dgbot

On the band saws at work we have been able to cut and produce almost anything. All I wish we had was a traditional resaw blade that we could fit to it. But the cost is not in our budget for that kind of specialty blade. The company complains when we order a serrated blade because of the cost but when cutting sponge and foam there is nothing better for the job. They also do not the danger it presents to the poor shlup who has to replace it or weld a new one. I wear a pair of heavy duty leather and kelvar gloves otherwise I would be handling a razor blade that is over 156 inches long. Just taking it out of the bandsaw is dangerous. I flip it out onto the floor and once it stops moving I coil and tape it. The tape got cut and it came loose grazing my work shoes. Lost a brand new shoe but kept my toes. A band saw is only as good as the blade being used and the skill of the operator. Some people say that a table saw is dangerous but a band saw is just as bad. But handled properly you can do almost anything with it. David B

Fantastic work Toni. I wish I could take a pic of it you did a great job on the entire thing. David B

And a surprise trip to the ER can get expensive. Ben there done that. David B

I new a guy who was doing some handwork on a cabinet he was working on. He was using a low angle plane for some finishing on the ends and was having too much trouble getting it to go through. I found out that he was trying to hog the material out instead of shaving it a big no no. Needless to say he put his left hand on the wood and shoved the plane went through the wood and into his left hand. A photo would have turned your stomach. It went to the bone and road it deep into the palm of his hand. After cleaning and applying a pressure bandage I got him to the emergency room. He went through muscles and tendons. And to this day he has limited use of his hand. It could have been worse. This took place about 15 years ago. That was when I really started treating hand tools with a great deal of respect including utility knives and xactos. Please always be careful when you use any edged tool. My anti-cut gloves have already saved me a few visits plus being alert and aware of what you are doing. David B

He has a fantastic rope making machine that I have seen in action. But alas at the scale I work at it would just gather dust as I use small line for my rigging. A thickness sander to die for with the HP and accuracy to not break down under a load. David B

Nicely done. David B

On a sailing vessel unless in dock the sails should be on if you wish, furl them. They add to the flavor and add character as well. David B

To me clinker planking a hull is like magic or a work of art. I have never been patient enough to get it right just yet. Someday I will do it. David B.

Kick back is the main danger on a table saw and a joiner. Ed has a 10 H.P. Craftsman in his work shop and he had a piece of wood kick back on him a couple of weeks ago. I was in there at the time to ask him a question. The piece went through the drywall and just missed the window of their new car. He informed me that is why he uses push sticks and stands to the side at all times. That bang made me jump and he said it was not the first time it happened. One went out the door. and in to the driveway about 30 ft. David B

If you have been to Woodcraft check out the pfeil Chisels. And ask the help for some advice. The one I go to in Livertyville is very knowledgeable and will help you get the ones you seek. Remember when it comes to a good blade you pay for what you get. Plus they will have to be resharpened before you can use them. The japanese chisels in my opinion are very good. But they can be the wrong type for the kind of wood you are going to carve. Sheffield made are also good as well. and easier to take care of. Will you be using your hand most of the time or a mallet. David B

When the conference was in Chicago I was helping with security and giving the vendors a hand I bought the Byrnes saw at a good discount. I was able to cut much of the big stuff I had at work. But they frown on using company tools for private use. Insurance and liability problems. All I had was a Preac. which is my primary saw. at the scale I work at. I by rough finished lumber and use the Byrnes to break it down to manageable dimensions for my Preac. I like having both and the Preac is the main saw I use for all my small stuff. I do not like changing blades. I usually get tools as they are needed. As my budget is on the tight side and I am called cheap. But if you plan on scratch building or kit basing you will use it allot depending on the size and scale you are working in. I also have a Sherline lathe which gathers dust but is invaluable when you need a turning or doing complex parts. On it I have machined, turned, and used a file on several parts on my Latham. when not in use it will accumulate dust. I also have a mill I pcked up from a member who was leaving the hobby and did not need it anymore and since I am not using at the present it is n loan to a friend. I have also used it as needed when I was making parts. But I can work without it just taking more time and imagination. Am I a tool freak yea and no. I like having tools but I do not gt them unless they make the job easier. I would like to spring for a resistance soldering machine. But the time it would save me is not much so why throw away money. I am not in a race and have done much of my work with my hands and non power tools. money. A small band saw yes. So long as it is a decent one and those are not cheap. Ed has a couple in his work shop and told me that the craftsman blade is difficult to keep aligned. Because the wheel is round and not flat. But I will wait until I get back to my place and have a stash again before I do anything else. What I will spring for is a good solid chisel or a plane if it is good. Half the chore is learning how to take care of them and how to use them. I have als purchased wood that I have not use for later. Since I will be here for the foreseeable future. I have added to my tool box from Amazon and Ebay. Are the tools pricey but are they keepers yes. Always buy the best that you can afford they will last a long time and will be easier to use. Also listen to recommendations and reviews, these will let you know if you are getting a lemon. The Byrnes' saw is not a lemon but a great investment. I also have a Foredom and drill attachment. I have used it several times and with the drill press for drilling and very light milling. I have seen many models over the years that were superb and the builders used nothing more than hand tools. Power tools are for operations that will take a great deal of time and save you the hassle of redoing a part then go ahead and get it. But if yu are going to get them just because everyone has them then you do not really need them. Save your money and space and invest it in the best tool you have. Your mind and your hands. David B

I have never glued masts. i allow the rigging to hold it in. I do make the holes a little on the larger size and fill with chocks for getting the proper angle and then double check it when I do the shrouds and deadeyes. The chocks will be covered by a simulated piece of canvas to act as a mast cover. The reason is because accidents do happen and if a repair needs to be done on the mast heaven forbid and it has to be replaced or removed it is easier. Your way of positioning the angles is perfect. Just fill in the hole until you gt the right angle. Then rig your shrouds port the starboard alternating each time you then use the shrouds to locate the position of the chainplates .

The reason I use Elmers is because I repair the damage when I make a mistake when glueing something. it has it's detractors but it is what I am used to. Grab some cotton balls and or some gauze and after soaking them with alcohol place them on the joint and then cover with plastic wrap. After awhile come back and take a look. The bond should be starting to weaken as the alcohol has not evaporated but stayed with the model. David B

I was a mod on a forum several years ago. i had to go through several messages before they were posted. This was before and after work. It was time consuming and had to be done everyday. I had little time to myself. My hat goes off to the mods on this sight they are the unsung heros of this forum. A lot of patience and taking time away from their favorite builds. David B

While not a big fan of ca In a situation such as the one above I would use a couple drops to pin the plank down. and then follow up with white glue on the rest of the plank. I try to avoid using nails at all on the outside planking as they entail more work after the planking is finished. David B

Thank you for the photo. David B

Nice and crisp without power tools. My hat is off to you. To scratch a build like this will take a lot of time and patience. Been there and done that before I was able to build my workshop. Just keep posting I am waiting with anticipation for the next photos. David B

What shape is a #22 blade? David B

They look great. David B

A great job of masking clean and neat. David B

You must be taken you spinach for breakfast every day. I might follow suit. David B

I have tried doing a clinker several times and I id not like the results. I will be pulling up a chair and taking notes from the teacher. I hope you do not mind. asks the always learning student. David B

I hope nothing gets lost or damaged. I hope the issues can be worked out easily. I have problems with my mother at the moment. But we are a lot a like in many ways. According to my sister we are life to ac terminals on a car battery. We just cannot get along for a long period of time. I try but it can be rough at my age to change my attitudes and way of thinking to make happy with how I am doing. In her eyes we are still her children so she has he parental right to tell us what to do and we should blindly obey her whims and be at her beck and call. 24 hrs a day. I love and care deeply for her but can only be in the same omom for about 2 hrs before I get very uncomfortable around her. I told Diane and Ed that they have a great deal more patience with her and her way of doing things than I. Ed told me that when she acts up he just tells her that if she does not want him around al she has to do is say so. Dane is a special needs teacher and all the headaches that can be had and is about ready to give up on her wishes. When I told her what the Drs. told me about my infection I thought she was going to brain me for blaming her beloved little kitten. And she blames me for not visiting her not her cat and when I did not inform her about my problems and did not lover her. I do not wish to worry her and respect her privacy. She almost came to Iowa City when she was told that she could not access my medical records and threatened legal action. The hospital informed her that according to the law they can turn medical records over to either a legal guardian or a designated person. That is Dian and or Ed since I am staying with them. She was furious. Mothers you can't live with them and can't live without them. David B

Maybe we should be asking if you make watches as a side job. Nice work and a great imagination. David B

My neighbor back home was making a scene for his sons class and used some uncut grass that he missed after they dried out they looked great. David B