Are you working on some DIY projects and looking for ideas to make things go more smoothly?
Why Use Cable Ties for Stitching?
When it comes to stitch-and-glue boat construction, the traditional method involves using copper for stitching. But Hanneke Boon from James Wharram Designs suggests a different approach: cable ties. “They’re cheap, easy to use, and softer than copper wire,” she explains.
And if you’re set on using copper wire? Hanneke has a resourceful tip: “You can remove copper windings from old electric motors.”
How Can a Caulking Gun Improve Filleting?
Hanneke also shared a clever trick for making filleting easier. “When you’re making fillets, leaning into the boat can distort the finish. The stem of a boat can be particularly tricky to reach,” she says. “So we clean out an empty caulking cartridge, fill it with epoxy, and use it as a fine nozzle. It’s much easier to reach into tight places this way, and the results are fantastic.”
Can a T-Shirt Fix a Boat Cover?
Our own technical expert, Gary Thompson, recently came up with a brilliant solution for repairing a boat cover that was damaged in a storm. “I cleaned the cover thoroughly, then cut an old t-shirt into strips and wet it out using G/flex® 650 epoxy. I applied it to the tear with peel ply,” he shares. “The result is strong, waterproof, flexible, and cost-effective.”
What If I Don’t Have Vacuum Equipment for Laminating?
If you’re an amateur boatbuilder without access to vacuum equipment for laminating, don’t worry. Hanneke has a solution: “We use weights like water tanks and jerry cans, which we stand on top of whatever we’re laminating. We laminated a beautiful balsa curved cabin that way.”
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