Waiting for plans... what should I do in the meantime

[Aimless]

I bought plans for the Mess About 51' Castaway.  I am anxiously waiting for their arrival.

 

I know I'm going to need at the least some plywood, some strips, and skin.  There doesn't seems to be a proper supply list on the website.  So while I'm waiting for the plans I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me about how much plywood I'll need to buy and how much fabric.  I'd order the skin from the kuduzu site but I have no idea how much I will need.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

-Aimless

[PAR]

Welcome to the forum.

 

Don't get ahead of yourself just yet. The plans will provide a solid BOM, so there's no guessing about what you need.

 

Now is time to setup the building space, arrange tools, setup an "epoxy station", maybe experiment with your tolerance with the "goo factor", consider provisions for a building cradle, does a trailer fit in this space, can you access both ends of the boat, do you have a work bench beside the boat, etc.

 

Every time I do a new build, I take on repairs and maintenance to my tools. When was the last time you blew out the motor sections on your tools? Have you ever lubed them? Any bearings making noise, maybe brushes need to be replaced. Is the rip fence on the table saw really square and how sharp is it's blade? How are the edges on your hand tools, as nothing is worse than a dull chisel or plane.

 

If necessary, knock out a hunk of your honey do list, as you'll need the "spontaneous nookie credits" to redeem later on in the build (trust me on this).

[Aimless]

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.

[Kudzu]

 Though I don't have a proper rip fence, I just use a guide a square and some clamps and hope for the best.

 

When I read this I was really tempted to go into lecture mode! But I know that I shut down when someone lectures me. I have say that is not a smart idea to run a table saw that way. When something happens on a table saw there is no time to react. It is over and done with before you know what happened. Take the time to learn to use it properly and get what ever you need to make it safe to use or get rid of it!!  

 

Maybe I should show you the photos from the ER of my thumb. I was doing nothing wrong and just happened to be reaching for the off switch when I very small cutoff of Cedar vibrated in the blade and launched backwards. My thumb happened to be in the life of fire, it hit my thumb ripping off the nail. Had I been a second slower or faster it would missed me totally.

 

So there is you something to do. Fix the saw and educate yourself on proper use of a table saw.

 

Going to print your plans and mail them out today.

[Aimless]

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.

[Hirilonde]

 I don't usually cut anything on the table saw alone........................

I NEVER cut anything on the table saw with a helper!!!!!!!  If needed I rig an off feed roller or table, I never share control with anyone.

[Aimless]

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.

[PAR]

The only person that can be allowed to help you on a table saw is someone that has lots of experience with one, because they'll know how to not pinch the blade with the off cut. Even at this, your risk levels rise sharply (kick back, pinch, wander, etc.).

 

Sharpen your tools. Using dull tools will make your life miserable and your kids will hate you, not to mention your wife will find the mailman much more handsome than usual.

[Aimless]

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.

[Kudzu]

I have seen this before the guy was stupid and lucky! But I am sure he will never do what he did again and probably has  saved a few people from injuries. I remember watching and cringing at what he was doing! I think he did many a service though. Glad you see the dangers now. 

[PAR]

Once you get smacked in the belly, by a 2x6 kicking back, you'll learn pretty quickly or develop a new weight lose program. It must be assumed you'll learn to use tools properly and safely, other wise we'll never be able to generate plans that get completed.