Little errors that you point out Bill is making is great because those are the kind of errors many of us would make without the help of this video series. While you point out potential pitfalls, you can't predict ALL the ways folks in the field can go astray - so this is really good stuff. :bow:
The all knowing Wikipedia says that Stitch and Glue techniques were first thought of in the early 60s by Ken Littledyke. He apparently used fishing line.
I was always under the impression that the Mirror dinghy was the first, but as indicated above maybe not. It certainly popularized the technique. Per Wikipedia: The Mirror was designed by Jack Holt and TV do-it-yourself expert Barry Bucknell in 1962.[2] It employed a novel construction method where sheets of marine plywood are held together with copper stitching and fibreglass tape. This is called tack and tape or stitch and glue construction.
So when attaching the forms, wouldn't it make more sense to slide the "U" through the single eyelet into the two and do your twist on the inside of the hull?
Question: could it be easier to attach external forms the following way: rotate the boat upside down and attach the forms from above, then rotate it all back.
It might be easier. It might be worth trying if you want. There are still a lot of floppy bits at that point so the flipping over and back may be a trick.
I am guessing the reason to use copper wire instead of bailing wire is bailing wire is coated with oil and will stain the plywood. Is that correct? Thanks for sharing.
Additionally if the wire is hard to remove you can heat the wire with a heat gun (copper will conduct heat fast) and when heated you can easily remove with pliers.
The process of making a birch bark canoe is very different. While the bark was sewn, it was generally bent into shape with darts that were sewn back together. The structure came from ribs.
Little errors that you point out Bill is making is great because those are the kind of errors many of us would make without the help of this video series. While you point out potential pitfalls, you can't predict ALL the ways folks in the field can go astray - so this is really good stuff. :bow:
And I thought I knew how to twist a wire. Always something to learn.
It isn't just about twisting wire, its how you do it to accomplish a particular purpose.
Looking forward to the next episode.
The all knowing Wikipedia says that Stitch and Glue techniques were first thought of in the early 60s by Ken Littledyke. He apparently used fishing line.
I was always under the impression that the Mirror dinghy was the first, but as indicated above maybe not. It certainly popularized the technique.
Per Wikipedia: The Mirror was designed by Jack Holt and TV do-it-yourself expert Barry Bucknell in 1962.[2] It employed a novel construction method where sheets of marine plywood are held together with copper stitching and fibreglass tape. This is called tack and tape or stitch and glue construction.
Hand strength looks essential or more precisely finger strength
So when attaching the forms, wouldn't it make more sense to slide the "U" through the single eyelet into the two and do your twist on the inside of the hull?
It will become clear why I do it this way later. I actually leave those stitches in place while fiberglassing the inside.
Question: could it be easier to attach external forms the following way: rotate the boat upside down and attach the forms from above, then rotate it all back.
It might be easier. It might be worth trying if you want. There are still a lot of floppy bits at that point so the flipping over and back may be a trick.
I am guessing the reason to use copper wire instead of bailing wire is bailing wire is coated with oil and will stain the plywood. Is that correct? Thanks for sharing.
Bailing wire is larger gauge so it needs a larger hole. It is a bit less flexible so it is harder to work with. And oil isn't good either.
Also harder on your snippers.
Also, I think bailing wire may rust if a piece ends up being left in there. Copper won't rust.
Additionally if the wire is hard to remove you can heat the wire with a heat gun (copper will conduct heat fast) and when heated you can easily remove with pliers.
Did the American Indians use a stitch and glue process for birchbark canoes (sorta)?
Good point! IIRC the birch bark is sewn together with spruce roots (again from memory (from a WoodenBoat article maybe), I’ve never done it).
The process of making a birch bark canoe is very different. While the bark was sewn, it was generally bent into shape with darts that were sewn back together. The structure came from ribs.