Friday, July 10, 2015

The Starling Project - Part 24


It has helped greatly to have the old splash boards reasonably intact so that I can use them as patterns. They have been particularly useful in enabling me to obtain the correct bevels and deck camber. The new mahogany splash boards are both thicker and higher than the old ones.

My new Black&Decker 'WorkMate' work bench has come into its own during this work. When I have finished using it - it just folds up and I put it back into my 'No Room To Swing A Cat' work shed.

The Starling now has port and starboard rubbing strakes at deck level, cockpit trim and new splash boards which were taped into place for the photograph. All of this new mahogany trim and the splash boards still require rounding and/or shaping and sanding before they get their first coat of varnish.

With 90% of the woodwork completed it is now time to turn her over and either begin painting or fiberglassing.

4 comments:

Ben said...

Hi Alden,
Handy things these Workmates. I have one 37 years. Looks like your old blue one.
The Starling is getting its shape, beautiful. I like varnished decks.
Does the prow, nose of the ship get any steal protection?
Yes, to fiberglass or not, that is the question! Wish you luck and wisdom to take the decision.
I just brought all the stuff out of my shed, to find out what is really needed, so it might be possible to swing a cat in the future.

Alden Smith said...

Yes Ben, very handy indeed. The work top of the older Workmate is shorter in length than the new one but is higher, which is sometimes useful. The new Workmate has a step that folds down when you open it from its folded position. I found this step very useful for keeping the Workmate stable by placing one foot on it when I was planing the splash boards today.

The older Workmate is one I inherited from an Aunt. It is called a 'WorkMate 600' and is probably as old as the one you own.

I love varnished decks. I hope the deck sands up nicely so that I can varnish it - so far, so good.

I have a stainless fitting that fits down the face of the bow a few centimeters back across the deck and provides both a handle for lifting the bow of the boat and an attachment eye for the forestay - you will be able to see it subsequent photographs when I get to the hardware fit out stage.

Fiberglassing? I haven't priced this job as yet - perhaps the cost will be the deciding factor in the end.

I am a confirmed hoarder of stuff in my shed (although I have actually had several clean-outs over the years) and still find a use for a wide range of assorted bit and pieces that I have held onto for years.

Good luck swinging your cat LOL - I'm afraid mine would be knocked unconscious on its first swing.

Kate said...

This project has been such a pleasure to follow! And interesting too! I thought I would never need more than my two fold up sawhorses. That some time ago I lent one to someone and it has never come back. One sawhorse is less than half for use of Tony. I am looking with envy at your workmate. I may ask my kids to get me one for Christmas.

Alden Smith said...

I now have 6 saw horses and 2 workmates. I have a couple of scaffold planks to span the saw horses that have come in very useful with the painting and decorating that I have been doing (hence the hiatus on the Starling at the moment. I don't think everyone requires 2 workmates or the number of saw horses I have but I am kitting myself up for a much larger wood working space, so the more tools and other kit the better.

You can buy a new WorkMate at Mitre 10 for $114 or I have seen them for sale on TradeMe. The older WorkMate that I have is higher than the new one and is a better height for some work.