Hull plank dimensions

[The Bitter End]

Good evening everyone!

 

I am about to start a uss constitution build from model shipways and I am not entirely happy with the basswood planking provided. I would therefore like to cut my own planking from pear wood that I have a startling abundance of. Does anyone know what the maximum hull plank length and width would have been on the original constitution? I have come across many different values ranging from 22 ft up to 60ft(which seems a bit excessive) and widths around 12 inches. I would appreciate any input before I embark on the rather challenging task of ripping all this timber on a full sized table saw. 

 

Ps. 

 

For anyone who is interested I made a very effective thin strip jig which produces surprisingly consistent planking at tiny scales on a full sized table saw. I would be happy to share the design if there is enough interest 

 

Regarss

 

TBE

[bhanley]

Bitter End

I would like to see your cutting jig.

[Gregory]

I would be interested in seeing it also.

 

What kind of blade do you use?

I haven’t found a table saw blade with a small enough kerf that I can justify using on expensive wood like pear.

[The Bitter End]

On 11/4/2024 at 6:12 PM, Gregory said:

I would be interested in seeing it also.

 

What kind of blade do you use?

I haven’t found a table saw blade with a small enough kerf that I can justify using on expensive wood like pear.

 

On 11/4/2024 at 5:37 PM, bhanley said:

Bitter End

I would like to see your cutting jig.

Good morning! 

 

I will put together a series of photos on this jig.

 

You are absolutely right about the kerf size, I use a 2.5mm kerf aluminum cutting blade(they have a slightly different tooth profile which seems to work a little better) with a high tooth count. I agree that this is unfortunately very wasteful but I have access to almost unlimited quantities of pear wood as I live in a pear farming area and farm pears myself. I know you can get blades with a narrow kerf from some specialist wood working suppliers but I am yet to see one with my own eyes. 

 

Here is more or less the thinnest full size blade I could find. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Micro-Kerf40-Melamine-Table-Mitre-Blade/dp/B00J8UM8O4

 

Kind regards 

 

TBE