Frame 2 complete and frame 1 underway

Last weekend was a long weekend here in NZ, so I was sure I would get at least a day to do some boat building, but no, other pressures got in the way.  Not least of which is my brothers car, which I am doing the wiring on.  Its been a fun exercise, but I really need to get it finshed for two reasosn, firstly I need the space for boat building and secondly, when it leaves here, if its un finished then I'll have to travel over to his place every weekend till its done.

In laying out frame 1 tonight, its obvious that my woodworking skills are improving rapidly.  For the first couple of frames I was quite glad the gussets and floor timber hid the joins, but on this frame they aren't too bad, and the gussets and floor timber will only require minimal sanding to make them flush with the frames.

I have also  dramitcally improved my technique from transferring the pattern to my layout table.  I meant to take a photo tonight but carried away.  I'll try to remember for the next frame.

Here is a photo with the pieces laid out on the pattern, note the deck beam has yet to be cut out.

My only issue at the moment is my foam rollers delaminate from the inner core when I am using the penetrating epoxy.  As its the first coat I am thinning it down 10%, and I suspect its the thinners causing it.

I have also been looking ahead, and trying to source some of the composite nails popular with several other Glen-L builders.  The thought of pulling some 22,000 stables leaves me cold.  I have aquired a brad gun a ways back, and I'm currently waiting for a sample of the nails to see if my gun will shoot them.

The nails I'm planning on using are from Raptor.   www.raptornails.com.

Frame 6 complete

Over the last week or so I have completed frame 6. It has turned out a lot better than the first two. I have made a lot of progress in my techniques for laying out the patterns, creating my gussets etc It will still need a lick with the sander, but not by much. This week I will start in frame 2, as it's the last one that I have a complete set of components for. I still need to manufacture the deck beams for all the rest.

Penetrating Epoxy

Not a lot of progress this week.  I did however last weekend get Frames 7 & 8 coated in the first of the penetrating epoxy coats.  The respirator worked very well, no smell whatsoever until I took the mask of at the end.

Takes a long time to cure, but makes the timber look great.  I have started on cutting out the floor timbers and gussets for frames 2 & 6 tonight.  I hope to have frame 6 completed by the end of the weekend.

Also looking to get another coat of sealer on Frames 7 & 8.