Re: Here We Go Again
 

I have seen triads used instead of squares because they contour better on surfaces that are not flat. Works good.

Re: Here We Go Again
 

My other first job was trimming and grinding so I don't know what a "Triad" is....... :D

Re: Here We Go Again
 

No wonder you quit and went into business for yourself :D

The worst job I've ever had (not the hardest) was working on the tear off crew for a roofing company. We used to tear off all the old hot tar and gravel roofs. A six foot spade and a pair of leather gloves were the only tools we used.

Your boat is coming along nicely BTW :cool:

strick

Re: Here We Go Again
 

I know you know what a triad is, quit kidding around, for those that don't its a simple triangle. They sometime change the shape to follow a complex curve but they work great.

Re: Here We Go Again
 

More of the same stuff going on this weekend. I have to say I'm getting tired of glass work. The only consolence I give myself was that it was too windy to go fishing anyway so I may as well be working on the boat.

A marathon hatch session:

A couple pics showing the molds for the 5 hatches that were left to be fabricated. The two bigger ones will go on the casting deck while the three smaller ones are for the transom cap.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6285.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6286.JPG

Pre cutting the coring to fit. The three smaller ones are non weight bearing so they will not get any coring.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6289.JPG

This is the modeling compound that I've been using for the radius's.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6290.JPG

It has a waxy composition so it smooths out really well and you can prime or just glass over it without it being effected by the resin. I just push it into the corners.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6291.JPG

and smooth it out with a spoon and my fingers

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6292.JPG

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6293.JPG

a shot showing the finished edge

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6294.JPG

Once ready the molds were waxed and duratec primer is applied.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6295.JPG

While the primer is still a little tacky I start the lay up. I like to take some cloth tape and cut some little squares to put into the corners of the mold. Then tape the rest of the way around.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6299.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6298.JPG

Once the edge's and corners are wet out then I start putting down the matt. The mold gets 2-3 layers of matt. Strips of matt are also applied around the mold edges and corners.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6300.JPG

Over the matt goes 2 layers of 1708. I let this all set up and then apply the coring.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6301.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6302.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6303.JPG

A final layer of 1708 over that

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6304.JPG
http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6305.JPG

The hatches pop out of the mold easily. The modeling compound can be reused.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6308.JPG http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6309.JPG

checking that everything fits

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6310.JPG http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6311.JPG http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6317.JPG

I've shown these areas before were I faired the area under the gunnel cap were my panels came to an abrupt end.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6144.JPG

Today I glassed over the fairing compound to prevent any cracking. It was a royal PIA. I had to mask the entire boat and then laying on my side I put a layer of matt over the
filler.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6315.JPG http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6318.JPG


I'll feel better now knowing that there is glass over these areas.

The transom has been faired and sanded over and over again. Today I put a thin coat of primer over it so blemishes will stand out better. It's getting there but there are still a
few small spots that need attention. Fairing a transom is a lot like taking a trip into Never Never Land.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6320.JPG

were I left off this evening

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN6328.JPG

strick

Re: Here We Go Again
 

Nice documentation of the whole process, I'm ichin to try that clay and mold technique.
Being an owner of a 20SF I'm liking the way the casting deck is looking. Being able to stand up next the the edge without stepping on the rod boxes is a nice feture. Nice Job!!

Re: Here We Go Again
 

Looks great Strick. You are becoming a human hatch making machine. I made a hatch for the big Mako a few weeks back, its not easy work. You just knocked off a whole production of them! Strong.

The boat is coming together rapidly! Keep the steaming ahead in FULL. Once I finish my Mako 21, I have vowed to not take on another major refit project. I've had enough... of listening to crap from my wife about my stupid boats.

Re: Here We Go Again
 

Don't give in, thats what they want. :D :D

Re: Here We Go Again
 

Strick....is that Duratec primer that you're using in the mold???

Re: Here We Go Again
 

Ringleader you ought to finish a boat first! until then quit yer bitchin [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Strick- looking very very nice, those hatches are better than some I have seen on new boats.