Hi George, great work and looking good.... .. Wouldn't worry too much about the holes being straight, remember it will all be covered by the second plank layer. Keep it going, will be watching....

Regards

Alan

Hi George

Your stern planking looks really good. Don't worry about the nail holes mate, they get covered up anyway.
I've started my stern planking too, first time I've ever done anything like this and finding it very novel but very engrossing as well. Once I had worked out how to use the pin pusher tool and the little pin vice thingamajig to drill the little holes, it was quite easy I thought. Mind you, I could only fit 8 complete rows as there were insufficient pins to do it all in one go. DeAg must be on an economy drive...

I'm not sure how far back to trim the ends of the planks, I've looked at some of the members' builds and Mr T's diary but can't see it clearly. I think we must follow the contour of rib 27, what do you reckon?

I'll have pictures in next months' progress report.

Regards
JohnP

Hi John.

Thanks for kind words they are appreciated.

Yes you trim to the shape of rib but be careful not to take too much off at first. Go for the shape but not a final till you can see where planks going. I see where some have said they took too much off first up.

Regards

George

Hi George, Good progress on the stern planking. Looks good. I am playing round with the original skiff using paints and stains to see what effect I get. So far I am finding the paint is a better way to mask its flaws. (and there are a few in the original). Will post photo's shortly. Naturally I am still undecided about the revised model. I will let you know though.

Brex.

Did the first 4 rows of planking. Can't do more till next lot of planking comes. Also going to need a 'David's Plane' for shaping the strakes.

For now I have just rough cut the stern ends till I know what happens there later.




Regards

George.

You have to be pleased with that! Well done. Looks great. Very happy for you.

Question though is a Dave's plane the same as a thumb plane?

Brex.

PS I posted some shots of the paints vs stain on my string. I will be going with the livery you described. Many thanks for the input. Very helpful and greatly appreciated as always.

Hi Brex.

Thanks for kind compliments. Always appreciated.

Re query plane; I think they are very similar. Just mini planes. I believe some come as a pack of three small planes and the David's comes with spare blades?

I saw your shots your thread re launch stains. I'd say definitely go for the painting. Also you'll find with a couple of coats of paint inside and out that the launch is not so egg-shell like anymore and feels a lot more solid to handle.

Regards

George

Great to see you've finally started planking the hull George...Looks really good mate!!

Hi Jonny.

Thanks for kind comments. Always appreciated and does give encouragement.

Yes Jonny the day has finally arrived regarding planking and the trepidation that lay ahead for us Newbies. It turned out so far as not quite as painful as I thought.

One thing if you have a tip on nailing the first end at the bow re best position of ship to do so it would be greatly appreciated. I found that part very difficult. The rest easy enough.

Regards

George

Hi George
Looking great , now for your questions.
I generally just taper the upper side of the plank but do do both sides in the tighter spots/more acute angle's. So the untapered edge is put to the previous tapered edge already fitted to the hull, some people prefere to do this the other way round and is down to individual prefereance, a little adjustment may be needed but not much.
A great many builders here found that pre drilling the bamboo for the pins made the fitting of the bamboo strips a lot easyer,also try to keep the joint/knotty parts to the off cut area's as much as possible as they tend to have little give and split when bent. Starting off a plank is down to practice really and you will improve as you do more but the pre-drilling should help with placement too.

Regards
Andy