Shop updates 3-22-2015

We have had a full shop this winter, one of the busiest yet.  Lots of ongoing restorations, canoes being built, build your own canoe classes, and canoe paddles being made.  Almost all of the restorations have been large projects, not just simple recanvas jobs, but very detailed and complex work.  Lots of accoutrements too - originals to be repaired and refinished and replacements to be made - of paddles, oars, sail rigs, floor boards, seat backs, hardware, etc.

If you have ever thought about building your canoe, we would love to have you join one of our classes.  We are booking for our fall 2015 classes and winter 2016. Why not sign up now?  It is never too early. 

Waltham long deck courting canoe

 

The Waltham had a lot of rot throughout the decks, framing and inner rails. 

First step is to make and bend a pair of replacement inner rails. 

 

The inner rails are milled and planed to size......

 

.....then steam bent on the jigs.
 



While we wait for the rails to dry on the jigs, here is a look at the rotten damage.

Deck framing missing





 

Rotted out end

 

The other end, rotten and missing wood.

 

 

A look at the rotten inner rails.

 

 

Oh look at that, the inner rails are dry, off the jig and ready to install.

First the old ratty-tatty rails need to be removed very delicately.

 

 

The new rails going in

 

 

The new rails in

 

 

Ends and deck framing being rebuilt

 

 

New inner rails, ends rebuilt, and new deck framing.

 

 

A closer look at the deck framing

 

 

We even duplicated the notched inner rails-
the planking is notched into the inner rail

toward the end of the deck to give a very pleasing sheer curve.

This is a patented trademark of several Boston area canoe builders.

 

 

New canoe building

 

 

Emily cutting a rolling bevel on a stem

 

 

Ribs are bent on the Chicot form
http://www.wood-canoe.com/17_chicot.html

 

 

Ribs being bent on the Smoothwater form
http://www.wood-canoe.com/smoothwater.html

 

 

Chicot being planked up in the background.

Emily working on the Smoothwater.

 

 

Another shot

 

 

After hand clinching, the hull is wetted

to soak out the hammer blossoms

 

 

Emily getting the Chicot form ready for another canoe

 

 

Ribs are bent on the Chicot.

What is that in the background?

 

 

It's the little 1/2 scale model!

 

 

1/2 scale ready to be planked

 

 

Being planked

 

 

The size of the deck for the 1/2 scale

 

 

The 1/2 scale ready for finish.

These are built just like a full size canoe.

Bent ribs, hand fitted planking clinch fastened, canvas covered, etc.

 

 

Here is one of the 14' Smoothwaters being canvassed.

This one is the light weight version - should come in around 35 pounds.

 

 

 

Brodbeck

 

 

Emily working on replacing ribs in the Brodbeck -

15 in a row

 

 

All the broken ribs replaced

 

 

The interior varnished - looking at the replacement ribs.

Can you tell the difference between the new and old?

 

 

Another look at the interior

 

 

The Brodbeck ready for canvas

 

 

The Brodbeck being canvassed

 

 

 Pictures from around the shop

 

 

A pretty familiar scene in the shop -

canoes every where in all sorts of stages of restoration.

 

 

The dinghy getting ready to be canvassed

 

 

The dinghy being canvassed

 

 

The white oak outer stem for the dinghy being bent

 

Outer rails being installed on the double ender

 

 

New seat backs being made from quarter sawn red spruce

 



 Ready for finish



 

More inner rails being steam bent

 

 

Old Town OTCA getting a new pair of mahogany outer gunwales

 

  

The 1905 Old Town canvased and filled

 

 

Not only fulfilling orders but getting ready for spring orders too
Part of a larger run of paddles being made here in the shop.

These are custom made and available for sale.
Contact us for more information.

 

 

Timber cat - the inspector.

 



  A view from our workbench.