Day 5 The Prams Take Shape

We started off the day by finishing up the jigs. The first step was making the notches big enough for the stringers to fit and then we finished aligning the notches on all of the jigs. After the jigs were completed, we had to tape all of the edges because when we use the epoxy to put the boat together, we don’t want the boat to be stuck to the jigs. After the edges were taped, we screwed the stringers down to the jigs. We had issues with the wood splitting while we were bending the stringers to fit into the notches in the jigs but we repaired the split wood with glue. After lunch, we began to sand down the bow and stern jigs in order to prepare for using epoxy to glue the boats stern and bow pieces onto the stringers. The reason we sanded down the bow and stern jigs is because when we use the epoxy to put on the stern and bow pieces, we don't want them to be stuck together.

Eliot Heher 

Tyler praying to the plastic tape god. We use the tape to ward off epoxy run-off.

Bending the stringers in place.  Only a few broke.

Screwing the stringers into place is a bit nervewracking as they can break under the stress.

Today we described to Graham what we have done so far on the jigs. We began to put the 1x6 and the 1x2 stringers across the frame. We also traced out the transom and began to trace out the top of the stern. One group made 2x2 ½ strips. The stringers have been drilled into the frames. We also laid out a rudder on scarp wood.  Sarah and I cut out the rudder using the band saw, which was not easy but fun to do.

Abby Hammerl

Sarah, who is battling the flu and strep, takes aim on the band saw and creates a nice rudder template.

Jackie and Theo draw out the side panels.

Sarah's concentration is intense and the work is of the highest quality, mostly.

Day 4 Optimist Pram Jigs Take Form

We began class by comparing a piece of oak wood and pine.  The oak was more dense and a different color because it had been weathered.  We also learned more about the grain of the wood.  In the pine, the grain of the wood was visible.  We learned that “ripping” is when you cut with the grain of the wood.  After this quick lesson, we continued to work on the frame of the boat. The class is divided into 2 different groups, and we work together to construct the mold for the boat. With the frames, we started constructing and putting the frames together.  We angled and cut the frames of the bow, stern, and middle piece and screwed them to the original frame.   The molds are really coming together.
    -Jackie

Ryan screwing in the Bow Jig

Mr. Grant makes a great clamp

Graham explains the plans to Tyler and Jory, who really get it.

Tyler styling with the jigsaw.  Great job measuring twice and cutting once.

Theo is helping by watching.  It's a public works project.

Today our goal was to finish the two jigs we have been working on. On one of the jigs, our center frame was out of line, so we tried to realign that. We found the problem was that the center line was not correctly measured, which was a large problem and we had to find a solution. Because of that, we realigned the entire center frame, so the centers of all three frames were in line with each other. A useful phrase we learned today was “measure twice, cut once.” Because of our center line mishap, it would have been helpful to know that phrase earlier, but a big part of this course is learning from mistakes. Now we know to always make sure measurements are 100% correct before we cut the wood. Slightly ahead, the other jig is coming along well also. The sides of each frame were cut down to the second nook, so the boat would not get caught once we build on the jigs. Once the center line was correct, we did the same on the other jig. After that, we bolted small pieces of wood onto the frames, so that when we put the 1x6’s and 1x2’s across the three frames, we can bolt them in easily. The jigs are on there way and will be finished within the next day or two. Once our course is finished, the jigs could be used for multiple times.

Abby and Ravi set the stern jig in place.

After going over the properties of different woods and talking about the grain of the wood, we continued to work on the frame of the boats.  We attached the cut-out molds of the bow, middle, and stern to the frame once we had measured the pieces very carefully.  We screwed the pieces to the frame after figuring out how to work the saw and the screwdriver.  The hardest part was having to attach the bow at a 26 degree angle.  Graham showed us how to assure that the piece was 26 degrees by measuring blocks of wood and leaning the bow on them as we screwed it in.  Finally the four separate parts of the frame were connected, and we were ready to learn about our next step. 

-Caroline 

Andrew does a fine job adjusting the middle jig.

It's all about the teaching. Abby is doing a great job teaching Mr. Grant.

        

Day Two and Three Lowell's Boat Shop and Jackson Lumber

Lowell's Boat Shop ~ Amesbury, MA

On the Merrimack River

Lowell's Boat Shop

Graham McKay, Shipwright

The Boat Building Class 2012 (The Wrecking Crew)

Student Journal 

Following our visit to Lowell's Boat Shop on Saturday morning, we met for class in the workshop on this glorious Monday morning. To start class, we started looking at the plans for our boats. Graham translated the seemingly foreign language that was displayed on the board, and we started to understand how to read the measurements. At 10:00 am we packed into the minibus, and Mr. Grant lifted the school super duty pick-up truck. 

Our expedition brought us to Jackson Lumber Yard in Lawrence, where we found all the necessary supplies for our project. Ryan Miles handled the supply list, and soon enough we were picking out various sizes and types of wood from the warehouse. Once the wood was loaded into the truck, we voyaged back to the workshop and commenced the building of our vessels. With the class split in half, the competition begins to construct the best Optimist. Checking out for lunch for now but we will return later this afternoon!

After digesting some nice and healthy foot-longs, our class made its way back to the workshop and started the construction. We grabbed our trusty goggles and went to town on some wood. We started by cutting the outline of the bow and stern out of the plywood and then built the base of the boat.

Willie Platt

Winter Term 2013 January 5 - 25

A New Home, A New Start

As we say good by to 2012 and prepare for our winter term the weather outside is blowing hard from the west, dumping several inches of rain on us.  Yesterday we moved Lucie (our modified Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack) from her garage "safe-port" to our new work site just outside of the science center.  We quickly erected a canopy knowing that the weather was going to turn ugly by evening.  And indeed it has.  

When last we left off Lucie was near rigging stage, though I think we are further back than that in truth.  Over the summer the spars  and sails were finished but not much more was done, so there is still much to do.  Work on installing the centerboard and the bow sprit will be first on the list.  

This year the Wooden Boat Building course will work on two projects; the completion of the MBLS and two Optimist prams, start to finish.  The ladder are one-person size dingy sailors and will be exciting to to build from scratch.  A new crop of students, 14 in total, will join us on January 5th, 2013.  Please stay tuned as we build and dream of sailing and certainly better weather.