C_B_2015_05_

CLASSIC BOAT MAY 2015 87

Boatbuilder’s Notes

CRAFTSMANSHIP

String and nail clamp

If the parts of a glue-up are too awkwardly shaped to hold in

place using the regular clamps you have to hand, then you

might like to consider tapping in a nail either side of the glue

line and pulling the parts together by winding string around

them. This improvised clamping method is not only adaptable

and quick to set up, but is also easily adjustable.

In this example a simple butt joint repair to a strut is

clamped under gentle pressure and in perfect alignment

using string wound between pairs of small nails until the

glue sets. Small holes left by the nails are easily filled

and painted over.

Paring to the line

A sharp bevel-edge chisel is a highly versatile tool, tough enough to

chop out a mortice yet fine enough to clean the corners of a dovetail

joint or, as here, the perfect tool for paring down to the line in a

situation where even a bull-nose plane cannot finish the job. The

technique is to push with one hand while the other holds the blade

flat to the surface and also applies the brake, enabling you to sneak

right into a corner taking very fine shavings with excellent control

and visibility. Raise the pushing hand slightly to take a coarser

shaving, and skew the chisel to make a cleaner cut. Used in this way

it’s also handy for paring away glue squeezed from joints and cutting

wooden plugs flush with their surroundings.

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS

ROBIN GATES

When you need to cross-cut a piece of timber

squarely but you don’t have a try square to

hand, lay the back of the saw across the

face of the timber and adjust its position

until the edges of the timber are in line

with their reflections in the saw plate. At

this point the saw will be at right angles

to the edge of the timber and you can

mark your line. Working by eye in this

way is surprisingly accurate – the saw need

be only a degree or two out of square for

the timber and its reflection to be clearly out

of alignment. The shinier the saw, the better this

works, so give it an occasional wipe with an oily rag

to keep the rust at bay.

TOP TIP

ROBIN GATES ROBIN GATES

ROBIN GATES

Reflections on

sawing square

Timber and reflections in alignment: the

saw is square to the edge. Insert: timber

and reflections out of alignment as shown

by the saw if not square

CB323 Boatmans Notes.indd 87 23/03/2015 17:38