Too Cold for Boat Work

Single-digit temperatures have kept me out of the Boat Cave this week.

Instead, I began a woodworking project I've had on the list for a long time: a pair of Morris Chairs for our reading room.

We decided we wanted Stickley bow-arm style chairs. There are several ways to create a bow-arm. Cut the bow out of thick stock; laminate the bow using 1/4" stock; steam-bending the bow; and gluing up a bow shaped-blank using smaller blocks cut at angles and then sanding the final bow. Based on the success I had bending various pieces for Gardens, I decided to steam bend the bow shape into the arms.

When I bent the carlins and gunwales for Gardens, I used 4" poly-tubing as the steaming chamber and that worked well. I went shopping for 8" poly-tubing (the arm blanks are 1" x 6" x 42") and found rolls of it ranging in length from 725' to 2100' and ranging in price from $70 to $230. Since I only need about 20' of tubing these choices seemed a bit over the top.

I considered PVC pipe… except the materials (4' of 8" PVC pipe and two end caps) priced out at $105, and that seemed too steep, too. (Plus, schedule 40 PVC pipe is not recommended for temperatures above 140F - not good for steaming.)

When I priced plywood to build a small steam box the total came to about $24. I should have started with the plywood box… The box is built and the arms will be bent this week.

Warmer temperatures are in the forecast so I'll get back to Gardens soon.

New Year's Day 2017

Yes, New Year's Day… a traditional time for thinking ahead and making wishful lists of 'things-to-do" in the new year. I've made my share of resolutions over the years - some very specific and some overly broad. I've had some success but more often than not, those good intentions are forgotten by February.

So, this year, I'm not declaring any resolutions. I plan to get on with the task at hand: Completing, launching and sailing Gardens!

Happy New Year!