Eden Saw up in Port Townsend can probably scarf up a couple of pieces of
4x8 meranti and charge you about double for it but if you have a belt
sander you can make a very decent 7:1 scarf in less than 2 hours.
Lay the sheets face to face with the edges to be scarfed staggered.
Lower edge at the end of the work surface and the top 2-5/8" back.
Draw a line on the top sheet the same distance back from the edge. Load
a 36 grit belt and work and forth putting equal pressure on both edges.
YOu will have from 9 to 13 glue lines that serve as a guide. You
want them as straight and evenly spaced as possible. If they curve
outwards that area is high. Inwards it is low.
You need a flat surface to work on, belt sander with 36 and 80 grit
belts, a couple of 6-8" C-clamps, a piece of 1x4 a little over 4' long,
a scrap of poly sheet the same length and a 2x4 about 5' long. The goal
is to just feather the lower edge at exactly the same time you reach the
line drawn on the top sheet. When you get close switch to 80 grit for
final adjustment.
When finished flip the top sheet end for end and check the fit. You can
use epoxy, resorcinol or (gasp) Gorilla Glue PU. I say PU in this
situation because drift boats seldom remain in the water more than 8-10
hours at a time but it does require a lot of work to clamp the center of
the scarf with sufficient pressure.
Epoxy is simpler. Slip some poly under the joint area and coat both
surfaces of the joint with straight resin/hardner. Let it soak in for
about an hour or so. While that is soaking take the belt sander and
sand a smooth curve in edge of the 2x4 so that the middle is about 1/2"
higher than the ends. Coat one side with a thin mix if epoxy and
silica, align the joint again and use some small brads back from the
joint to keep it in place. Lay more poly sheet on the joint followed by
the 1x4. Put the 2x4 curved edge down and clamp the ends to the work
surface.
Chris wrote:
Could someone please direct me to a source for stitch / taped (or joined in
some fashion) plywood in a 17 foot length? I am currently rebuilding a badly
neglected 17’ wooden drift boat. The entire bottom and one side need to be
replaced. I live in Salem Oregon and I have not had any luck finding a
vendor.
I could possibly do the stitching and taping my self (although I have never
attempted to do so). Any recommended sites for stitch and tape information?
I would of course prefer to buy pre-assembled full sheets.
Thanks
Chris
--
Glenn Ashmore
I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at:
http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division:
http://www.spade-anchor-us.com