Thread: Painting guide/help

Originally Posted by highace1

One thing that i think lets all this down is the look of the mast and boom, they're a bit corroded on the surface. I would love a timber mast and boom but that may be a little over my head atm.

pft - masts and booms are easy and satisfying. Give it a go (after you've got the boat back on the water )

Richard

Originally Posted by highace1

Thanks! Im very happy with it. The hard part now is getting the thousand little things done.

One thing that i think lets all this down is the look of the mast and boom, they're a bit corroded on the surface. I would love a timber mast and boom but that may be a little over my head atm.

I forgot a picture

Ace

Nice :).

Alex.

If i did want to go down the timber mast/boom, where would be a good place to get some information?

Ace

Originally Posted by highace1

If i did want to go down the timber mast/boom, where would be a good place to get some information?

Ace

Where do you flamin' think? Here of course

Richard

I thought there may have been a book or something. Silly me.....

I did get a bit of info from Mik about a timber boom so thats not a problem, thats easy to build.

Any ideas on where to start? I have no idea.

Would a timber mast be worth all the work on this boat? It would look good though

Ace

Originally Posted by highace1

Would a timber mast be worth all the work on this boat? It would look good though

Ace

There's no 'all the work' to it. Sure, there's a fair amount of mucking about and some classic traps (many of which are promoted as 'good techniques' on the internet )... but did you just rough sand the old girl and splash on some house paint? No, of course not. You were able to repaint her, you'll be able to make a mast.

However, as I suggested earlier, get her on the water first, then make your wooden mast and boom at your leisure. Why? Because you already have a working mast and boom so enjoy her while building the 'nice' bits.

Richard

However, as I suggested earlier, get her on the water first, then make your wooden mast and boom at your leisure. Why? Because you already have a working mast and boom so enjoy her while building the 'nice' bits.

Ill do just that.

Lets say i have plenty of time and i wanted to start one now (not the case though) what things should i be looking at?

Ace

Originally Posted by highace1

Ill do just that.

Lets say i have plenty of time and i wanted to start one now (not the case though) what things should i be looking at?

Ace

A set of plans for your mast and booms.
Beer.
A big stick.
Beer.
Some sharp destructive implements.
Beer.
Sandpaper
Lots of beer.
Varnish
Beer


Oregon used to be the timber of choice. To be honest, I haven't followed recent discussions to comment on what people are using now. It probably depends on whether you want to make a hollow mast or not.

For a basic, solid wooden mast, you get your plank, cut it in two and then glue the two halves together with the grain in each piece going in opposite directions - this helps prevent warping. A boom or spar you just do with one piece of wood.
With your plane/thicknesser, make it square to the largest dimension (masts and booms taper).
Referring to your plans, shape it to the right tapers - it's still square in cross section.
Using a spar guage - basically two guide pins that run either side of your mast with two pencils/scribes between them set at the 'magic' distance - so using your spar guage, you mark two lines down each face, parrallel to the sides.
Using your plane, you knock off the corners down to those lines leaving your mast octagonal in cross section.
Using your plane, knock off the remaining corners and shape it to make your mast round.
Using sand paper, sand it smooth.
Varnish.
Mount on boat.
Stand back and bask in the admiring stares.

If you think it sounds like a lot of work, put down the steps you just went through repainting your boat

There are also square masts, square hollow masts (basically a box) and round, hollow masts made out of staves (often referred to as birdsmouth masts due to the shape of the staves).

If you trawl the forum, you'll find most of these methods described ... I hope, I've certainly read about them from time to time.

Richard

A set of plans for your mast and booms

Would that be just a case of measuring up my mast and going from there? Or seeing as though its a timber mast and not aluminium, does the timber mast have to be wider in diameter etc etc?

I will be using the rigging from the old mast and refitting it to the new eventually. I still cant believe how much rigging is in general. Same as anything to do with aviation, marine or military....add 50% and then sum to the price. I would like to save some cash .

Cheers

Ace

Others will have to guide you on this Ace, but you should be able to get mast and boom plans from the NS14 boys. I doubt it's simply a case of copying the aluminium.

Richard

Originally Posted by Daddles

<snip...>

Oregon used to be the timber of choice. To be honest, I haven't followed recent discussions to comment on what people are using now. It probably depends on whether you want to make a hollow mast or not.

<snip...>

Richard

Hoop pine seems to be the favoured timber; as it is plantation-grown here in Oz, it's also a native plant so it grows well (depending on where you grow it ;), and has similar physical characteristics to oregon (strength, strength-to-weight, stiffness, etc.); and glues very well. Some high-grade plywoods are made from it - but I'm not suggesting making a mast out of plywood (although some people here might think I would at least try it, I suspect ;) My 'Duck sprit-rig mast and boom, and Goat mast and spars, are being made of this stuff.

BoatCraft Pacific in Brisbane sells it in various cross-sectional dimensions , and maybe Trend Timbers in Windsor, NSW. And no doubt others, but BoatCraft is the one that I know about because I've bought said wood from them. For the 'Duck and Goat masts, the timber specified is 12 mm thick - for building hollow masts, that is. For birdsmouth masts, you'll need thicker staves - like Daddles, I recommend that you search this forum for 'birdmouth' and 'mast' (without the quotes). DO NOT be tempted to make it out of western red cedar or paulownia (or jarrah at the other extreme ;) - that will end in tears, and well before bedtime at that.

Good luck :).

Cheers,
Alex.

Originally Posted by Daddles

Others will have to guide you on this Ace, but you should be able to get mast and boom plans from the NS14 boys. I doubt it's simply a case of copying the aluminium.

Richard

I second that.

Alex.

Rob's just put up a photo essay on making his mast

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f169/b...ml#post1137234

Richard

After i was reminded today down at the club, i thought i better update this thread.

After all the work refinishing the boat, rebuilding a trailer and building a beach dolley.....the NS has sailed!

As usual, it will require some adjustments but all i can say is that im very happy with it.