Re: 5.2 mm luan Gypsy
Bruce,
Exactly! That was my point about using it only to build small, cheap
boats to be used in well protected waters. Once they find out they can
build a boat, and get hooked, they can worry about finding the money to
build that cruiser.
Bob Slimak
Exactly! That was my point about using it only to build small, cheap
boats to be used in well protected waters. Once they find out they can
build a boat, and get hooked, they can worry about finding the money to
build that cruiser.
Bob Slimak
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Bruce Hallman" <bruce@...> wrote:
>
> On 9/11/07, Bob Slimak <otter55806@...> wrote:
>
> > I would rather see someone build a small boat out of luan,
> > rather than no boat at all because they can't afford Okume.
>
> Exactly.
>
> Only I would add, I would rather see someone build several small cheap
> boats out of cheap luan before the go on to build that museum quality
> boat.
>
> Luan is great wood to use to learn how to build boats. Personally, I
> think the first three boats you build should be quick cheap 'learning
> projects'. Save the expensive wood for boat #4.
>
> I believe the fir is just a few dollarsThere is nothing questionable about Lauan as a boat building material,
> more than the questionable luan.
it performs very well in this role. Question the manufacturer or the
reseller if you must, especially with regard to the GLUE used to hold
the plies together, but understand that the Lauan itself is almost
never the problem ...
The use of non-WBP (Water and Boil Proof) glue is the main reason people
whine about the failure of their Lauan plywood. If they would only
test it instead of assuming the glue is WBP, they would not create
these problems for themselves.
By the way, I have read recent reports of exterior fir plywood
delaminating because of the use of MR (Moisture Resistant) rather than
WPB glues. It seems you should do your own testing on any plywood you
buy these days ...
Sincerely,
Ken Grome
Bagacay Boatworks
www.bagacayboatworks.com
There's possible wisdom in the middle way. That is fir ACX. I built a
cheap and quick boat of that material in 1978 and at last word it was
still going strong. Another I sealed the fir with S3 penetrating epoxy
and it didn't check. I believe the fir is just a few dollars more than
the questionable luan.
cheap and quick boat of that material in 1978 and at last word it was
still going strong. Another I sealed the fir with S3 penetrating epoxy
and it didn't check. I believe the fir is just a few dollars more than
the questionable luan.
> Luan is great wood to use to learn how to build boats. Personally, IActually, I think the first dozen boats you build should be small
> think the first three boats you build should be quick cheap 'learning
> projects'. Save the expensive wood for boat #4.
cardboard scale models. Then build a few disposable boats, as quickly
as possible, using luan. They build the 'keeper' boat with prime
materials.
On 9/11/07, Bob Slimak <otter55806@...> wrote:
Only I would add, I would rather see someone build several small cheap
boats out of cheap luan before the go on to build that museum quality
boat.
Luan is great wood to use to learn how to build boats. Personally, I
think the first three boats you build should be quick cheap 'learning
projects'. Save the expensive wood for boat #4.
> I would rather see someone build a small boat out of luan,Exactly.
> rather than no boat at all because they can't afford Okume.
Only I would add, I would rather see someone build several small cheap
boats out of cheap luan before the go on to build that museum quality
boat.
Luan is great wood to use to learn how to build boats. Personally, I
think the first three boats you build should be quick cheap 'learning
projects'. Save the expensive wood for boat #4.
Mike,
The potential rot problem is why I said I would not recommend wasting ones time using it on a substantial boat. My 11' solo canoe is still in great condition after 12 years. I don't know about the dinghy as it went with my Spray 28 when I sold it. If used for small cheap boats that do not stay in the water, and are small enough to be hung from the rafters in the garage, as mine is, they can last a long time. I would rather see someone build a small boat out of luan, rather than no boat at all because they can't afford Okume. And you are wrong about the delamination, as my boats and many others have proved. I did not use luan for building my bantam, because that IS a substantial boat that does spend a great deal of its time in the water, such as my three months in Florida this past winter, where, by the way, I used my 12 year old luan canoe as my boat to shore from the anchorages.
Bob Slimak
PS to all - Bob Hicks will be running my story about my Florida trip sometime this Fall in M.A.I.B's
---------------------------------
Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
The potential rot problem is why I said I would not recommend wasting ones time using it on a substantial boat. My 11' solo canoe is still in great condition after 12 years. I don't know about the dinghy as it went with my Spray 28 when I sold it. If used for small cheap boats that do not stay in the water, and are small enough to be hung from the rafters in the garage, as mine is, they can last a long time. I would rather see someone build a small boat out of luan, rather than no boat at all because they can't afford Okume. And you are wrong about the delamination, as my boats and many others have proved. I did not use luan for building my bantam, because that IS a substantial boat that does spend a great deal of its time in the water, such as my three months in Florida this past winter, where, by the way, I used my 12 year old luan canoe as my boat to shore from the anchorages.
Bob Slimak
PS to all - Bob Hicks will be running my story about my Florida trip sometime this Fall in M.A.I.B's
---------------------------------
Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Ron, I don,t know where you are located, but a lot of places sell and
ship meranti. I've used a fair amount of MDO from Harbor Sales, but I
don't see meranti on thier wbsite and even thier 2nd line okume isn't
cheap. They do deliver in the general area free, everyday, but not to
private homes. Clyde
Ron Magen wrote:
ship meranti. I've used a fair amount of MDO from Harbor Sales, but I
don't see meranti on thier wbsite and even thier 2nd line okume isn't
cheap. They do deliver in the general area free, everyday, but not to
private homes. Clyde
Ron Magen wrote:
> What Ken said . . .[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> However . . . 'Lauan' is easier for me to get locally, and a good bit
> cheaper - not even counting SHIPPING. {A lot of people get too 'target
> focused' and forget about the cost of shipping - going up all the time -
> and also the belief that they MUST use the 'high priced spread'}. But
> I'm NOT stupid, or overly cheap, in my selection.
>
> I've read all the 'horror stories' about the 'BigBoxStores' and
> experienced a few of my own. These guys try to keep a 'price point' and
> keep changing their suppliers, or quality of product, to maintain it.
> Just recently I found that the local 'Lowes' no longer carries ANY
> 'Exterior' sheet goods. Even their 'Sheathing' is rated for 'Protected
> areas Only' !!!
>
> The 'point' for 5.2mm Lauan has been about $9.95 for many years. It may
> even be a 'loss leader'. While it is very handy stuff, and I have made
> 'outdoor projects' from it - that last a long time if prepped properly -
> it's NOT the stuff I use for boats. I get MY Lauan from a local
> 'hardwood' lumberyard. I SPECIFICALLY ask for 'WATERPROOF' 'EXTERIOR'
> Lauan. The owner looks like a 'young 100' and *his* yard has been around
> a LONG time. If I am 'nervous' about a certain piece, I'll test it - and
> if it fails, back it goes, even the sheet with the 'test piece' cut out
> !! This stuff does cost a bit more . . . $14.95 vs. the $9.95 - 'BFD'!!
>
> Of course I could get 'Certified Meranti' from Harbor Sales in Maryland
> . . . at a LOT higher price, plus shipping. Because nobody local carries
> it, I am investigating doing all the paperwork to order some and have it
> 'delivered' through one of the local 'yards. So I DO keep my eyes & mind
> open to 'new' materials.
>
> Regards,
> Ron Magen
> Backyard Boatshop
>
> > 2e. R
>
>
>
>
What Ken said . . .
However . . . 'Lauan' is easier for me to get locally, and a good bit
cheaper - not even counting SHIPPING. {A lot of people get too 'target
focused' and forget about the cost of shipping - going up all the time -
and also the belief that they MUST use the 'high priced spread'}. But
I'm NOT stupid, or overly cheap, in my selection.
I've read all the 'horror stories' about the 'BigBoxStores' and
experienced a few of my own. These guys try to keep a 'price point' and
keep changing their suppliers, or quality of product, to maintain it.
Just recently I found that the local 'Lowes' no longer carries ANY
'Exterior' sheet goods. Even their 'Sheathing' is rated for 'Protected
areas Only' !!!
The 'point' for 5.2mm Lauan has been about $9.95 for many years. It may
even be a 'loss leader'. While it is very handy stuff, and I have made
'outdoor projects' from it - that last a long time if prepped properly -
it's NOT the stuff I use for boats. I get MY Lauan from a local
'hardwood' lumberyard. I SPECIFICALLY ask for 'WATERPROOF' 'EXTERIOR'
Lauan. The owner looks like a 'young 100' and *his* yard has been around
a LONG time. If I am 'nervous' about a certain piece, I'll test it - and
if it fails, back it goes, even the sheet with the 'test piece' cut out
!! This stuff does cost a bit more . . . $14.95 vs. the $9.95 - 'BFD'!!
Of course I could get 'Certified Meranti' from Harbor Sales in Maryland
. . . at a LOT higher price, plus shipping. Because nobody local carries
it, I am investigating doing all the paperwork to order some and have it
'delivered' through one of the local 'yards. So I DO keep my eyes & mind
open to 'new' materials.
Regards,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop
However . . . 'Lauan' is easier for me to get locally, and a good bit
cheaper - not even counting SHIPPING. {A lot of people get too 'target
focused' and forget about the cost of shipping - going up all the time -
and also the belief that they MUST use the 'high priced spread'}. But
I'm NOT stupid, or overly cheap, in my selection.
I've read all the 'horror stories' about the 'BigBoxStores' and
experienced a few of my own. These guys try to keep a 'price point' and
keep changing their suppliers, or quality of product, to maintain it.
Just recently I found that the local 'Lowes' no longer carries ANY
'Exterior' sheet goods. Even their 'Sheathing' is rated for 'Protected
areas Only' !!!
The 'point' for 5.2mm Lauan has been about $9.95 for many years. It may
even be a 'loss leader'. While it is very handy stuff, and I have made
'outdoor projects' from it - that last a long time if prepped properly -
it's NOT the stuff I use for boats. I get MY Lauan from a local
'hardwood' lumberyard. I SPECIFICALLY ask for 'WATERPROOF' 'EXTERIOR'
Lauan. The owner looks like a 'young 100' and *his* yard has been around
a LONG time. If I am 'nervous' about a certain piece, I'll test it - and
if it fails, back it goes, even the sheet with the 'test piece' cut out
!! This stuff does cost a bit more . . . $14.95 vs. the $9.95 - 'BFD'!!
Of course I could get 'Certified Meranti' from Harbor Sales in Maryland
. . . at a LOT higher price, plus shipping. Because nobody local carries
it, I am investigating doing all the paperwork to order some and have it
'delivered' through one of the local 'yards. So I DO keep my eyes & mind
open to 'new' materials.
Regards,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop
> 2e. Re: 5.2 mm luan GypsySNIP
> Posted by: "Kenneth Grome"bagacayboatworks@...kennethgrome
> Date: Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:50 am ((PDT))
>
>same
> Lauan is the same as Meranti. They are two different terms for the
> wood.SNIP
>
> Lauan/Meranti is a very good boat building material by the way. It is
> usually the cheap Poplar core plies -- or the NON-waterproof glue --
> that makes Lauan plywood from China a low quality boat building
> material.
> You simply need to know what your plywood is REALLY made of -- allwhy
> plies, not just the face plies -- and especially the glue. This is
> testing is so important, and testing is simple.
> I thought that if luan was good enoughThis is correct, if it is good enough there is no reason why you should
> then there would be no sense not to use it.
avoid it.
> Anyway, I won't use luan. Maybe meranti orLauan is the same as Meranti. They are two different terms for the same
> okouma.
wood.
Lauan/Meranti is a very good boat building material by the way. It is
usually the cheap Poplar core plies -- or the NON-waterproof glue --
that makes Lauan plywood from China a low quality boat building
material.
Some people here seem to be claiming that Meranti is no good for
building boats when in fact this is simply not true. Meranti is one of
the most desirable wood species available for boat building materials
these days. It is much more rot resistant than Okoume and much
stronger too.
You simply need to know what your plywood is REALLY made of -- all
plies, not just the face plies -- and especially the glue. This is why
testing is so important, and testing is simple.
Sincerely,
Ken Grome
Bagacay Boatworks
www.bagacayboatworks.com
I would not bother with Luan for anything exterior. Especially a boat.
If you want a thin, well glued material available at your local Home
Depot. Use their floor laminate material.
Using a Weenie Roller and West System or some other 2 part epoxy such as
MAS. Simply mix the material, add some Acitone to thin (wet out0 and
roll it on both sides and edges (after cutting to your needed size)
This will seal the grain fairly deep.
Ofcourse, it will need an extra coat after final construction.
This floor laminate sells for about $17.00 per sheet right now at our
local Home Depot.
If you want a thin, well glued material available at your local Home
Depot. Use their floor laminate material.
Using a Weenie Roller and West System or some other 2 part epoxy such as
MAS. Simply mix the material, add some Acitone to thin (wet out0 and
roll it on both sides and edges (after cutting to your needed size)
This will seal the grain fairly deep.
Ofcourse, it will need an extra coat after final construction.
This floor laminate sells for about $17.00 per sheet right now at our
local Home Depot.
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "mkriley48" <mkriley@...> wrote:
>
> hi,
> I did boat repair for many years in florida and a very large portion
> of my income was derived from removing luan from boats. many times the
> stuff delaminiated so badly it it resembled the pages of a book. Also
> the wood itself is about the most rot prone going. It composts
> readily. all the oriental boats have to under go massive
> reconstruction due to plywood failure.
> a parting note is that home depot ALWAYS buys from the cheapest
vender.
> mike
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "ksapelkin" iiqtub5086@ wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > Just bought some 5.2 mm luan from Home Depot to construct a Gypsy.
> > Now am having second thoughts. It feels pretty flimsy.
> >
> > I thought to encapsulate in epoxy and glass both sides of the hull,
> > frames etc. Maybe 10 oz glass on the inside bottom and 4 oz on the
> > sides and frames. Or 4 oz all over the inside.
> >
> > Is this plywood ok for this application?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Kirill
> >
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
if you do the boil test you need to put a strip under compression and
tension <bent> to simulate the conditions in a boat. you will find
almost none passes and even if it does it still does not change the
properties of the wood, it is a member of the balsa family and rots
while you are looking at it.
mike
tension <bent> to simulate the conditions in a boat. you will find
almost none passes and even if it does it still does not change the
properties of the wood, it is a member of the balsa family and rots
while you are looking at it.
mike
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Bob Slimak <otter55806@...> wrote:
>
> Here's how I've determined the "good" luan, but with the possibility
of losing the cost of one sheet. When they have a stack of what looks
good, meaning the plys look good and the sheets are flat, I bought all
the sheets I thought I would need. At home I cut a 3 X 3 inch square
out of one corner of one sheet, then did the boil and bake test. Boil
the sample for 30 minutes, then bake for 30 minutes. If it doesn't
delaminate, it's good to go. If it delaminates, return the rest of
the sheets. You're stuck with the one you cut the corner out of.
Right now, at Menards, that would only be $9.95. Some people run it
through a dishwasher instead of the boil and bake, but I didn't own a
dishwasher at that time.
> That being said, I have only used it for small boats that will be
used only in calm conditions, such as my solo canoe, and a dingy. All
the time spent to build a substantial cruising boat is not worth the
chance of weakness unseen voids can cause. That's my feeling anyway.
>
> Bob Slimak
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today!
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Never made it to the oven!
About 5 minutes into the boil it just opened up like a flower.
Home Depot said it was "Moisture Resistant".
Thanks a lot for the tip.
Kirill
About 5 minutes into the boil it just opened up like a flower.
Home Depot said it was "Moisture Resistant".
Thanks a lot for the tip.
Kirill
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Bob Slimak <otter55806@...> wrote:
>
> Here's how I've determined the "good" luan, but with the
possibility of losing the cost of one sheet. When they have a stack
of what looks good, meaning the plys look good and the sheets are
flat, I bought all the sheets I thought I would need. At home I cut a
3 X 3 inch square out of one corner of one sheet, then did the boil
and bake test. Boil the sample for 30 minutes, then bake for 30
minutes. If it doesn't delaminate, it's good to go. If it
delaminates, return the rest of the sheets. You're stuck with the one
you cut the corner out of. Right now, at Menards, that would only be
$9.95. Some people run it through a dishwasher instead of the boil
and bake, but I didn't own a dishwasher at that time.
> That being said, I have only used it for small boats that will be
used only in calm conditions, such as my solo canoe, and a dingy.
All the time spent to build a substantial cruising boat is not worth
the chance of weakness unseen voids can cause. That's my feeling
anyway.
>
> Bob Slimak
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel
today!
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Here's how I've determined the "good" luan, but with the possibility of losing the cost of one sheet. When they have a stack of what looks good, meaning the plys look good and the sheets are flat, I bought all the sheets I thought I would need. At home I cut a 3 X 3 inch square out of one corner of one sheet, then did the boil and bake test. Boil the sample for 30 minutes, then bake for 30 minutes. If it doesn't delaminate, it's good to go. If it delaminates, return the rest of the sheets. You're stuck with the one you cut the corner out of. Right now, at Menards, that would only be $9.95. Some people run it through a dishwasher instead of the boil and bake, but I didn't own a dishwasher at that time.
That being said, I have only used it for small boats that will be used only in calm conditions, such as my solo canoe, and a dingy. All the time spent to build a substantial cruising boat is not worth the chance of weakness unseen voids can cause. That's my feeling anyway.
Bob Slimak
---------------------------------
Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
That being said, I have only used it for small boats that will be used only in calm conditions, such as my solo canoe, and a dingy. All the time spent to build a substantial cruising boat is not worth the chance of weakness unseen voids can cause. That's my feeling anyway.
Bob Slimak
---------------------------------
Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Thanks all for the advice.
I thought that if luan was good enough then there would be no sense
not to use it. But if there's a chance it would fail.....
Anyway, I won't use luan.
Maybe meranti or okouma.
Kirill
I thought that if luan was good enough then there would be no sense
not to use it. But if there's a chance it would fail.....
Anyway, I won't use luan.
Maybe meranti or okouma.
Kirill
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "GarthAB" <garth@...> wrote:
>
> I've built many boats with luan, and had mixed results with it --
some
> offcut pieces I left out in the rain and mud for years never
> delaminated. But a pile of whole sheets I had stored in a barn got
an
> intermittent rain leak dripping on them -- and they delaminated and
> blistered and nearly fell to pieces.
>
> However, none of my luan boats are falling apart yet, either
because I
> was lucky enough to have not used the bad stuff, or because glue,
> epoxy, fiberglass, and paint protect it just enough.
>
> If only there was a way of telling the good luan from the bad -- but
> both came from the same lumberyard, and had no markings, and all
> looked more or less the same, so I just had to go on faith.
>
> My latest thinking, after having used it quite a lot, and even with
> all my luan boats still intact -- is that luan isn't worth the risk.
> It would be heartbreaking to see delamination ruin a boat I'd spent
> many hours building.
>
> Garth
>
>
> --- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "ksapelkin" <iiqtub5086@> wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > Just bought some 5.2 mm luan from Home Depot to construct a
Gypsy.
> > Now am having second thoughts. It feels pretty flimsy.
> >
> > I thought to encapsulate in epoxy and glass both sides of the
hull,
> > frames etc. Maybe 10 oz glass on the inside bottom and 4 oz on
the
> > sides and frames. Or 4 oz all over the inside.
> >
> > Is this plywood ok for this application?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Kirill
> >
>
Materials costs are the smallest component of our projects; the value of the
irreplaceable hours of our lives are the most expensive. It only makes sense
to use the best possible materials. My experience has shown that the 3-ply
5.2 luan is not worthy due to delamination. Tim P Anderson
_____
From:bolger@yahoogroups.com[mailto:bolger@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
GarthAB
Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2007 6:27 AM
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Re: 5.2 mm luan Gypsy
I've built many boats with luan, and had mixed results with it -- some
offcut pieces I left out in the rain and mud for years never
delaminated. But a pile of whole sheets I had stored in a barn got an
intermittent rain leak dripping on them -- and they delaminated and
blistered and nearly fell to pieces.
However, none of my luan boats are falling apart yet, either because I
was lucky enough to have not used the bad stuff, or because glue,
epoxy, fiberglass, and paint protect it just enough.
If only there was a way of telling the good luan from the bad -- but
both came from the same lumberyard, and had no markings, and all
looked more or less the same, so I just had to go on faith.
My latest thinking, after having used it quite a lot, and even with
all my luan boats still intact -- is that luan isn't worth the risk.
It would be heartbreaking to see delamination ruin a boat I'd spent
many hours building.
Garth
--- In bolger@yahoogroups. <mailto:bolger%40yahoogroups.com> com,
"ksapelkin" <iiqtub5086@...> wrote:
irreplaceable hours of our lives are the most expensive. It only makes sense
to use the best possible materials. My experience has shown that the 3-ply
5.2 luan is not worthy due to delamination. Tim P Anderson
_____
From:bolger@yahoogroups.com[mailto:bolger@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
GarthAB
Sent: Sunday, September 09, 2007 6:27 AM
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Re: 5.2 mm luan Gypsy
I've built many boats with luan, and had mixed results with it -- some
offcut pieces I left out in the rain and mud for years never
delaminated. But a pile of whole sheets I had stored in a barn got an
intermittent rain leak dripping on them -- and they delaminated and
blistered and nearly fell to pieces.
However, none of my luan boats are falling apart yet, either because I
was lucky enough to have not used the bad stuff, or because glue,
epoxy, fiberglass, and paint protect it just enough.
If only there was a way of telling the good luan from the bad -- but
both came from the same lumberyard, and had no markings, and all
looked more or less the same, so I just had to go on faith.
My latest thinking, after having used it quite a lot, and even with
all my luan boats still intact -- is that luan isn't worth the risk.
It would be heartbreaking to see delamination ruin a boat I'd spent
many hours building.
Garth
--- In bolger@yahoogroups. <mailto:bolger%40yahoogroups.com> com,
"ksapelkin" <iiqtub5086@...> wrote:
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> Hello,
>
> Just bought some 5.2 mm luan from Home Depot to construct a Gypsy.
> Now am having second thoughts. It feels pretty flimsy.
>
> I thought to encapsulate in epoxy and glass both sides of the hull,
> frames etc. Maybe 10 oz glass on the inside bottom and 4 oz on the
> sides and frames. Or 4 oz all over the inside.
>
> Is this plywood ok for this application?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Kirill
>
I suggest that the luan is probably not right for a boat. Use some
good ACX on the bottom and invest in some good marine ocume for the
bilges and sides. The cost of the plywood is a small percentage of
the total boat cost. On the bottom put the
A side inside and seal it with fiberglass or penetrating epoxy or it
will check soon.
good ACX on the bottom and invest in some good marine ocume for the
bilges and sides. The cost of the plywood is a small percentage of
the total boat cost. On the bottom put the
A side inside and seal it with fiberglass or penetrating epoxy or it
will check soon.
hi,
I did boat repair for many years in florida and a very large portion
of my income was derived from removing luan from boats. many times the
stuff delaminiated so badly it it resembled the pages of a book. Also
the wood itself is about the most rot prone going. It composts
readily. all the oriental boats have to under go massive
reconstruction due to plywood failure.
a parting note is that home depot ALWAYS buys from the cheapest vender.
mike
I did boat repair for many years in florida and a very large portion
of my income was derived from removing luan from boats. many times the
stuff delaminiated so badly it it resembled the pages of a book. Also
the wood itself is about the most rot prone going. It composts
readily. all the oriental boats have to under go massive
reconstruction due to plywood failure.
a parting note is that home depot ALWAYS buys from the cheapest vender.
mike
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "ksapelkin" <iiqtub5086@...> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> Just bought some 5.2 mm luan from Home Depot to construct a Gypsy.
> Now am having second thoughts. It feels pretty flimsy.
>
> I thought to encapsulate in epoxy and glass both sides of the hull,
> frames etc. Maybe 10 oz glass on the inside bottom and 4 oz on the
> sides and frames. Or 4 oz all over the inside.
>
> Is this plywood ok for this application?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Kirill
>
I've built many boats with luan, and had mixed results with it -- some
offcut pieces I left out in the rain and mud for years never
delaminated. But a pile of whole sheets I had stored in a barn got an
intermittent rain leak dripping on them -- and they delaminated and
blistered and nearly fell to pieces.
However, none of my luan boats are falling apart yet, either because I
was lucky enough to have not used the bad stuff, or because glue,
epoxy, fiberglass, and paint protect it just enough.
If only there was a way of telling the good luan from the bad -- but
both came from the same lumberyard, and had no markings, and all
looked more or less the same, so I just had to go on faith.
My latest thinking, after having used it quite a lot, and even with
all my luan boats still intact -- is that luan isn't worth the risk.
It would be heartbreaking to see delamination ruin a boat I'd spent
many hours building.
Garth
offcut pieces I left out in the rain and mud for years never
delaminated. But a pile of whole sheets I had stored in a barn got an
intermittent rain leak dripping on them -- and they delaminated and
blistered and nearly fell to pieces.
However, none of my luan boats are falling apart yet, either because I
was lucky enough to have not used the bad stuff, or because glue,
epoxy, fiberglass, and paint protect it just enough.
If only there was a way of telling the good luan from the bad -- but
both came from the same lumberyard, and had no markings, and all
looked more or less the same, so I just had to go on faith.
My latest thinking, after having used it quite a lot, and even with
all my luan boats still intact -- is that luan isn't worth the risk.
It would be heartbreaking to see delamination ruin a boat I'd spent
many hours building.
Garth
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "ksapelkin" <iiqtub5086@...> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> Just bought some 5.2 mm luan from Home Depot to construct a Gypsy.
> Now am having second thoughts. It feels pretty flimsy.
>
> I thought to encapsulate in epoxy and glass both sides of the hull,
> frames etc. Maybe 10 oz glass on the inside bottom and 4 oz on the
> sides and frames. Or 4 oz all over the inside.
>
> Is this plywood ok for this application?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Kirill
>
Hello,
Just bought some 5.2 mm luan from Home Depot to construct a Gypsy.
Now am having second thoughts. It feels pretty flimsy.
I thought to encapsulate in epoxy and glass both sides of the hull,
frames etc. Maybe 10 oz glass on the inside bottom and 4 oz on the
sides and frames. Or 4 oz all over the inside.
Is this plywood ok for this application?
Thanks,
Kirill
Just bought some 5.2 mm luan from Home Depot to construct a Gypsy.
Now am having second thoughts. It feels pretty flimsy.
I thought to encapsulate in epoxy and glass both sides of the hull,
frames etc. Maybe 10 oz glass on the inside bottom and 4 oz on the
sides and frames. Or 4 oz all over the inside.
Is this plywood ok for this application?
Thanks,
Kirill