RE: [bolger] Re: Off topic /Tools that are needed

I built my first boat in the front bedroom....  it was just a typical flat bottom pram.  I had a skill saw and a phillips screw driver.
 
The next 3 were pirogue type boats... about 13' long and 28" wide,    I laid out a constant curve for the bottom using a long string staked down in the front yard.  Still had only a skil saw and a phillips screw driver !  I put 3" fiberglass on the chines of those.
 
I owned a marina during the pirogue era,,, the neighborhood kids used them,,sometimes pretty hard,,, they had a life span of about 3 years.
 
I also built a strip canoe about 10' long using 1/2" x 1" expanded polystyrene strips... I convered it with news paper and Gesso,,, then fiberglassed it... 
 
A small dam that I didn't know about on Brushy Creek claimed it.  
 
later,
 
doc

--- OnSun, 12/20/09, John and Kathy Trussell<jtrussell2@...>wrote:

From: John and Kathy Trussell <jtrussell2@...>
Subject: RE: [bolger] Re: Off topic /Tools that are needed
To: bolger@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, December 20, 2009, 3:38 PM

 

Greg, here is a minimal list.

 

You will need something to measure and mark with—a sixteen ft. tape measure and a handful of pencils. Some sort of square is useful, but you can make do with using a sheet of plywood to mark perpendiculars.  You will need a batten to mark curves—check out the molding section at your big box building supply store.

 

You will need some way to support plywood while you mark and cut it.  Build a pair of saw horses (Google ‘Fine Woodworking Sawhorses’ for a set of plans).

 

Once marked, you will need to cut planks/panels. I would suggest a hand circular saw, a saber saw, and a Japanese style pull saw. Prudence suggests that you cut a little “proud” of the line and plane down to the line and the appropriate tool for this is a low angled block plane.

 

You will need chisels, but if the budget doesn’t run to a set, you can manage with a ½” chisel. You will need a way to keep tools sharp and a couple of whetstones are the cheapest way to go.

 

You will need some sort of drill and most people use a 3/8” power drill with an assortment of drill bits and screw driver bits.

 

A 16 oz hammer will take care of most of your hammering needs. A small sledge hammer will back whatever you are hammering, but I have used a much cheaper brick with success…

 

You can never have too many clamps, but you can often make do with screws (removed after the epoxy kicks, but before it cures completely), a Spanish windlass, or wedges.

 

If you will be messing with epoxy, buy a box of disposable gloves, a box of tongue depressors, and several rolls of paper towels.

 

You can sand by hand with a block.  A random orbital sander is my first choice for power sanders, but you can use ”jitterbug”, detail, and beltsanders. Dust masks will save your lungs and sinuses.

 

I use good quality foam brushes for painting and varnishing.

 

The first boat I built (a Folboat ‘Big Glider’ kit) was completed with a ¼ “ power drill, a hand saw, a paring knife, and a hammer. I had to buy a pry bar to take the window out of a second story bedroom to get it the completed boat out—it wouldn’t fit down the stairs.  I was a lot younger then. 12 boats and 40 some odd years later, I now have more tools than time, but the tools listed above get the most use.

 

JohnT

 

 

From:bolger@yahoogroups. com [mailto: bolger@yahoogroups. com ]On Behalf Ofhaffdaddy
Sent:Saturday, December 19, 2009 10:47 PM
To:bolger@yahoogroups. com
Subject:[bolger] Re: Off topic /Tools that are needed

 

 

I would like to hear from everyone who has built a boat. Just what kind of tools I should have in my work shop. I have a few basic hand tools, but a complete list would be most helpful to me and others future builders. I now leave it up to you to add to the list.

Thanks

Greg
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.717 / Virus Database: 270.14.115/2577 - Release Date: 12/20/09 02:35:00

Greg, here is a minimal list.

 

You will need something to measure and mark with—a sixteen ft. tape measure and a handful of pencils. Some sort of square is useful, but you can make do with using a sheet of plywood to mark perpendiculars.  You will need a batten to mark curves—check out the molding section at your big box building supply store.

 

You will need some way to support plywood while you mark and cut it.  Build a pair of saw horses (Google ‘Fine Woodworking Sawhorses’ for a set of plans).

 

Once marked, you will need to cut planks/panels. I would suggest a hand circular saw, a saber saw, and a Japanese style pull saw. Prudence suggests that you cut a little “proud” of the line and plane down to the line and the appropriate tool for this is a low angled block plane.

 

You will need chisels, but if the budget doesn’t run to a set, you can manage with a ½” chisel. You will need a way to keep tools sharp and a couple of whetstones are the cheapest way to go.

 

You will need some sort of drill and most people use a 3/8” power drill with an assortment of drill bits and screw driver bits.

 

A 16 oz hammer will take care of most of your hammering needs. A small sledge hammer will back whatever you are hammering, but I have used a much cheaper brick with success…

 

You can never have too many clamps, but you can often make do with screws (removed after the epoxy kicks, but before it cures completely), a Spanish windlass, or wedges.

 

If you will be messing with epoxy, buy a box of disposable gloves, a box of tongue depressors, and several rolls of paper towels.

 

You can sand by hand with a block.  A random orbital sander is my first choice for power sanders, but you can use ”jitterbug”, detail, and beltsanders. Dust masks will save your lungs and sinuses.

 

I use good quality foam brushes for painting and varnishing.

 

The first boat I built (a Folboat ‘Big Glider’ kit) was completed with a ¼ “ power drill, a hand saw, a paring knife, and a hammer. I had to buy a pry bar to take the window out of a second story bedroom to get it the completed boat out—it wouldn’t fit down the stairs.  I was a lot younger then. 12 boats and 40 some odd years later, I now have more tools than time, but the tools listed above get the most use.

 

JohnT

 

 

From:bolger@yahoogroups.com [mailto: bolger@yahoogroups.com ]On Behalf Ofhaffdaddy
Sent:Saturday, December 19, 2009 10:47 PM
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Subject:[bolger] Re: Off topic /Tools that are needed

 

 

I would like to hear from everyone who has built a boat. Just what kind of tools I should have in my work shop. I have a few basic hand tools, but a complete list would be most helpful to me and others future builders. I now leave it up to you to add to the list.

Thanks

Greg

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.717 / Virus Database: 270.14.115/2577 - Release Date: 12/20/09 02:35:00

Love this thread:
went out to the garage and thought about what sequence I purchased this stuff in. Most tools are still originals. Get a quality tool when you can afford it.

Bolger Nymph - (I really think this is all I used)
sharp hand saw
gloves
goggles
clamps (can't have too many)
Philips head screwdriver
flathead screwdriver
drill with good bits
counter bore for screws
palm sander.
bevel tool
scale rule
block plane
Large framing square

Pointy Skiff
New Craftsman 7" circular saw
7" grinder/sander
table saw
more clamps
Electric drill
spoke shave
5 lb mallet for backing up clench nails

Diablo
Power screw driver/drill (battery)
better blades in the saws.
Several large and small hand saws of varying tooth per inch.
Backsaw (love this)


Micro
router (best tool in the box)should have bought the 1/2" size
Many more clamps
Jacks for lifting heavy things such as keels
Portable electric plane (Makita)
New blades for table saw
5 saw horses


Work Skiff (in progress)
plug cutter
random orbit sander


--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Patrick Crockett <pcrockett@...> wrote:
>
> Random orbital sander for sure. And a good, sharp block plane. Those are
> my favorites. You'll need a saw you can cut gentle curves with -- I used
> a Japanese hand saw for my first couple of boats. A 4 or 5 pound
> short-handled hammer to hold on the other side when hammering in nails
> is very helpful, too. Also hammer, screw driver, and clamps. Lots of
> clamps. Even more clamps than that. Still more ...
>
> Patrick
>
> haffdaddy wrote:
> > I would like to hear from everyone who has built a boat. Just what kind of tools I should have in my work shop. I have a few basic hand tools, but a complete list would be most helpful to me and others future builders. I now leave it up to you to add to the list.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Greg
> >
>
The first two tools I would suggest, would be Dynamite Payson's and Jim
Michalak's building books. Both give suggestions on tools, how to use
them and sort of prioritize which are necessary and which are "nice to
haves".

Seasons Greetings everyone.

Nels

--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "haffdaddy" <haffdaddy@...> wrote:
>
> I would like to hear from everyone who has built a boat. Just what
kind of tools I should have in my work shop. I have a few basic hand
tools, but a complete list would be most helpful to me and others future
builders. I now leave it up to you to add to the list.
>
> Thanks
>
> Greg
>
Random orbital sander for sure. And a good, sharp block plane. Those are
my favorites. You'll need a saw you can cut gentle curves with -- I used
a Japanese hand saw for my first couple of boats. A 4 or 5 pound
short-handled hammer to hold on the other side when hammering in nails
is very helpful, too. Also hammer, screw driver, and clamps. Lots of
clamps. Even more clamps than that. Still more ...

Patrick

haffdaddy wrote:
> I would like to hear from everyone who has built a boat. Just what kind of tools I should have in my work shop. I have a few basic hand tools, but a complete list would be most helpful to me and others future builders. I now leave it up to you to add to the list.
>
> Thanks
>
> Greg
>
for the instant boats, you don't need much. i'm building my EP with just a jig saw, drill, cordless screwdriver, sander, yard stick, tape measure, caulking gun (for PL Premium), a plastic spoon and two small hand planes.

i did borrow my father-in-law's table saw to cut down the 2x4s into framing strips/chines. it would be nice to have a table saw at home, though. especially after breaking a couple chine pieces in the build process (using cheap materials, i should have planned for that better). i may be forced to bother my father-in-law to cut some more, in order to put on the runners along the bottom. a circular saw would also be nice. i was forced to cut just outside my lines with a jig saw and plane the edges back to where they should be, in order to get them smooth.

trevor




--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "haffdaddy" <haffdaddy@...> wrote:
>
> I would like to hear from everyone who has built a boat. Just what kind of tools I should have in my work shop. I have a few basic hand tools, but a complete list would be most helpful to me and others future builders. I now leave it up to you to add to the list.
>
> Thanks
>
> Greg
>
There is no complete list. It depends on finances and room to put tools.
I have built a 26' boat with a skill saw and 3/8th drill with associated
drills and bits and a hand plane along with basic hand tools like hammer
screwdrivers etc. . I currently have a house that was designed around a
wood shop with serious money in tools and I plan on spending more.
Makes it faster and easier but I still haven't built a boat as big as
the one I built when I had nothing. Go with the basics in Payson's books
and after you complete a boat then you will have a better idea of what
you need/ want to balance against what you can afford.

Thought about it for a while and I think a chop saw should be included
in the initial tool buy. They are pretty cheap these days.

HJ

haffdaddy wrote:
> I would like to hear from everyone who has built a boat. Just what kind of tools I should have in my work shop. I have a few basic hand tools, but a complete list would be most helpful to me and others future builders. I now leave it up to you to add to the list.
>
> Thanks
>
> Greg
>
>
>
>