Re: Ches 17, laminate for

Posted by Laszlo on Jul 15, 2007

Robert,

I believe that it's 3/4 inch (19 mm for the metric world) wide. In the kit it's laminated from 2 pieces of what I think were 9 mm (3/8 inch) thick plywood.

For those trying to decide between kit vs. plans, this thread illustrates one of the points of comparison. Kit builders reach into the box, pull out 2 pieces of wood already cut to the correct radius, flat laminate them and are ready for the final trimming. Plans builders have to first build a jig, then cut and radially laminate 6 pieces of wood before they have a beam ready for trimming.

Both methods work fine, of course, but prospective builders should include the time, effort, tools and materials to build the jig when deciding which way to go.

And speaking of jigs. Good Lord, Chris! That jig belongs in a pre-CNC kayak production shop. It's a waste to use it only for one boat. If that's the workmanship you put into the jig, you're boat must be a museum piece. Too bad there's not an exchange program to share things like that with other builders.

Have fun all,

Laszlo

In Response to: Ches 17, laminate form by Robert Miller on Jul 14, 2007

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