Hi bb
Welcome to the forum and the build
regards
Andy

]Hi, I have thought I should share an idea that came from an earlier forum discussion. I have found my uncoordinated thumbs struggle with keeping the bulkheads square to the keel during the early stages. One of the jigs in the discussion inspired me to buy 12 right angle brackets used for construction and a piece of timber 80 mm x 30 mm x 750 mm. Centering the keel and using the bow restraint provided in Issue 3 I secured the false keel and then marked out the position of the bulkheads to ensuring a straight alignment.

Once that position was established I secured the brackets but noted that the flat head screws tended to twist the bracket on final tightening so I switched to round head screws as these are flat underneath and problem solved. The assembly fits well and is very secure.

I have also considered using the brackets by securing the smaller facing to the either side of false keel for each bulkhead and the long face squares the bulkhead and then bolting the bulkhead to fix the position which I may still do.

Hopefully the pics tell the story.

Hi All,

Good idea as stated earlier, just one thing to be cautious about though.

When purchasing 90 degree brackets, don`t assume they are exactly 90 degrees.

I purchased some in the UK and had to adjust them slightly to get them just right.

Keep up the good work.

Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)

Good idea about the brackets. As mentioned, check the brackets first before fitting them.

If your board is of solid wood, take care that it does not warp and spoil your build. Melimine is a cheap, good alternative as a base.

Also I checked the level of each bulk head and found bulkhead #7 was about 1.5mm below the level of the others. You might spot my correction in the above photo's.

Welcome to the forum BB and to the SOTS build... looks like you are off to a great start. Hope you enjoy the build, will be looking in from time to time... Good luck with her...

Regards

Alan

Thanks you for your kind words George but I am mechanical challenged! The brackets are 25 x 50 x 40mm galvanized "Make-a-bracket' bracket and very close to 90 degrees. Haven't needed to bend or shape but used set squares to make sure all is ok. Taking up your idea of hanging back on the assembly prompted me to check the alignment of the keel. I rang a string line along the topside and thought this wasn't working so I decided to use some fine screw type eyelets setting 3 up the centre and then running a piece of dowel down the middle. This gave me a quick visual check to ensure everything was in line and then adjust the brackets accordingly. Also used some left over sprue to act as a spacer when fitting the two joining pieces. Now all I need do is wait until next Thursday.

Brex.

I also sent the pics the wrong way too My apologies

I joined the sections of the false keel as per issue 5 and when doing a trial fit of part 16 found I was not able to achieve a right angle unless I forced it. This was not a good option as it then wrapped the false keel. I suspect the cause is the alignment of the two pieces of timber maybe encroaching into the space reserved for the bulkhead. I have removed some of leading edge with some success but still not happy with the result. Does anyone have a suggestion.
Thanks in advance.

Many thanks for the response and I agree persistence and patience are virtues. I learnt that from a master modeler some years ago. My problem is resolved and the culprit was me! I allowed the bracing to get fractionally off line which was magnified by fitting the bulkhead.

I have attached a photo of my two earlier builds others still in progress.