Quick Heating and Quick Cooling

Heating the Glass Close-Up
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

As mentioned in the last entry, we used a heat gun to heat up the stiff fiberglass, and soften the epoxy. Immediately upon softening, we laid a cool metal weight on top of the newly-softened fiberglass. This helped the fiberglass lay flat as it should.

As we went, we learned that we could run the heat gun in front of the weight, which would heat the fiberglass and epoxy, and we could immediately slide a weight behind the heated area. this would ensure the area would lay flat. Ive gotta say, it was a pretty clever trick.

Read More..

An Answer to our Glassing Problem

Heating the Glass I
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

We ("we" being Greg for the most part) thought about possible solutions for our problem on how to get the partially-wetted fiberglass to properly adhere to the hull. After a week or so, Greg found the answer. We used a heat gun and softened the epoxy in the areas where the fiberglass was bubbled up from the hull.

Read More..

Glassing the Hull

Glassing the Hull 011
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

This picture shows the front half glassed and epoxied. If you look closely at the picture, you can see the line where theres no top layer of epoxy.

Read More..

A Significant Setback on our way to a Major Milestone

Glassing the Hull 012
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

We ran out of epoxy. Between applying the base coat to the bare wood, and the bonding coat that bonds the glass cloth to the hull, we went through well over three gallons of epoxy.

This could have some major unintended side effects for us, but Im not sure yet.

The front half of the boat is fine. Im not so sure about the back half. Greg thinks that we can just get more epoxy and continue where we left off. Im concerned that well need to rip up the cloth that didnt get bonded and reapply the cloth. Heres what Im thinking...

Weve got the base layer of epoxy applied to the bare wood. Its also ever-so-slightly bonding the fiberglass cloth to the hull. But Im concerned that its not quite right. Im going to ask Jacques over at the boat forum and get his input. Ill let you know when I get the answer.

Read More..

Glassing two days and counting

 I did this first coat in the garage, and then picked it up and took it outside on a nice sunny day to see if I could get the epoxy to cure a little quicker.  My technique was to use a plastic spreader to spread the epoxy.  1st coat sucked it right up,  the second coat (applied today) used very little more glass to fill almost to the top of the weave.  Tyvek coverals ($10 at Lowes) are essential, as well as nitrile gloves.  Clean up of exposed skin parts is done with white vinegar, and soap.  No harsh chemicals to drive into skin. 

 The transom will get a haircut tomorrow morning.  I hope that the Easter Bunny will let me do a little sanding prior to church.  Looking at a couple hours of sanding with the random orbit and 60 grit. 

 Boat will get one more coat of epoxy after the sanding. Then will add the skeg.  Will trim the stem later. 

 The flat spot on the chine bugs me.  Should have fixed it when I had the chance.  I was aiming for a 5 footer (looks good up close), guess I will have to settle for a 20 footer. 
The good news is that this boat still is very easy to pick up and walk around the yard.  I am really looking forward to my first row in this skiff. 

Read More..