I’ll need some parts made from 1×2 lumber to help shape the plywood parts into boat parts. Working from fore to aft, there’ll be a stem and a frame, and at the stern there’ll be a transom made from 3/4″ ply. But, I’m a little wary of the size and angles of the transom, so I’m going to make a mock-up of the transom from 1×2’s, something of a story stick, a story frame made out of 3 story sticks.
First, though, I need the 1×2 stock. But you know what? A 2×4 is cheaper than a 1×2, and I can cut four 1×2’s out of a single 2×4.
So I’m definitely making 1×2’s out of a 2×4.
I set the table saw fence at 3/4″ and start ripping.
Then, after I’ve gotten four 1×2’s out of a single 2×4, I measure, mark, and crosscut all the 1×2 parts.
And now I’ve got parts.
And more parts.
All the parts!
I had hoped to make the stem and the frame today, but I ran into some serious trouble ripping the 20.5° angle in the 1×2 for the stem. I tried on a scrap piece, but I couldn’t get anywhere near the center of the scrap piece to be able to reverse the parts and combine for the stem. I’m not sure how I’m going to cut it.
I’ve got an extra 8′ 2×4, so maybe I can rip a 1×2 and cheat on it from either side to be able to make two 20.5° parts to make the stem. We’ll see next week.
See this page for notes regarding cutting the stem out of larger stock.
Lesson(s): WordPress makes a nice multiplication-sized X between the dimensions when writing 2×4 and 1×2, but it doesn’t when making them plural, hence 2x4s and 1x2s. So I’ve added an apostrophe to the plurals, even though that’s probably not correct. Let the copy editors complain, but the X looks better — and consistent — this way.
Lesson(s): The 1×2’s came out much rougher than I’d imagined they would. Maybe because of the 8′ length going onto the short portable saw table, but they tended to buck up a bit heading into the riving knife and under the pawls. And then they started binding in places, maybe owing to their un-jointed-ness being a not consistent thickness or the saw blade being old and dull. So the 1×2’s came out with some saw marks.
Which isn’t a big deal. Machine marks are meant to be sanded out, aren’t they? Although these look more like they ought to be planed out. But, hey, again, I’m trying not to worry about any rough, homemade aspects of the boat. I’m trying to celebrate the rough, homemade look!
I’m definitely thinking of planing any gluing surfaces, though, either with the 1×2 stock or with the 5/8×2 stock that will be made and used later for wales and chines.