Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Cutting chine log slots

I like accurate good fitting joints. While cutting the chine log slots for my drift boat I find this challenging. Some are nice tight fits and other come out sloppy. The compound bevels of the ribs don't help. I used ash for the ribs so cutting the end grain of this hardwood is time consuming with hand tools. I tried setting up a jig to use the band saw, but each rib is a different bevel so more set is required. So back to the hand tools. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Bill

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dave Z on April 28, 2013 at 5:02pm

A good Hacksaw. With a wide and stiff blade. 24-32 tpi. Cheap hacksaw wont cut it (intended pun)

go SLOW

And another tip- take yout time in laying out the lines on all sides of the cut. Then go through the lines with a sharp marking knife or razor blade.

And don't worry. After a few trips on the river those gaps will fill in nicely with grit, mud and stuff.

I've hosed a few in the past. Won't ruin your day, you'll likely be the only guy to notice.

good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Craig on April 28, 2013 at 5:42pm

Good tip. I was using a pull saw but it's too flexible. I wsas going to try a hack saw next. Now I will for sure.

Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on April 28, 2013 at 7:13pm

Dave Z is right on getting a good layout. A small (home made) bevel gage is good for the job. A stiff backedJapanes pull saw- used for cutting dovetails is not "flexible" and should work . You are building a boat- not the space shuttle.

Good luck

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Permalink Reply by Phillip Westendorf on April 28, 2013 at 7:20pm

Bill,

Try using one of those Multi-function tool that oscillate. I used one on my Ash framing for the same thing. It works slick and you can literally shave the wood off. i have both a 1" and 1 3/8" wide plunge blade for this. Harbor freight has them on sale through May 31. Their Lithion_ion version is on sale for $ 39.99, not a bad deal.

G'Luck

Dorf

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Permalink Reply by tungsten on April 28, 2013 at 8:16pm

Backsaw I think there called ,very thick and stiff.

I have one of them tools also Dorf,i call it the buzzer.Very handy.

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Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on April 29, 2013 at 3:32pm

I just used a backsaw, and it was just a cheap one from the big box store... Used it for a few projects and tossed it for a new one...

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Permalink Reply by Bill Craig on April 29, 2013 at 7:08pm

Used the hack saw today with a 32 tpi blade as Dave Z suggested. Worked much better. Onward!