is limited it's become more of a chore than exciting.  However I'd be much more willing to shell out money for cedar already cut to the necessary dimensions.

 

Hopefully within the next 3 weeks I'll have the pieces ready to go on the strong back and my longitudinals sorted out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  I know how ya feel. I don't have a scroll saw or any table tools but every notch gets better and easier than the last (or it's break time) and sanding is a constant anyway - what's a little more? 

 

  About your issue with carrying long lumber...The yard I found (small and local) was very helpful and ripped the material for me. Once ripped the bundle of strips was very flexible and could possibly be wrapped around a car, van or suv. I've seen folks on the road with long lengths supported by towels rolled up in windows and tied off at the bumpers. Just a thought.

 

  I gotta ask, and I know I'm not the only one wondering....The first paragraph of your post has me wondering if something's gonna happen to the wife?

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bob,

 

Nah.  Well she says I can work longer, but we've got a newborn and I know better than to push it more than a couple hours on a Saturday.  She's pretty exhausted and so I'm doing a lot more around the house than I normally would.  Hopefully building some brownie points too.

 

Once I get all the cutting done I'll probably get to spend more time working on it.  I don't want to help with the baby while covered in saw dust.  So I can't just come in and help out and then run back out to work some more without a wardrobe change.

 

I am tempted to get grandma to come over, send my wife to the spa, and hide in the garage for a whole day.

 

Pickman,

 

Wanted to say thanks for the strongback.  I'll fiddle with the tension on the scroll saw and see how that works out.  I got it new as a gift a long time ago and only used it once. So I know it hasn't been mistreated.

 

--

 

Hopefully I'll get to make some good progress tomorrow.  It looks like it's gonna be a lot warmer and sunny.  Just what I need to feel a bit more inspired.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 months later...

Hey Aimless, how's the castaway build coming along?  I just finished a CLC Passagemaker (stitch & glue) and am thinning about making the fishing castaway my next project.  Don't despair on time, I spent 2.5 years building mine.  I want this one to go faster.

 

I'm debating about the cost of materials vs cost of kit.  Looking for a complete materials list to get a firm price.  What are you using for frame pieces?  1/2 in or 4 mm Baltic Birch?  Any insights would be appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.