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fixing the stringers to frame on fusilage type canoe


spitfire

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Hi,

I am building a canoe in the building style of a Kudzu craft with frames made of plywood to get the hull shape and stringers. I have cut small notches in the ply for the stringers to fit in like the Kudzu craft and was going to use glue and ring nails to fix the stringers to the frame. However I see you don't use this method but prefer to tie the stringers to frame with sinew. I am now wondering if there is a structural reason you don't use glue/ nails so would like to ask if glue/nails is the wrong way to build the boat before I start. 

thanks

Nik

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I would not advise it for the following reasons. 1. I almost guarantee you are going to split a frame edge nailing the plywood. 2. Unless your joinery is very precise you will have to use thickened epoxy to fill the gaps. epoxy is messy  and a pain to work with. 3. If you find a frame that needs a little nudge into place after the epoxy has cured there is nothing you can do. either build a crooked boat or start over. 4 if you are set on not lashing Use screws instead of  ring shanked nails so you can remove if needed, for either one make sure you drill pilot holes first. Before you do watch Jeff's you tube video on lashing, its easy.

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  • 3 months later...

I have just finished my first frame, but I have been working with wood for years. One of the points of a SOF boiat, as opposed to an aircraft, I suppose, is that it acts rather like a living thing on the water, and that it is so light. For both these reasons, I would strongly suggest staying away from glue and nails or screws, and stick to lashing. As pbuckner says, it is easy, although it does take longer.

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I built a SOF using screws and epoxy. Yes, the epoxy is a pain, but it works. I pre-drilled and used thin screws. I did not split any frames.

 

I also coated the frames and stringers with epoxy before assembly. After two coats of epoxy, I assembled the whole frame with zip ties, made any adjustments necessary, marked positions with a Sharpie, and drilled for the screws - pilot hole and countersink. Mix small amounts of the epoxy paste, assemble from the center toward alternating ends, and spread the epoxy on the frame before putting the stringers/chines in place and driving the screws. Don't over-drive the screws. Once the frame is fully assembled, I apply another coat of epoxy. The time between coats must be brief (sorry, forgot what WEST Systems specifies). Epoxying the components before assembly prevents the wood from absorbing all the epoxy out of the paste/glue in the frame-to-stringer joints; you could just pre-coat the joint area

 

You will get a very rigid frame; I prefer that, some like more flexibility.

 

I've been warned that epoxy-coating does not ensure freedom from dry rot. Yep, I agree. But if the process is done carefully, and if you follow WEST System's instructions, epoxy encapsulation works exceptionally well.

 

To repeat, yes the epoxy is messy. It's also expensive. But, I prefer the finished product. I assume the epoxy adds a little time to the assembly. Epoxy encapsulating the frame may be over the top when you could just pre-coat the joint area where the epoxy paste will be applied.

 

Lots of people will disagree with the idea of using screws and epoxy. No matter how you assemble the boat, you'll get a great, light-weight boat. Your boat, your choice.

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