Bulkheads Finished

Bulkheads are now ready for setting up. There are a couple of  places where portions of framing will have to wait until the alignment has been done as the locating holes end up covered by framing. This is the case for the stern and stem bulkheads.

Here is the complete set for the Port hull. The Starboard set has been put away for who knows how long as I only have room to build one hull at a time.

Handy Tools

In making the bulkheads I need to sand around the edge of the panels to give the glue a strong bond. Using a rotary Dremel type tool I was able to set an accurate distance from the edge by setting the sanding attachment a measured distance from the collar, which makes it very easy to get a straight edge which will line up with the framing.

Another handy tool which you probably did not realise was a boat building tool is.... a chilly bin (or Esky). Great for supporting bulkheads while glue sets.

Bulkheads Part 3

I have cut out all ten of the plywood bulkhead shapes. The next step is to strengthen these with framing timber. I am using the same douglas fir as for the stringers.

I have used a router to put a radiused edge on the inner corner of the framing. It gives a nice look and should also help the epoxy to protect the wood better as a sharp edge is likely to chip.

These clamps are really handy, I have a mixture of spring and ratchet type, but though I thought I had plenty, it seems you can't have too many as I need about 20 clamps for the more complicated bulkheads to do the framing in one glue session.