Plastic Classic Forum

TampaBay

Low spots filled with epoxy, thickened with graphite. At some point, work on this hatch will come to a stop; There are other projects,,, and I want to go sailing.

TampaBay

Here is a look at a typical summer day in south Florida. In the shady area, I worked at this small project, and then went back inside to the air-conditioning. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/poolside.jpg The Dremel was bought just for this purpose. The tool seems to have a wobble;...

TampaBay

I received an e-mail from my Mom yesterday; she asked "why no new updates to the thread?" This one is for you Mom. Today, I found a couple of things at K-mart. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/dremel2.jpg Varnish drying in the garage, on the hood of my truck. http://i1129...

TampaBay

Great info ILikeRust, thanks. I have been surfing through those links, and the older saws look very cool (I only want a few dozen though.) The temperature in the yard is about 95, in the shade. Please,,,,, don't even mention the humidity. I was thinking about setting a work bench, including the gard...

TampaBay

I would not be surprised if those saws fall, well short, of perfection. The 26" saw was 20 bucks, and the smaller saw, 10bucks. They are just for the most basic chores (tree pruning included.) They are, however, light years better than the one saw, I had previously: That saw is so terrible, I c...

TampaBay

Thanks for that link ILR; able to learn a few things quickly. I stopped by Lowes, and found new tools. The sanding blocks should be helpful; I've been using a rubber block with 3 nails set into each side (enough of that.) The paint brushes are a good quality (maybe the best they have at Lowes.) http...

TampaBay

The boat looks fantastic, and the weather is picture perfect. Congratulations, and happy sailing.

TampaBay

The window seat, just off the kitchen, has become a storage area for most of the new boat stuff. Look close and you can see, many types of sandpaper. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/sandpaper3.jpg This is what I started with, and I can not think of a reason to ever buy this type a...

TampaBay

The back of the hatch; starting to look much better. Epoxy was applied to the center section, but that was sanded off. This finish is one coat of Epifanes (diluted 50/50.)

TampaBay

Happy Fourth of July!

TampaBay

Here, is some tape from the auto parts store. Previously, I used plastic tape, but this is working far better. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/tape2.jpg http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/tape1.jpg For protection, the edge is coated with an epoxy and graphite mix. ...

TampaBay

Here are six new fasteners for the head of the main. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/headsailfix.jpg This is what the back of the hatch looks like now. Epoxy with graphite powder. I filled some small pin holes and low spots, almost ready for another coat (more sanding.) http://i11...

TampaBay

Whilst waiting for epoxy to cure, I thought it was a fine time to fix this sail. This Golden is not unhappy, his eyes may look sad, but we are on our way to the beach, right at this moment. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/headrepair.jpg These rivets worked lose; so I went to ACE ...

TampaBay

Here are a couple of items I picked up at West Marine. The back of the hatch rides against a rubber gasket, and that is where the graphite additive will be useful.

TampaBay

The boat looks fantastic. The interior is better than new.

The mast looks like a professional's work: Nine fasteners per side, bedded in 5200, the through bar,,,,,,

Just to comment on JoeC's observation: The strength of that design is easily, many multiples stronger.

TampaBay

Well, I said that I was ending the epoxy tests, but last night, the weather was right and I was mixing epoxy anyway, so I finished the Recreation. This board was kept in the air conditioned house (71f) and then brought out side to cure (90f.) As you can see, many. and large, bubbles. http://i1129.ph...

TampaBay

And, the results are in. Fourth step: The ice cold pan slowly fills with water, a result of condensing humidity, and the water saturates the board. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/newmethod.jpg I guess it's true what Hirilondë said, "this is not an exact science." For wh...

TampaBay

The New Method looks like this. First: Put board in air tight bag, and lay it in the Florida sun. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/heatup.jpg Second: Take bag of ice and place on counter top. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/heatup1.jpg Third: Stack onto ice bag, ...

TampaBay

Thanks for that link. With a couple pieces of scrap, I will repeat the previous project. This time, using two different methods. At this point, it looks like temperature was the cause of the bubbles, but there were bubbles in the epoxy as a result of mixing. This is 5mm ply, with a Birch face; the s...

TampaBay

edited

TampaBay

Here is a look at the Birch, with one coat of epoxy.

How do I apply epoxy, and avoid these trapped air bubbles?

TampaBay

Tonight, I had some free time, so I put together a small batch of epoxy (30mls.) This is the smallest batch I've mixed, but with some practice, a 15ml batch should be no problem. Here is the front of the hatch; 30mls of epoxy, tipped off with a paint brush. This photo is from inside, looking out the...

TampaBay

Here is a nice shot that a friend sent to me. It is a J27 off of Salem, MA

Might be easier to turn down, if the rudder was in the water.

TampaBay

And the progress continues: After a fair amount of sanding, I mixed up a small batch of epoxy (90mls) and covered the back of the hatch. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/backhatch.jpg Here you can see, that I used plastic tape around the edge, to build a retaining wall for the liqu...

TampaBay

Thanks Hirilondë, That is good advice: After some finale sanding, the hatch will get a coat of epoxy, then varnish. There is a 16oz can of West System graphite additive on order; due in town by Thursday. Today, I gathered together some of the things needed, for the next step. http://i1129.photobucke...

TampaBay

I set up shop in the side yard; just managed to find a flat area, with a little shade. All work was done with the belt, and 40 grit paper. This part of the project was an absolute breeze. The sander is quite, powerful, and easy to work with. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/shadeys...

TampaBay

I picked up a utility knife at K-mart today. It looks, and feels very strong; time will tell. I have been using those older style "sheet rock knives" for long enough to know, that there must be something better. This was only $15. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/newknif...

TampaBay

Ultimately, The hatch will be sanded into shape with this. I went shopping for a belt sander, but decided on this instead.

TampaBay

Here is a look at what just happened to my "heavy duty" razor blade. To be fair, I have been leaning into it.

TampaBay

The Saws-All was a bit much for the job, a little dangerous too. Currently, I am working with a razor, and a file Hirilondë, One weekend, I helped a friend move Sapience from Mattapoisett, MA to a mooring in Thompson Cove, RI. It was a great sail, with a brief stop at Great Salt Pond. If I had to gu...

TampaBay

Thanks for the input. Hello Hirilondë, I did some sailing on a Pearson Renegade out of RI. I think her name was Sapience; ever see her around? Tonight, I used this new saw, to rough that part out. If this thing was bolted into a work table, it might be half useful. http://i1129.photobucket.com/album...

TampaBay

The weathered veneer parted from the hatch easily. I prepped both bonding surfaces with 40 grit, and mixed 90mls of epoxy. Both sides were coated, joined, and weighted down. When the epoxy in the mixing jar went hard, I took off the weights, and brought the project inside. My question is: What now? ...

TampaBay

Here is the small hatch. I can not and will not, climb in there, to do fiberglass work. It is 16" by 9". http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/rightsizeway2.jpg And now you know, why I did this. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/largedeckoff.jpg Here is the c...

TampaBay

The original rub rail was pulled off; it was held in place by the hull to deck adhesive (see photo of cross section in earlier post.) I am in the market for new rub rail, any ideas? Small boat, but not easy to turn over. Nice day for some grinding. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2...

TampaBay

Don't bet that the thief has a similar furling system. A dirt bag like this one, is probably not that smart.

Call the police and file a report.

TampaBay

Got that project started already. I re-sized one image, then cut away to get some work down around the house.

TampaBay

Thanks, I just joined Photobucket, and edited the thread with improved images; also with an upgrade to grammar, and capitalization.

TampaBay

Do you keep all those boats in your yard? I would like to see a picture of the fleet. These are views from inside the bow (starboard and port). This is the first, that I have seen the boat like this (new camera.) If the fiberglass work looks bad, It's because that's an area impossible for a Human to...

TampaBay

The project today was fixing a flat tire on the trailer: See the can in lower left of image?

TampaBay

She has a small forward hatch. Some owners are climbing into this tiny port (partially visible) and rebuilding. It would have been impossible (for me), working through that hatch, so I grabbed a good looking circular saw and took the deck off. http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m512/TampaBay2/deck...

TampaBay

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