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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Group Forum: Boat Builders and Repair first timer w/ a resource poll |
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Text
03/24/2011 06:35PM
I am planning on building my first stripper next spring and i am looking to take a poll. I have been looking on the internet and reading a lot of the posts here. lots of good info.
i am looking to get a few books with a few different approaches to the building process (looking for lots of ideas to see what i like and dont).
So, what are your favorite books, websites, supply shops (i am in the twin cities, mn), and any other favorites a newbie should check out.
some of my background so you know (sorta) who i am: i have been canoeing and camping since i was a little kid. i am a pretty decent woodworker, no expert but the items i make i am proud of. have the space and most of the basic tools (any specialty items i should be looking for?)
looking forward to your suggestions and starting the research part of the process, thanks.
i am looking to get a few books with a few different approaches to the building process (looking for lots of ideas to see what i like and dont).
So, what are your favorite books, websites, supply shops (i am in the twin cities, mn), and any other favorites a newbie should check out.
some of my background so you know (sorta) who i am: i have been canoeing and camping since i was a little kid. i am a pretty decent woodworker, no expert but the items i make i am proud of. have the space and most of the basic tools (any specialty items i should be looking for?)
looking forward to your suggestions and starting the research part of the process, thanks.
"Every day on this side of the dirt is a good day." ~ My Grandpa
03/24/2011 06:44PM
IMO, the best book to buy if you are only going to buy 1 is Canoecraft. I have 4 or 5 others, and I have taken ideas from all of them, but I think that Canoecraft is the best.
Definitely check out the builders group on www.bearmountainboats.com. There are other good sites as well, but this one has helped me the most.
If you are going to make your own strips, you will ideally have a table or band saw, surface planer or drum sander, and a router with a bead and cove bit set. A saber saw works well for cutting the forms and other misc. tasks, and I use my disk and belt sanders a bit, too. You can save a ton of money if you make your own strips from 8 to 12 foot boards, and scarf or butt join them.
Other important tools are a good set of chisels, a spokeshave, high and low angle planes, and a ROS. If you don't know how to sharpen hand tools, you will soon become an expert. Epoxy dulls them in no time.
As far as suppliers, most of my wood comes from Menards, but you need to go through every board that they have, sometimes for a couple of months, to get the right stuff. I get my caning materials from H.H. Perkins, and epoxy and fiberglass from U.S. Composites. However, on my current boat I am going to switch to Raka.
Good luck!
Definitely check out the builders group on www.bearmountainboats.com. There are other good sites as well, but this one has helped me the most.
If you are going to make your own strips, you will ideally have a table or band saw, surface planer or drum sander, and a router with a bead and cove bit set. A saber saw works well for cutting the forms and other misc. tasks, and I use my disk and belt sanders a bit, too. You can save a ton of money if you make your own strips from 8 to 12 foot boards, and scarf or butt join them.
Other important tools are a good set of chisels, a spokeshave, high and low angle planes, and a ROS. If you don't know how to sharpen hand tools, you will soon become an expert. Epoxy dulls them in no time.
As far as suppliers, most of my wood comes from Menards, but you need to go through every board that they have, sometimes for a couple of months, to get the right stuff. I get my caning materials from H.H. Perkins, and epoxy and fiberglass from U.S. Composites. However, on my current boat I am going to switch to Raka.
Good luck!
"Hold on, I think I can get in without getting my feet wet."....SPLASH...
03/24/2011 09:24PM
Hi
There is a bunch of good information on the Internet, but these 2 sites are excellent:
1) hook up with Bear Mountain Builders Forum
Bear Mountain
2) study the work of Michne. I really like his techniques. His sand-paper-on-a-stick saved me when I worked on the rolling bevel of the inner stem
Michne Boat
I do what I feel comfortable with....... picking and choosing from the Internet and these books:
1) CanoeCraft by Ted Moores
2) Building a Cedar Strip canoe by Gil Gilpatrick (his ways are a bit "stone age when compared to Moores, but he has a lot of good advice that you can digest easily)
3) Builders notes from NW Canoe (I like the advice in this book and I refer to it and Moores book the most)
There is a bunch of good information on the Internet, but these 2 sites are excellent:
1) hook up with Bear Mountain Builders Forum
Bear Mountain
2) study the work of Michne. I really like his techniques. His sand-paper-on-a-stick saved me when I worked on the rolling bevel of the inner stem
Michne Boat
I do what I feel comfortable with....... picking and choosing from the Internet and these books:
1) CanoeCraft by Ted Moores
2) Building a Cedar Strip canoe by Gil Gilpatrick (his ways are a bit "stone age when compared to Moores, but he has a lot of good advice that you can digest easily)
3) Builders notes from NW Canoe (I like the advice in this book and I refer to it and Moores book the most)
"Boredom, Tyler - that's what's wrong. And how do you beat boredom, Tyler?... Adventure...(Never Cry Wolf, 1983)
03/24/2011 11:36PM
quote HighPlainsDrifter:
2) study the work of Michne. I really like his techniques. His sand-paper-on-a-stick saved me when I worked on the rolling bevel of the inner stem
Michne Boat
"
+1! With the sand paper on a stick and a sharp spokeshave, the inner stems are a a piece of cake!
One of the books, I think it is Gilpatrick's gives the pattern for weaving cane seats as well. This subject is not covered in my version of Canoecraft. You need to learn to do this, as a big seat is SWEET!
"Hold on, I think I can get in without getting my feet wet."....SPLASH...
03/25/2011 12:05PM
quote amhacker22@hotmail.com: "Download the FREE building book at Northwest canoe. You can't beat the price, and Northwest Canoe is a fantastic resource."
Since you are in the Twin Cities, I couldn't agree more with the Northwest Canoe recommendation. Look no further. Stop over there and check it out. They have everything you need.
I have many canoe building books. The best IMHO is (was) the MCA Builder's Book. I think the Northwest Book may be the decendant of it.
Bannock
03/31/2011 07:44AM
Chazz,
When you start looking for lumber, I suggest the following three places:
Youngblood Lumber in northeast Minneapolis
Siwek Lumber also in northeast Minneapolis
and Ottertail Lumber company. They have a warehouse off of University and Malcolm just barely in Minneapolis by highway 280.
If you are looking for tools, head to Seven Corners Hardware in St. Paul.
and if you are looking for Fiberglass products, like the West Systems, try Express Composites in northeast by the Grainger. They also carry kevlar and carbon fiber if you wanna go down that route.
My job is a shopper/buyer for an major industry here in the cities, so over the years I have found and jotted down places that I know will come in handy when I build my canoe as well.
Hope those guys help.
When you start looking for lumber, I suggest the following three places:
Youngblood Lumber in northeast Minneapolis
Siwek Lumber also in northeast Minneapolis
and Ottertail Lumber company. They have a warehouse off of University and Malcolm just barely in Minneapolis by highway 280.
If you are looking for tools, head to Seven Corners Hardware in St. Paul.
and if you are looking for Fiberglass products, like the West Systems, try Express Composites in northeast by the Grainger. They also carry kevlar and carbon fiber if you wanna go down that route.
My job is a shopper/buyer for an major industry here in the cities, so over the years I have found and jotted down places that I know will come in handy when I build my canoe as well.
Hope those guys help.
"It is more important to live for the possibilities that lie ahead than to die in despair over what has been lost." -Barry Lopez
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