Done!
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Well, this build has been a heck of a journey! To literally everyone who has offered advice or encouragement: thank you! You all have contributed to this project in one way or another, including by giving me the confidence to get it done and to just keep plugging away at it. But I would be remiss if I didn't single out Shipwright, who skyped with me to explain how to deal with the most difficult problem I encountered early on in the stripping process. Also a big thanks to Gil Gilpatrick who designed the model canoe I built, called the "Wabnaki." I highly recommend his book, "Building A Strip Canoe." Gil also answered a few of my questions via email.
I always like to know how others used their Shopsmith equipment on a project, so here goes:
- The plywood for the strong back was cut using the Shopsmith table saw.
- The plywood station forms were cut on the Shopsmith band saw and smoothed and beveled using the Shopsmith drum sander.
- The plywood cradle pieces were cut on a vintage Shopsmith jigsaw with the upper arm removed.
- The first batch of strips was ripped using the Shopsmith table saw. For the second batch of strips, I switched to my Shopsmith band saw (with a Kreg fence) because the band saw kerf is much thinner and there is much less waste, which is important when trying to get as many 1/4 thick strips out of a board as possible. With a regular 1/8 table saw blade you lose a strip's worth of wood to sawdust with every two you cut! I also scarfed the strips using a jig on the Shopsmith belt sander. All strips were edge milled with bead and cove using a homemade router table that fits on the Shopsmith.
- The seat frames were ripped on the Shopsmith table saw, and I used the Incra v. 120 miter gauge to cut the tenons, including making the angled shoulders on them. Angled mortises were drilled using the Shopsmith drill press, which was also used to drill all the holes for the cane.
- The Yoke was cut on the Shopsmith band saw, smoothed with the Shopsmith drum sander and the "scoop" was done using the exposed upper drum of the Shopsmith belt sander.
- All the deck pieces were cut using the Shopsmith band saw. After assembly and epoxying, the decks were cleaned up and leveled on the Shopsmith belt sander. The arc detail on the decks was traced using the Shopsmith 12" sanding disc as a pattern and cut on the Shopsmith band saw.
- The gunwhales were ripped on the Shopsmith table saw and were scarfed on the table saw using a jig.
I think that's about it. At least, that's what I remember now. If I think of anything else, I'll edit this post.
And of course, once it "splashes" I will post a few pics!
Thanks for looking/reading!
Oh, and if you are going to be in the area (Gaithersbug, MD) and give me a heads up, I'm happy to go for a quick paddle with any Forum member!
Al
