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Ankle Deep

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  1. Hi Mitch: I purchased the recycled fabric for my Firefly but I have yet to cover the kayak. I bought an extra yard of fabric and have been experimenting with shrinking techniques and various paints on 1 foot square frames. I once rebuilt and covered a small airplane with polyester fabric so I pulled out the manual for a refresher (understanding that aircraft fabric and our recycled fabric are probably two different animals, aircraft fabric is typically 2.7 oz …but polyester is polyester). The manual specifies an initial shrinking at 250 degrees with a calibrated iron to obtain a uniform tension (prevents warping of the wing and pulling on the ribs). The final temperature to develop maximum tension is 350 degrees. The manual warns “…polyester filaments will start to thermo-soften and loose measurable tension at about 375 degrees…”. I used this technique on one of the test panels with good results. I guess this is my long-winded way of saying, shrinking at a higher temperature may be a solution. Notice I said “may”…who knows, the recycled fabric may give up, over time, some of it’s tension regardless of temperature used for shrinking. I hope this is helpful and I will let you know how things turn out with my kayak….
  2. Thanks Jeff! I will send a photo if I follow through
  3. Do you mind if I steal your idea for my Firefly? I really like the paint job plus I have a can of Rustoluem Satin Black in the shop. I picked up some color chips from Sherwin-Williams....I'm attempting to match the deck. I have narrowed it down to three possibilities - Center Stage - Electric Lime - Outrageous Green Any chance your paint came from SW?
  4. Jeff: I'm intrigued by the paint scheme on your Shad. Is the hull painted black or is that a very dark shade of green?
  5. Thanks Jeff Redarding your sewing instructions....I need clarification (sorry I'm so dense) so...per one of your comments ( in the book or blog, I can't remember) you state: "The one trick I learned when I skinned the first Firefly was to start at the cockpit and sew toward the bow. STOP, before you get to the bow and sew the Bifid bow first." So I assume I do the above first...then when I switch to the Bifid I start at the back (of the Bifed) and sew towards the front of the Bifed?
  6. Hi Jeff: I attached two photos of my Firefly. Frames are 1/2" baltic birch, stringers and coaming are Sitka Spruce and the bow and stern are 3/8" marine ply. It weighed in at 26 pounds. I'm enjoyng th build. Thanks for a great product. I will be using the recycled polyester fabric and plan to use a process on the bow similar what you did on the Long Shot conversion (Blue Nemo paint job) on your blog. Did you sew a pocket at the stern and lift the fabric off the stern prior to fastening the fabric at the bow....then pull and stretch the fabric pocket back over the stern? Thanks in advance!
  7. Hello Forum: The "Assembly Manual" on page 37 describes trimming the bottom stringers at the stern approxmately 2 1/2" in front of frame # 1' 0" but I'm unable to find any information regarding the location of the trimmed stringers at the bow in front of frame 16' 9". I studied the photos of the Firefly frame on the web site and it appears the bottom stringers are trimmed approximately mid-way between frame # 16' 9" and frame #15' 0". I'm probably over thinking this but is there a rule of thumb or approximation for trimming the bottom stringer at the bow end of the kayak?
  8. Mitch: Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed response. I had searched previous post but missed the one about the paint and fiber. I have experience spraying rustoleum so I may give it a try. I will let you know if I win the fiber war. Thanks again!
  9. Mitch I like your kayak, nice job! I'm considering the recycled polyester for my Firefly. Can you tel us more about your finish...oil based? sanding between coats etc.? final outcome? Also, is this video, Jeff show's us that dents in the finished fabric do not resolve. Have you noticed this? or does a good tight sewing job followed by a heat shrink solve this problem? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMlAm5sRnEE&feature=youtu.be Thanks in advance! Paul
  10. Is there any wisdom to varnishing/oiling frames prior to assembly to be sure the surfaces at the stringer/frame interfaces are well protected?
  11. Mr Frankle: What is your method for attaching the fabric to the cockpit combing? Thanks!
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