Aimless

Well I have all of the frames cut out. However I'm going to have to abandon this project. I didn't get it finished before I started online classes to finish my degree, I work full time, and I have a newborn. So with a heavy heart I'm going to have to call it quits. I haven't decided if I'll just shelve the materials until a time comes when I can finish it, or if there's a chance I could recoup the costs on craigslist or ebay.

Once the cedar is down to 1" or 1.5" it is very bendy. The thing I'd be concerned about is the minimum length you need for a specific bend. A short stick doesn't bend like a long stick, and the ends are harder to bend than the center, etc. I imagine that if you have at least 4' of board you wouldn't have much trouble making any bend. As for the strength of the joints, I'm curious what some of these experienced guys have to say. I imagine that the forces on the center board could stress both joints in a different way than they would stress one as energy moves through the board.

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.

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.

Beautiful

Alright you all win. I went on youtube and searched for "tablesaw accidents" and this seemed to be very informative: (It's not graphic, just technical about kickback). I'll put the tablesaw to bed until I can get some of the proper attachments for it. Right now it's a wee bit better than a whole in plywood with a circular saw clamped to it.

I think I will try this method. My father in law just left a giant miter saw in my garage. I don't know if it's for storage or if he's giving it to me, but I'm gonna make good use of it while its here. Did you have to deal with any splintering?

Awesome! You've taken the first step, you can do it. My plans are supposed to arrive on Thursday, so I should be able to get started this weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.

I can't really answer any of your questions, but I do want to say that I don't see any reason a rudder couldn't be added to any of these kayaks. I imagine running the cable controls would be similar to running the deck rigging. Maybe one of these experienced guys could chime in about if there is a structural reason a rudder couldn't be added. I was considering adding a rudder to mine if I have any energy left after the build.

Pickman, I'd love to make a good use of your strongback. I'd sent you a PM earlier in the day about materials since one of the first things I did was search for "Texas" to see if anyone had inquired about suppliers. I saw a thread where you mentioned Mansfield. I don't need a sample, I'll go with the collective wisdom and grab the plywood on Friday.

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll grab this stuff this weekend. Maybe two since it's half what I was expecting to pay.

If I had the space for a feed roller or extra table I'd use it. I don't think I'm going to feel comfortable splitting strips this long anyway, so I'll be using a circular saw or seeing if a lumberyard will cut it.

I've been reading different threads about Baltic Birch. Finding a supplier seems hard. This supplier is local to me, and only about 20 miles away. However, I'm not sure if its the right stuff since they don't say what glue is used. The guy on the phone said he hadn't heard of exterior grade baltic birch. So I'm thinking maybe he just doesn't know what glue is used. I'm reluctant to buy it because the price seems low compared to what I've seen in other posts. Description from website: BIRCH - RUSSIAN/BALTIC12mm (1/2")1,525mm x 1,525mm (60" x 60") BB/BB - 9 PLY VENEER CORE Link: http://www.plywoodcompany.com/application/home/itemdetails.aspx?categoryid=117&itemid=237

Jeff, I know the setup is not ideal. Most of my tools are old hand-me-downs with some rigged adjustments. The guide is use has a built in clamp and is similar to a fence, except it isn't built on. I add a couple of clamps to it to make sure it doesn't give. I don't usually cut anything on the table saw alone, and I've never ripped anything longer than 6' since I don't really have the space for anything longer. I'll probably rip the stringers with a circular saw and a guide attachment and hand-plane out the imperfections.

This is awful. Two of my chisels have nicks. My jack plane's blade is awful. I know my jigsaw probably needs some love. At least I know the table saw is in good condition as someone just dumped it on me and I got it into working condition. Though I don't have a proper rip fence, I just use a guide a square and some clamps and hope for the best. Regarding the honey do list, she wants me to clean out the garage oddly enough.